Thursday, June 30, 2005
Afghan RhetIraq
Who: Various Afghanis - Names included with quotes
Source: NY Times
Quotes: From June 30, 2005 article "Mood of Anxiety Engulfs Afghans as Violence Rises"
"Three years on, the people are still hoping that things are going to work out, but they have become suspicious about why the Americans came, and why the Americans are treating the local people badly," said Jandad Spinghar, leader of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission in Nangarhar Province in the east, just across the Khyber Pass from Pakistan.
"Generally people are not against the Americans," Mr. Spinghar said. "But in areas where there are no human rights, where they do not have good relations and where there is bad treatment of villagers or prisoners, this will hand a free area to the Taliban. It's very important that the Americans understand how the Afghan people feel."
"The Americans are the cause of the insecurity," said Abdullah Mahmud, 26, a law student in Kabul. "If they were not here, there would not be any insecurity. The money they are spending on military expenses - if they spent half of it on the Afghan Army and police and raised their skills, then there would not be any security questions."
"Students support the current presence of troops because we need them now," he said, "but not a permanent presence." - Muhammad Mir Jan, 25, a literature student
"No, I think the Americans should be here, because if they are not, the warlords would come back again and the poor people would not be able to survive in this country," said Samiullah, 27, who said he was applying for a job as a driver with a foreign group.
Abdul Zaher, 26, the owner of the shop, said, "They should not leave our country until they have rebuilt it."
Sayed Asadullah Hashimi, an assistant professor at Kabul University's School of Islamic Law, said, "Outside Kabul, two-thirds of the people think that the Americans came only to invade and occupy Afghanistan, and that is why day by day the tension is growing. The mood is worsening."
Afghans interviewed this week frequently warned that if the American forces did not show greater care, especially in their treatment of detainees and their families, the people could turn against them. "They should respect our culture and our religion and they will be successful," said Lal Muhammad, the senior partner of a real estate firm in the southern city of Kandahar.
Foreign officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the issue, said much of the public disillusionment and frustration was traceable to a lack of governance - from the simple absence of government, to the failure to administer the law properly, to the corruption of the local police and the courts.
"Since 2002," one of the officials said, "we have been issuing warnings that the main threat was the failure to address profound governance problems, and if we did not take it seriously, grievances would start to stem from that."
Source: NY Times
Quotes: From June 30, 2005 article "Mood of Anxiety Engulfs Afghans as Violence Rises"
"Three years on, the people are still hoping that things are going to work out, but they have become suspicious about why the Americans came, and why the Americans are treating the local people badly," said Jandad Spinghar, leader of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission in Nangarhar Province in the east, just across the Khyber Pass from Pakistan.
"Generally people are not against the Americans," Mr. Spinghar said. "But in areas where there are no human rights, where they do not have good relations and where there is bad treatment of villagers or prisoners, this will hand a free area to the Taliban. It's very important that the Americans understand how the Afghan people feel."
"The Americans are the cause of the insecurity," said Abdullah Mahmud, 26, a law student in Kabul. "If they were not here, there would not be any insecurity. The money they are spending on military expenses - if they spent half of it on the Afghan Army and police and raised their skills, then there would not be any security questions."
"Students support the current presence of troops because we need them now," he said, "but not a permanent presence." - Muhammad Mir Jan, 25, a literature student
"No, I think the Americans should be here, because if they are not, the warlords would come back again and the poor people would not be able to survive in this country," said Samiullah, 27, who said he was applying for a job as a driver with a foreign group.
Abdul Zaher, 26, the owner of the shop, said, "They should not leave our country until they have rebuilt it."
Sayed Asadullah Hashimi, an assistant professor at Kabul University's School of Islamic Law, said, "Outside Kabul, two-thirds of the people think that the Americans came only to invade and occupy Afghanistan, and that is why day by day the tension is growing. The mood is worsening."
Afghans interviewed this week frequently warned that if the American forces did not show greater care, especially in their treatment of detainees and their families, the people could turn against them. "They should respect our culture and our religion and they will be successful," said Lal Muhammad, the senior partner of a real estate firm in the southern city of Kandahar.
