McCain-Why Should Our Troops Die For People Who CUT AND RUN?

We all know that McCain is happy to leave our troops in Iraq for the next 100 years to secure the "FREEDOM" of the Iraqi people. We also know the McSame-McBush doctrine in Iraq. When their troops stand up, ours will stand down. Well, at every opportunity, instead of standing up, the Iraqi troops are STANDING DOWN. So please Mr. McWar, explain to us here in America why our troops should continue to die for a people unwilling to stand up and fight for themselves?

Joao Silva for The New York Times

Iraqi soldiers outside a U.S. patrol base after their desertion.

By MICHAEL R. GORDON

Published: April 16, 2008

BAGHDAD — A company of Iraqi soldiers abandoned their positions on Tuesday night in Sadr City, defying American soldiers who implored them to hold the line against Shiite militias.

Desertions in Sadr City

Joao Silva for The New York Times

Iraqi soldiers on Tuesday after abandoning their posts on a joint mission with American troops in the Sadr City area of Baghdad. More Photos »

The retreat left a crucial stretch of road on the front lines undefended for hours and led to a tense series of exchanges between American soldiers and about 50 Iraqi troops who were fleeing.

Capt. Logan Veath, a company commander in the 25th Infantry Division, pleaded with the Iraqi major who was leading his troops away from the Sadr City fight, urging him to return to the front.

“If you turn around and go back up the street those soldiers will follow you,” Captain Veath said. “If you tuck tail and cowardly run away they will follow up that way, too.”

Captain Veath’s pleas failed, and senior American and Iraqi commanders mounted an urgent effort to regain the lost ground. An elite Iraqi unit was rushed in and with the support of the Americans began to fight its way north.