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Iraq parliament recess 'bad idea': US officials (3rd Roundup)

May 9, 2007, 18:59 GMT

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Bush_WackerMay 9th, 2007 - 19:39:40

Why not allow them time off, they worked hard. After all, this is an American Civil War, not an Iraq civil war. we have over 90 percent of the soldiers and they want another 30,000. Lets give Bush and Cheney some combat gear, send them to Iraq, and let them dodge the bombs for a while.

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Beaver06May 9th, 2007 - 19:42:51

It's interesting that Sadr, Al Zawahiri, and the Democrats have the same opinion of Cheney. It's interesting that these groups also have the same opinion of the surge plan. I wonder who Mookie supports in '08. I'll bet that he supports Edwards.
Beaver06.

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Bush_WackerMay 9th, 2007 - 19:43:39

They need an AWOL Male Cheerleaders to drive Hummer and act as the village idiot, give them Bush as a two month replacement. After all, Bush doesn't want any restriction on the amount of Americans he can kill.

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Beaver06May 9th, 2007 - 19:51:46

I wonder what Bush_Wacker thinks of Al Sadr, Al Zawahiri, and UBL. I'll bet he thinks the world of them for trying kill the VP and our deployed soldiers. I'll bet that he, along with Reid and Pelosi, were just praying that Cheney would have been killed by the bomb in Kabul.
Beaver06.

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A Good AmericanMay 9th, 2007 - 19:58:28

All you liberals against the war should go home and count your blessings. Just look at New Jersey .

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RobMay 9th, 2007 - 19:59:53

I support Bush plans and feel that we should help them rebuild their country and teach them the rule of law. But if the goverment take two month off at this stage of rebuilding then we need to pull out and let them learn the hard way to build a country.

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readerMay 9th, 2007 - 20:38:33

I thought the sec defense wasn Robert Gates. Why is Bill Gates listed in that role here?

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John ThomasMay 9th, 2007 - 20:40:32

Where do your right-wingers get this stuff? Is Faux news your only source. Our own intelligence says that AlQueda in Iraq is entirely made up of Iraqi Sunnis. Zawahiri wants the Americans to stay. One of UBL's main objectives was to lure the West into a protracted war to bleed them of money and lives while inspiring ever more jihadis. What do conservatives do? They blame Democrats although 60 % of the country supports benchmarks and a timeline. But then conservatism once meant fiscal responsiblity instead of putting a half trillion on the credit card. It once meant 'no nation-building.' Pshaw, yeah and I have a bridge in Brooklyn that a 'terrorist' was going to bring down with cable cutters. We are going to hell in a handbasket and you guys want us to get there faster with more troops.

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benje cMay 9th, 2007 - 20:49:19

Can you believe this.... they want two months off while our troops are getting killed and away from their families and receiving only coolie wages. Those in the Iraqui govt sure have culoones. After expending almost $1 trillon dollars and almost 3400 dead and 25,000 wounded, not counting the almost 100,000 dead Iraquis and God knows how many wounded....they 'need' two months off with pay. The poor dears, we feel sorry for them. When is the US going to wise up and get the hell out of there. The American people have had enough.

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@John ThomasMay 9th, 2007 - 20:56:52

@John Thomas

Where do your right-wingers get this stuff?

'CNN, AP, Rueters, MSNBC, BBC, Fox, and any media outlet that reports'

Is Faux news your only source.

'As said above CNN, AP, Rueters, MSNBC, BBC, Fox, and any media outlet that reports'

Our own intelligence says that AlQueda in Iraq is entirely made up of Iraqi Sunnis.

'Do your words 'Our own intelligence says that' really mean your intellegence comes from a cave where OBL lives, me thinks so.'

Zawahiri wants the Americans to stay.

'Of course he does it helps him promote terror to people like John Thomas'

One of UBL's main objectives was to lure the West into a protracted war to bleed them of money and lives while inspiring ever more jihadis. What do conservatives do?

'Fight back, and not run like frenchmen or Euro's'

They blame Democrats although 60 % of the country supports benchmarks and a timeline.

'Dem's run and hide and have convinced the MSM to do the same. Check other news polls out there Worldnet daily comes to mind. The Polls are split'

But then conservatism once meant fiscal responsiblity instead of putting a half trillion on the credit card.

'This is the only true statement you have said so far'

It once meant 'no nation-building.' Pshaw, yeah and I have a bridge in Brooklyn that a 'terrorist' was going to bring down with cable cutters.

'To bad you don't live under that bridge... Which will fall if you have your way'

We are going to hell in a handbasket and you guys want us to get there faster with more troops.