Foreign officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the issue, said much of the public disillusionment and frustration was traceable to a lack of governance - from the simple absence of government, to the failure to administer the law properly, to the corruption of the local police and the courts.
"Since 2002," one of the officials said, "we have been issuing warnings that the main threat was the failure to address profound governance problems, and if we did not take it seriously, grievances would start to stem from that."
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Bush Admin RhetIraq: V.P. Cheney
Who: Vice President Dick Cheney
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quotes: Interview transcript with Wolf Blitzer on CNN - June 23, 2005
BLITZER: Senator Joseph Biden, the ranking Democrat, on the Foreign Relations Committee just came back from Iraq. He says that the U.S. is currently training 107 battalions of Iraqi troops and only three of those battalions are fully capable right now to take charge.
CHENEY: Well, a year ago there weren't any Iraqi battalions at all. It takes time to get a battalion up to speed where you take in the recruits, you train them, you equip them. It will take time to create a fully competent U.S. battalion if you started from scratch. We've got a lot of them in the pipeline. There are several different stages. There are three or four now that are up to the top level in terms of competence and capability, able to operate on their own. There are a lot more coming along behind them. So I feel very good about where we are with respect to training.
BLITZER: So you don't want to speculate how long it will take to get all those battalions up to speed?
CHENEY: No, but what I'd recommend you do is talk to Dave Petraeus, the former commander of the 101st, the man who is in charge of the training program over there.
BLITZER: I think the point that many Democrats, the liberals are making is they supported going to war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda right after 9/11 --
CHENEY: Well, not --
BLITZER: -- but they didn't necessarily call for --
CHENEY: Not everybody. There were some who opposed what we did in Afghanistan.
Note: Three days after 9/11, the Senate voted 98 to 0 - and the House 420 to 1 - for a resolution authorizing Bush to "use all necessary and appropriate force" against those behind the attacks. After those votes, Bush issued a statement praising Congress for being "united so powerfully."
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quotes: Interview transcript with Wolf Blitzer on CNN - June 23, 2005
BLITZER: Senator Joseph Biden, the ranking Democrat, on the Foreign Relations Committee just came back from Iraq. He says that the U.S. is currently training 107 battalions of Iraqi troops and only three of those battalions are fully capable right now to take charge.
CHENEY: Well, a year ago there weren't any Iraqi battalions at all. It takes time to get a battalion up to speed where you take in the recruits, you train them, you equip them. It will take time to create a fully competent U.S. battalion if you started from scratch. We've got a lot of them in the pipeline. There are several different stages. There are three or four now that are up to the top level in terms of competence and capability, able to operate on their own. There are a lot more coming along behind them. So I feel very good about where we are with respect to training.
BLITZER: So you don't want to speculate how long it will take to get all those battalions up to speed?
CHENEY: No, but what I'd recommend you do is talk to Dave Petraeus, the former commander of the 101st, the man who is in charge of the training program over there.
BLITZER: I think the point that many Democrats, the liberals are making is they supported going to war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda right after 9/11 --
CHENEY: Well, not --
BLITZER: -- but they didn't necessarily call for --
CHENEY: Not everybody. There were some who opposed what we did in Afghanistan.
Note: Three days after 9/11, the Senate voted 98 to 0 - and the House 420 to 1 - for a resolution authorizing Bush to "use all necessary and appropriate force" against those behind the attacks. After those votes, Bush issued a statement praising Congress for being "united so powerfully."
Military RhetIraq: Sec. Rumsfeld & Gen. Casey
Who: Defense Secretary Rumsfeld & General George Casey
Sources: Fox News Sunday and Department of Defense
Quotes:
From Fox News Sunday - June 26, 2005;
WALLACE: Let's start with these reports of these direct meetings between U.S. officials, including allegedly a representative of the Pentagon, and insurgent commanders. Did they happen, and, if so, what did they accomplish?
RUMSFELD: Well, the first thing I would say about the meetings is they go on all the time.
