Cong Steven Lynch

" we have good friend that congressman Steve lynch on the phone Steve welcome. Good point -- how -- you I'm doing great serious Steve let me do what little bit of business this -- harvest brought to us by Kennedy -- sales appreciate very much this sponsorship also appreciate Steve. You're ability to to be -- us this morning there is so much going on out there in the Middle East we -- we need to -- site we need your experience on this stuff. Steve let's get right to what big debate over the last several weeks in congress on funding timetables benchmarks all that stuff. In the end. You guys to congress sent the president a fear I guess that really -- to characterize it as a clean bill. That provided funding nothing in here about benchmarks nothing in the -- about timetables what should we anticipate over the next six months."

" Well visit to backtrack on that we sent to build for the president I actually voted against. The the one -- one hour and 40 billion that we spent sent to the president for the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Principally because they get stripped all the the accountability bill they took the time lines -- they took. The meaningful benchmarks so there was really no no accountability for the president to. Pursue a city if strategy that would. In the end of the day have less involvement US troops the other the other reason behind that -- the fact that. You know I just came back from eight. From congressional delegation this is one that I led into Iraq and Afghanistan but the principal purpose in Iraq out of reviewing the search. So we went out with the surge troops on patrol. In the in the -- Baghdad right on the fault line between Sunni Shiah. And I can tell you from my own observations of what's going on. This surge strategy issues extremely high risk operation I think it's. It's likelihood of successes is very able. I do know that it will land -- you know resulting in. Higher much higher casualties for US troops and you know while I think the work being done by our people on the ground there is absolutely heroic. I also think that you know I go back to the to be statement of the Iraqi Prime Minister when I was I was in Iraq a couple of weeks ago likes it. What's the most important thing for the US to do in order. Justice peace and stability here on the ground in Iraq and this is again in bars on the Kurdish Prime Minister he said. The most important thing the US can do. He would make sure would be that we do our part the Iraqis Lar part he said in this part of the world if you -- willing to do everything for someone. We will let you do let you do and so so in looking at that bill now looking at the Iraq. Emergency supplemental appropriation. Once they stripped out all the accountability once they stripped out. The timetables and benchmarks that would have required the Iraqis to step up I could not. In in all. Responsibility to the people I represent end to the troops I spent time I couldn't vote for itself so I voted against it but Stephen well it's half of the bill that. Went towards veterans funding it was probably the largest single veterans -- appropriations since the end of the Vietnam War. And I certainly --"

" Good for you Steve before we take some calls in this quick question for you if you could insist. And President Bush would accept your insistence on one benchmark that you think. Is the most important thing for all the Iraqis to demonstrate. What would it be is that oil revenue is it Iraqi security forces of what what's the single one that to use says. There's no accountability of mr. president different can't support you -- with -- with this benchmark there is accountability you can count on me."

" Well it's all about security in Iraq everything else the oil industry the electric industry you know you do name transportation it all spin off of the ability. Or for commerce sent and would be elected to go on. And so at all spin off of a security that would probably the one area although I actually think. You know we have to have it sector by sector -- to -- Iraqis and require them to take take responsibility for every aspect there. There's societies that you know they've they've had an elected government over there for a about 18 months now and yet every single. Time that there's a an emergency or that there is need in that community I think I've told you before perhaps now on the -- You know I was in -- not long ago and when the lights went out they came and wanted to you know the and read civilization to glow of the lights back on that one of the army corps of music at the quarterback on. And in fairness those basic government services that the Iraqis should be taken care of themselves separate and apart from from the security situation"

" oh with your focus on security Steven going to go this will be my last question go right to the call 6172666868 recognizing that security is really the be all in the end all how has security enhanced Steve if we'd the United States. Begin to withdraw outlaw forces it seems to me as a risky as the surge policy years high risk low likelihood of success. If it it doesn't seem to need to be logical that we're going to have a more secure a stable situation. If the United States and coalition forces hike. -- gone out of."

" Well it will put the responsibility on -- Asia you know like to -- 200 countries in this world where it -- it would be more stable -- the world US troops on the ground but when you can do that. We expand this is not they want this is this is five years now five years we've made a commitment here. God knows how many trillion dollars we've spent. I don't know news. About 3500 up our best Americans -- given there. Their lives and in this effort we've done everything that anyone could reasonably expect of us help. The Iraqis they have to help themselves and they it will not -- soul. Until we force them to do it's it's -- it's a dangerous situation in no doubt. But but it is their responsibility. And they gaining caps they had they actually gaming elsewhere you know when I was over there you know try to. Trying to push the urgency of this in -- spent some time with the troops that are actually doing the surge. The Iraqi parliament is talking about going on too much about it."

