You'll recall that this week the conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard attacked Senator, and Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama's plan for eventual withdrawal from Iraq. From CNN:
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who will face his own re-election bid later this year, said Obama's proposed deadline would spell disaster for the Middle East.You'll then recall that I had a few words for Mr. Howard yesterday:
"I think that will just encourage those who want to completely destabilize and destroy Iraq, and create chaos and a victory for the terrorists to hang on and hope for an Obama victory," Howard said on Nine Network television.
"If I were running al Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory, not only for Obama but also for the Democrats."
Since the conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard is such a hawk, I hope we can count on Australia sending more troops for Bush's escalation in Iraq, and the new war in Iran. Seriously, where are the additional troops from Australia? Prime Minister Howard has a paltry 850 troops in Iraq, compared to our going-on 150,000. So, let's see if big-brave Prime Minister Howard is willing to put his money where his mouth is - after all, Al Qaeda is watching, and when they see Mr. Howard afraid to send more troops, it just serves to empower them.Now check out Obama's spokesman, quoted today:
"If Prime Minister Howard truly believes what he says, perhaps his country should find its way to contribute more than just 1,400 troops so some American troops can come home," he said. "It's easy to talk tough when it's not your country or your troops making the sacrifices."Great Illinoisans think alike.
Oh, and the 850 and 1400 figures are both correct. The Australians have about 850 troops in Iraq, and a total of 1400 in Iraq and the surrounding area.
