Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
President Bush on Thursday defended the slow pace of progress in Iraq, asserting "it is not foot-dragging" as Iraqi politicians try to reach agreement on political, security and economic goals.
Bush derided calls from Congress for troop withdrawals or deadlines so that the military could focus more on the anti-terror battle elsewhere. "This argument makes no sense," he said.
Bush offered his assessment of the war in a speech before a military audience of more than 1,000 people at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.
Within weeks, Bush is expected to endorse the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. Petraeus has proposed a pause in troop cutbacks to assess the impact of having withdrawn five combat brigades since December. He has argued that it would be reckless to shrink the American force so rapidly that the gains achieved over the past year are compromised or lost entirely.
Bush suggested that Iraqi officials were able to make more progress than the U.S. Congress.
"They got their budget passed," the president said. "Sometimes it takes our Congress awhile to get its budget passed.
"Nevertheless some members of Congress decided the best way to encourage progress in Baghdad was to criticize and threaten Iraq's leaders while they're trying to work out their differences," Bush said.
"But hectoring was not what the Iraqi leaders needed," he said. "What they needed was security. And that is what the surge has provided."
Bush asked critics of Iraq's political progress to consider the enormity of the task.
"They're trying to build a modern democracy on the rubble of three decades of tyranny, in a region of the world that has been hostile to freedom. And they're doing it while under assault from one of history's most brutal terrorist networks," Bush said. "When it takes time for Iraqis to reach agreement, it is not foot-dragging, as one senator described it during Congress' two-week Easter recess. It is a revolutionary undertaking that requires great courage."
Bush was referring to comments made in a television interview last weekend by Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. He told CNN on Sunday that there has been too much "foot-dragging on key governance questions in Iraq" and that putting off troop withdrawals would only exacerbate it.
The president pointedly took on the Democratic case for troop withdrawals.
"No matter what shortcomings these critics diagnose, their prescription is always the same: retreat," Bush said. "They claim that our strategic interest is elsewhere and if we would just get out of Iraq, we could focus on the battles that really matter."
But, he countered, "If America's strategic interests are not in Iraq, the convergence point for the twin threats of al-Qaida and Iran, the nation Osama bin Laden's deputy has called the place for the greatest battle, the country at the heart of the most volatile region on earth, then where are they?"
Townhall.com::The News::News Article
What they fail to mention in this article is that Iraq NOW has in it's budget to start taking care of the majority of the security expenses plus more.
As close as they are from independence here, the only reason that I can see why the Dems are still in favor of running out is that they want Iraq to fail. Maybe so they can say, "I told ya so?".....maybe they just don't want to go down in history as looking like fools? I'm sure the answer is behind some closed door in Washington.
Have a good one!:s4:
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
There is no profit in withdrawal, therefore it makes no sense to bush.
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud
Bush suggested that Iraqi officials were able to make more progress than the U.S. Congress.
"They're trying to build a modern democracy on the rubble of three decades of tyranny, in a region of the world that has been hostile to freedom. And they're doing it while under assault from one of history's most brutal terrorist networks," Bush said. "When it takes time for Iraqis to reach agreement, it is not foot-dragging, as one senator described it during Congress' two-week Easter recess. It is a revolutionary undertaking that requires great courage."
You mean it's not like SIM City? Set the game in motion, put in a couple of roads, a power plant, some police stations, and let it run itself while they ship us all of their oil? Well that sux.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud
"No matter what shortcomings these critics diagnose, their prescription is always the same: retreat," Bush said. "They claim that our strategic interest is elsewhere and if we would just get out of Iraq, we could focus on the battles that really matter."
Yes, they are focused on important matters: Like steroids...? Like denying the Patriot act a vote...? Like the House buying carbon credits with our tax dollars, to alleviate guilt over the U.S. Capitol's coal-burning power plant...?* (Guilt, due to overwhelmingly sketchy science, and a sleezy former VP promoting this lie)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psycho4Bud
What they fail to mention in this article is that Iraq NOW has in it's budget to start taking care of the majority of the security expenses plus more.
As close as they are from independence here, the only reason that I can see why the Dems are still in favor of running out is that they want Iraq to fail. Maybe so they can say, "I told ya so?"..... maybe they just don't want to go down in history as looking like fools? I'm sure the answer is behind some closed door in Washington.
Too late...the 'Fools' label has already been firmly attached to their policies, practices and choices for candidates.
