In the News: Feb-27

Obama says combat operation in Iraq to end by Aug 2010 - 27 Feb 2009 at 1:30pm - CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina (Reuters) - President Barack Obama announced on Friday he would withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq by August 31, 2010, winding down the unpopular six-year war but leaving behind up to 50,000 troops until the end of 2011.

50,000 is half the number of remaining U.S. troops in Iraq, so wouldn't that be only half a withdrawal by Aug-31, 2010? Unless he's saying that only 50,000 are devoted to combat; but, as of the SOFA, only Iraqi forces are involved in combat operations, anyway, no?

Army: Enemy fire caused copter collision in Iraq - 27 Feb 2009 at 10:44am - FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The military now says enemy fire caused two U.S. Army helicopters to collide in Iraq last month, killing four American pilots.

U.S. economy shrank at 6.2% pace in Q4 - 27 Feb 2009 at 9:21am - The U.S. government said the economy contracted at an annualized pace of 6.2 per cent for the fourth quarter of last year, the worst showing in a quarter-century.

Officials: Obama sets Aug. 2010 as Iraq end date - 27 Feb 2009 at 7:07am - WASHINGTON -- A "substantial" number of the roughly 100,000 U.S. combat troops to be pulled out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, will remain in the war zone through at least the end of this year to ensure national elections there go smoothly, senior Obama administration officials say.

Thought for the day:
We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities. -Walt Kelly (1913 - 1973), "Pogo"