Iraq, the new hot travel spot

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

While I consider this yet another waste of resources and an uneccesary risk that will only be used in their next campaign, Clinton and Reed at least did some work while they were there. This is still a photo-op for them....but you have to wonder, aren't those in charge over there supposed to be having these talks already? Honestly, what's the point of this?


Hillary Clinton Meets With Iraq Officials

By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer

KIRKUK, Iraq - U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (news - web sites) and Jack Reed met in this oil-rich northern city Saturday with local officials who urged the visitors to raise the problems of their city with U.S. officials back home.

After the 90-minute private meeting, Kirkuk's governor Abdel-Rahman Mustafa said the senators were briefed on the severe economic problems and high unemployment facing the city.

Clinton and Reed arrived under tight security. Their convoy, which included an armored personnel carrier and a Humvee, was protected from the air by two Apache helicopters.

Kirkuk has some of Iraq's biggest oil fields, but former President Saddam Hussein neglected the city and oppressed its large Kurdish population.


Asked how could the senators help Kirkuk, Mustafa, a Kurd, said "by making our voice reach the concerned sides" in the United States.


Also attending Saturday's meeting were the head of the City Council, Tahsin Kahya, and an official from the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority, which is responsible for the administration of Iraq.


Clinton and Reed arrived in Iraq on Friday, a day after President Bush made a surprise trip to Baghdad. Clinton, a Democrat from New York, and Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island, spent Friday with military brass and troops, occupation officials and aid workers.

They said Friday that the costs of rebuilding Iraq should be spread among more nations.

"I'm a big believer that we ought to internationalize this, but it will take a big change in our administration's thinking," Clinton said. "I don't see that it's forthcoming."

Both senators cautioned that new plans to speed the transfer of power to an Iraqi government are risky given the country's political and social instability. Reed said a "critical factor" for coalition authorities was securing the blessing of Iraq's majority Shiite Muslim community, especially Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, who has criticized the plan.

"We're caught in a dilemma, possibly of our own making," Reed said. "A quick, hasty election might bring to power a person who doesn't share the values we're trying to encourage. But the more we wait, the more it looks like an occupation."

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you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[RevJim 0]

Is there nobody like me that wonders why 2 US Senators are in Iraq in the first place? Is it just me that thinks Hillary Rotten Clinton is using New York as a stepping stone to a higher seat?

She's in Iraq, trying to help? HA!

Tell me, can anyone name a dozen, ok, a Half dozen things she has done to benefit New York since being elected?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a woman President, just NOT her.

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[kpjumps 0]

That was my first thought...

I don't like Hillary one bit (if anyone cares) and I am no expert in politics. But I just kept wondering how many senators head over to war torn countries on behalf of the US?

Shouldn't her focus be on the great state of NY? Unless she has bigger plans...God help us all!

Your character will ultimately determine your destiny.

[kallend 2,150]

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That was my first thought...

I don't like Hillary one bit (if anyone cares) and I am no expert in politics. But I just kept wondering how many senators head over to war torn countries on behalf of the US?

Shouldn't her focus be on the great state of NY? Unless she has bigger plans...God help us all!

Well, if you recall the Constitution of the United States, it is the Congress that is authorized to declare war, not the President. So it seems reasonable to me that senators and representatives should keep themselves informed, especially members of the Senate or House Armed Services Committees.

In fact, I think we should be grateful that they spend the time to investigate, given the ABYSMAL record of this administration's intelligence on Iraq.

I expect they are learning a lot more about Iraq and Afghanistan than GWB did in his 2 hour photo-op at the airport.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Jib 0]

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Well, if you recall the Constitution of the United States, it is the Congress that is authorized to declare war, not the President. So it seems reasonable to me that senators and representatives should keep themselves informed, especially members of the Senate or House Armed Services Committees.

Under that theory, she should've at least picked country that we have a current beef with. So, when's she heading for Syria?

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In fact, I think we should be grateful that they spend the time to investigate, given the ABYSMAL record of this administration's intelligence on Iraq.

Yep, she's going to find the answer in an area controlled by the Kurdish minority. Better yet, they're going to trust a woman from the U.S. with some new intelligence. They have no love for Saddam and didn't they help us in the first place?

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[captainpooby 0]

Hittlery in Iraq?
She and her rapist husband hate the military.
I cant stand that (insert insulting word here).
Jeb in 2008!

[kallend 2,150]

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Well, if you recall the Constitution of the United States, it is the Congress that is authorized to declare war, not the President. So it seems reasonable to me that senators and representatives should keep themselves informed, especially members of the Senate or House Armed Services Committees.

Under that theory, she should've at least picked country that we have a current beef with. So, when's she heading for Syria?

It appears to have escaped your notice that there are members of the US Armed Services in Iraq, not in Syria, and that US soldiers are being killed daily in Iraq, not Syria.

I think more, not fewer, of our fearless leaders should go over there and see for themselves what's actually happening.

Back in ancient times the king would lead his armies into battle. Now the leaders never get anywhere near the sharp end. There would be fewer conflicts if the leaders spent more time on the front lines.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Jib 0]

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Well, if you recall the Constitution of the United States, it is the Congress that is authorized to declare war, not the President. So it seems reasonable to me that senators and representatives should keep themselves informed, especially members of the Senate or House Armed Services Committees.

Under that theory, she should've at least picked country that we have a current beef with. So, when's she heading for Syria?

It appears to have escaped your notice that there are members of the US Armed Services in Iraq, not in Syria, and that US soldiers are being killed daily in Iraq, not Syria.

So, what's that got to do with the Constitution?

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the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[SkydiverRick 0]

There would be fewer conflicts if the leaders spent more time on the front lines.

[kallend 2,150]

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Well, if you recall the Constitution of the United States, it is the Congress that is authorized to declare war, not the President. So it seems reasonable to me that senators and representatives should keep themselves informed, especially members of the Senate or House Armed Services Committees.

Under that theory, she should've at least picked country that we have a current beef with. So, when's she heading for Syria?

It appears to have escaped your notice that there are members of the US Armed Services in Iraq, not in Syria, and that US soldiers are being killed daily in Iraq, not Syria.

So, what's that got to do with the Constitution?

If you read it, you'll find out what the authority of Congress is with respect to wars.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.