Second, the Iraqis have a sovereign government. They will decide what their relationships with various elements of insurgents will be. We facilitate those from time to time.
And if you think about it, there aren't the good guys and the bad guys over there. There are people all across the spectrum.
There's the government, people who strongly support the government, people that are leaning and not quite sure what to do, people who are leaning the other way and not quite sure what to do, and then insurgents and people who oppose it, which is a mixture: There's the jihadists, there's the Zarqawi group, there are criminals, there's the Sunni Baathists (search) who would like to take back the government.
Meetings take place all the time...
From DOD Press Briefing - June 27, 2005;
QUESTION: General Casey, I know it was addressed over the weekend, but could you clarify, as much as possible, what types of meetings are being held with insurgent groups in Iraq? Who is the United States meeting with? What are the goals? What have you been discussing? What are these meetings all about?
GEN. CASEY: Yeah. Our leaders, down to the divisional, even brigade level, routinely meet with local and tribal leaders. We also continue to meet at the national level with senior Sunni leaders. Characterizing these discussions as "negotiations" is probably not right. They're discussions, and they're discussions primarily aimed at bringing these Sunni leaders and the people they represent into the political process. But to characterize them as negotiations with insurgents about stopping the insurgency, we're not quite there yet.
Sources: Fox News Sunday and Department of Defense
Quotes:
From Fox News Sunday - June 26, 2005;
WALLACE: Let's start with these reports of these direct meetings between U.S. officials, including allegedly a representative of the Pentagon, and insurgent commanders. Did they happen, and, if so, what did they accomplish?
RUMSFELD: Well, the first thing I would say about the meetings is they go on all the time.
Second, the Iraqis have a sovereign government. They will decide what their relationships with various elements of insurgents will be. We facilitate those from time to time.
And if you think about it, there aren't the good guys and the bad guys over there. There are people all across the spectrum.
There's the government, people who strongly support the government, people that are leaning and not quite sure what to do, people who are leaning the other way and not quite sure what to do, and then insurgents and people who oppose it, which is a mixture: There's the jihadists, there's the Zarqawi group, there are criminals, there's the Sunni Baathists (search) who would like to take back the government.
Meetings take place all the time...
From DOD Press Briefing - June 27, 2005;
QUESTION: General Casey, I know it was addressed over the weekend, but could you clarify, as much as possible, what types of meetings are being held with insurgent groups in Iraq? Who is the United States meeting with? What are the goals? What have you been discussing? What are these meetings all about?
GEN. CASEY: Yeah. Our leaders, down to the divisional, even brigade level, routinely meet with local and tribal leaders. We also continue to meet at the national level with senior Sunni leaders. Characterizing these discussions as "negotiations" is probably not right. They're discussions, and they're discussions primarily aimed at bringing these Sunni leaders and the people they represent into the political process. But to characterize them as negotiations with insurgents about stopping the insurgency, we're not quite there yet.
Presidential RhetIraq: Pres. Bush
Who: President George W. Bush
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quotes: From June 28. 2005 Presidential Address to Nation
Our mission in Iraq is clear. We're hunting down the terrorists. We're helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We're advancing freedom in the broader Middle East.
So our strategy going forward has both a military track and a political track. The principal task of our military is to find and defeat the terrorists, and that is why we are on the offense. And as we pursue the terrorists, our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their people and fight the enemy on their own. Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.
Our task is to make the Iraqi units fully capable and independent. We're building up Iraqi security forces as quickly as possible, so they can assume the lead in defeating the terrorists and insurgents.
To further prepare Iraqi forces to fight the enemy on their own, we are taking three new steps: First, we are partnering coalition units with Iraqi units. These coalition-Iraqi teams are conducting operations together in the field.
Second, we are embedding coalition "transition teams" inside Iraqi units. These teams are made up of coalition officers and non-commissioned officers who live, work, and fight together with their Iraqi comrades.
Third, we're working with the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Defense to improve their capabilities to coordinate anti-terrorist operations.
... a major part of our mission is to train them so they can do the fighting, and then our troops can come home.
We will stay in Iraq as long as we are needed, and not a day longer.
