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Get the troops home


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  4. algore
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The longer we stay, the more we're a magnet for violence.
algore

250 responses
Get the troops home

  • word up !
    smorrisey
  • Of course, if the leadership wanted to they could have all US presence out of Iraq probably within a matter of hours.

    Of course also the abandoned shell of Iraq would become one or a combination of these:
    1. A rogue state run by local warlords at civil war.
    2. A new Iranian state after they annex it.
    3. At best, a terrible failure of US foreign policy.

    The solution that seems to pop out is forcing home rule upon the local citizenry by training police, installing effective governors even if they do not totally agree with US policy but would unite the people, and building infrastructure.

    The area may not experience immediate western style democracy, but it would be able to find reason to hold its own against foreign and domestic dissension in a new united nation free of autocratic regimes and a clear evolutionary path to modernization.
    wgarrard
  • Totally agreed. I always had the feeling, though, that we ought to at least try a tactic that I don't think we've tried in Iraq so far- a serious attempt at seeding an economic reform (that is not engineered for the sole purpose of profiting U.S. corporations).

    At this point, our military presence (or lack of) doesn't do much good. You can't fight violent insurgence with troop presence any more than you can fight racism with bumper stickers. The underlying problem in Iraq has grown out of extreme poverty, fear, and flat-out horrible development of the financial and political infrastructure.

    I think we can fight the developing problems there with education, business grants, scholarships, and a lot of patient, private coaching for the people that have to figure out how to maintain a stable and constructive environment after decades of brutal suppression. Imagine what Iraq would look like if the money for every column of armed Humvees was spent hiring better Iraqi police and funding little neigborhood shops. The price of a single Blackwater escort could probably pay for any number of business courses at a local scool in Baghdad. Ultimately, we're going to see the civil war- we already see it. We just ought to give them a few of the tools that actually work in suppressing desperate and violent uprisings, which grow in a culture of poverty, disenfranchisement, and addiction to military intervention as a means of solving problems.

    I agree with you, Al. Let's bring them home.
    julian_robinson
  • You're dead on Al. Please, I hate to beg, but there is no one running that has the passion that you do. I just rewatched your Constitution Society speech and it kills me that I may not have the opportunity to vote for you next year.

    Please consider running Al.
    goraclefan
  • Mr Gore.

    Thanks for Warning us in 2002 about the dangers of invading Iraq. Again you are ahead of the curve on policy. Please, please, please Run for President. We will fight for you. Hillary is not a leader she is a weather vane. She did not vote against Kyl-Lieberman. Sir Please you need to take the lead once again.
    arielvargasruiz
  • It's time for Renewal. Run for President.
    media
    arielvargasruiz
  • "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way." --Mahatma Gandhi
    Vierotchka
  • Al Gore won the popular vote and had the election stolen by the warmongering bushies. It is time to stop the madness, the greed, the revenge, the violence. It is time to work for peace through elimination of poverty, stopping war profiteering, protection of the environment, and equality for everyone. We need Gore more than ever.
    apatge
  • I couldn't agree more. But, these current presidential candidates seem to be continuing the course, or changing it only enough to say it's different, but the end result is the same.......continuing our occupation of this country. Even the top tier Democratic candidates couldn't say they would have our troops out of Iraq by the end of the year 2013.

    We need your leadership to get us on the correct path.

    inSFNM
  • Please Al --- with the other candidates saying troops may be in Iraq until 2013, we need your leadership.

    Please consider running!
    grkam3
  • For years I have been wondering if and when the international community would intervene in some way to help Americans rescue our government from the illegal occupation by BushCo. The Nobel Peace Prize award is, I believe, a profound statement of how urgently that community desires your leadership.

    Simply by entering the presidential race, Mr. Gore, you will transform an exchange of empty rhetoric into a demonstration of true democracy by posing real questions, demanding real answers, and reminding US citizens, and the US Congress, of the importance of the Constitution. ("If not now, when?") What a wake-up call!

    To accomplish this, you don't even have to win—but I'm quite sure you will.

