OBAMA backs off timetable for IRAQ troop withdrawl

Category: News & Politics

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7/3/2008 Edward K. says:

He really is for CHANGE!

Changing his mind.....LOL!

http://www.politico.co...

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7/3/2008 Will "No Longer on Yelp Talk" R. says:
Hi Edward!
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
He is moving toward the center in pretty much every area, which is politically very smart at this point.
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7/3/2008 Matt H. says:
Who's surprised? He doesn't understand what's going on over there, so he's going to go with whatever the prevailing wind looks like. That's the politics of change without the strength of vision to lead it.
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7/3/2008 Devon "Completely Appropriate™" F. says:
So basically...he's become like every other politician?
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7/3/2008 Daryl F. says:
a presidential candidate taking a more central stance after winning a primary? who would have thunk it!? welcome to following politics Edward.
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
LOL!!! WOOHOO!!! YOU GOT 'EM THERE BIG BOY!!!

OBAMA?! HA!

...

The news headline might as well have been 'Obama Reveals That He Will Be Practical About Withdrawal from Iraq Based on Input By Commanders'.

Where's the news here?
7/3/2008

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7/3/2008 Gerry "OaklandMofo.com" D. says:
He is and has always been on the same team as Hillary, McCain and Bush.
we do not have a true election but we get to choose from predetermined crooks.

he never even said he would take our troops home.

he said "remove combat troops by 2012(end of his term)" which there technically are NOT any since this is not and has not ever been a "war". We did not declare war and all of our troops over there are "peace keeping troops".

I pity America for falling for this scam and thinking this guy is change. Another John Kerry, false hope and a staged election.
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7/3/2008 Shelly "this will go down in your permanent record" V. says:
*yawn*
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
With the possible exception of National Health Insurance and tax policy (and those are even a question mark), I believe there is very little difference between Obama and McCain. Welcome to American political reality.
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7/3/2008 Daryl F. says:
Gerry, are you of the opinion that things would have been worse under Kerry than they have been under Bush?
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7/3/2008 Daryl F. says:
Mike, ever heard of net neutrality?
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
Edward I seriously love your Avatar. I have never seen that pic of Barry smoking a cancerette. Awesome.
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
What is with the cynicism?

Whether it's McCain, Obama or even Hillary, any leader looking at Iraq is going to assess the situation and get feedback from the commanders on the ground. To NOT do so would be inane, by any standards. The difference is the attitude towards staying or leaving. McCain wants to stay until we achieve "victory" and our men and women can "come home with honor." Obama is saying we should get out but not let it become a spiraling mess.

I'm sure McCain would like to leave if possible and Obama would also like to win in Iraq. But, either way, a practical decision is going to be made based on what's happening. I'd expect that from any leader.

But here we are, playing gotcha games. :|
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
Talk to me Daryl.
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7/3/2008 Gerry "OaklandMofo.com" D. says:
No I am under the opinion that Kerry is Bush's cousin just Like Obama and his job was to run against Bush so that when Bush steals the election because Kerry accidentally won he does not challenge it.

His job was to lose or let Bush cheat if he accidentally won.

Kerry was never to be president. The best way to win is run against no one or someone planning to lose for you.
This country is owned, not free.

Remember the kid that got tazed by the cops in Florida for asking Kerry why he let Bush cheat? How Kerry gave them the order to take him down? http://youtube.com/wat...
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
Gerry: Let me guess... Kucinich? :)
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7/3/2008 Kaven "Loves to burn bridges" T. says:
This thread smell like chemtrails.
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7/3/2008 Chris C. says:
Have to give Obama credit, very smart political move.

Lean hard left to get the party nomination, then lean right towards the center to win the election.

Smart thinking, give Obama and his campaign strategist a lot of credit.
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
Totally agree Chris C. Meanwhile McCain is on a tour of South America and Mexico.

