Army planning for 4 more years in Iraq

[Eugene]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/08/20/army_planning_for_4_more_years_in_iraq/

Army planning for 4 more years in Iraq

By Robert Burns, AP Military Writer | August 20, 2005

WASHINGTON --The Army is planning for the possibility of keeping the
current number of soldiers in Iraq -- well over 100,000 -- for four
more years, the Army's top general said Saturday.

In an Associated Press interview, Gen. Peter Schoomaker said the Army
is prepared for the "worse case" in terms of the required level of
troops in Iraq. He said the number could be adjusted lower if called
for by slowing the force rotation or by shortening tours for soldiers.

Schoomaker said commanders in Iraq and others will decide how many
troops will be needed next year and beyond. His responsibility is to
provide them, trained and equipped.

About 138,000 U.S. troops, including about 25,000 Marines, are now in
Iraq.

"We are now into '07-'09 in our planning," Schoomaker said, having
completed work on the set of combat and support units that will be
rotated into Iraq over the coming year for 12-month tours of duty.

Schoomaker's comments come amid indications from Bush administration
officials and commanders in Iraq that the size of the U.S. force may
be scaled back next year if certain conditions are achieved.

more...

They are not planning it as a certainty, but alternatives
depend on a growing pile of conditions.

[AndyTiedye]

1. More Like 20 Years

They can pump Iraq dry in 20 years.
If the Iraqis let them, which they won't.

[merwin]

29. So that's what they meant when they shouted '4 more years! 4 more years!'

[TacticalPeek]

2. Don't forget,

the mooj get a vote.

[Roland99]

3. Tomorrow's headline: "Gen. Schoomaker announces plans to retire."

[Hissyspit]

6. Or charged with 'adultery' n/t

[F101VooDoo]

10. Schoomaker a goner

HEY That is the way they play. If the truth you dare say, you must go away !!!!!!

[newyawker99]

46. Hi F101VooDoo!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[VegasWolf]

4. 4 Years = X more thousands of lives? nt

[leftchick]

5. at about a 100 billion dollars a year ?

I think this calls for another tax break!

[geebensis]

7. I predict...

I predict Bush will declare victory (again) and start bringing soome troops home in the spring. All for the mid-term elections.

I see two results of this move:

1. The poor shmoes who don't come back in the spring are going to be far more exposed and will suffer greater casualty rates. Not that Bush or anyone up for re-election will care.

2. The Iraqi civil war will explode, and we'll have to send a whole lot more troops back after the election just to get things back to the low-level meat grinder we've got going over there today.

I sure do hope I'm wrong.

[serryjw]

37. Bookmark this thread....you're NOT wrong

I couldn't have said it better myself...100% accurate, sorry to say

[54anickel]

8. Da-WHAT?!?!!!! Which of Shrub's conditions do they anticipate

failing?

... the size of the U.S. force may be scaled back next year if certain conditions are achieved.

Among those conditions: an Iraqi constitution must be drafted in coming days; it must be approved in a national referendum; and elections must be held for a new government under that charter.

My guess, since they haven't been able to get a constitution, would be all of the above.

[F101VooDoo]

9. Army planning for 4 more years in Iraq

We should not criticise the military for planning ahead because that is their job. The number of years that we stay in Iraq will be a political decision, or at least it should be. I don't really think that you are criticising the soldiers but I unfortunately remember when I returned fron Vietnam and many anti-war wackos did not separate their hatred for the war from hatred of the warrior. Being a Vietnam Vet and the fact that I am old enough to have children old enoough to serve makes this war very emotional for me. I also strongly believe that we needed to go into Afghanistan but not invade Iraq. The Shrub and the neo-con-artist Chicken-hawks failed to understand the military principle of making your enemy move if he is hiding. Osama was most likely in Afghanistan so we should have placed very severe preasure on him to run. When you run you expose yourself to detection. But TOO STUPID TO BE PRESIDENT just wanted to invade Iraq and maybe let Osama slip out.