    With great admiration....

    kayhag
  • I will donate and work hard for your campaign if you announced. Run AL RUN!
    youknowit
  • smorrisey, your list of "what would happen" has already occured in instances 1 and 3 and partially occured in instance 2. i also find it extremely arrogant for you to say that those 3, or a combination thereof are the only possible outcomes. and all US presence out in hours? i'm sorry but you do not seem to have an informed opinion of Iraq or military logistics at all.

    my point is, all the negative consequences are consequences of the invasion. they are already happening, all the terrible scenarios people portray.

    and nobody knows what will happen if we leave, except that we will mitigate the extensive damage happening in three areas,

    1. unsustainable cost of the war (over $9B per month)

    2. unsustainable cost on troops, casualty rates and otherwise

    3. resentment from iraqis from the daily murders that have taken place since the invasion.

    al gore was right before. he is right now. he is the right guy to be pres.

    ps - you can't train police with the level of corruption and multiple allegiances (to militias or clerics above iraqi unity and american occupation forces), and the level of infiltration.

    this is not our fight
    jerby5k
  • Mr. Gore, I add my voice to the chorus to beg of you. Beg of you, plead with you, knowing at least to some extent the sacrifice that it entails, please, please lead this poor nation out of this quagmire. Please, please and pretty please.
    arvo
  • This is hardly an original opinion at this point, but...

    PLEASE run for president again, Mr. Vice President. Your country and your planet need you. (And, not incidentally, so does your party.) What you're doing now is of tremendous value, but it can't begin to compare with the mountains you could help move from the Oval Office.
    bwintx
  • Mr. Gore, Senator Gore, Vice President Gore, President Gore (you are the rightful president), please, please run for President again - your country needs you and the world needs you!

    We are in a dangerous, dangerous time in more ways than one and we need the leadership that only you can provide. I will give you my money, my time and my vote - please help us, we won't let you down and we got your back from the attacks of the righ-wing spin machine.

    If you run, you will win.
    CTLiberal
  • Absolutely yes. James Fallows had an article in Atlantic Monthly in Sept 2006 which said the same thing in 15 pages.

    Furthermore I think that as long as we are there, none of the other countries in the region which could have a peaceful influence on Iraq will be able to exercise that influence for fear of enflaming anti-American sentiments within their own populations.

    Please run for President.
    GrassrootsMom
  • Save the Planet... Save Our Democracy: One Candidate Can do Both!
    This is not "as interesting" topic and it’s not entertainment! It's abour blood and guts.

    If you'd like to understand what’s really going on in America, listen to The Randi Rhodes Show on Air America Radio. You can stream it or get it on your local am radio station. She has soldiers in Iraq who listen to her show. When they call in we listen and cry. They know that they went to Iraq for OIL. They know about the lies and private contractors, and they are pissed because the Blackwater mercenaries make $100,00 a year while they and their families struggle. They are stressed. They did their jobs. The war was over when Saddam was overthrown and the occupation began.

    Help the soldiers by joining the October 27th activities. See http://www.oct27th.org. It’s local and national. Be there and make a statement. Let Congress know that you want the troops home. Also, read the political blog http://www.dailykos.com if you want the opportunity to connect with the reality and truth about Iraq, about the 2008 presidential candidates, about congressional oversight hearings, and of course, we're blogging like crazy to get our BEST non-candidate to jump into the race!

    If you love Al Gore and understand that he is the one candidate with everything, come to dailykos and join the brainstorming, the conversation and the bickering: "Yes, he has to run; his country needs him." The non-fighters but supporters say, "Why should he run? He has a Oscar, an Emmy and now he is the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Why would he jump in knowing that he would become the target of the right wing now more than ever? He doesn't have to run. He should enjoy his life." Then we have the people who say, "He has to run because he is the only person ion the planet who can SAVE the planet and restore democracy to America. He knows how to do it and he has the courage. When did Al Gore ever sit back and take the easy way?" Join us!

    http://www.oct27.org
    victoria2dc
  • ASAP means electing someone who is committed to doing just that, only Richardson & Kucinich are on the same page as you. I love them both, but their chances of winning primary are slim. I read the heartfelt messages on the DraftGore petition and wonder if you read them. There's so much support for a Gore 08 run.
    otohara
  • Thank you for saying this so succinctly and please let this message indicate that you are considering running for president. We really need a person with your integrity and astuteness.

    corybantic
  • The people of America agree with you on this, as well as your stance on other important issues. This is why the theme of this election was "the anti-war vote". So why haven't we heard much from the current crop of candidates on this? Either they have no plan or their plan wouldn't get them votes.