" saw that put it up make your blood boil are like oh god almighty come."

" Sure sure they get it and and islamists and on they truly believe they first of all I think most of them believe with the you know strictly. For the oil and that we we want to permanent presence there. So you know the longer we don't require them to step up in the the longer we we don't make clear that pays zero limited you know when can receive significant progress."

" You know let's take some cause we can't congressman let's go right to Robin and very -- up next on veterans from what Tom Finneran a congressman Steve lynch."

" I thought -- without due respect congressman I don't. Just -- and the fact that we've let bad line and I'm not on not -- that we're getting -- situated at any. Number through congress that -- ought to respect I believe it over a 100000 strong any Iraqi army out last year exports about the media really doesn't yet. -- I believe they had the -- election people came out and throw a lack. Even under -- Back that they might be under attack. I believe it could take a little bit more that five -- commitment and I believe we're not really understanding what you really don't look at that information congressmen. -- respectfully disagree with your ability to vote against funding are good men and women that now believe they are. -- they're out in a democracy and it's going to take a lot longer five years to get this Colin. And I do believe it's got a why despite the Democratic Party opposition to an investment in losing this war --"

" Let's get let's give a congressman a chance to respond to Steve tell it to wrote to robs points."

" Sure number one I just want to talk about what the strategy on the ground with the president strategies on the ground it is it is three things it is clear. Hold -- persuade. Now the first two parts of that missions is to clear the areas you know this is my sixth trip to act as my first. And they'll -- clear an area -- out of snipers and Al Qaeda they will hold it to try to encourage people to move back into the area. But the 30 area is is persuade. And the president is asking our troops to persuade the Iraqis Sunni and she got stopped killing each other and to embrace democracy. If there is a failure it's it's them diplomatic failure. Is not a military actual succeeding with the job they should be doing which is to kill our enemy. However when it comes to a situation where we ask military. Okay we want to take on a diplomatic -- we want you to convince persuade these Iraq is something going on in -- mine persuade them -- to embrace democracy and put aside. The -- you know sectarian violence now the Iraqis have been going from something like 62 AD they does Sony -- this year a lot of practice it -- from -- Walpole youngsters in. And Ohio and Texas are going to convince those Iraqis to set them aside. And in until late come to a realization that it's their responsibility to provide security for the country I think. We we are 20 year war in in Iraq unless we force them to take over responsibility."

" And and and congressman to rubs point about the 100000 Iraqis in -- of."

" Director rob there at 696000. Iraqi forces I want to Jordan where we're trying to -- followed them into basra where we put them into. And -- responsive you know control of a partial what are they don't. That day after we put them in in control of basra. They allowed the count people live that feed the local residence has just sacked the the city ministries. Two to basically. -- the police stations steal all the weapons and the people we registering just stood stood. -- and just watch that happen. So yeah it is going to take my five it is going to take 50 years at this rate because these people are not you know. -- you're making Abacha simplification when you think. And that is that you know it's just going to be a little bit more of the same and we'll get there at all I don't see that. And -- is don't want to support the -- And I not only support of what my votes but I also support that what my presence in Iraq I spent a lot of time. With with the with the troops."

" But I'll I'll I'll save -- his Stevie get just so everybody knows six trips not only the about over to Afghanistan as well. It's away from the families away from your wife few children -- key community and neighborhood in its went on recess around long weekends it's above and beyond. I allotted only -- that's part of my job now I'd look I'd always brought luck to detect a call from -- you love Brockton congressman that. Waited Brock did ya next outfitter it's borrowed."

" Those Brockton they Margot why luck run out undertook its strict letter. You know they just have to be a natural course of evolution that we have to take the training well laugh we have to come home. And and they have to figure that out on the wrong I mean if if the violence escalates tenfold if a country just falls flat I mean it's going to have to happen. Before they can just correctly work into a level of the stability that they'll be comfortable with. Something that I read a we -- to a go out but it never heard on radio print and have a media. What is that we're building an embassy. Half a billion dollar embassy would like 20 buildings like a hundred a student like maybe a thousand. Apartment units. And it and it's"

" 592 million dollar embassy desks desk space for about a thousand people with high blast resistant walls or so on and so forth a very expensive. Massive undertaking with regard to a new US embassy in Baghdad Steve didn't move was that pot of VR mission. To review that to talk about it are is that just is is that train -- to go another track."

