more insanity over Iraq

From YahooNews :

U.S. Lowers Expectations for Iraqi Vote

WASHINGTON - Administration officials say the Iraqi elections at the end of the month will be less than perfect, but nonetheless will pave the way for a drawdown of U.S. troops.

"The election is not going to be perfect," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Wednesday. "This is the first time Iraqis will be able to freely choose their leaders. It's for a transitional government, and it's one of three elections that will take place over the course of this year."

Separately, Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) said American troops will begin leaving this year as the Iraqi army, national guard and police force take on a larger security role.

"But I cannot give you a timeline when they will all be home," Powell said in an interview with National Public Radio that was released by the State Department on Wednesday.

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So, this imperfect election, (that can't come as a surprise to anyone, can it?) which will likely cause more insurgency, will signal a start of American troops coming home?! And the Iraqi army will start taking on a "larger security role"? Because they've been so successful so far? Just doesn't make sense!
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On another front, the White House acknowledged Wednesday that its hunt for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction has closed down without finding the stockpiles that President Bush (news - web sites) cited as a main justification for overthrowing Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

"Based on what we know today, the president would have taken the same action because this is about protecting the American people,"
McClellan said.

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WHAAAAAATTTT?!?!?!? I literally laughed out loud at this absurdity when i heard it on the news today! How are we protecting the American people be attacking a country that we have proven had no way to hurt us at all?! We're kind of doing the opposite, since our actions have bred MORE terrorists, and thousands have been killed and wounded in Iraq. How is it possible that they can even say these ridiculous things without being called on them?!
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The U.S. military's ground forces commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, has said that while most of Iraq's 18 provinces are secure enough for the elections to proceed, security remains poor in four provinces. Those provinces — Nineveh, Anbar, Salahadin and Baghdad — are home to about 25 percent of Iraq's population.

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So, at least ONE QUARTER of the people (still living) will not be able to vote in this election? And the rest are scared that they will be murdered as they try to vote? Yeah, i guess you could call that "less than perfect"!