Would have thought they would be vetting their candadates with a fine-tooth comb, before they turn the candadate loose to face the GOP. With all the cash that was/is going to the dems, you'd think they could buy better poll results.:thumbsup:
* House Buys Carbon Credits Through Chicago Climate Exchange
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
If Bush and his partner in crime Cheney had there way we would be there for 100 years.
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Quote:
Originally Posted by killerweed420
If Bush and his partner in crime Cheney had there way we would be there for 100 years.
If you are refering to keeping a presense in-country, like we are in Germany, S. Korea, France, Cuba...(It's been over 50 years in each) then yes, possibility of a 100 year presence in Iraq. Your detractor being.....? (why do you think this isn't a sound policy?)
Regardless, ALL US bases are there with the co-operation of the host country. It's good economics for them, (service members going off-base, supporting the local economies) and we get to monitor the local situation, render aid and security when necessary, and gains us the ability to deploy our troops quicker within the region, if the need ever arises.
Not to mention the 740 million dollar (plus) diplomatic center we're building in the green zone.
McClatchy Washington Bureau | 02/29/2008 | At new U.S. Embassy in Iraq, even kitchens are fire hazards
As it's likely being built by local contractors, they'll eventually figure-out the kitchens and smoke alarms, but it's behind schedule, and having budget over-runs, just like the government does back here in the states, so all is relatively normal. :thumbsup:
Permanent and complete pull-out of US forces and diplomats is very unlikely for quite some time. Regardless of what Billary and Obama say they'll do. :jointsmile:
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Violence is on the rise in Iraq. Al Sader could only keep the lid on for so long. I guess the US wasn't paying him enough. When you are in a war and have to pay your opponents to not fight you (with our tax dollars) so the corporations can benefit, would you call that insanity? The whole Iraq scene is outright insanity, propagated by corporate greed, and funded by American taxpayers.
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Quote:
Originally Posted by medicinal
Violence is on the rise in Iraq. Al Sader could only keep the lid on for so long. I guess the US wasn't paying him enough. When you are in a war and have to pay your opponents to not fight you (with our tax dollars) so the corporations can benefit, would you call that insanity? The whole Iraq scene is outright insanity, propagated by corporate greed, and funded by American taxpayers.
OR maybe it's because Iraqi forces, ON THEIR OWN, are kicking some Al-Sadr ass in Basra. Since we have Al-Quada pinned down in the Northwest area...good time for the Iraqi forces to clean out the rest of the scum.
Nice spin though.....
Have a good one!:s4:
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Quote:
Originally Posted by medicinal
When you are in a war and have to pay your opponents to not fight you (with our tax dollars) so the corporations can benefit, would you call that insanity? The whole Iraq scene is outright insanity, propagated by corporate greed, and funded by American taxpayers.
Sorry, tough to see ones point when they make it in crayon. (some of us are colorblind)
Would you rather have had the US buy body bags with that money? Evidentaly providing employment as security was working. The fact that the "Iranians do provide funding and support for the Al Sadr militia?" means nothing to you? All the more reason to keep a strong presence in Iraq. Analysis: Al-Sadr in trouble - CNN.com
The longer we stay to assist, arm and train the Iraqi security forces, the less of a problem the Iraqi government will have with establishing their sovereignty.
Yeah...this whole corporate greed (conspiracy) thing is out of hand. How about some links to the corporations benefititng from this, please? Let me guess...your next point is we did this for the oil...? Same ol' arguments, same lack of credible proof available, supporting those arguments.
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
and now back to the war,
i dont care what anyone here says about it the fact is nobody and i mean absolutly nobody outside of the higher ups in govt and maybe just maybe a few coorprate big wigs know exactly why we invaded iraq. we can speculate cut and paste, provide links to a thousand differant possibilitys. all of wich look plausible.
the biggest thing we all have to accept is no matter if you were behind bush and the invasion or totaly apposed to it, we CANNOT just cut and run. that would be the most childish ignorant thing america could do.
it the bucket of shit analogy. if you and some frewinds are standing around a bucket of shit and one of them decides to thro in a big rock and splash shit on everyone it doesnt matter if you wanted him to do it or was opposed to him tossin the rock the fact still remanes you are covered in shit and have to figure out how to wash it off. it wont help to dig out the rock your still covered in shit. it dont help to bicker about wether or not he should have done it your still covered in shit and the only way to get it off is to work together. one of ya holds the garden hose while the other washes. cause you sure as hell aint bringin your shit covered self in my house or shower.
Bush Scolds Congress About Iraq
Quote:
Not to mention the 740 million dollar (plus) diplomatic center we're building in the green zone.
They should call it Fort Apache.....cause it's surrounded by hostiles.