... our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave.
The other critical element of our strategy is to help ensure that the hopes Iraqis expressed at the polls in January are translated into a secure democracy.
The next step is to write a good constitution that enshrines these freedoms in permanent law. The Assembly plans to expand its constitutional drafting committee to include more Sunni Arabs.
After a constitution is written, the Iraqi people will have a chance to vote on it. If approved, Iraqis will go to the polls again, to elect a new government under their new, permanent constitution.
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quotes: From June 28. 2005 Presidential Address to Nation
Our mission in Iraq is clear. We're hunting down the terrorists. We're helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We're advancing freedom in the broader Middle East.
So our strategy going forward has both a military track and a political track. The principal task of our military is to find and defeat the terrorists, and that is why we are on the offense. And as we pursue the terrorists, our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their people and fight the enemy on their own. Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down.
Our task is to make the Iraqi units fully capable and independent. We're building up Iraqi security forces as quickly as possible, so they can assume the lead in defeating the terrorists and insurgents.
To further prepare Iraqi forces to fight the enemy on their own, we are taking three new steps: First, we are partnering coalition units with Iraqi units. These coalition-Iraqi teams are conducting operations together in the field.
Second, we are embedding coalition "transition teams" inside Iraqi units. These teams are made up of coalition officers and non-commissioned officers who live, work, and fight together with their Iraqi comrades.
Third, we're working with the Iraqi Ministries of Interior and Defense to improve their capabilities to coordinate anti-terrorist operations.
... a major part of our mission is to train them so they can do the fighting, and then our troops can come home.
We will stay in Iraq as long as we are needed, and not a day longer.
... our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave.
The other critical element of our strategy is to help ensure that the hopes Iraqis expressed at the polls in January are translated into a secure democracy.
The next step is to write a good constitution that enshrines these freedoms in permanent law. The Assembly plans to expand its constitutional drafting committee to include more Sunni Arabs.
After a constitution is written, the Iraqi people will have a chance to vote on it. If approved, Iraqis will go to the polls again, to elect a new government under their new, permanent constitution.
Bush Admin RhetIraq: Press Sec. McClellan
Who: Press Secretary Scott McClellan
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quote: From June 27, 2005 Press Briefing;
MR. McCLELLAN (from opening statement): Tomorrow, the President will also talk about the strategy for success. He will talk in a very specific way about the way forward. There is a clear path to victory. It is a two-track strategy: there is the military and political track.
You will hear from him in much greater detail, but I wanted to give you a little bit of a preview to begin with.
QUESTION: Scott, are there new details in the strategy for success? Is there a new direction, or is the President basically summing up what he has said before?
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, this is a new speech. And the President will be talking in a very specific way about the strategy for succeeding in Iraq. And he will talk about the two-track strategy that we have in place. He touched on it a little bit last week; he's touched on it in -- many times over recent weeks. But this is going to be the President talking about it in a very specific way, about where we are for succeeding and where we are in implementing that strategy.
QUESTION: The question is, is there a new direction, though, or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: You're going to hear from the President tomorrow night. I think we have a clear strategy for success. He's going to be talking in a very specific way about what that strategy is. It's an opportunity for the American people to hear about the strategy.
Source: WhiteHouse.gov
Quote: From June 27, 2005 Press Briefing;
MR. McCLELLAN (from opening statement): Tomorrow, the President will also talk about the strategy for success. He will talk in a very specific way about the way forward. There is a clear path to victory. It is a two-track strategy: there is the military and political track.
You will hear from him in much greater detail, but I wanted to give you a little bit of a preview to begin with.
QUESTION: Scott, are there new details in the strategy for success? Is there a new direction, or is the President basically summing up what he has said before?
MR. McCLELLAN: As I said, this is a new speech. And the President will be talking in a very specific way about the strategy for succeeding in Iraq. And he will talk about the two-track strategy that we have in place. He touched on it a little bit last week; he's touched on it in -- many times over recent weeks. But this is going to be the President talking about it in a very specific way, about where we are for succeeding and where we are in implementing that strategy.
