Community | September 01, 2010 | 312 comments

Obama Declares Iraq War is Over - Troops Coming Home!

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/01/obama-formally-ends-iraq-war

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jubal
Barack Obama formally brought an end to US combat operations in Iraq last night, seven years and 165 days after the invasion began, and declared it was time for America "to turn the page".

In a televised address to the nation from the Oval Office, the president said America had paid a huge price for the war begun by George W Bush to topple Saddam Hussein.

"Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country," he said.

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki hailed the restoration of sovereignty to Iraq: "Iraq today is sovereign and independent. With the execution of the troop pullout, our relations with the United States have entered a new stage between two equal, sovereign countries."

More at the link...
  1. groups:
    Community,   Culture,   US Politics,   Military
  2. tags:
    Obama,  Iraq War,  Operation Iraqi Freedom,  I-V Day
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312 comments // Obama Declares Iraq War is Over - Troops Coming Home!

  • Karina_92691
    • 0
      Karina_92691  

    • This is all a well organized facade. DO you not see the American propaganda in the picture?? The government buying you with "subtle" images that you eat up subconsciously.
      the open window= hope, hospitality, open mindedness..
      gold/yellowish drapes= prosperity
      flags: patriotism (pfft. yeah right)
      FAMILY PICTURES: moral values, honestly, family man, "commoner"

      hahaha yeah.. ALL HAIL the "president"??

    • 1 year ago
  • jubal
  • Libertalia
    • -1
      Libertalia  

    • The combat mission is over...huh. But there are still tanks rolling down the streets? Still bombs being dropped? Still bullets being fired? Still people being killed. So no, combat is not over.

    • 1 year ago
  • ThatdBMe
    • 0
      ThatdBMe  

    • I echo Budmayne's comment. "The war is over" but, we're still sending troops over? Not to mention, does Obama even plan on pulling out the PMCs? EG: KBR, DynCorp, etc?

      I see a storm on the horizon. I hope I'm wrong about that, though.

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
  • budmayne
  • brit50
  • ikkibu_emuqa
  • Suavecito10
  • dariusvons
    • +1
      dariusvons  

    • bullshit... america has NEVER left ANY territory it's invaded in all history! we're still in panama, still in korea, still in japan... so why would we suddenly change policy on this with iraq but NOT all these OTHERS?

    • 1 year ago
  • crimson_thoughts
  • ahiguy
  • freecrack
  • brit50
  • jubal
  • brit50
  • royulery
  • s_peak
    • +2
      s_peak  

    • So now all we have to do is withdraw them from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

      We're fighting a couple wars, here... so the title is correct in saying that the IRAQ war is over, but since we are fighting two more, now... I wouldn't get too excited.

      War is an incredible profit stream and it allows for unprecedented control of a populace here or abroad.

      We humans have evolved intelligence, but our minds are still like that of children. We need to grow up and see the hypocrisy of war. War can never bring peace.

    • 1 year ago
  • Jake_Leonard
    • -1
      Jake_Leonard  
    • s_peak:

      Well said.

      On the other hand, if this isn't the biggest lunge for votes prior to November for Obama, I'm not sure what is. I wonder if it will pay off for the Democrats?

    • 1 year ago
  • s_peak
  • dragon1984
  • clovernuts
  • E_pluribus_unum
    • +2
      E_pluribus_unum  

    • Alright I feel it necessary to say my piece on this slew of comments, first of all I know that this war has pulled this country apart for many years and will probably continue to do this until we decide that war is corrupt and solves nothing other then death and carnage. Its difficult to understand what the President is going threw and imagine what weight is on his shoulders one must understand that he is a human being and he must at the end of the day take off the suit and tie and explain himself to his children. Sure that is simplifying it. I am not please at all we have any troops in either countries it seem pointless and futile its easy to go into a situation full guns a blazin without considering the consequences but here we are to many years later and enough is enough. Considering all the good we could have done with the money that has been misspent from day one is almost incomprehensible but spending even more money is more of a black hole that I would hate to even discover. The facts are never pretty and often difficult to swallow but we cant erase history but we can if willing to learn from it. History teaches us when it comes to religion, culture and economics you dont mess with because whats good for one is not for the other but when it comes to the basics we can all agree all should have such as food, water and the ability to provide for are families. Ok I am getting much to into this so I will get to my point hate is a cancer that feeds itself on everyone's fears and suppress ones hope and creativity. Civilization hasnt survived purely by conquering its by finding common ground to better the community.