" Well that goes from previous the appropriations but it is the you know the Iraqi version of the Big -- they just keep asking for more more money. And you know it there's a big push. To get us out of the government ministry building right now we're in the old Republican guard ministry building and there is a big portion Iraqis they don't want -- most buildings they want us and our own building however I just don't see. The the wisdom man and such that's a huge. Presence there I think it you know if we do if we were smart we would try to lower our profile and that area and and also I think if -- idea you know -- this scale in and the size and scope of this its embassy if he's the idea that we there. In a prominent role for a very very long time."

" Steve let me -- hop on -- way -- question to build upon and he talks about sometimes you just going to have to step back and take a training -- often if they follow on their face they fall on their face. But how is that not. How would that not be a major setback for the United States with regard to its image its prestige. It sends I -- and other nation's sense of who we are as of people in our willingness to. Take on difficult missions."

" Well -- you know I I think that they'll be a setback and and I go back to the conversation I had with the Prime Minister about Johnny he said plucked. When you lead -- said we won't do what is well what you do do it he said. And he was tremendously impressed by our office of quarks and the fact that their retirement -- war -- American service people command. That the standard of excellence is just. Uninterrupted and he was very very impressed by that but he said when we won't do would do well exit technologically and professionally he said you're way ahead of us. He says but will do it because we have to. And he said -- it'll be Massey it's not going to be small piece but he said if you -- you don't mind that there's going to be as smooth transition here from US. Control to Iraqi control -- you kidding yourself. He says that's just not -- to stop possible. He said but we we our elected we we will do what he said we won't do -- as well the United States does he said but since we've been elected incensed. This is an experiment in democracy we have the show people elected us that we can do."

" capable -- Will we gets a lot of Collison want to -- supported congressman let's directed Jon in hopkinton Johnny an extent Finneran sperm with congressman Steve legend Tom Finneran."

" Ital like congress hi -- hello -- eight just -- points and I want you to critique -- tell me if you would agree or disagree. What is when rob called -- been talked about the great courage of the Iraqi voters that is complete bull. Because certainly the Iraqis that went to the polls were overwhelmingly Shiite and there was a fatwa issued for them to go to the polls and vote. And second certainly the Iraqi army is is holy infiltrated which are Shiites Shiite death squads. And they really have no. Great allegiance they -- men aged any country I don't think the army has implied that the cross section of rock and currently and that's why would you that is you know. I support our great military man. Well almost to a man said that either this wasn't the right time for the Iraq war. Or this war what to write it -- in the first place. And I'm against the academic intellectuals Tom who really were the architects of this war so why can't. I stayed on the military men side disagree with the academic intellectuals a chat we separate. Those who different parties a -- it certainly started -- and implemented the war and those were carried it out no -- That they agreed that that separation."

" Okay let me there is competent critique the first couple points. In Iraq I would disagree with that the first point I think a lot of Iraq story realize Iraqis who came on in the first election and you know that was sort of there there national moment there in -- election. And I think a lot of them came out for all the right reasons to show. That you know there was there a credible forward secondly is there have been. Persistent problems with death squads I was on the door unable with a few weeks ago. And you know it's just these death squads are -- 4568 you know Iraqis in that neighborhood mostly via toward you know dresses tunisian and basically at night execute anyone who knows the opposite sex in the -- drop their bodies in the streets so as to intimidate other residents of that enable it to to move out thirdly and and that has been a persistent problem that in the trying to work although it is it is pernicious and it is. Very very difficult to -- to get at because you know it. The allegiances -- as soon as the -- noted. Two and -- ought to assume the tribal loyalties is. Is centuries old witness it is. Probably going to be the I think a contravention to a national identity forming currently I think that rebuke the last point in terms of the people support the troops I certainly. -- witness you know when when I talk to the troops I -- I tell -- say look my job is to get a lot of -- that's my job with all due respect to what you -- doing. I think you've done your job here and it's my job to get you get home now some of them have strong disagree with that but. The vast vast majority of them respected understand and appreciate that I'm being honest with them. But you know let me just say there's been a lot of frustration on the part of our troops that the Iraqis haven't stepped up. They're very concerned about that they were concerned of the fact that that the Iraqi problem was talk of vocal on vacation. And you know when I was on the ground in in in Baghdad they announced they announced that movement would stand the leave of absence -- that these that -- time for for our troops by another three months. Yet another three months on not. Not a 90 days so troops that would they were coming -- 20 days are actually you know coming home three months and 20 days itself. A lot of disparagement there I would say that the -- among our service people that the Iraqis and not step -- up. Is is is probably 90%."