[cornermouse]

17. I agree.

We had good cause to go into Afghanistan. Invading Iraq, however, was a really stupid thing to do. Also they placed too much confidence in their mega-ton bombs. The end result was that bin Laden got away to plan for another day.

I don't think we're upset with the military for planning ahead so much as the length of time that they are planning ahead. A likely interpretation of the length of time that they're planning for is that we will lose many more people and that's extremely upsetting.

[maveric]

11. Dont we still have bases in Germany, Japan and Italy? 60 yrs later?

We aint never leavin Iraq! NEVER! Or as long as the oil is a pumpin!

[F101VooDoo]

24. Bases in Europe are for NATO Commitment

Our Bases in Europe are for NATO Commitment BUT we should have adjusted the number down since the Soviet threat has become a reduced Russia threat. The German bases are still there since we have a large infrastructure left over from the cold war. The bases in Italy are vital due to geography eg they cover the Med Sea Balkans, and are the closest to the Cacauseus.

[Barrett808]

12. Funny, Gen. McCaffrey said "the wheels are coming off" ...

...and that we have to be out of Iraq by next summer, or the Army and Marines will break.

[hadrons]

19. McCaffrey will soon learn what the Repuke chickenhawk really fell about

the troops (the suckers signed up for this)

[PurityOfEssence]

13. Wow, do we really think we can pump 28 billion barrels of oil a year?

They're just making it up as they go, and then they lie about it to make it fit some sort of "reasonable" or "acceptible" plan.

We're going to be there permanently; as long as there's an Israel, the PNAC will have us there to keep the locals in check.

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. Planning for 4, no plan yet for the 30 or so after that.

Nice going, Schoony.

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. 4 more years! 4 more years!

Remind these amoral fucks of their choice for this at every opportunity.

[Tin Man]

31. LOL - Good one!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

16. Wow

Just think of all the money (our tax dollars) Halliburton will make in no bid contracts,

:argh:

[tabasco]

18. The Army only does what the CINC tells them to do.

Bush is responsible. It only seems like we don't have a Commander In Chief. Scary as it is, it really is Bush. He is the CINC and is responsible for decisions of this magnitude. It doesn't even matter if Cheney is really calling the shots. Bush is responsible and should be punished for his crimes when we restore the rule of law to this country.

[pfitz59]

20. We've been in Germany for 60!

....and other countries for longer. What's 4 years? A drop in the bucket........

[Tyranny_R_US]

21. I bet they won't tell you that at the recruitment office!

:rofl:

[daleo]

22. I suppose U.S. military deaths will eventually hit 10,000

Maybe by then people will have had enough. Costs will top one trillion.

[damntexdem]

23. They must be very confident in Diebold:

they think that the GOP can hold on to power that long.

[Dynasty_At_Passes]

33. Diebold/ES&S won't last.....

It's going to become a passing memory.....but democracy will still be invalidated, corrupt, and steamrolled here..

http://www.answers.com/topic/2004-u-s-presidential-election-controversy-voting-machines

Like I say its going to take a cleanout of virtually every government office to ever gain back independence in this country, that's the bottom line.

[Renew Deal]

25. 4 More Years!!! 4 More Years!!! 4 More Years!!! 4 More Years!!!

doh :sarcasm:

[Maggie_May]

26. 4 more years

Did anyone ask the Iraqi people about how they felt about 4 mores years of being occupied.

[Voltaire99]

27. Good. Fucking. Luck.

To stay in Iraq that long (or even longer), at least three things are needed.

Money. Whaddya mean, put it on our tab?

Bodies. Ain't no more where those came from.

Public support. Still declining (but it must be said, no thanks at all to the two major parties).

[Robeson]

28. Iraqnam.

[indie_voter]

35. far far worse than Vietnam

We are not fighting against a nation or even an ideology (Communism)

We are fighting something far more dangerous. Religious fervor.

It transcends all, including nationalism and race.

When Condi said we are in a generational war, she was right. What she omitted was they, the Bushies CAUSED this generational fight.

There were a small minority (wrt to world population) who were against us on 9/11. The majority mourned along with us.