    • 1 year ago
  • s_peak
    • 0
      s_peak  
    • E_pluribus_unum:

      Money can never do good. It can only corrupt. Our corrupt structure is kept intact by the companies that are poisoning us all slowly... but they pay the bills around here... and as such, the president will always support big business. This country, after all, does not run without oil. Big oil OWNS this country. Slavery will always be the outcome... and we are being lied to. The president doesn't have shit on his shoulders. He just took a vacation, after all. This is how this is supposed to work. He lied to us to take our money for the bailout, they're lying about BP and protecting them and the list goes on.

      Everything is going exactly as planned.

      Also... nobody reads history books. Empires have worked EXACTLY like this (to the T) for ages.

    • 1 year ago
  • asherp
  • asherp
    • +1
      asherp  

    • Speaking as a liberal, I'm really surprised how dopey the liberals here on current are.

      You bought the bullshit hook, line, and sinker.

      50,000 troops still in Iraq, still fighting. 12 were just killed in combat.
      How can that be if these troops are non-combat?

      This is the third time we've ended this war. You all must have forgotten we already "ended" combat operations under Bush twice already. It was a lie then, it's a lie now.

    • 1 year ago
  • NuclearLullaby
  • Libertalia
  • asherp
  • shanklinmike
  • shanklinmike
  • Maeveeo
  • ayipis
  • Maeveeo
  • ayipis
  • s_peak
    • +1
      s_peak  
    • Maeveeo:

      Obama and Bush have some of the same advisers. They automatically support the same agenda, it just has a different flavor. Obama sent troops to Afghanistan and Pakistan. We are STILL at war... and the war is a profit stream. The war has made trillions of dollars off of us, and you're still supporting a system that conquers other countries? We live in a fucking empire! There is no way to deny that! We all need to wake up. Bush started a war that was supposed to continue and Obama is spreading the regime. History has already taught us the lesson here... we are being lied to by Bush AND Obama.

    • 1 year ago
  • freecrack
  • metaloki
    • +1
      metaloki  

    • The combat mission ended a long time ago........we're currently sending our nation's finest to police an un-policeable, mixed group of people.

      If the oil didn't exist in Iraq I think it would be safe to say we wouldn't be there at all.

      I wish our troops a safe return home.
      For the troops that are staying or are on their way to serve in Iraq; Thank You & may you return home at peace and not in pieces.

    • 3 years ago
  • ThatdBMe
    • 0
      ThatdBMe  
    • metaloki:

      You can't possibly be serious?

      Proven oil reserves in Iraq cost - 8.400.000.000.000 USD (112 billion barrels)
      Our chief importer for oil - Canada (178 billion barrels. Second only to Saudi Arabia)

      If oil was our primary objective, why haven't we invaded Canada?

    • 1 year ago
  • Paratus
  • ahiguy
    • 0
      ahiguy  
    • Paratus:

      http://noth.ng

      After reflecting about if remaining in Iraq would be a win or a loss, I've come to the conclusion (right or wrong - it is a matter of perspective) that it would be a victory for us to leave asap.
      Nothing could more clearly exemplify the futility and emptiness of the soul and character of Iraq than to leave it to its own demise... soon the foul essence of Islams influence upon it "subjects" could no longer be disguised for the vile plague that it is upon the people subjected to its influence... assuming of course if it would be reported with truth.

    • 1 year ago
  • jubal
  • freecrack
  • csmonut
    • +3
      csmonut  

    • As long as there is an American military presence, it is not over. Sure, many of the troops could be civil engineers, and civil engineers can build things. But they can also blow them up:))
      Besides, the American troops there, engineers included, are carrying weapons and are uner constant threat.
      Nope...this is a halt in combat operations in name only. As long as American military men and women are under constant threat, they have to remain in combat mode.