QUESTION: The question is, is there a new direction, though, or not?
MR. McCLELLAN: You're going to hear from the President tomorrow night. I think we have a clear strategy for success. He's going to be talking in a very specific way about what that strategy is. It's an opportunity for the American people to hear about the strategy.
Pundit RhetIraq: From the Left Wing
Who: Dan Froomkin - Columnist
Source: "White House Briefing" at The Washington Post
Quotes: From June 28, 2005 Column;
According to the latest polls, Americans are not saying that U.S. troops should leave instantly. They're saying they feel the country is bogged down in a war that was a mistake in the first place, they're saying they feel misled by the president and have lost confidence in him, and they're saying they want to know the way out.
They're not saying abandon the troops; they're saying support the troops. They're not saying dishonor the dead, they're saying stop the dying. They're not saying let the terrorists win; they're saying they don't think that victory in Iraq will have a major impact on terrorism elsewhere.
So will Bush address this growing chorus?
Source: "White House Briefing" at The Washington Post
Quotes: From June 28, 2005 Column;
According to the latest polls, Americans are not saying that U.S. troops should leave instantly. They're saying they feel the country is bogged down in a war that was a mistake in the first place, they're saying they feel misled by the president and have lost confidence in him, and they're saying they want to know the way out.
They're not saying abandon the troops; they're saying support the troops. They're not saying dishonor the dead, they're saying stop the dying. They're not saying let the terrorists win; they're saying they don't think that victory in Iraq will have a major impact on terrorism elsewhere.
So will Bush address this growing chorus?
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Bush Admin RhetIraq: Sec. Rice
Who: Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice (as Foreign Policy Advisor during 2000 Presidential campaign)
Source: CNSNews.com
Quote: “Gore seems to have a vision of an indefinite US military deployment in the Balkans. He proved today that if he is elected, America’s military will continue to be overdeployed, harming morale & re-enlistment rates, weakening our military’s core mission.”
Note: 11,000 US troops were in the Balkans at the time of this quote.
Source: CNSNews.com
Quote: “Gore seems to have a vision of an indefinite US military deployment in the Balkans. He proved today that if he is elected, America’s military will continue to be overdeployed, harming morale & re-enlistment rates, weakening our military’s core mission.”
Note: 11,000 US troops were in the Balkans at the time of this quote.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Bush Admin RhetIraq: Sec. Rumsfeld
Who: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (as Congressman Rumsfeld)
Source: Chicago Tribune and Congressional Record - courtesy of Thinkprogress.com
Quotes:
Chicago Tribune - 4/13/1966
“The administration should clarify its intent in Viet Nam,’ he said. ‘People lack confidence in the credibility of our government.’ Even our allies are beginning to suspect what we say, he charged. ‘It’s a difficult thing today to be informed about our government even without all the secrecy,’ he said. ‘With the secrecy, it’s impossible. The American people will do what’s right when they have the information they need.”
Congressional Record - 90th Congress pg. A792, 2/21/1967
“Accurate judgment is predicated on accurate information. Government has an obligation to present information to the public promptly and accurately so that the public’s evaluation of Government activities is not distorted. Political pundits speak of the ‘credibility gap’ in the present administration. Indeed, this appellation is so widespread that it has become a household word.”
Source: Chicago Tribune and Congressional Record - courtesy of Thinkprogress.com
Quotes:
Chicago Tribune - 4/13/1966
“The administration should clarify its intent in Viet Nam,’ he said. ‘People lack confidence in the credibility of our government.’ Even our allies are beginning to suspect what we say, he charged. ‘It’s a difficult thing today to be informed about our government even without all the secrecy,’ he said. ‘With the secrecy, it’s impossible. The American people will do what’s right when they have the information they need.”
Congressional Record - 90th Congress pg. A792, 2/21/1967
“Accurate judgment is predicated on accurate information. Government has an obligation to present information to the public promptly and accurately so that the public’s evaluation of Government activities is not distorted. Political pundits speak of the ‘credibility gap’ in the present administration. Indeed, this appellation is so widespread that it has become a household word.”
