http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64Q4PB20100528?type=politicsNews

Quote :

"Most of the $33 billion in war spending approved by the Senate is to finance the 30,000 troop "surge" in Afghanistan that Obama announced in December, although some of it covers expenses in Iraq. "

Quote :

"the Senate voted 80-18 to reject the call for a pullout timetable"

change you can believe in!

5/28/2010 1:35:10 PM

I blame election season (which is perpetually forever with fucking congress).

5/28/2010 1:38:01 PM

You know you're living in strange times when so-called liberals are cheering on the forces of fascist theocracy.

5/28/2010 2:40:50 PM

Anybody who believed Obama had the balls to make any sort of major change in Iraq/Afghanistan policy was, and is, an idiot.

I think people underestimate the inertia of the situation, and just how much shit he would take from every possible side for upsetting it.

Even the most anti-war liberals would be up his ass as soon as they saw footage of the unrest or violence each withdrawal might leave.

I said the night of the election that, in 2012, we would have more troops in Iraq/Afghanistan than in 2008, and that Obama would have a lower approval rating than Bush Jr. Slight hyperbole, but it may come true.

We can argue over whether leaving would be a good thing, but one thing is certain: doing it would take a serious, principled commitment by the President and a lot of courage. Obama doesn't have either.

[Edited on May 28, 2010 at 2:56 PM. Reason : a]

5/28/2010 2:53:43 PM

^

Quote :

"blah blah blah Obama blah blah"

Quote :

"the Senate voted 80-18 to reject the call for a pullout timetable"

5/28/2010 3:17:25 PM

hahaha, you're right. Obama really wants that timetable and fewer troops and the senate just won't let him have it.

5/28/2010 3:43:25 PM

Uh... yeah. That was sort of the point of my original post.

5/28/2010 3:49:38 PM

well how can you expect Obama to get anything done when the senate has a Republican majority

oh wait

its interesting to see a candidate's campaign promises completely dematerialize once they're in office...it happens to every single president

5/28/2010 4:46:58 PM

He's not fucking Congress.

He can say "Pass a comprehensive healthcare bill, now, god damn it." And it's still up to Congress to, you know, draft and pass the bill.

5/28/2010 4:54:01 PM

No shit he's not Congress, and they still have to pass things

I just thought they were supposedly all on the same page

But maybe it was just empty rhetoric to get votes

And while the rhetoric was empty...god dammit it sounded so eloquent and well-spoken

5/28/2010 4:59:12 PM

Congress never even declared war in Iraq or Afghanistan. The President could pull every troop out of there if he wanted. He won't, because he's a coward, but he has the authority to do it.

5/28/2010 5:27:40 PM

i don't eat strawberry ice cream

why?

because i'm a coward

5/29/2010 12:51:50 AM

Bush had trouble getting a Republican congress to go along with some of his things too, ya know. Anybody remember privatizing Medicare? No? That's because a Republican congress said "Fuck no!" to that idea.

You guys complaining here... you do remember the whole separation of powers thing, right? Congress holds the purse strings. They're free to ignore the executive if and when they choose. The president's power over the legislative is mostly a job of herding angry cats. Most of the time they're going to ignore you and go back to the milk bowl.

5/29/2010 9:33:32 AM

I should have more coffee before posting. Scratch Medicare and replace it with Social Security in ^ post.

5/29/2010 12:46:37 PM

I was kinda curious myself ab00t that. although, apparently some people consider the medicare prescription drug stuff as being a "privatization"

5/29/2010 1:31:15 PM

Death to America.

5/29/2010 1:35:56 PM

^ Can we start with you?

5/29/2010 1:37:22 PM

Death awaits us all.

5/29/2010 1:44:40 PM

with nasty, sharp, pointy teeth!

5/29/2010 2:05:48 PM