    • 1 year ago
  • asherp
    • +3
      asherp  

    • It's not over. Combat troops just deployed to Iraq from Ft Hood to replace the ones leaving. There are still 50,000 combat troops there.

    • 1 year ago
  • Paratus
    • +1
      Paratus  

    • I don't think it is over. We just seem to be not fighting it. I'm glad some of the troops are leaving but I don't see peace in this region as a result of our action, or lack of action in this case. We still have some 50K soldiers thee. A lot of possibility for conflict. Interesting that the "surge" that Obama did not support and said would fail is what is responsible for the lower combat incidents. It will be interesting to see if our leaving creates a vacuum that the bad guys will fill, something like Vietnam.

    • 1 year ago
  • Derrick_Cisneros
    • 0
      Derrick_Cisneros  

    • real news or just a lie... Im just happy I wont have to read about this mistake our (US) made wasting time in Iraq for so long... now we have sources such as wikileaks that can give us true stories such as the documents that were released a couple weeks ago..so im not worried about the real story while the internet connects the public so well with the truth..which will sometimes take time to learn... I think this is the first BIG thing Obama actually did in our country, really to earn him, an updated edition in our History 101 classes... Anyways, the real issue is the debt our country made on this war and what we will now have to pay back through taxes.

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
  • ayipis
    • -1
      ayipis  
    • Image

    • http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0901-boxer-20100901,0,376850.story

      Sen. Boxer vows to hold Obama accountable on Afghanistan troop withdrawals

      On the eve of her first debate with Carly Fiorina, the three-term Democrat reminds a San Francisco audience of her antiwar stance and liberal positions on the environment and economy.

      Reporting from San Francisco —
      On the eve of her first debate with Republican Carly Fiorina, Sen. Barbara Boxer outlined her rationale for reelection Tuesday, vowing to hold President Obama accountable for bringing troops home from Afghanistan,

      ***********************************

      ahhhh so what now?????

    • 1 year ago
  • zakkred
    • 0
      zakkred  

    • either way, i think its about time we pulled out.and we all new obama would be the one to do it when we elected him

    • 1 year ago
  • asherp
  • Chapisbored
    • 0
      Chapisbored  

    • ayipis, your making me sad. my moment of contentment at the thought of no more iraq war lasted the amount of time it took me to scroll down.

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
  • ayipis
  • ayipis
  • deafcanadiangurl
    • +2
      deafcanadiangurl  

    • who to believe now ? it been going on too many years now. they said one word and say the others. I realli want our americans/canadians troops to be home with the families .. it is too much and enough already. Iraq needs to run their own government, etc and their own problems, etc.. .. too much war and kills, etc. I think its time to stop and bring our soliders/ army / navy / etc back home and be back with their families again and have PEACE for once :)

    • 1 year ago
  • NuclearLullaby
    • 0
      NuclearLullaby  
    • deafcanadiangurl:

      Most of the US navy never went to Iraq & I can state that as a fact fr two reasons!!! First my brother's in the navy & Iraq doesn't exactly have an ocean border!!! So...To make things short, if you were to serve the country Navy would probably be the best way NOT to get shot!!! I a REAL glad troops are being pulled from a useless war!!!

    • 1 year ago
  • freecrack
  • PhatNick
  • PhatNick
  • asherp
  • s_peak
  • NothingIsAbsoluteTruth
  • masterzip
  • NuclearLullaby
  • asherp
    • +1
      asherp  
    • masterzip:

      This will be the third time we've "ended combat operations" while leaving behind tens of thousands of combat troops.

      There is NO SUCH THING as a non-combat troop.

    • 1 year ago
  • ikkibu_emuqa
  • ZeldaMasterZapp
  • Nephwrack
  • jubal
    • +7
      jubal  
    • Nephwrack:

      Ain't that the truth....and the spin is amazing, too. It always astounds me how two people with different ideological perspectives can listen to the same news and draw completely diametrically opposed points of view. But the power brokers of the world encourage this dialectic because it helps them keep their power. God knows that if all of us peons were to unite around a common goal and put aside the partisan differences...we would be an unstoppable force.