    Please run Al. Everyone I talk to is ready to jump ship for you. No one running really excites anyone. You do though.
    catgirlforGore
  • Al Gore, your three videos are fantastic! You were correct that we should not invade Iraq back in December 2002. You have been correct all along. The sooner we get our troops out of Iraq, the sooner the contending groups will seriously discuss their differences, and the nearby nations, the Arab League, the UN, European Union and others will help the Iraqis to rebuild their nation.

    Keep your videos coming and allow us to continue building the grass roots networks and organizations to assure that you are the winner of each state primary and caucus across the nation. The other Democratic candidates are good, but you understand the unethical and illegal actions that the Bush Cheney and Neo-Con forces and media will do to try and steal the 2008 election, just as they did 2000 and 2004.

    You have the respect and support of the largest majority of Americans, and most of the world, and we will do all we can to make sure that you win the primaries, the November 2008 election and serve for 8 years in our White House.

    Onward to victory for the American people and the world. Bob Alexander, East Lansing, Michigan
    BobAlexander
  • Al, once again--agree with you completely. The situation in Iraq is only fueling more potential conflicts, and does nothing to treat the symptom of these problems. massforgore.com americaforgore.org
    kerrylus
  • Vice President Gore,
    I made these videos over the past two months -- they are the first videos I ever made -- about drafting you to run for President. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmGYYqJ6Ns0 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARoNENPSIGw .

    Everyone knows that you are the only person who can lead us at this crucial time in history. Please, run, Mr. Gore, run.

    Linda Solomon
    New York
    GoreGal
  • Presdent Gore - Your Country awaits you. We, the people have your back. Vote for Solution - Vote for Al Gore
    Iowa_Gal
  • Amen, Brother!
    Bulldawg
  • Thanks for this... of course, you're right (and I sure wish you'd had the power to stop this fiasco from even beginning back in 2002, when you gave that great speech in San Francisco).

    I have a question, though: what about that city-sized embassy that we've built in Iraq? I'm really concerned that its very presence is evidence of the U.S.'s intention to be a permanent occupier of the country, which of course feeds the rhetoric of anti-Western terrorist groups like Al Qaida. Shouldn't that be abandoned out of respect for Iraq's independence?

    P.S. Please run for president in 2008. The Ship of State needs YOU at its helm!
    where4art
  • Mr. Gore,

    I've been leaning back and forth betweeen supporting Obama and Edwards. I dearly hope you will enter the presidential race. I was dismayed to hear the top three democratic candidates say they couldn't be sure they would have combat troops out of Iraq by 2013.


    2013!?!?

    My younger brother is being sent to Iraq in a month or so. I am concerned this war will drag on unless someone with your courage is elected President (again).

    If you run, I will volunteer, donate, anything.
    BlueGenes
  • I 100% agree we need to get out of Iraq asap. We never should have been there, I knew in 2002 it was a mistake. I am one of those who never believed they had weapons of mass destruction and surely didn't believe the Bush admin to tell me so.

    It looks like you have brought your issues to the people Al, so as one of those people I want to say we need you as president. Just like the Iraq war, I don't believe any of those so called friends and advisers of yours saying you are not running. I believe in your leadership, I long for a "real" person and not a phony to head our country. I have close friends in other countries and I would love to feel good about mine again. They are all hoping for you to.
    marlakay
  • Whatever we do, we need to make it clear that we have no intention of maintaining a permanent military presence, or it will be obvious (to those not already aware) that it (invading Iraq) was always about the deluded PNAC aims for American empire.
    TooManyPuppies
  • Please do a fourth video on why you are running for President as you are the only one that CAN end this war.

