Rumsfeld:Pullout Not Likely Before Vote-"Don't ask when you're going home"

[Barrett808]

Rumsfeld: Pullout Not Likely Before Vote
By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - The United States may be able to reduce its troop levels in Iraq after the January elections if security improves and Iraqi government forces continue to expand and improve, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Sunday.

In a question-and-answer session with hundreds of Marines assembled in a concrete-line aircraft hangar at this desert air base in western Iraq, Rumsfeld was asked what the future holds for the length and frequency of troop deployments in the country.

Rumsfeld, on his first visit to Iraq since its interim government was installed in June, said the insurgent violence is likely to get worse in the weeks ahead, so troop reductions are almost out of the question. The United States now has about 135,000 troops in Iraq.

"Our hope is that as we build up Iraqi forces, we will be able to relieve the stress on our forces and see a reduction in coalition forces over some period of time, probably post-Iraqi elections," the Pentagon chief said. "But again, it will depend entirely on the security situation here in this country."

Before Rumsfeld appeared at the main operating base of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, the approximately 1,500 Marines in his audience were give instructions by Sgt. Maj. Dennis Reed on what not to ask. "Don't ask when you're going home. We'll tell you when you're going home," Reed said.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041010/ap_on_re_mi_ea/rumsfeld_iraq

[grasswire]

1. involuntary servitude

Isn't that unconstitutional?

[NYC Liberal]

9. Nope.

The Thirteenth Amendment doesn't apply for things like jury duty and military service.

[NMDemDist2]

2. ROFL read further and find:

Allawi, referring twice to Rumsfeld as the secretary of state, thanked him for the United States' help in giving Iraqis their freedom.

[hadrons]

3. AOL front page says: "Relief in sight for troops?" ....

"Don't ask when you're going home. We'll tell you when you're going home," Reed said.

I guess not

[booksenkatz]

4. Oh, there will DEFINITELY be a reduction in coalition forces

but not in the way YOU are talking about, Rummy, you filthy sack of shit.
:mad:

[Inland]

5. "No, I mean it. Don't DARE ask when you are coming home."

[n2mark]

6. WOW

This tells me that Rummy thinks Shrub is going to win the election. Is our election fixed? You betcha!

[mrbassman03]

7. Wait, I thought that they were going to raise troop levels...

To provide 'security' for the Iraqi elections...

[Rose Siding]

8. Allawi called him the Sec of State...

Twice. And Rumsfeld became "agitated" with the press. Just another day on the front.

They should ask the Marines who talked to the Post about how capable the Iraqi forces will be in time for the elections.

[NYC Liberal]

10. More evidence Allawi is a puppet...

Bush called him the Secretary of State, too, back in his disastrous April press conference.

[txindy]

11. I'm sure that went over very well with the troops

And it's obvious they think the troops are 'contained'. Hopefully, most of them are not emailing or faxing their votes this year. Let's hope they do it the old-fashioned way - with absentee ballots by mail.

[bamacrat]

12. Don't ask?

WTF dont ask when theyll go home. well i guess that just told the soldiers one thing, bush's game of Risk is getting rough and sadly bush, rummy all of them dont care if some or all never make it home.

[ogradda]

13. ask me no questions i'll tell you no lies

'cause lies is all i have in the bag.

[shanti]

14. translation: WE OWN YOU

so shut up and be good little bullet catchers! :grr:

[Zorra]

15. After January, guards will be telling Redrum not to ask when he is

getting out of prison.

Arrogant, murderous, bastard.