    • 1 year ago
  • freecrack
    • +2
      freecrack  
    • jubal:

      maybe im a wierdo but directly after presidential adresses i like to bounce back and forth between fox and msnbc to see the instant spin.
      this one really frightened me cuz it was surreal.msnbc anf fox both had the same talking points, just one played it as positive and the other negative.
      im not religious but if thier were ever a sign of the apacolypse.............

    • 1 year ago
  • Nephwrack
  • bking74
    • +1
      bking74  
    • jubal:

      People of vastly different political, economical, religious backgrounds will never take the time to listen to each other. It is far to easy to scream and rant. It's why the elite will always hold the reins of power, regardless of what side of the political spectrum you are on.

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
  • asherp
  • s_peak
  • GodIsTheReason
  • freecrack
  • WhiteCrow22
    • +5
      WhiteCrow22  

    • I think the man is doing the best he can, and deserves credit for it. I also think this election cycle is critically important. There are many limits on the President's ability to achieve all of his backers wishes. That does not mean that we should take our ball and go home because we didn't get our way. I am disappointed in the level of progressive progress made in the last 18 months. So what!? I bet he is too. We are not entitled to have everything our way unless it is the very best way, and that has many definitions.

      Without a continued effort and faith that true change can occur, taking all possible actions to achieve progressive goals, without a Congress of willing participants, nothing significant will be achieved. I don't believe the Repugnants and Tea Baggers have the stuff to achieve their goals because they have such a negative view of the world, and it is all "my way or the high way" with them. Personally I prefer the Higher Way. The Middle Way. So, they have nothing to offer the vast majority of the voting population. All we have to do is realize that this election cycle is as important as the election of President Obama. The heart and soul of the US of America is at stake!

      All Democrats, and moderate and progressive Independents must stand together at the polls, or we shall all surely stand together as fodder for the Repugnant's and Tea Bagger's guns and money. We also must not succumb to their habitual LYING, and deceitful projection of themselves onto their opponents, too afraid to look at themselves for fear they won't measure up. Right now, they are so far off the mark in the opposite direction from where they really really need to go as the human race matures that it is almost comical if it weren't for the fact that the children they influence learn fear, hate, and violence from them.

      In fact, it is very difficult for me to believe that Repugnants and Tea Baggers really believe what they profess to believe, it is so far off the wall. Come on Repugs and TBs, wake up and smell the roses!

    • 1 year ago
  • jubal
  • ayipis
    • -2
      ayipis  
    • WhiteCrow22:

      http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghanistan-casualties-20100...

      7 U.S. troops slain in Afghanistan
      Five die in a single attack in Kandahar. The deaths bring the U.S. toll for August to 49, with 14 slain in the last three days.

      ******************

      circa 2003-2008..these kind of news would send the liberal masses into a "impeachment" frenzy..........those times..at its infancy..liberals were crying that this war should had ended in a year..and NOW you are sounding like a bush apologist..

      there is not ONE promise that came true...NOT EVEN THE TALK of impeachment LOL..

      dont worry true change is coming...56cents in change..DNC will say thats your stimulus package LOL

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
    • -7
      ayipis  
    • WhiteCrow22:

      "Repugnants"?????..such a hateful word specially coming from a person screaming "higher way"..peace..love and understanding..right direction..

      careful you are influencing children to hate repugnants and tea baggers

      LOL

    • 1 year ago
  • WhiteCrow22
    • +2
      WhiteCrow22  
    • ayipis:

      Sorry if the truth hurts dude, and no, I am not perfect, or rather I am perfectly imperfect just like you . Our difference is that you prefer your negative view of the world, I prefer a more positive view of the world. Hey dude, it's your choice.

    • 1 year ago
  • bking74
    • +2
      bking74  
    • WhiteCrow22:

