As of today Iraqi forces have assumed formal control of security in Baghdad and other cities after U.S. combat troops
withdrew from urban areas.
   
    A countdown clock broadcast on Iraqi TV ticked to zero as the midnight deadline passed for combat troops to pull back.

    Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has declared a public holiday and proclaimed June 30 as “National Sovereignty Day.“
   
    A senior adviser to al-Maliki says “the withdrawal of American troops is completed now from all cities after everything they
sacrificed for the sake of security.“ Sadiq Al-Rikabi told The Associated Press on Tuesday that “we are now celebrating the
restoration of sovereignty.“

    The move is required under a U.S.-Iraqi security pact.
    The Pentagon did not offer any comment to mark the passing of the deadline.
 
    O.K…...so…..why are the people of Iraq really celebrating?  To be honest I think they hate the fact we are in their country and can’t wait for every one of us to get out.  Never mind we’ve had over four thousand troops die over there protecting their freedom.  They don’t care.  They want us out.

    I understand people celebrating the fact they run the show in their own country.  But what about this?  If we pull out and the country slides into chaos…..will they turn to us?  Will they celebrate our return?  They may be partying in the streets now for National Sovereignty Day,  but I think the people of Iraq will soon be screaming for for the good ‘ole days, when the U.S. was keeping the peace.

    I’m not going to say whether it was right or wrong for our country to even go into Iraq.  That’s looking in the past and I’m looking ahead for this story.  And I see a country that is not ready for us to leave. 

    They may want us to leave, but they need us to stay.