Last U.S Combat Convoy Leaves Iraq: Join the Live Chat
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The last U.S. brigade combat team has left Iraq, leaving about 56,000 U.S. troops in the country. So, what happens now? We're digging deeper. Plus, we're tracking the cash needed for the N.Y. Islamic Center near Ground Zero. Some have claimed the money will come from sponsors of terrorism. We're keeping them honest. Plus, Dr. Laura Schlessinger on her racial rant. She's tonight's 'Big 360° Interview."
Scroll down to join the live chat during the program. It's your chance to share your thoughts on tonight's headlines. Keep in mind, you have a better chance of having your comment get past our moderators if you follow our rules.
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Praise God the troops are coming home from Iraq, at least most of them.
I wanted to say I agree totally with Pres Obama on the Islamic Center in NYC. This is the great USA with a constitution that guarantees the right for the building of the Center within the laws and ordinances that apply.
However, I think it was unwise for them not to consider that to ALL Americans Ground Zero is sacred ground, and I wonder why they did not consider the sensitiviy to the decision.
How far is far enough?? Its already blocks away, its not on Ground Zero.
if the mosque does not get build what do people get from that.....do they feel better because it is not there....it really doesn't change the fact that it happened.....nothing can change that and nothing can make it better...so they should build a gay community center there would people then feel better............or would they find a reason for that....it is not holy ground
I have to agree that Muslims have been scapegoated......this continues to remind me of how we did a similar thing to Japanese citizens during World War II.
Dosen't New York have builing approval laws able to reflect the views of the city resident? If not so much for American democracy.
What's interesting to me is that there are two existing mosques in the Lower Manhattan area today a few blocks away from the WTC: Masjid Manhattan established in 1970 and Masjid al-Farah established in 1985, long before 2001 occurred. Is there something more to this proposed mosque besides the sensitivity issue or assumed fears of a training ground for terrorists? Great for CNN to dig deeper on this issue.
So what would be the "acceptable" distance from ground zero. Los angeles?
saudi arabia funds lots of oil wells in america shall we close them down
Good evening John Roberts, Isabel, Emily, Starr, Megan, Sree, Nicole, everyone.
It is good to see those troops leaving Iraq and coming home.
So now I'm confused and probably not following this story properly-but earlier on CNN tonight, someone said there is already a Muslim building there and the project is just a re-build. Is that the case?
and who is the Head of the Islamic Community?
(Roman Catholics = Pope @ the Vatican; what about the Muslims & the Islamic Community?)
The way to avod having to worry about a child in the military would be for the parents to raise their children to nderstand that the US military is the most agressive in the world and they should not join it.
@Richard,,Sorry about your friends son,,and I will always be thankfull and continue to pray for the safety for all the brave men and women who are risking their life to keep our country safe.
@Nancy in Oregon
"I like David Gergen's question: 'How do we think about this now? Yardsticks?'"
I thought that was a great question too ... I don' t think that he really did get a sufficient answer. (at least not one that I understood).
There is a generation of some Americans that probably don't know why we went to Iraq in the first place it went on so long. The length of a war may have alot to do with resolve not because we are impatient but we loose track. Can't keep "our eye on the ball" so to speak.
I can hardly describe how I feel about this war. Pretty much the way I feel about any war. It's hard to get past the question of why we went there to begin with. No weapons of mass destruction. Al qaeda isn't even there. How are you supposed to feel about 4,400 Americans dead?
Martin– except that nothing on your list is why Bush sent our troops to Iraq. Remember– he sent them there because he said there were "weapons of mass destruction".
We are a military family and very proud of it. Thank God for all the troops that are being sent home from Iraq. I am so happy for their families. However, lets not forget the 56,000 troops that are left there to train, advise and assist. They need our continued love, support and prayers. I sincerely hope they are not spread too thin.
I'm so sorry for your friend, Richard. I think it would make me ache with worry to have a child in the military.