'You are already going to hell in a handbasket as you most likely still live under a rock in the middle east.'

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LividLibMay 9th, 2007 - 21:15:48

Pussy06,

Well, as a matter of fact, i was hoping cheney would get to experience an IED up close and personal. talk about poetic justice! I mean you can’t deny he and corpro-cranium are directly responsible for the death of 3300+ of our troops. not to mention the thousands of others maimed for life. For what? democracy? security? cheap oil? lucrative contracts?

Btw, don't criticize the iraqis for wanting to take 2-months off. They’re just following corpro-craniums’ example! How much time has he spent down on the ranch during his 2 terms? And don’t forget *your* prez likes to be in bed by 10 pm!

Night-night!

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LividLib you are an idiotMay 9th, 2007 - 21:39:57

'Well, as a matter of fact, i[sic] was hoping cheney[sic] would get to experience an IED up close and personal.'

Typical 'lib' siding with our enemies and wishing them success.

'I mean you can’t deny he and corpro-cranium are directly responsible for the death of 3300+ of our troops.'

The person who detonated the IED or pulled the trigger is directly responsible for the deaths of our troops.

'Btw, don't criticize the iraqis[sic] for wanting to take 2-months off. They’re just following corpro-craniums’ example! '

Another infantile 'lib' who can't see anything past her resentment of Bush. And you have the audacity to call anyone else a 'pussy'. The opposite of 'Liberal' is intolerant, you moron. You are not a 'lib', you are an idiot.

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Abu MosaMay 9th, 2007 - 21:41:35

Well if you compare these guys to those fat useless corrupt thieving rulers of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait (don’t forget their extended royals and entourage) you would give them some credit.

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Joe in CAMay 9th, 2007 - 21:49:30

Does someone actually have the nerve to mention New Jersey? According to our Great Decider, almost 6 years into the 'War on Terror' America is most definitely 'safer.' The fact that infiltrators were found this close (Within our own borders, for Pete's sake...) only goes to show that we're about as safe as we were back in 9/11/2001. It only goes to show how effective Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, the Federal Military Commissions Act, warrantless wiretapping etc. have been. The whole reason we're stripped at airports and have our luggage scrutinized is to have prevented events like these. And somehow infiltrators happen to make it past all of that anyway?

Don't mention New Jersey. It's a shot in the foot for Bush and his entire administration. It just screams 'failure.'

It's almost unbelievable. A 2 month recession? Of course both Iraqui leaders and Cheney agree. It's not THEIR lives on the line, after all... It's easy to risk men's lives, as long as they're not your own father, brothers, or sons. Sure! Keep the men there longer. Send more. Let the Iraqui gov't take a break. Maybe Cheney can take 'em out hunting.

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drotchMay 9th, 2007 - 22:02:26

Cheney thinks there is a light at the end of the tunnel; at least for him.

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Jacob IsraelMay 9th, 2007 - 22:05:26

Joe CA you are just pure stupid (same as other Americans who oppose this war)

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GooseMay 9th, 2007 - 22:10:46

See the same old liberal horse crap being spouted off as usual. No it is not the fault of the US that muslims want to kill us, they been wanting to kill everyone for a long time now. And no, giving a time line to withdraw will not help our troops and it will help terrorists. And no again, Pelosi and Reid are not bright stand up guys, just a couple of treasonous media whores who are not afraid to have the blood of their own soldiers on their hands if they think it will boost their political careers. What would be really nice is if liberals wouldnt keep voting for wars then having piss run down their legs when things get a bit dicey.

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Joe in CAMay 9th, 2007 - 22:11:31

'Another infantile 'lib' who can't see anything past her resentment of Bush.'

It seems GOPs can't see anything past resentment for those who have the nerve to question the war. GOPs have the nerve to call anyone that questions our purpose for even being in Iraq a 'lib.'

GOPs always throw their toys out of the cradle whenever someone dares to question the war. If that's not 'infantile,' I don't know what is.

Our original reason for going to Iraq was to find stockpiles of WMDs. It's more than clear that there had never been any. So what are we still doing there? Why are these 2 month negotiations even taking place? Since when does America run a state-sitting service at the expense of our tax-dollars and troops?

Our presence in Iraq is pointless. Exactly who do you 'win' or 'lose' against as a 3rd party meddler in a civil war we have absolutely no business in? Our own shadow? It's time for GOPs to wake up, get their heads out of the sand and realize it's time for our troops to come home. Killing more Iraquis doesn't make America any more 'free,' and as evidenced by the recent New Jersey incident, neither has this 5 year long war made it any safer.