      I have to be honest, I did not vote for President Obama. For many reasons, I didn't like his record as a state senator. A 140 or so something abstained votes, plus only two years experience. I thought he was unqualified for the job of Commander in Chief. I have since changed my mind completely. I now see a man of integrity, honor and a true desire to unite this fractured and damaged country.
      I was lied to by the previous Administration, suffered wounds both physical and mental, lost many battle brothers and watched to many stupid young boys die for no reason. In 2004, there were more police in New York City (40,000) then Combat troops in Afghanistan (about 21,000).
      No one wants the AF-PAK conflict to end more the Soldiers and Marines fighting and dying in the barren (shit brown, lunar landscapes) of Afghanistan. But, President Obama has given the U.S Military and General Petreaus a mission to accomplish and he has also promised to give us what we need to get the mission done. Thus far he has been a man of his word. War sucks, it's what happens when diplomacy fails.
      fuck, this left wing, right wing, red state, blue state bullshit and remember while we are fighting each other the elite are dictating the policies and direction of OUR NATION.
      I think it's a bit amusing that you believe our military is made strictly of the spawn of Republicans. I am third generation Military. I am also third generation blue collar Irish Catholic from Boston (Savin Hill to be exact). All the new recruits in my unit come from Democratic, educated, liberal families but since we have this shit ass economy the Military is the only option they have for employment. And, let me tell you an educated yankee makes for a shit ass soldier.

    • 1 year ago
  • s_peak
    • +1
      s_peak  
    • WhiteCrow22:

      Obama isn't doing the best he can. He's just going along with the plan. The plan for world domination. We already have US soldiers policing US citizens now. Even mercenary groups are watching Americans now. We are becoming a fully controlled empire... and Obama is just toeing the line, telling us what we need to hear. The president isn't elected to change anything. He's elected to keep it the same. There's too much vested corporate interest in our country's infrastructure for anything to change without a major revolution. Shit we can't even make aspartame illegal to put in food because Monsanto is way too rich. That should tell us something. This is akin to slavery, plain and simple. Democracy never truly existed. Money dictates law and we are all slaves to money.

    • 1 year ago
  • freecrack
  • ayipis
    • -7
      ayipis  

    • you guys just have to admit this...obama is following Bush's approach to this BECAUSE even the most hard core liberal knows it works......

    • 1 year ago
  • NuclearLullaby
    • +1
      NuclearLullaby  
    • ayipis:

      IF he were fallowing Bush's ways, he'd just simply add troops to all current wars without any hope of EVER pulling them out &...He'd find a few more nations to start random wars with!!!

    • 1 year ago
  • s_peak
    • +1
      s_peak  
    • ayipis:

      No... he's following Bush's approach because they both work for the same corrupt organizations that are trying at world domination and control of power. The only thing to blame here is greed. Believe it or not... this puts you and I on the same side. We're both being enslaved by our government and then lied to. War = profit and population control.

    • 1 year ago
  • s_peak
    • +1
      s_peak  
    • NuclearLullaby:

      Hate to tell you this... but... he IS doing that. We are in two other wars currently: Pakistan and Afghanistan. War is an incredible profit stream, and apparently the wealthy bankers running our country still don't have enough of our money. We may also be sending troops to Iran soon.

    • 1 year ago
  • courtneyabigail
  • ayipis
    • -3
      ayipis  

    • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/07/AR2010050704506....

      Is President Obama's Afghanistan strategy working?
      Sunday, May 9, 2010

      With Afghan President Hamid Karzai visiting Washington this week, The Post asked experts whether the surge in Afghanistan was working. Below are contributions from Erin M. Simpson, Gilles Dorronsoro, Kurt Volker, John Nagl, Thomas H. Johnson and Andrew J. Bacevich.
      This Story

      *
      A surge of problems in Afghanistan
      *
      In Afghanistan, plenty of reasons to worry
      *
      Topic A: Is President Obama's Afghanistan strategy working?

      ERIN M. SIMPSON

      Member of the Afghan International Security Assistance Force's Counterinsurgency Advisory and Assistance Team; spent the past several months in southern Afghanistan; the views expressed are her own

      Any discussion of the effectiveness of the surge must begin with two observations. First, counterinsurgency is an exercise in competitive governance, meaning the troops "surged" to Afghanistan are only part of a very complex equation. Second, less than half the troops that President Obama authorized in December have arrived here. It's far too early to tell whether the so-called surge has "worked."

      *********SURGE??????? SURGE OF WHAT????********

      i thought only bush and his evil cabinets do a surge....and under threat of impeachment from the same morons who voted for the same guy who is doing the surge now..LOL

      I think obama was hoping half the morons who voted for him were high on weed when he gave the speech about sending troops home..

