Ambassador sees fear in Iraq, says U.S. troops must stay

[Psycho4Bud]

(AXcess News) Washington - U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, testifying via video conference from Baghdad Thursday, told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing that "fear" is the one word he would use to describe the atmosphere in Iraq.

Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., called on Crocker to deliver an assessment of the situation on the ground in Iraq that focused on the political situation.

"If there's one word I would use to sum up the atmosphere in Iraq, on the streets, in the countryside, in the neighborhoods and at national level, that word would be â??fear,'" said Crocker, who has been in Iraq for a little less than four months. "For Iraq to move forward at any level, that fear is going to have to be replaced by some level of trust and confidence, and that is what the effort at the national level is about."

Earlier in the day, Crocker and the U.S military commander in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus briefed members of Congress on a video link at the Pentagon.

Crocker warned the Senate committee against troop removal and said President Bush's surge is just now beginning to produce results, especially in curbing sectarian violence in Baghdad.

"There has been some return to normal life," Crocker said, "But we need to stay long enough so that we don't spiral down into that violence that put us here in the first place."

The ambassador also cautioned against legislative benchmarks. Crocker said benchmarks are a useful metric, but they are unable to calculate Iraqis' attitudes about each other and their willingness to work toward political reconciliation.

Congress asked the White House earlier this year to report on what progress has been made in 18 political, economic and security areas in Iraq. The Bush administration told Congress last week that there has been mixed success in achieving these benchmarks. A more detailed report is due in mid-September.
Ambassador sees fear in Iraq, says U.S. troops must stay

The senate approved Gen. David Petraeus with a unanimous vote. He was and is pro-surge.......why approve a man and then pull the rug out from under him?

Have a good one!:s4:

Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on 07-19-2007. Ambassador sees fear in Iraq, says U.S. troops must stay (AXcess News) Washington - U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, testifying via video conference from Baghdad Thursday, told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing that "fear" is the one word he would use to describe the atmosphere in Iraq. Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., called on Crocker to deliver an assessment of the situation on the ground in Iraq that focused on the political situation. "If there's one word I would use to sum up the atmosphere in Iraq, on the streets, in Rating: 5

[medicinal]

What about the fear in every mothers heart that her son or daughter may come home in a box or missing body parts, the fear in every son or daughter, every sister or brother of every US soldier, Marine or military person in Iraq. Do those fears count as much as the fear of the Iraqis?

[Mississippi Steve]

What about the fear in every mothers heart that her son or daughter may come home in a box or missing body parts, the fear in every son or daughter, every sister or brother of every US soldier, Marine or military person in Iraq. Do those fears count as much as the fear of the Iraqis?

You forgetting a couple of things....First, its an all volenteer military. They are there by choice. Second, there are 100s of people killed by drunk drivers to every 1 that is killed in Iraq. They are *SAFER* in a combat zone than on the public streets here.

[Krogith]

You forgetting a couple of things....First, its an all volenteer military. They are there by choice. Second, there are 100s of people killed by drunk drivers to every 1 that is killed in Iraq. They are *SAFER* in a combat zone than on the public streets here.

WoW is all i Can say.
This is a A+ for our Media for doing exactly what there Paid For^
Look what sheeple they make.

There are going to be just enouf Sheeple to let it happen thats what is sad. There to bizzy to look into it. There perfectly part of the system.
Humans could Never Rule Themself.

[Mississippi Steve]

WoW is all i Can say.
This is a A+ for our Media for doing exactly what there Paid For^
Look what sheeple they make.

There are going to be just enouf Sheeple to let it happen thats what is sad. There to bizzy to look into it. There perfectly part of the system.
Humans could Never Rule Themself.

Thats what the left wing, liberal media wants you to believe. Don't condemn the soldiers unless you have walked a mile in their boots. They are there because they *WANT* to be. All the media cares about are sensationalism and ratings. They could give a rats ass about the truth.

[MajMike]

About ten minutes spent researching MS Steve's statistical comments will show they are absolutely correct, 'sheeple' to me are the folks who won't find out the truth for themselves or act upon it once found.

Sometimes the facts support the position, sometimes they don't, the point is to ALWAYS verify for yourself BEFORE you attack others in error. Of course, we've all made that mistake at one time or another, but that is how we learn.

MS Steve

I was born in Kosciusko, and grew up in mid-Mississippi (Winona mostly). Where are you at/from?

[medicinal]

You forgetting a couple of things....First, its an all volenteer military. They are there by choice. Second, there are 100s of people killed by drunk drivers to every 1 that is killed in Iraq. They are *SAFER* in a combat zone than on the public streets here.

Well, if it's such a cakewalk in Iraq and I guess you have no-one that would care if you died or were maimed, why don't you volunteer for Iraq. I'm sure every mothers son volunteered to go to Iraq and patrol for IEDs, You've missed the point, but that is typical of people with your mindset.

[Mississippi Steve]

About ten minutes spent researching MS Steve's statistical comments will show they are absolutely correct, 'sheeple' to me are the folks who won't find out the truth for themselves or act upon it once found.

Sometimes the facts support the position, sometimes they don't, the point is to ALWAYS verify for yourself BEFORE you attack others in error. Of course, we've all made that mistake at one time or another, but that is how we learn.

MS Steve

I was born in Kosciusko, and grew up in mid-Mississippi (Winona mostly). Where are you at/from?

Hattiesburg area

[delusionsofNORMALity]

I'm sure every mothers son volunteered to go to Iraq and patrol for IEDs....

though no one wants to come home in a body bag, that was always a possibility and everyone knew it when they signed on the dotted line. mourning our fallen soldiers is one thing, but calling them innocent victims is an outright lie and dishonors their sacrifice.

[Mississippi Steve]

Well, if it's such a cakewalk in Iraq and I guess you have no-one that would care if you died or were maimed, why don't you volunteer for Iraq. I'm sure every mothers son volunteered to go to Iraq and patrol for IEDs, You've missed the point, but that is typical of people with your mindset.

As was previously stated, you haven't done your homework. I served in the military for 22 years. I retired from active duty in '96 and have been a business owner since then, providing employment and a paycheck to some of those who don't understand the sacrifices that have been made so that they may voice their uninformed opinions without fear of retribution. When 9/11 came along, I volenteered for recall to active duty(even though I couldn't afford the pay cut) for 2 reasons... First, because its the right thing to do, Second, because I have qualifications and certifications that were in very high demand(Mechanical Engineer and HAZMAT Technician Specialist).
The only reason they couldn't take me was because I couldn't pass the physical....something about back surgery.

I have earned my "mindset", and it has come at a very high price.

FWIW, In 1977, I came back from a 1 year overseas deployment, I flew into SFO. We were required to travel in uniform... When I got off the plane I got spit on just because I was in uniform. They didn't care what branch of the military, just that I was in uniform.
You can be just as ignorant as you want, hundreds of thousands of people like me have made sacrifices so you have that freedom.