" Well let's take some calls let's go rest director -- Amanda. The congressman no surprise you lit up the switchboard here at six point 72666868 -- Iraq -- congressman Steve -- good guy and a good friend here at RKO in Tom Finneran."

" Yes congressman god granted the bush administration though grossly underestimated the capacity of the Iraqi people respond to lady democratic. Way of conducting business after we liberated them from all. I don't -- that it it doesn't bother you that there will likely be eight genocide when we leave Iraq."

" Well I think they'll be a civil war that one they're right now. We're just sitting on. To be honest we have you know they've been going at its sense 6:32 -- both sides. Both sides see an opportunity to gain an advantage probably more this year now than. And then the Sony but basically. Their own future in terms of their own Europe. And it's what they want if if they want to democracy you know I would tell you they they they seem to be pushing normal for democracy but they're looking this settle scores. And I and I think it'll be that way for awhile and they've got to work it out they've got to work it out themselves and India you know it'll be. It would be discovered and the other thing I want to point out is that the president continually you know puts out the the the idea that it would not fighting them in Iraq will be fighting them you know in times square. Well understood address that point every parent I'm going to war Iraq -- sitting with general and and and senior officers as well as. You know listed people -- put forward. You know the question answered how much of this is is is about the global war on terrorism and how much of this conflict on the ground -- about. Iraqis fighting people Iraqi soil. And the be the answer is always. Is always the same as say 99% of the time as always the -- And that is. They figured the offices figure the generals are here. That is 90% Iraqis fight Iraqis and that's about 10% of these foreign fighters and command true jihad essential office who are you know on this subject. And and when I ask them how much it is goes away if it will not hear you know in terms of the you know what might happen the US base at some small percentage of this some small percentage of that 10%. Might might continue to pursue some type of jihad against American forces elsewhere such as in Afghanistan. So let you know. Where fighting if we're fighting -- our objective is fighting a global war on terror than 90% of the money that was spanning 9% of what we're doing over there is not addressing. That the problem that we we say it is. And I you know I had an opportunities that would the president -- about two weeks ago I told him exactly what what what I was here on the ground in Iraq. And you know I I I I doubt very much sitting at any impression attache in anyway. I just I I think they were on the ground in Afghanistan if they're actually -- Odyssey in in Iraq they're not going to go to times square they're going to go up the road a piece to to Afghanistan going to be fighting that."

" Plenty of theaters let's go to Mike in abington for the last -- congressman we know you have to go Mike's been been very patient lot of college might get next. What congressman Steve -- Tom Finneran."

" In my just this big guy Carlos aunt my -- our site is gorgeous rocket just wanted to say that you know if some people well say we should stay the recall and Democrat a conservative Democrat probably more -- which youtube guys. I was just going to say that makes three of laws. So steep bank nuclear thank you we have some of our country so much. Well if it's -- He he did great kid -- are great cubes over them what happens says. We have a -- going all the yet try again to every single boy that guy's secure its -- and yeah it's it's just an amazing it is. He has. -- 100% correct and I really appreciate your service -- our current -- eight. You really get -- you'll all great because sometimes a Liberal Democrats go away all and Unita Unita a balance and -- and a balanced in the question and absolutely I agree with 200% because that --"

" Well Mike that's a great note upon which to end I can offer my -- thanks to you we -- on for his service I can offer my thanks to congressman lynch to his time and effort with us plus the F that he makes to get over to Iraq in Afghanistan away from family mother I've -- while -- businesses does daughters -- routine. -- he's done it repeatedly he's been a frequent guest here in a long term friend congressman thank you very very much you give us. Inside an instruction we read the headlines every day we scratch I had -- form an opinion. And you come along and make sure it is a well founded opinions so appreciated all very much very current top pay you very much all the best of my repertory the rest of the team voted team lynch K. Hey that was congressman Steve lynch will be back in a moment on AM 680 WR KO."

" forgotten more interesting and important things about Massachusetts ban anyone else has ever so much. Fortunately he took -- It has a nifty little indexing system for -- it's better informed -- also sausage and AM six WR KO. A member of little England patriots loses."

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