    • 1 year ago
  • alexandrek
  • ayipis
    • -3
      ayipis  
    • alexandrek:

      I am not blaming obama for bush's action (which i support)...what I am doing is taking "liberal denial" front and center....what obama is doing is totaly AGAINST what you voted for 2008..

      again here you are with the 8 years of failure. didnt DNC play the war drums of IMPEACHMENT back during the election campaign 2008...cindy sheehan was pissing her pants on the idea that NOW bush and cheney will finally be punished....WELL???

      did they not PROMISE AN IMPEACHMENT?? well where are the charges now?? where is the impeachment process?? NONE... WHY?? because it does not hold water..

      the best obama and the DNC can do now is.."they started it.." well we already know that "they started it.." THEN DO WHAT YOU WERE VOTE FOR...

      disappointed yet?? DENIAL...

      the DNC hyped you guys up to get voted in knowing they will do the same shit BECAUSE they know Bush's tactic works.they know they need to secure those resources

      .....hence the new surge in afghanistan..

      so after they are office..they are doing same old tactics..drones..assasinations..surge.THAT IS HOW YOU GET YOUR PRECIOUS gasoline..

      you do use gasoline..dont you?

    • 1 year ago
  • Nephwrack
  • bking74
    • 0
      bking74  
    • ayipis:

      I understand your sense of betrayal by President Obama concerning the upcoming massive Military surge in Afghanistan. I hate the previous Administration because I felt like they lied to us and I lost to many brothers and young kids whose names I never knew. But, I completely support our involvement in Afghanistan.
      Not only do they want us there but in the changes I witnessed during my first deployment in 02 and my third in 08 makes me hopeful for what I am going to see this fall.
      The "surge" your talking about in Afghanistan isn't going to take place until the of 2010. We know this. Its fucking cold as fuck there in the winter and the Taliban and Jihadist "holy warriors" or not don't like to engage us in the winter. It's going to take time to get the troops, equipment, support structures, medical wings and air fields to be ready for us.
      You want the "War"/AF-PAK conflict to end. Guess what so don't we. I would love to spend more then half my adult life on American soil. I would to know how it feels to have a family, own a home, go to a Red Sox or Patriots game instead of watching them on time delayed sat tv. But, as much I might have distrusted President Obama at first, I can tell you first hand that he keeps his promises. Also, give General Petreaus a break. That man had to serve under the previous administration and now the current one is asking him to do the same in Afghanistan.
      President Karzi, is a warlord, drug dealing thug. Not the diplomat and prophet of peace people think he is. Just look up his family and closet political allies.

    • 1 year ago
  • freecrack
    • +1
      freecrack  
    • bking74:

      you guys should really start a front group you can speak through.the most insight we (the public) have on this is from you guys who are more often than not censored.dont get me wrong i get the chain of command and importance of silence from soldiers, but if you had a front group that could convey to the public your experiences while protecting your anonimity that would be a great leap for us as a society i think.

    • 1 year ago
  • donkeyfly69
  • freecrack
    • 0
      freecrack  
    • donkeyfly69:

      i was thinking something that while presenting our soldiers wisdom from thier experiences, isnt a veterans organization per se.one that is based on humanity, not military service so it doeant get scrutinized and discounted.
      we see vet organizations as non independant bodies.that is what i was hoping we could remove.take away the "its a vet thing, that vets understand, not the rest of us"

    • 1 year ago
  • ayipis
    • -3
      ayipis  
    • Image

    • http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-york-times-grills-pres-obamas-afghanistan-str...

      New York Times Grills Pres Obama’s Afghanistan Strategy in Full Page Editorial
      » 3 comments
      by Jocelyn Rousey | 2:43 pm, August 13th, 2010

      In place of its customary three editorials, the New York Times today dedicated its entire editorial page to a single, long, blunt critique of the Obama Administration’s efforts in Afghanistan. “The State of the War” argues that the American people are fed up with the “cacophony of conflicting signals” regarding the war and are growing ever more disheartened by the “relentlessly grim” reports from the ground. President Obama, the editorial says, owes his country some answers.

      888888888888888888888888

      you cant send a liberal to go fight terrorists...

    • 1 year ago
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