British RhetIraq
Who: "senior Ministry of Defence source"
Source: The Scotsman
Quote: "The Prime Minister was given a pretty depressing run-down of the prognosis for Iraq while he was in Washington," one senior Ministry of Defence source said last night. "The Americans are pushing for at least a maintenance of the troop numbers we have there now. Our latest intention is to reduce by at least half the number of our troops in Iraq within a year.
"It's difficult to see how we can square that circle."
Source: The Scotsman
Quote: "The Prime Minister was given a pretty depressing run-down of the prognosis for Iraq while he was in Washington," one senior Ministry of Defence source said last night. "The Americans are pushing for at least a maintenance of the troop numbers we have there now. Our latest intention is to reduce by at least half the number of our troops in Iraq within a year.
"It's difficult to see how we can square that circle."
Presidential RhetIraq: PM Allawi
Who: Iraqi Former Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi
Source: LA Times - Associated Press article
Quotes: "There are infiltrators," Allawi said Monday, "but that does not necessarily mean that they are supported by the Syrian government.
"(The infiltrators) are misusing Syria's hospitality and cross into Iraq."
Source: LA Times - Associated Press article
Quotes: "There are infiltrators," Allawi said Monday, "but that does not necessarily mean that they are supported by the Syrian government.
"(The infiltrators) are misusing Syria's hospitality and cross into Iraq."
Military RhetIraq: US Troops
Who: US Soldiers
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Quotes:
Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto - Commander 42nd Infantry Division
"Before everything settles, it will be years," Taluto said. The Iraqis "have to understand that the (U.S.-led) coalition is a necessary evil, so to speak."
Lt. Col. Todd Wood - Commander 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
"People back home say: 'We support the soldiers, but we don't support the war.' I say: 'Come on!' To me, the two are intertwined."
Sgt. Darrell Foster - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
In his first tour, during the invasion in 2003, "we didn't have to worry about IEDs (improvised explosive devices) or VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, or car bombs)," he says. "Now it's more, freaking, everybody's trying to kill us."
"In my opinion, the people that are here right now aren't the ones we're doing this for. It's the kids. We want to show them the right attitude for when they grow up. They are the generation that we're doing this for.".
Pfc. Drew Madison - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
"What do they [American questioning war effort] know?" fumes Madison, a humvee driver, about Americans' dwindling support. "They're not over here! They've never been over here. We're the ones making sacrifices. We're leaving our families behind, fighting somebody else's war over here, trying to help this country set up democracy."
Capt. Ray Osorio - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
Is he making a difference? "I think it's working," Osorio responds.
"The city council meetings typically turn into bitching sessions about how to get more money for (the leaders') bodyguards," Osorio says.
"We've got to where individual city council heads are communicating with one another, whereas before they wouldn't because of tribal affiliations. We see Iraqis patrolling the streets and identifying VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, or car bombs).
"Have we trained Iraqi security forces to the point where we no longer see VBIEDs go off? No. But we've made a dent.".
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Quotes:
Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto - Commander 42nd Infantry Division
"Before everything settles, it will be years," Taluto said. The Iraqis "have to understand that the (U.S.-led) coalition is a necessary evil, so to speak."
Lt. Col. Todd Wood - Commander 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
"People back home say: 'We support the soldiers, but we don't support the war.' I say: 'Come on!' To me, the two are intertwined."
Sgt. Darrell Foster - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
In his first tour, during the invasion in 2003, "we didn't have to worry about IEDs (improvised explosive devices) or VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, or car bombs)," he says. "Now it's more, freaking, everybody's trying to kill us."
"In my opinion, the people that are here right now aren't the ones we're doing this for. It's the kids. We want to show them the right attitude for when they grow up. They are the generation that we're doing this for.".
Pfc. Drew Madison - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
"What do they [American questioning war effort] know?" fumes Madison, a humvee driver, about Americans' dwindling support. "They're not over here! They've never been over here. We're the ones making sacrifices. We're leaving our families behind, fighting somebody else's war over here, trying to help this country set up democracy."