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Joe in CAMay 9th, 2007 - 22:13:12

Jacob Israel, challenge the facts, not me. Name-calling is for kindergartners.

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Joe in CAMay 9th, 2007 - 22:20:23

Goose, it is those who voted our troops into a pointless war, and who continue to support it who have blood on their hands.

Unless those WMDs are ever found, our Great Decider has the lives of over 3,000 US troops, and over 50,000 of Iraqui civilians on his hands.

Don't you, or any other warmongers forget that.

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VaughnMay 9th, 2007 - 23:49:42

Hmmmm, my son or daughter risks being killed fighting another country's civil war in Iraq while that country's decision makers take a vacation...this shows just how much the Iraqi leadership value the cost of American lives and what we do.

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GooseMay 10th, 2007 - 00:02:07

Joe C
'Our original reason for going to Iraq was to find stockpiles of WMDs. It's more than clear that there had never been any.'

Their never were any? Joe you might want to ask the Kurds who were gassed with chem weapons if their never were any...get your facts straight.

'Unless those WMDs are ever found, our Great Decider has the lives of over 3,000 US troops, and over 50,000 of Iraqui civilians on his hands.'

And you dont think that Saddam by constantly breaking his cease fire agreements, firing on US/UK aircraft, continuing to murder Kurds and opponents in ever increasing number has any responsibility in all this? I guess the rest of the senators who also voted are not responsible either as long as you can blame bush and keep up the liberal mantra of 'it wasnt our fault its the evil bush'?

'Don't you, or any other warmongers forget that.'

Then he complains about name calling lol. I actually agree that we have done about all we can in Iraq and we should start to withdraw, however you do not announce this to your enemy just to score political points back home as Pelosi and her crowd have done. Can you not understand this? It is also wrong to load a bill with billions in pork just to bribe others to sign up and then try to claim the moral high ground. Can you not understand that Pelosi going to Syria is the most craven act of political theater at the expense of her own nation just to try and score some points over Bush (whom I agree is an idiot, but an idiot that we voted for)? You whine about being labelled 'Lib' as an insult, you whine about Bush and war, strange that guys like you never whine about the most stupid and cowardly acts of Dems though.




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pbMay 10th, 2007 - 00:12:25

Whenever they get Jabba the Veep involved, the issue is already serious. This announcement of a 2-month recess dates back over a week. This is the heart of it:

The Republicans in Congress, and their Presidential candidates, want to see something happen. The Egypt conference was a photo-op for some decisions made before the conference had even begun, in terms of debt forgiveness, and it kicked the ball back to al-Maliki to get busy and form a working government. The Sunni are fed up, and al Sadr is pressing from the other side. Now Cheney does his 'get-tough' visit, so that in the absence of actual progress, Bush can make the claim that we're 'moving forward'.

This is all a preface to September, and Petraeus. The last thing Bush needed was to see Iraq have a 2-month leadership gap, following upon years of getting nothing substantial done in terms of distribution of oil profits and other key Constitutional issues, including finding some sort of sectarian balance that the Iraqis could co-exist with. How the Iraqi leadership thought a lengthy recess was acceptable defies comprehension, since it's at the direct cost of American lives (as well as Iraqi) to delay further.

I don't think anything will actually move forward politically, but it gives the Admin. a chance to say that they used their influence on al-Maliki. Score one in the photo-op column. If they could resolve either oil proceeds distribution, or the Baathist 'acceptance' issue, it would send a great signal. I would assume that these issues are bound together by al-Maliki and the rest, and he cannot resolve one at a time.

To make it worse, Al Sadr is losing control of his own militia.

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Don't let facts get in the way of a good rant JoeMay 10th, 2007 - 00:20:57

'The fact that infiltrators were found this close (Within our own borders, for Pete's sake...) only goes to show that we're about as safe as we were back in 9/11/2001.'

Those 'infiltrators' were brought on during the Clinton administration.

'. And somehow infiltrators happen to make it past all of that anyway?'

Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are you Joe?

'A 2 month recession? Of course both Iraqui leaders and Cheney agree.'

Cheney told them it was a bad idea, did you even read the article?

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You are an idiot Joe, just fyi...May 10th, 2007 - 00:25:41

'GOPs have the nerve to call anyone that questions our purpose for even being in Iraq a 'lib.''

I was answering a comment from 'LividLib' you complete idiot.

'Our presence in Iraq is pointless. '

Not that I ever expect you to understand or allow yourself to believe it at this point, but our presence in Iraq is by a great margin, the lesser of 2 evils.