*psst, John, Mexicans don't vote in US elections.*
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7/3/2008 Gerry "OaklandMofo.com" D. says:
Pete "we be to rap like key be to lock" C. says:

Gerry: Let me guess... Kucinich? :)

=======================

that guy was a squirly nut!

http://www.RonPaulStre... a real voting record and 20 years (10 terms) of attempting to stop this corrupt system.
7/3/2008 Edward K. says:
I love how OBAMA hammered Hillary during the primaries with his "promise" to end the war as soon as he took office.

How many of you took the bait???
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7/3/2008 Gerry "OaklandMofo.com" D. says:
he NEVER promised it and you guys STILL took the bait.
he said "remove combat troops by 2012"
there are no combat troops, only peace keeping and his term ends in 2012 so wtf is that.
They will be there my whole term he said.

I've been against both of them since the beginning. I'm too smooth to fall for FOX News unlike you guys.
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
Meh.

Ron Paul. Meh. Watched him in the debates. I was very unimpressed. I just don't see it but to each their own.

Obama hammered her on her vote in Iraq. A subtle difference. I had faith that they both want to end the war ASAP. McCain wants to stay there until we win... whatever that means. He also wants us there for 100 years. *yawn*
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7/3/2008 Kaven "Loves to burn bridges" T. says:
Never did. It's not like as soon as they step into office they could instantly leave. It takes time and even if they leave there just going to be one f--king mess over there. Like Collin Powell said "You break it, you buy it".
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7/3/2008 Chris C. says:
Mike:

Give Obama a lot of credit, he's got an excellent campaign strategist on his team. Now Obama is wearing the flag pin again, recently supporting expanding Bush's faith based programs, he took issue with the Supreme Court striking down the death penalty for child rape, and his support for the Court's decision regarding the 2nd Amendment and the DC Hand Gun ban law.

Very interesting and smart move to try to appeal to the same people he once called bitter. He knows that American Public have a very short attention span.

Great great political thinking & strategy by the Obama team.
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7/3/2008 John "Dobie The Man on The Silver Mountain" P. says:
You all are missing the big picture. People thought and think OBAMA has the answers. Just like Hillary's Fans felt she had the answers, Just like McCain supporters thinks he has the answers. Gee....... BIG SURPRISE.........Nobody has the fuc&ing answers, beacuse there is no answer to this riddle. I am searching my mind...where had I seen this before...oh yea...DEJA FUC&ING VUE!!!! VIETNAM!!!! Now I am waiting for one of these Blazing bright stars to come up with a Peaceful Alternative.....what could we call it....lets think....let me see...I got it PEACE WITH HONOR!!!! Obama has just opened his eyes, and said OH SHIT!
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
meh. i luvs it when someone starts going hardcore with all caps and exclamation marks.
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7/3/2008 John "Dobie The Man on The Silver Mountain" P. says:
Me too Pete! I just get pissy sometimes...
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7/3/2008 Pete "like a boss!!" C. says:
;) word. we all do. esp when it comes to politics.
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7/3/2008 John "Dobie The Man on The Silver Mountain" P. says:
It is all happening all over again....
7/3/2008 Bud e. says:
He always was like every other politician. Ya'll bought his slick obama marketing, hook, line, and sinker. To think for a second, that he was something new; naive.

And for those of you who think bait and switch is something new:

http://www.youtube.com...
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
hilarious. hammer hillary for voting for the war and then switch positions after winning the nomination ...

barf.

and pete, i've heard bush spout the same nonsense about, "any leader looking at Iraq is going to assess the situation and get feedback from the commanders on the ground."

the president, along with the declaration of war by congress, sets the agenda/policy. it's the policy we're against! deciding to leave/stay shouldn't be determined by "how well we're doing." we simply shouldn't be there.
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
i'm an inch aware from voting for ron paul
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
aware = away
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7/3/2008 Matt H. says:
John:

Only one problem... we're winning.

http://news.yahoo.com/...
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7/3/2008 X "Myque" Z. says:
We need to give the Iraqi government a timetable for pulling their heads out of their asses and taking over their own defense. Those asshats are more incompetent than the SF Supes (if that's possible).
7/3/2008 Bud e. says:
Mike Z, only one problem with that. I don't think they give a rat's ass. And by not giving a rat's ass I mean they, who give a rat's ass, are mildly intimidated by the rat's themselves, the one's who think extremism is the natural order.
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
"Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-N.C., who requested the administration's updated assessment, scoffed at the May report, which he says uses the false standard of determining whether progress on a goal is "satisfactory" versus whether the benchmark has been met. He estimates that only a few of the 18 benchmarks have been fully achieved."

we're not winning. we're being lied to.
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7/3/2008 Alain "Udderly" K. says:
Obama's "Not Exactly's": This person is
more dangerous than any candidate in recent years....