    Al Gore - Do the right thing and run for President.

    Your Country needs you NOW.
    ZappoDave
  • I wonder if the next administration, if the votes aren't stolen, lost, miscounted, or just hacked again could start some serious efforts to withdraw our military presence diplomatically, and at the same time start having diplomatic relations with the new Iraqi government.
    Start peace talks and invite all of the Iraqi leaders to the table. ALL of them, whether we like them or not.
    Offer infrastructure reparations to be paid to Iraqi companies with Iraqi workers to rebuild.
    Offer funding to rebuild mosques that have been destroyed in this war.
    Agree to buy their oil (while working towards alternate forms of energy) and promise never to try to own it again.
    yudi
  • I'm with you VP Gore. We need someone that is as articulate and straight with Americans to lead us out of the mess the Bush admin and the GOP have gotten us into.

    Coonsey's View
    http://www.freewebs.com/coonsey/
    Coonsey
  • Thank you for your to-the-point videos.

    I have one question for you, though. Other Democratic candidates talk similarly, but say we should leave a significant number of "residual forces." Do you foresee that as an unfortunate but necessary situation to put ourselves in? I feel that troops under a US banner really can have no more net positive effect on the area, and that only international peacekeeping forces should remain to keep the peace.

    Thoughts?
    abudde
  • onward with Al Gore.
    Lead us Back to a Constitutional Democracy
    not continue the Rapacious Republic
    artgecko
  • So, what are you going to do with all of those pennies we sent you? :) Run, dammit!
    volvo1971
  • Vice President Gore - PLEASE run for President!

    This country needs you. No one else is standing up and saying all the things you are saying. Your philosophies represent the majority of this nation. We need you to lead the effort to represent the will of the people.
    pidgenotmidge
  • Al, your credibility on ascertaining the right approach to dealing with contentious and broadly difficult problems is the strongest advocate for your proposals. The right course is rarely the easiest, especially when having diverged from the proper trail a while back. Holding firm to doing what is right, and continued awareness of the challenges, is the best way forward. I trust you to communicate this to all of us, and I trust the better parts of ourselves to listen, and hold you up so that you may see further and with broader support... ok... yeah, I want you to be our next president. Running won't be required... just walk on down and help us all do our duty.
    nicklange
  • Thank you! Please run for president! The netroots loves you!
    brendanc
  • I like the webcam style, refreshingly intimate, but
    I wish Mr. Gore would be mindful that when he's making an important point, key words lose some of their punch when they are spoken with a shrug of his shoulders, and by looking down so that his eyes are hidden, and by tipping his head side ways. A strong word is stronger when spoken with direct eye contact.

    I love this guy, I want him in the race with all my heart, but I want him to be saavy enough to use body language to good effect. Sometimes how we say it is as important as what we say.
    Bugsby
  • I totally agree Al, bring our troops home now.
    etocetoc
  • Glad to see someone is willing to stake a claim that we need to bring them home as soon as possible. Now if only you were saying this in a debate...
    caminovereda
  • Well spoken, Al. Truth, reason and logic dictate that we should get our troops home as quickly as possible.

    Thanks for speaking out.
    mgris
  • Concise and right-on, Mr. Gore. As usual.
    kelldicott
  • OMG Goregal, what great video. They have me in tears. Very well done.

    THANK YOU.
    inSFNM
  • Right on Al! Your spot on! Please consider running for president, we need you. Please know that you would instantly have a vast army of thousands upon thousands from all over the nation, ready to volunteer for you!
    spaceistheplace
  • You bring hope every time you speak. Please run. We need you.
    dnramsay
  • I'm feel happy every time you speak. Please run. We need you.
    dnramsay
  • You ARE the voice of reason. Please run. We need you.
    dnramsay
  • Al you are right! Please run for President! The world needs you now! I'm working to put your name in the CA. primary. I and thousands of other volunteers will work for you too. Please run Al.
    greenleeper
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