'It's time for GOPs to wake up, get their heads out of the sand and realize it's time for our troops to come home.'

You just do not have any idea of the ramifications of a civil/proxy war in the geographical center of the middle east.

' neither has this 5 year long war made it any safer.'

How many plots have succeeded?

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SP4: Hey, we found the WMD's!May 10th, 2007 - 01:41:34

Over 500 of them! Plus the one they set off 3 years ago! Plus, the chlorine bombs.

How many more do you need? You see, WMD's are the people willing to use them, not the weapon itself.

Nonetheless this president, abandoned by his party, is going to make them, and the luddite dems, run on the war in 08.

Why is it people think good things happen when they try to undermine Bush?

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JakMay 10th, 2007 - 03:49:11

This is just more evidence that we need to get out of Iraq. Let the Sunnis and Shiites battle it out and get out of their way. This mess will NEVER be solved in our lifetime and probably not in the next. All the summits in the world will not make a difference, and it's unbelievable that anyone would think differently. Our sole purpose for being in Iraq was WMDs - they weren't there, Saddam is gone - so why aren't we???

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ConcernedMay 10th, 2007 - 03:53:32

Bush can't put two intelligent words together, so why would anyone feel secure in his decisions on the Iraq situation. What were his qualifications for being President - he owned a ball team?? Oh, if he were only running for office again - his war would be over long ago!!

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GooseMay 10th, 2007 - 04:08:30

Concerned
'What were his qualifications for being President - he owned a ball team??'

No you idiot he was voted in by the population of the US, that does seem to be a problem for leftists dosnt it? Just look at France right now and you can see how deeply committed the left is to democracy when they lose. Anyone else get the feeling that 'concerned' is actually Joe in disguise cause he just got his liberal, Pelosis panty wearing butt handed to him in a sling? lol.

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?May 10th, 2007 - 04:25:46

He might have been voted in??? but what were his qualifications, Idiot??

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To GooseMay 10th, 2007 - 04:34:38

You seem to protest too much and are good at blasting everyone with your cute words when they don't think as you do - thank god. The majority of the public is calling a halt to this insane 'Bush' war, so perhaps being in the minority is a major sore spot, or are you one of these people who believe in winning no matter the cost?? And I'm not 'Joe'!

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JenMay 10th, 2007 - 04:39:46

So Cheney sees a greater sense of urgency than he has before?? Is he beginning to open his eyes?

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JDMay 10th, 2007 - 10:04:30

Great! Why stop the Iraqis from taking a recess?
After all they are in the Zone
The war is an American event. Let them take the bashing and suffer the killings.
You have to pay price for oil, don't you? Nothing comes free.
If americans have brains, they will get rid of the war mongrels in the White House and put them on trial for all american casualties in Iraq.
Or else, just shut up and tolerate it all & expect more bashing and bloody gory!
Stupid Americans. The biggest fools on earth.

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peteMay 10th, 2007 - 12:58:56

Maybe the 'greater sense of urgency' is caused by the difficulties over getting funds ?

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bubbaMay 10th, 2007 - 13:52:10

they should issue Cheney a shotgun...and then televise him standing next to a moron fantic muslim saying: 'Speaking of time....your time is up' then show him shooting this idiot in the head...then other pro life and peace muslim wrapping him up with goat skin and burying him head first away from Mecca.

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Not GooseMay 10th, 2007 - 15:39:49

'The majority of the public is calling a halt to this insane 'Bush' war, so perhaps being in the minority is a major sore spot, or are you one of these people who believe in winning no matter the cost?? '

This is not 'Bush's war', this war was declared by the United States. I can't believe that there are people out there who are so blasted stupid to think a loss of us is acceptable because it will further tarnish Bush. You have no idea what the ramifications of us losing in Iraq are, nor do you care. Idiots put their antipathy for one man ahead of their care for the country, you are another idiot.

Winning no matter what the cost is not the issue, think about the cost of Losing for once.

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pbMay 10th, 2007 - 19:29:48

Re: This is not 'Bush's war', this war was declared by the United States. I can't believe that there are people out there who are so blasted stupid to think a loss of us is acceptable because it will further tarnish Bush. You have no idea what the ramifications of us losing in Iraq are, nor do you care.

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

Sorry, but that's just dumb. Any coherent person understands that whatever the outcome in Iraq, short of a 'real' government getting into power, with 'real' control over the militias, there WILL be an aftermath, and it will be serious.

