Lawmakers target Bush administration over Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15438142.htm

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Lawmakers blasted the Bush administration on Wednesday for its handling of the war in Iraq and said they were confounded only a fraction of $18.4 billion in U.S. rebuilding funds had been spent.

In an unusually nonpartisan hearing, Republican and Democratic senators urged senior State Department officials to try harder to speed up the reconstruction program, which lawmakers said could lead to a more stable environment in Iraq.

They also told officials to be more honest in their assessments of what was going on, with Indiana Republican Sen. Dick Lugar taking aim at what he called the "dancing in the street crowd," who painted an overly positive picture.

"The nonsense of all of that is apparent. The lack of planning (for Iraq) is apparent," said Lugar, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

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[LynzM]

1. Lugar actually said that?

Wow. I've gotten some crap-ass responses from him in the past, so to hear him actually agreeing with something I believe is... well, surprising. I'm glad it was brought up, though.

I wonder how they are supposed to get the reconstruction done while being shot at and blown up?

[Journeyman]

5. I don't know how they're going to do it, either, LynzM. . .

but you have to figure it would be easier -- theoretically, at least -- if we were actually investing some effort to help improve those peoples lives.

[NNN0LHI]

2. One begins to realize just how bad things are over there after readng this

the "dancing in the street crowd"...

Don

[speedoo]

3. Lugar is a republican I respect.

Probably the only one. Used to respect McCain, until he started campaigning for the coWard.

[NNN0LHI]

4. Wonder how McCain's adopted daughter feels when she sees...

...McCain hugging and kissing on Bush after Bush had his operatives insinuate in the 2000 primary that McCain had a black daughter with a prostitute?

Don

[Parche]

6. 18.4 billion

While they are closing fire houses here in Portland Oregon
they send $18 billion to Iraq

What about the United States,I dont see the Iraqi's paying taxes
why do we have to support them>?

[shraby]

7. Like Powell said....We broke it, we own it.

[bvar22]

8. "WE" didn't break it!

bush* and his gang of war criminals broke Iraq.
"They" should pay for it!

[mbperrin]

9. NOW you're talkin'!!!

I didn't break it; I told them not to break it; I want them to quit breaking it; they're the ones who are breaking it!!!!