Snippets

News Item: 21-year retired Army 1st Sgt. Jerry Massey assigned to train Iraqi Army recruits reports that, "We can't leave here for another five years, minimum." Iraqi Army commander Col. Abbas Fadhil says, "We need time for training.... We need at least seven years. Even better, 50 years."

Five years? Seven? Fifty? Just when will these people step up to defend their country?

News Item: As the surge continues to build, the Iraqi parliament prepares to take a 2 month summer recess. "For the Iraqi parliament to take a two-month vacation in the middle of summer is impossible to understand," U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker said. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates also said that he pressed for the recess to be canceled. Sen. John Warner (R-VA) said a two-month recess is "not acceptable."

Maybe they could be encouraged to cancel this insane idea if we link their vacation plans to the new war funding bill; i.e. no parliament, no money.

News Item: "Iraq may demand timetable for U.S. to get out"

Hmmmmm... An interesting thought but will Bush listen to them just because it is their county?