Wonderful news...though I will have some peace of mind when ALL troops are back home safe and sound. Good evening John R. and bloggers.
Good evening 360°Team, Jo Ann, Mike, David & Isabel, Megan, Nicole, Sree, Nancy, Gloria, & Bloggers!
The lies associated with the justificatiion of the Iraq war have left a stain in US credibilty that will take generations to erase. Such tradegy after the wonderful example of the first gulf war (Liberating Kuwait) of international cooperation in a justified war. Geerge Bush senior was a true statesman, shame about his son.
Richard,
Thanks for your kind word comfortable...... My heart goes to you and your friend and lost son.
It just seems so characteristic, deb northeast ohio: people seem to expect others to complete grieving processes, to 'grow up', to resolve difficulties way more quickly than can truly be humanly done (on any real or deep level, at least.) It's almost as if the public in general has a certain attention-deficit disorder! I can't imagine a situation like Iraq being addressed quickly. Can only imagine how deep and complex the whole situation really must be.
why did we go to iraq? will there be a discussion on that question? also 700 billion dollars when we now fight about spending
We went in because Congress was sold a back of lies and opened up our check books.
We got everything accomplished that we were set out to do. We got rid of Suddam and we established a government for them. Just hope they are able to police themselves and keep the insurgants at bay.
Good evening John and everyone! God bless our troops! Its a good feeling to come home from overseas, I know all too well myself.
my friend lost a son in this war – why did the us go to iraq? are any guess going to discuss that
I believe this is a great night. I wish we could get the rest of the forces out and look forward to getting out of many other places we should leave. We do not help in so many cases – we merely inflame situations.
David Gergen and Ryan Crocker are absolutely right, they should leave anytime, I think there are staying there in Iraq, Right now, 50,00
troops will leave and others troops stay half in Iraq.
I like David Gergen's question: 'How do we think about this now? Yardsticks?'
well said nancy in oregon
obama is doing what he said he would do when he was running for president.....you have to respect that
We may be pulling out of Iraq but there is still work to do in Afghanistan. Friends (in the military) tell me this country is far different than Iraq was and much more dangerous. For the remaining 56,000 troops, we need to keep them in mind and pray for their safe return someday.
Yes, I agree with Mr. Crocker....public expectations regarding speed of progress were always a little high in Iraq, it seemed to me. I think on some level we expect situations to almost mimic films and dramas...getting it done and sewn up swiftly. Not to literally mimic, mind you, but I think our expectations do tend to include an amount of impatience and lack of ability to grasp real life complexities. (Not only in Iraq! In many situations!)
hello all. first thing i think is finally!
Good evening everyone.
Looking forward to the show tonight.
It's so good to hear that most of our troops will be coming home from Iraq.
too many lost for a lost cause.
I can't believe this war has lasted so long. You loose perspective on how to accomplish anything there.
those striker vehicles look like something out of mad max!
So happy the troops had safe passage on the road which has been plagued by violence in the past
I pray for the 50,000 left. Hope combat doesn't become a way of life instead of advising for them.
Good evening again John Roberts and to all bloggers too. I'm so glad they're coming home from Iraq.
Good evening 360ers.
There is breaking that our troopers will come home as soon as possible from Iraq.
Glad they're coming home. Hope it all works out.
Good evening, people. Those troops and their families must be so happy! Or at least very relieved.
evening all
Good evening John and fellow bloggers!
It's nice to see that the troops are coming home.
Helloooo John (Anderson,) Megan, Joe, Nicole, Emily, Gloria, Dodie, Mike, Casey, Cessy, Paula, Isabel, David-Indiana, JoAnn, Monica, Kathy, Jane, Gayle, Renee, Caroline, Lori, Adelaide, BettyAnn, Heather, Starr, Sharon, Gabriela, A. Smith, Devin, Karin, Michael, Karen, Miranda, Charlotte, Sree, Nancy, Sue, Kenya, Libby, Nina others and my friend Facebook Bloggers!!!!
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Happy Wednesday night!