1. Selma Got Me Born -

NOT EXACTLY,
Your parents felt safe enough to have you in 1961 - Selma
had no effect on your birth, as Selma was in 1965.
(Google' Obama Selma' for his full March 4, 2007
speech and articles about its various untruths.)

2. Father Was A Goat Herder -

NOT EXACTLY,
He was a privileged, well educated youth, who went on to
work with the Kenyan Government.

3. Father Was A Proud Freedom Fighter -

NOT EXACTLY,
He was part of one of the most corrupt and violent
governments Kenya has ever had.

5. My Grandmother Has Always Been A Christian -
NOT EXACTLY,
She does her daily Salat prayers at 5am according to her
own interviews. Not to mention, Christianity wouldn't
allow her to have been one of 14 wives to 1 man.

6. My Name is African Swahili -

NOT EXACTLY,
Your name is Arabic and 'Baraka' (from which
Barack came) means 'blessed' in that language.
Hussein is also Arabic and so is Obama.
Barack Hussein Obama is not half black. If elected, he
would be the first Arab-American President, not the first
black President.

Barack Hussein Obama is 50% Caucasian from his
mother's side and 43.75% Arabic and 6.25% African
Negro from his father's side.
While Barack Hussein Obama's father was from Kenya,
his father's family was mainly Arabs.. Barack Hussein
Obama's father was only 12.5% African Negro and 87.5%
Arab (his father's birth
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7/3/2008 Alain "Udderly" K. says:
8. My School In Indonesia Was Christian -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were registered as Muslim there and got in trouble in
Koranic Studies for making faces (check your own book).

February 28, 2008. Kristoff from the New York Times a
year ago: Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the
Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate
accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated
(it'll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama
described the call to prayer as "one of the prettiest
sounds on Earth at sunset."

This is just one example of what Pamela is talking about
when she says "Obama's narrative is being altered,
enhanced and manipulated to whitewash troubling facts."

9. I Was Fluent In Indonesian -

NOT EXACTLY,

Not one teacher says you could speak the language.

10. Because I Lived In Indonesia, I Have More
Foreign Experience -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were there from the ages of 6 to 10, and couldn't
even speak the language. What did you learn, how to study
the Koran and watch cartoons.

11. I Am Stronger On Foreign Affairs -

NOT EXACTLY,
Except for Africa (surprise) and the Middle East (bigger
surprise), you have never been anywhere else on the planet
and thus have NO experience with our closest allies.

12. I Blame My Early Drug Use On Ethnic Confusion -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were quite content in high school to be Barry Obama,
no mention of Kenya and no mention of struggle to identify.
Your classmates said you were just fine.

13. An Ebony Article Moved Me To Run For Office -

NOT EXACTLY,
Ebony has yet to find the article you mention in your
book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.

13 A. A Life Magazine Article Changed My Outlook On Life -

NOT EXACTLY,
Life has yet to find the article you mention in your
book. It doesn't, and never did, exist.

14. I Won't Run On A National Ticket In '08 -

NOT EXACTLY,
Here you are, despite saying, live on TV, that you would
not have enough experience by then, and you are all about
having experience first.

15. Voting "Present" is Common In
Illinois Senate -

NOT EXACTLY,
They are common for YOU, but not many others have 130 NO
VOTES.

16. Oops, I Misvoted -

NOT EXACTLY,
Only when caught by church groups and Democrats, did you
beg to change your misvote.
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7/3/2008 Alain "Udderly" K. says:
17. I Was A Professor Of Law -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.