Bush has delayed the inevitable, having both stalled by waiting for the Iraq Study Group report, and by tolerating an utter lack of performance by al-Maliki while proposing a military solution (SURGE) while the real problem is POLITICAL. The political vacuum has allowed al Qaeda and other outside agitators, as well as local militias, to gain position, and al Q gets funding from opium farmers in Afghanistan, which was supposed to be JOB ONE post 9/11. Failure begets failure.

This was 'Bush's War', and will be remembered as such, because wars are based on imminent threat, not some 'proactive' vision of a biased President. I tend to think of it as 'Cheney's War', as he was a leading participant in 1991, and could have escorted Saddam out the door back then, saving many Shiite lives.

This endless diatribe of naming those opposed to Bush's policies as somehow 'hating him' I consider the ranting of the brainwashed. 'Success' in the end will be quantifiable, although Bush seems to have changed that definition recently in terms of Iraq - THAT's the problem! Success is not subjective, and goals should not be viewed in terms of what Iraq is 'capable of', but rather what they !!!SHOULD!!! be achieving. Otherwise, they're wish lists, not GOALS.

Note Bush's 58th (or so) shift today, in an endless series of lurches towards reality:

WASHINGTON, May 10 — President Bush said today that he was willing to work with lawmakers to include benchmarks for the performance of the Iraqi government in a war spending bill, something members of both parties have been vigorously seeking. Bush suggested that “the idea of benchmarks makes sense.” The president said his chief of staff, Joshua B. Bolten, would try to “find common ground on benchmarks” for the Iraqi government in his negotiations with lawmakers.

Among the benchmarks that have been discussed — and which Mr. Bush explicitly mentioned — are the passage of Iraqi legislation to share oil revenues, the future division of power in Iraq and the opening of some government jobs to former members of the Baath Party of Saddam Hussein.

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ConcernedMay 10th, 2007 - 22:40:17

With the coming election, we will see a lot of changes being made regarding Bush's war - a lot of backing down and agreeing with the general public - just wait and see!!

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When you post rants over and over PB it is spamMay 11th, 2007 - 00:20:58

'Sorry, but that's just dumb. '

The public opinion polls at the time backed it, Congress voted and authorized it. Nice and legal.

'Any coherent person understands that....'

Well how would you know then?

'...short of a 'real' government getting into power, with 'real' control over the militias, there WILL be an aftermath, and it will be serious.'

That is why we have to stay and keep pushing for a government that can do those things.

'Bush has delayed the inevitable...'

You are such a child... Bush bad, Bush bad, waaah waaah.... Your argument here is defeat is 'inevitable'. You are wrong.

'This was 'Bush's War', and will be remembered as such'

Keep saying it over and over, why stop now Rain-man?

'because wars are based on imminent threat,'

Is that pb's rule? Regardless, US armed forces are in Iraq, not Bush, the American military. You know, the folks that the democrats are hanging out to dry.

' I tend to think of it as 'Cheney's War', as he was a leading participant in 1991, and could have escorted Saddam out the door back then, saving many Shiite lives.'

How could he have done that then without doing what we are doing now? That is just crazy.

'This endless diatribe of naming those opposed to Bush's policies as somehow 'hating him' I consider the ranting of the brainwashed.'

Oh noooo, no one could ever accuse you of 1) posting endless diatribes or 2) hating Bush. The first is obvious and the second you have confessed to.

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SP4: perhaps I have a solution...May 11th, 2007 - 02:16:59

...how about we tell the Iraqi towelhead congress that the American army will take 2 months off too, and will come back when they do...?

Bush: Folks, our boys need a rest. We're goona all go to Baharain, git drunk an grab some boody, and we'll be back when you reconvein!

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ZawaiaMay 11th, 2007 - 09:23:32

I really think that the American administration, leaded by the commander-in-chief, should just arrest EVERYBODY that questions the war! Come on, if you don't support the troops you are a traitor, and traitors can only be dealed in one way: dispose them.
Besides, why do you Americans just even talk with those 'towelheads'? Like Bill O'Reilly said, just waste the whole country and that's all. They are all bad guys.

You, Americans, should never do like those deviated preverts frenchie euros, always running, not believing in nothing, who threatens to sap and impurify the precious bodily fluids of the American people with their perverted ideas... Blood n'guts, you must always fight, fight, fight! Just waste the whole f*** jealous outside world. You don't need the rest of those losers, you have thousands of nuclear warheads, who are just there, waiting to be used against those terrorists.
God bless USAF Major 'King' Kong! YEEAAAAAH!!! Yeeahhhhhh!

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