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Originally Posted by Glinda
Really? Two questions for you:
1. If the surge is working, where are the finalized Iraqi constitution and relative peace in Iraq? Did the Sunni and Shia and Kurds all hold hands and sing Kumbayah together?
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The Iraqi Constitution which is being hammered out by the freely elected government of Iraq is in the process of being finalized.
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2. If the surge is working, why are there MORE troops there now, after the surge, than before?
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Your information is
incorrect. The US military had roughly 160 troops in Iraq at the end of 2005 and today has +/- 145,000.
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/wariniraq/a/troops.htm<< Here's the source.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat.htm<<Here too.
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I have no idea where you came up with the idea that my "measure of success is the absolute absence of violence, but I am interested in that word "success."
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They got it from your position that implied that because terrorists murdered a dozen people that the surge hadn't worked and the Liberation of Iraq could not be a success. You'll note above that you also implied that because the Iraqi Constitution is still being considered that the surge didn't work and the Liberation of Iraq cannot be said to be a success. You may recall posting this:
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1. If the surge is working, where are the finalized Iraqi constitution and relative peace in Iraq? Did the Sunni and Shia and Kurds all hold hands and sing Kumbayah together?
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Would you mind sharing with us the definition of "success in Iraq?" The few people I've heard attempt such a thing all have different answers. It seems to be as vapid and ever-changing as Mr. Bush's stated reasons for invading and occupying Iraq.
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Is it really that complex? Do you not have a fair understanding of what success means? Success in Iraq is measured by several tests against the goals set forth at the beginning of the war.
#1- Remove Hussein and the Baath Socialist Party of Iraq from Power.
CHECK!
#2- Establish an interim government, to provide for the election of a democratically elected Iraqi Government.
CHECK!
#3- Provide for that freely elected interim Iraqi Government to create an Iraqi Constitution and elect a permanent Iraqi Government based upon that Iraqi Constitution created by the freely elected government of Iraq.
CHECK!
#4- Maintain security in support of that freely elected Iraqi government; while seeking out closing with and destroying any and all elements of international Islamic terrorism where they are found; and in the process assist that government in the training of and rebuilding of a new Iraqi Military and civil infrastructure.
ON SCHEDULE AND EXCELLENT GOOD PROGRESS.