Most. Majority. These word would have put me in complete agreement with your statments. The way you said it earlier is incorrect, because it implies that all civilians want us out, and all in the government want us to stay.
If you're determined to believe what I said meant every person in every group had one point of view, that's on you. When someone says, "America voted for _____", I don't require someone to point out some people were against _____ and some people were for it. It's a given, as is the conclusion that the majority is clearly for _____ based on either polling or the passing of ______.
Semantics asided indeed, I never had problems with people being deployed, I was behind both wars. What I am against, is using the wars for political gain. I believe they are pulling a stunt, you believe they are not. Since we have no way of confirming or denying what we think is going on, arguing on it is pointless. Every major poll shows massive losses for the democrats in both the House and Senate. Even Obama's poll numbers are tracking amazingly poor. Bad poll numbers get their attention in the Beltway because it means that someone is about to get their gravy train, and they can join the unemployed masses. I only say that we have this as a show of election help due to the timing and left wing pundits talking about the base being unhappy with Iraq. This was read from the LA Times, NY Times, and Politico. I can dig up the links with some time, if you like.
I have problems with being deployed for political reasons, and I was and remain against both wars for that reason, among others. The date to pullout combat troops was set long ago, and for that reason, I don't believe this to be a political stunt. If anything, it's a reallocation of forces to an area that desperately needs it. That place, of course, would be Afghanistan. As for the Iraqi stance on US forces, if polls are to be believed, the civilian population has been for us getting out since pretty much the beginning. Just to avoid confusion, when I say civilian population, I'm not talking about Americans. I'm talking about Iraqis. Their opinion matters a little more than ours when it comes to their country.
"Finishing the job" in Iraq would mean establishing a security force capable of protecting its civilians from external and internal threats. That's the current goal. We can't do that without having a force capable of training the Iraqis in country. And even then, I highly doubt their security force will be capable of subduing anyone without US assets. With a change in objectives comes a change in operation names. Iraqi Freedom is over. Our plans for Iraq, however, have not been fully realized, and so we'll maintain a presence. Is it as disingenuous to say "Operation Iraqi Freedom is over" as it is to say "Mission Accomplished?" Not at all. One states objective complete, the other states we've completely won. It can be construed as wordplay, sure, but it really isn't this time.
As for the 50,000 troops staying behind, they're living the life. They work a few hours, chill for most of the day, work out, play Call of Duty and repeat. That's what PoGs do. There's nothing wrong with that. It's their job. But let's not pretend they're in harms way and they need to come back right this minute because ****s going down. It's not. They're safe, and getting paid ridiculous amounts of cash to stand by.
I'm sorry that you thought I would see a credit roll at the end of the war as Chuck Norris lead delta force back to America for some brewskies, but you are horribly inccorect in your assumption. I have always been for finishing the job, in fact, I mentioned that I felt the pullout was responisble. Again, I'm against labeling it something its not. Regardless, it is good to see our troops coming home, even you. Have I had a chance to thank you for service to our country? If not, thank you, no matter what you did. You have skin in the game, and that I can respect.
I'm not coming home. My job is to go where the fight is, and the fight hasn't been in Iraq for quite some time now.
That doesn't mean I'm gonna let you talk to me like a child though. Don't kid yourself, I know enough to know that things dont deadstop unless you are calling for a 100% retreat ala Saigon, and I'm kinda dissapointed that you think that little of me.
I'm not sure how I was talking to you like a kid, but alright. Good to go