Capt. Ray Osorio - 2-7 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division
Is he making a difference? "I think it's working," Osorio responds.
"The city council meetings typically turn into bitching sessions about how to get more money for (the leaders') bodyguards," Osorio says.
"We've got to where individual city council heads are communicating with one another, whereas before they wouldn't because of tribal affiliations. We see Iraqis patrolling the streets and identifying VBIEDs (vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, or car bombs).
"Have we trained Iraqi security forces to the point where we no longer see VBIEDs go off? No. But we've made a dent.".
Presidential RhetIraq: PM al-Jaafari
Who: Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari
Source: Guardian UK
Quotes: "I think two years will be enough, and more than enough, to establish security in our country."
"There are also the borders with other countries in the region. If the countries cooperate with us in controlling these borders, then the time will be shorter."
Source: Guardian UK
Quotes: "I think two years will be enough, and more than enough, to establish security in our country."
"There are also the borders with other countries in the region. If the countries cooperate with us in controlling these borders, then the time will be shorter."
Bush Admin RhetIraq: Sec. Rumsfeld
Who: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
Source: Meet The Press
Quotes:
RUMSFELD: ... I presented the president a list of about 15 things that could go terribly, terribly wrong before the war started. And the fact that the oil fields could have been set aflame like they were in Kuwait, the fact that we could have had mass refugees and dislocations and it didn't happen. The bridges could have been blown up. There could have been a fortress Baghdad where the moat around it with oil in it and people fighting to the death. ...
MR. RUSSERT: Was a robust insurgency on your list that you gave the president?
SEC'Y RUMSFELD: I don't remember whether that was on there, but certainly it was discussed the possibility that you could have dead-enders who would fight. ...
Source: Meet The Press
Quotes:
RUMSFELD: ... I presented the president a list of about 15 things that could go terribly, terribly wrong before the war started. And the fact that the oil fields could have been set aflame like they were in Kuwait, the fact that we could have had mass refugees and dislocations and it didn't happen. The bridges could have been blown up. There could have been a fortress Baghdad where the moat around it with oil in it and people fighting to the death. ...
MR. RUSSERT: Was a robust insurgency on your list that you gave the president?
SEC'Y RUMSFELD: I don't remember whether that was on there, but certainly it was discussed the possibility that you could have dead-enders who would fight. ...
Bush Admin RhetIraq: Sec. Rumsfeld & Gen. Myers
Who: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers
Sources: Meet The Press & USA Today
Quotes:
Meet The Press - June 26, 2005;
RUMSFELD: "Anyone who tries to estimate the end, the time, the cost or the casualties in a war is making a big mistake."
USA Today - February 7, 2003 to U.S. troops in Aviano, Italy;
RUMSFELD: "It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months."
USA Today - March 30, 2003 Meet The Press quote;
MYERS: "Nobody should have any illusions that this is going to be a quick and easy victory. This is going to be a tough war, a tough slog yet, and no responsible official I know has ever said anything different once this war has started."
Sources: Meet The Press & USA Today
Quotes:
Meet The Press - June 26, 2005;
RUMSFELD: "Anyone who tries to estimate the end, the time, the cost or the casualties in a war is making a big mistake."
USA Today - February 7, 2003 to U.S. troops in Aviano, Italy;
RUMSFELD: "It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months."
USA Today - March 30, 2003 Meet The Press quote;
MYERS: "Nobody should have any illusions that this is going to be a quick and easy victory. This is going to be a tough war, a tough slog yet, and no responsible official I know has ever said anything different once this war has started."
Military RhetIraq: Gen. Abizaid
Who: General John Abizaid (Commander, US Central Command)
Source: Face The Nation
Quotes:
Gen. ABIZAID: The insurgents are targeting the Iraqi people. They are trying to cause chaos, kill people, grab headlines. Secondarily, they target the Iraqi security forces, and at a lower level, they target American security forces. The idea is to create the impression that we're not making progress, that we're not winning. Yet when I talk to my commanders in the field, as you've talked to many of them, you get a clear sense of progress, of confidence, and what was most encouraging to me in my most recent trip is that Iraqi commanders were confident. They knew that their capabilities were increasing. They were engaging more frequently and steadily in combat. They're not ready to stand alone yet, but they will be.
