Hey, here’s a “newsflash” from The New York Times:
Independent Audit Finds Progress Lacking in Iraq
By BRIAN KNOWLTON
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 — A report by Congressional auditors issued todayconcludes that “violence remains high” in Iraq amid mixed progress on security and that political reconciliation efforts remain far from sufficient, eight months after President Bush began his troop-increase plan. …”
Are we surprised?
And — isn’t it kind of funny how over the last few weeks, all of these Democratic members of Congress are urinating all over themselves to report to the media that “The Surge” is working, in direct conflict with what the rest of us all know is the truth? Follow the path of the Big Oil money for more info on that one.
And why are things going so badly? The Guardian (UK) is reporting that “Big Iraq Mistake Number One”; the de-Baathification and dismantling of the Iraq army was the catylist for what has turned out to clearly be a civil war by any true definition of the term. And former “Head Iraq Guy”, Paul Bremer, who has borne the brunt of the blame for this up until now, is pointing his finger right back to his lying boss, President Bush, who he claims gave his gold stamp of approval without interfering in the least, despite his recent comments to the contrary:
Bremer refutes Bush’s accusations over Iraqi army
Suzanne Goldenberg in WashingtonPaul Bremer, America’s former proconsul in Baghdad, today defended his reputation against comments from President George Bush that the official had acted on his own accord in committing one of the most calamitious mistakes of the Iraq war.
In a breach with the Administration he once served, Mr Bremer released two letters to the New York Times refuting Mr Bush’s remarks in a new biography that the White House was not involved in the decision to dissolve the Iraqi army.The disbanding of Saddam Hussein’s military left hundreds of thousands of Iraqi soldiers stranded without jobs or income, and is widely recognised as one of the most disastrous measures undertaken by Mr Bremer during his year-long authority in Baghdad.
Mr Bremer, who has been blamed for many of the failures of the post-war occupation, apparently was unwilling to take it any more. He released two letters to the Times to prove his assertion that the White House and the Pentagon knew in advance of his plan to dismantle the military and that they approved. …”
(Snip!)
“… In the first letter, from Mr Bremer to Mr Bush, dated May 22, 2003, Mr Bremer writes at length about Iraqis weeping tears of joy at their liberation by US troops, and the dissolution of Saddam Hussein’s ruling Ba’ath Party.
“We must make it clear to everyone that we mean business: that Saddam and the Ba’athists are finished,” he writes. He tells Mr Bush that the de-Baathification of the civil service was proving popular despite “some inefficiencies and griping”. …
(Snip!)
“… Mr Bush responded the next day, in a brief reply sent from his ranch in Texas. Though it was such an instrumental step in the de-Baathification process, there is no direct reference to dissolving Saddam’s army.
“Your leadership is apparent. You have quickly made a positive and significant impact. You have my full support and confidence. You also have the backing of our Administration that knows our work will take time,” Mr Bush writes.
The publication of that exchange of letters between the White House and Washington’s man in Baghdad sheds new light on the chaotic and somewhat incidental way in which Mr Bush dealt with events in Iraq – though his legacy as president will be almost entirely defined by the war. …”
Paraphrased:
Bremer: “I’m going to remove any Baathist participation in this new government, and send them all to the unemployment line”
Bush: “Alrighty, then; sounds good to me. Whatever you say, boss!”
The result of the conversation between these (with all due respect) neocon NITWITS “in charge”?
From NCTimes.Com:
Pendleton Marine dies in Iraq
By: Staff reports
CAMP PENDLETON —- A Camp Pendleton Marine died in combat in Iraq, the Pentagon announced this week.
Cpl. John C. Tanner, 21, of Columbus, Ga., died Aug. 29 in the Anbar Province of the country, according to a statement from the Defense Department. …”
(Snip!)
“… His death brings the number of North County-based Marines to die in Iraq to at least 339. At least 3,735 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since the start of the war. …” [Emphasis, mine]
May he and the others who sacrificed the ultimate price for their country who has placed them all in harm’s way for Big Oil, and may my fellow countrymen and women PLEASE stop electing politicians who will quickly send a fellow American to his or her death if there is a buck in it for them. I’ve truly had ENOUGH of this bad news from the Middle East, and it appears I am far from ALONE.
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7:45 pm on September 4th, 2007 1
President Bush’s reported initial response to this information before attempting to out Bremer was “yeah, I can’t remember.” It’s unfortunate that the initial reaction by the administration is to deny, and then to follow that denial with an attempt to discredit.
Someone needs to send the President Harry Truman’s “The Buck Stops Here” sign. This president says it, but his actions suggest he doesn’t believe it at all.
6:10 am on September 5th, 2007 2
[...] A black-and-white, yes-or-no simplicity has been the outlook of those who were for invading Iraq from before the beginning. We would change the whole Middle East with a wave of our hands. Or some other portion of our bodies. Those previously given over to such easy judgments now resist judgment. No one should be surprised. [...]