Bush has increased the numbers of those who would cheer our demise exponentially.

Vietnam was a cake walk compared to this. We left Saigon and moved on with little consequence to ourselves. The same will not be true with Iraq, we'll have to leave eventually, but generations will suffer for Bush's folly.

[Robeson]

38. I agree with your finer points...

...my point was, he - and his minions - have now openly committed us to an extended engagement, just like Vietnam. As for the extended ramifications of this war, well, those details you outlined, go without saying.

[porkrind]

30. We are never going to leave

Those 14 new military bases we are building in Iraq prove it. This is now the frontier of the New Empire. They will soon want more of our sons and daughters to fight the continuing coporate resource (oil) wars. I expect a draft soon. Hopefully rightwing America will wake the fuck up and realize these vampires are sucking the life-blood out of them. Although, from what I have seen of recent history, I don't hold out much hope. The New American Empire is a boot on the neck of democracy, both here and abroad.

[Dynasty_At_Passes]

32. Try 12 years instead....

Even after withdrawing the troops there will be a military presence there for more than 12 years. This is because the country is that screwed up, that there is no way to keep order there without some military presence.

Why the USA is doing that you can thank the oil companies....But then again, if things change in this country soon Iraq might be salvageable.....I put the emphasis on might, considering the damage.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

34. Can you say "trial balloon?"

I knew that you could.

[Placebo]

36. 4 more years? pssh, if we're lucky

More like 16-20 years the way we're going

[Vinca]

39. There's a reason for the giant bases being built.

Contrary to what the administration might want us to believe, it isn't the beginnings of a chain of Iraqi Sandals resorts. We're going to be there forever unless sane people are elected to government in this country.

[Judi Lynn]

40. Army Planning for 4 More Years in Iraq

8:44 PM PDT, August 20, 2005

Army Planning for 4 More Years in Iraq
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer


WASHINGTON -- The Army is planning for the possibility of keeping the current number of soldiers in Iraq -- well over 100,000 -- for four more years, the Army's top general said Saturday.

In an Associated Press interview, Gen. Peter Schoomaker said the Army is prepared for the "worst case" in terms of the required level of troops in Iraq. He said the number could be adjusted lower if called for by slowing the force rotation or by shortening tours for soldiers.

Schoomaker said commanders in Iraq and others who are in the chain of command will decide how many troops will be needed next year and beyond. His responsibility is to provide them, trained and equipped.

About 138,000 U.S. troops, including about 25,000 Marines, are now in Iraq.
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wire/ats-ap_top10aug20,0,3922132.story
(Free registration is required)

[don954]

41. Four More Years!

Four More Years!
Four More Years!
Four More Years???
Four More Years!???!!?!!
Oh Crap, Four More Years!!

[maddezmom]

42. more proof * has no clue......yahoo link

.....
"We are now into '07-'09 in our planning," Schoomaker said, having completed work on the set of combat and support units that will be rotated into Iraq over the coming year for 12-month tours of duty.

Schoomaker's comments come amid indications from Bush administration officials and commanders in Iraq that the size of the U.S. force may be scaled back next year if certain conditions are achieved.

Among those conditions: an Iraqi constitution must be drafted in coming days; it must be approved in a national referendum; and elections must be held for a new government under that charter.

Schoomaker, who spoke aboard an Army jet on the trip back to Washington from Kansas City, Mo., made no predictions about the pace of political progress in Iraq. But he said he was confident the Army could provide the current number of forces to fight the insurgency for many more years. The 2007-09 rotation he is planning would go beyond President Bush's term in office, which ends in January 2009.

....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050821/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_chief_interview_10;_

[teryang]

43. How jingoistic of them n/t

[Spazito]

44. Here is a link to a clip on Iraqi reaction to the '4 more years'

Listen to the Iraqi woman about how Iraqis feel about it.

The link is to an article on the 4 years, look to the right and click on the video link titled 'Iraqis reject army presence'.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1124625992227_7/?hub=TopStories

[go freedom]

45. Rewrite

Army Halliburton planning for 4 more years in Iraq. n/t