18. I Was A Constitutional Lawyer -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were a senior lecturer ON LEAVE.

19. Without Me, There Would Be No Ethics Bill -

NOT EXACTLY,
You didn't write it, introduce it, change it, or
create it.

20. The Ethics Bill Was Hard To Pass -

NOT EXACTLY,
It took just 14 days from start to finish.

21. I Wrote A Tough Nuclear Bill -

NOT EXACTLY,
Your bill was rejected by your own party for its
pandering and lack of all regulation - mainly because of
your Nuclear donor, Exelon, from which David Axelrod came.

22. I Have Released My State Records -

NOT EXACTLY,
As of March, 2008, state bills you sponsored or voted for
have yet to be released, exposing all the special interests
pork hidden within.

23. I Took On The Asbestos Altgeld Gardens Mess -

NOT EXACTLY,
You were part of a large group of people who remedied
Altgeld Gardens. You failed to mention anyone else but
yourself, in your books.

24. My Economics Bill Will Help America -

NOT EXACTLY,
Your 111 economic policies were just combined into a
proposal which lost 99-0, and even YOU voted against your
own bill.
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7/3/2008 Alain "Udderly" K. says:
25. I Have Been A Bold Leader In Illinois -

NOT EXACTLY,
Even your own supporters claim to have not seen BOLD
action on your part.

26. I Passed 26 Of My Own Bills In One Year -

NOT EXACTLY,
They were not YOUR bills, but rather handed to you, after
their creation by a fellow Senator, to assist you in a
future bid for higher office.

27. No one in my campaign contacted Canada about NAFTA

NOT EXACTLY,
The Canadian Government issued the names and a memo of
the conversation your campaign had with them.

29. I Am Tough On Terrorism -

NOT EXACTLY,
You missed the Iran Resolution vote on terrorism and your
good friend Ali Abunimah supports the destruction of Israel.

28. I Want All Votes To Count -

NOT EXACTLY,
You said let the delegates decide.

31. I Want Americans To Decide -

NOT EXACTLY,
You prefer caucuses that limit the vote, confuse the
voters, force a public vote, and only operate during small
windows of time.

32. I passed 900 Bills in the State Senate -

NOT EXACTLY,
You passed 26, most of which you didn't write
yourself.

33. I Believe In Fairness, Not Tactics -

NOT EXACTLY,
You used tactics to eliminate Alice Palmer from running
against you.
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7/3/2008 Omid "One Star // Une Étoile // Ein Stern // Een Ster" T. says:
Real leaders have the balls not to make decisions by committee, then take responsibility if they fuck up.

I've seen neither of this from either "side."
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7/3/2008 Alain "Udderly" K. says:
PS. I did not do the research nor write this, it was sent to me and I found it worth sharing.
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7/3/2008 Omid "One Star // Une Étoile // Ein Stern // Een Ster" T. says:
Real leaders have the balls not to make decisions by committee, then take responsibility if they fuck up.

I've seen neither of this from either "side."

15/18 benchmarks are "satisfactory." Last I remember from grade school, "Satisfactory" was equal to a C, which typically was 70-79%. Multiply that to the 5/6 ratio (83%) on the benchmarks, and you have a total range of 58%-66% - hence a grade ranging between an F and a solid D. If that's what's considered "winning" these days, we're even more fucked than I imagined.
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
omid! so true. thank you!
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7/3/2008 Ricky R. says:
My drinking buddy Barack did not back off on his time table. He still has every intention of ending the war in Iraq quickly, maybe even sooner than 16 months. What he has promised to do is not make rash decisions like a certain president none of us like did, that will further disrupt the Middle East. 16 months is a estimate timetable that means he will end the war quickly. Don't be so dramatic-GOP yelp, the glass is half full, by his comment, he will "refine" his stance does not mean that he has backed off his promise and completely reversed like the GOP would try to twist his comments to mean. It means he still will end the war quickly but in an intelligent, informed, organized manner.
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7/3/2008 George C. says:
alain, you are an imbecile.
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7/3/2008 George C. says:
obama's 50 "lies" (or "not exactlys" as alain's list put it) broken down for anyone interested:
http://www.snopes.com/...
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7/3/2008 Theo R. says:
Pragmatism has always been his calling card.
It's not politically savvy to say, but his slogan would be "smart not dumb - change we can believe in"
I mean, he's touted reaching across the aisle so many times, that involves compromise.
The funny thing is that pundits will simply wander between "progressive elitist" and "flip flopper"
Really, it describes any politician on the left.
Like I could say that McCain was "Neo-con" or a "flip flopper" depending on what I'm talking about.
Obama is a Democrat who reaches for common ground.
Whether one views that from the light or dark angle, it is most definitely rational.
7/3/2008

