Four years ago today coalition forces launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to remove Saddam Hussein from power. They did so to eliminate the threat his regime posed to the Middle East and to the world.
Of course, Iraq wasn't a threat to anyone and even though that's been proven over and over, Bush still has no problem flat-out lying about it. Saddam Hussein barely ruled a 1/3 of his country with us and the British dominating the northern and southern 'no fly zones.' A threat? Well, here's what Bush's Secretary of Defense, Colin Powell said about Iraq on February 24, 2001, seven months before 9/11, "He (Saddam Hussein) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbours."
Need more? Here's what Bush's National Security Advisor, Condi Rice said about that terrible 'threat' of Iraq just two months before 9/11; "Saddam does not control the northern part of the country," she said. "We are able to keep his arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt."
The Iraqi government has also lifted restrictions that once prevented Iraqi and coalition forces from going into areas like Sadr City.
Lifted restrictions? What Bush is actually saying is that Muqtada al-Sadr gave him and al-Maliki permission to go into Sadr City.
I have to laugh when I hear or read Bush admit he's such a wimp. (All Hat, No Cattle) It always reminds me of his line in the debate, "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people."
Together, we‘ve carried out aggressive operations against both Shia and Sunni extremists; carried out operations against al-Qaida terrorists.
We entered year five of this war today, George. Speaking of al-Qaeda, any word on Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri? Hell, we'll take a Mullah Omar.
The new strategy will need more time to take effect. And there will be good days and there will be bad days ahead as the security plan unfolds.
Damn, where have we heard that before? Oh, George said that exact same thing on the first year and the third year anniversary, too? Well, it is the same disaster.
March 19, 2006: “There will be good days and there will be bad days.” [Link]
March 19, 2004: “There will be good days and there will be difficult days.” [Link] - (h/t TP)Last month, Iraq‘s Council of Ministers approved a law that would share oil revenues among Iraqi people. The Iraqi legislature passed a $41 billion budget that includes $10 billion for reconstruction and capital improvements.
I would think the Iraqis could probably use that $12 billion L. Paul Bremer couldn't account for. The insurgents have probably already spent 1/2 of that by now.
Of course, '$10 billion', '$12 billion'...that's only about 1/2 of one percent of what we will have invested in this mess by the time it's all over...$10B is peanuts...
There has been good progress. There‘s a lot more work to be done, and Iraq‘s leaders must continue to work to meet the benchmarks they have set forward.
I swear, listening to Bush is like deja vu all over again.
Think Progress is all over Bush and his obnoxious redundancies.
March 19, 2006: “I’m encouraged by the progress.” [Link]
March 19, 2005: “Iraq’s progress toward political freedom has opened a new phase of our work there.” [Link] - (h/t TP)It could be tempting to look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude our best option is to pack up and go home. That may be satisfying in the short run, but I believe the consequences for American security would be devastating...
A definite YES on the first sentence and the second sentence is, and has always been, assbackwards. Those fighting us in Iraq, the Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites, won't be coming to the U.S. to attack us. It's the al-Qadea terrorists who Bush has all but ignored in Afghanistan and Pakistan that will 'be devastating to our security'. Another clear example of incompetent leadership.
The terrorists could emerge from the chaos with a safe haven in Iraq to replace the one they had in Afghanistan , which they used to plan the attacks of September 11, 2001.
Had in Afghanistan? Those responsible for 9/11 are still in Afghanistan and they are getting stronger, not weaker. Bush is once again just herding his sheep by invoking 9/11, but the difference now is there's only 30% still gullible enough to swallow it, and not 83%. A lot less sheep these days.
Four years after this war began, the fight is difficult, but it can be won. It will be won if we have the courage and resolve to see it through.
I'll let U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, the new commander of U.S. forces of Iraq, answer this one;
''Any student of history recognizes there is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency in Iraq.'' - 3/8/07I‘m grateful to our service men and women for all they‘ve done, and for the honor they‘ve brought to their uniform and their country.
I‘m grateful to our military families for all the sacrifices they have made for our country.
The United States military is the most capable and courageous fighting force in the world. And whatever our differences in Washington, our troops and their families deserve the appreciation and the support of our entire nation.
Thank you.
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