Americans are looking for a way out of Iraq. Sixty-three percent of the public want all U.S. troops home from Iraq by the end of 2008. Another 54 percent said they would vote to cut off funding for the escalation if they were in Congress. With the support of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has laid out a plan that would both increase support for the overstretched U.S. military and block Bush's Iraq buildup.
But the truth is, President Bush has no plans to bring all the troops home - ever. As just one piece of his justification for the war in Iraq, it has been a part of the plan - right from the beginning - that the U.S. would establish permanent military bases in Iraq. The point was to have launching bases for conducting war in other countries - Iran, Syria, Lebanon - maybe even Saudi Arabia. World domination was in his dreams.
In 2003, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld promised that any suggestion the United States "is planning a permanent military presence in Iraq is 'inaccurate and unfortunate.'" Unfortunately, those suggestions have turned out to be accurate. The Pentagon has "already spent $1 billion or more on them, outfitting some with underground bunkers and other characteristics of long-term bases." It has also revealed that coalition forces are establishing at least six "enduring" bases in Iraq, Murtha's plan would ensure that no funding goes toward establishing a permanent presence in Iraq, a proposal that has strong backing from the public, lawmakers, and experts. Seventy-one percent of the American public opposes establishing permanent bases in Iraq, and 71 percent of Iraqis want the United States to withdraw all forces within a year.
And so we have built the bases. In the movie, "Why We Fight," the producers claim the number is fourteen (14). With permanent houses and fast food restaurants.If you haven't seen the movie, "Why We Fight," rent it - or buy it - and watch it. It's quite an eye opener.
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