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7/3/2008 Edward K. says:
Lol Malcom!

Always blame the messenger, not the message.

Continue please...
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7/3/2008 Theo R. says:
Barack Obama is a politician.
I don't see why anybody should be either surprised or disappointed.
I'm GLAD that he listens to reason.
He has a very sharp cabinet, or inner circle - changing one's mind shows strength of character and the wisdom to learn.
I've obviously drank the punch, I'll admit that - but these are exactly the kind of hedges that smart politicians, or indeed smart people anywhere make.
7/3/2008 Bud e. says:
Doesn't it bother anyone who has drank the punch that he makes a very strong stand pre-nomination and immediately shifts his rhetoric as soon as the nomination is his?
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7/3/2008 Rhonda J. says:
no bud, because apparently the punch is goooooooooooooooood. damn good.
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7/3/2008 Lisa P. says:
Alain -

+5

Wow. Love the post.
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7/3/2008 George C. says:
lisa, before getting too excited how about reading the link I posted above?
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7/3/2008 Lisa P. says:
Alain -

+5 again

Still love the post
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7/3/2008 John "Dobie The Man on The Silver Mountain" P. says:
4 hours ago Matt H. says:

John:

Only one problem... we're winning

I am sorry it took me so long to get back here. (Went to Dinner, Itchibans, read review!) and had to walk my Great Danes, anyway, Matt I read the article. You know I also remember "winning", we called it "Vietnamation". Really I mean it, we won the hearts, the minds everything. Then realization took over for the Vietnamese. I remember outside of Loc Tou, a really pretty and stract looking group of 2 companies of South Vietnemese Soldiers, trained, well armed, standing tall, looking good Then all hell broke loose with NVA regulars. I thought here is our chance to show what we could do! 4 minutes into the fire-fight I thought something was wrong, it was....no more South Vietnemese soldiers, they high tailed it and ran. That left exactly 20 U.S.Marines, against an insurmountable force of NVA. 8 of us got out. Yea Matt, were winning, we are teaching them, we are training them, then one morning they are going to wake up, look at us, and say, What do you mean we Kemosobie? You get my drift? I'll shut up now...
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7/3/2008 Jason "That doesn't even make any sense!!!" K. says:
Lisa P. says:

Alain -

+5 again

Still love the post
________

Don't bother George, she prefers her "truthiness" via email forward.

You know, the same place we get promises of creams that create giant penises and profitable business deals with Nigerian government officials.
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7/3/2008 Daniela "IGGOH" L. says:
Who's moving to Europe with me when this country gets completely flushed down the toilet?
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7/3/2008 T "to the" C. says:
I'm glad I still have my Canadian citizenship.

But let's be real -- creating a timetable without a whole lot of input is a dumbass and dangerous as staying over there perpetually because, you know, we fucked it up. Believe me, I ain't one of those "wellll, we're there now so..." - I personally think Dick Cheney should be taken out in the desert near Las Vegas and be disappeared for gettting us into this - but I'm also an ex-soldier who knows you just can't start leaving and keep your people safe.
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7/3/2008 George C. says:
lisa, sorry but what the hell are you talking about? I'm trying to understand why a seemingly rational person like yourself would choose to support a specious piece of forwarded email misinformation like that crap posted above, when it's clear it's just that...crap. if you're a conservative that's fine...your choice and more power to you. but have you lost the ability to think critically? as jason was saying, are you also waiting for some nigerian guy to wire money to your bank account?