After his speech, we’re assuming Obama led those party animals at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in a rousing version of Hava Nagila. He may have even joined them in the circular Horah formation. In fact, our bet is that Obama’s senior staffers are probably sitting on the “Change Talk Express” right now singing, “Hava Obama, Hava Obama, Hava Obama, He Really Likes The Jews …”
Will it work? We’ll see … with more Democrats voting against him than for him, Obama’s clearly got a tough road ahead.
Are we the sexiest blog ever? You better believe it, people. Even Amy Adams (above) says so. And if she didn’t actually say it, you can bet she’s thinking it.
fitsnews.com
Tags: affairs,
american,
committee,
israel,
public
The commander of US forces in Iraq today told the Senate that troop reductions should be indefinitely put on hold for fear of undoing recent security advances.
In testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee General David Petraeus said that a freeze should be imposed from July after the 20,000 additional troops deployed during last year’s surge had been withdrawn.
A 45-day pause would provide an opportunity to evaluate the impact of further withdrawals on the security situation, he said. That period would need to be followed by an open-ended “assessment” phase.
As he spoke fighting raged in Baghdad’s main Shia militia stronghold, while the deaths of 10 American soldiers in a variety of attacks over a three-day period served as a sobering reminder of the cost of the war to US lawmakers.
During the hearing the general was twice interrupted by protestors, one of whom was removed from the chamber after repeatedly chanting, “Bring them home,” prompting applause from some sections.
Gen Petraeus told the hearing that significant progress had been made since the beginning of the troop build-up 15 months ago but cautioned that it remained “fragile and reversible”.
He warned that a rushed withdrawal would allow al-Qaeda and Iran to regain their strength and influence in the country. Iranian support for Shia militia was “the greatest long-term threat to the viability of a democratic Iraq”, he added.
The general also pointed to the recent flare-up of violence by Shia militants in Basra and Baghdad and the operation by Iraqi security forces, which he said had been “disappointing” in logistical terms and demonstrated the need for continued US support.
President Bush has already said he will accept the general’s recommendations and is expected to formally endorse it on Thursday.
Senator Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the committee, responded by claiming the recommendation amounted to an “open-ended pause” that would remove pressure on the Iraqi government to take responsibility for their country.
timesonline.co.uk
Tags: armed,
committee,
senate,
services