Air Base in Iraq Evidence That U.S. Planning to Stay For a Long Time;

:dem: NEWSWEEK: Balad Air Base in Iraq Evidence That U.S. Planning to Stay For a Long Time; 15-Square-Mile Mini-City One of Four 'Superbases' Where The Pentagon Will Consolidate U.S. Forces
Sunday April 23, 3:38 pm ET
New $592 Million 'Massive' U.S. Embassy Being Built in Baghdad

Despite all the political debate in Washington about a quick U.S. pullout from Iraq, the vast Balad Air Base, a 15-square-mile mini-city of thousands of trailers and vehicle depots located 43 miles north of Baghdad, is hard evidence that the Pentagon is planning to stay in Iraq for a long time-at least a decade or so, according to military strategists. With 27,500 landings and takeoffs a month, Balad is second only to London's Heathrow Airport in traffic worldwide, Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, the base commander, tells Newsweek Senior Editor Michael Hirsh in the current issue. In an interview with Newsweek, Gorenc said he's "normalizing" the giant Balad airfield, or gradually rebuilding it to U.S. military specs. The Saddam- era concrete is considered too substandard for the F-16s, C-130s and other aircraft that fly in and out so regularly they crack the tarmac. "It's safe to say Balad will be here for a long time," says Gorenc, who feels at home in Iraqi skies, where the Air Force has been having its way since the first gulf war. "One of the issues of sovereignty for any country is the ability to control their own airspace. We will probably be helping the Iraqis with that problem for a very long time." http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060423/nysu012.html?.v=52 :rant:

What a joke Bush is- and a liar. Why the hell does ANYONE believe a word he says anymore? He should be impeached for so many reasons.

commandeered our military to capture the Iraqis' oil resources. I suppose that the soldiers didn't die in vain. They just ensured that American oil will have a supply for the near future. I suppose that they also helped to drive up the price and put more of the middle class on their way toward poverty.

Support the troops...this is the con game of all time!

that New Orleans has been completely rebuilt, and it's citizens returned to a nice life with homes, and jobs. It's also wonderful that each and every American has full health coverage, and a job making a living wage. Oh, and the energy problem has been solved, and we no longer have to worry about pollution, because of the Bush crack-down on companies who pollute our air and water. Also, every American child has a quality education, and a chance at a good life. Otherwise, I'd be seriously pissed about pouring so much of the taxpayer's and their children and grandchildren and great-grandchilren's hard earned money into this fiasco.

This is insane. How much longer can our country tolerate the destructive and disastrous Bush presidency? Are our congressmen ever going to snap out of their comas and refuse to keep funding these lunatic ideas?