Gen. ABIZAID: ... I would say that it's clear to me that by the middle of--the early part of spring next year to the summer of next year, you'll see Iraqi security forces move into the lead in the counterinsurgency fight. That doesn't mean that I'm saying we'll come home by then. We'll have to judge how they're doing, how the political process is, how the situation is abroad. Let's face it. You know, we've got a lot of insurgents that are coming over from the Syrian border. They're not pouring across. They're coming across.
SCHIEFFER: Well, who--give us--talk to us a little bit about that. I mean, how many are coming across? How large do we think this insurgency is now?
Gen. ABIZAID: Well, the insurgency within Iraq is, as George Casey talked about at the congressional testimony, no greater than 1/10th of 1 percent of the population. At the high end, that could be as much as 20,000. I think it's less than that. There's probably about a thousand foreign fighters operating inside of Iraq and there's probably about 60 to 100 coming across the borders primarily from Syria.
SCHIEFFER: General, there's no question that public support for this effort in Iraq is fading in this country. Every poll suggests that. Does that concern you? How important is that?
Gen. ABIZAID: The public support for our troops in the field has always been important. It's always been important especially for American soldiers. They don't want to be looking over their shoulder wondering what folks back home are thinking. They want to know that people understand what we're fighting for, why we're fighting, and how we can win this thing. And it's a challenge for us to be able to talk about this most complicated region, this most complicated war and put it in the common sense necessary for folks back home to talk about it. But it's clear to those of us that are in the middle of it. And sure, you can always find one or two soldiers in the field that might have a different view, but the vast majority of us that are in the middle of it know we are winning and know that it's better for us to fight abroad than to fight at home.
Source: Face The Nation
Quotes:
Gen. ABIZAID: The insurgents are targeting the Iraqi people. They are trying to cause chaos, kill people, grab headlines. Secondarily, they target the Iraqi security forces, and at a lower level, they target American security forces. The idea is to create the impression that we're not making progress, that we're not winning. Yet when I talk to my commanders in the field, as you've talked to many of them, you get a clear sense of progress, of confidence, and what was most encouraging to me in my most recent trip is that Iraqi commanders were confident. They knew that their capabilities were increasing. They were engaging more frequently and steadily in combat. They're not ready to stand alone yet, but they will be.
Gen. ABIZAID: ... I would say that it's clear to me that by the middle of--the early part of spring next year to the summer of next year, you'll see Iraqi security forces move into the lead in the counterinsurgency fight. That doesn't mean that I'm saying we'll come home by then. We'll have to judge how they're doing, how the political process is, how the situation is abroad. Let's face it. You know, we've got a lot of insurgents that are coming over from the Syrian border. They're not pouring across. They're coming across.
SCHIEFFER: Well, who--give us--talk to us a little bit about that. I mean, how many are coming across? How large do we think this insurgency is now?
Gen. ABIZAID: Well, the insurgency within Iraq is, as George Casey talked about at the congressional testimony, no greater than 1/10th of 1 percent of the population. At the high end, that could be as much as 20,000. I think it's less than that. There's probably about a thousand foreign fighters operating inside of Iraq and there's probably about 60 to 100 coming across the borders primarily from Syria.
SCHIEFFER: General, there's no question that public support for this effort in Iraq is fading in this country. Every poll suggests that. Does that concern you? How important is that?
Gen. ABIZAID: The public support for our troops in the field has always been important. It's always been important especially for American soldiers. They don't want to be looking over their shoulder wondering what folks back home are thinking. They want to know that people understand what we're fighting for, why we're fighting, and how we can win this thing. And it's a challenge for us to be able to talk about this most complicated region, this most complicated war and put it in the common sense necessary for folks back home to talk about it. But it's clear to those of us that are in the middle of it. And sure, you can always find one or two soldiers in the field that might have a different view, but the vast majority of us that are in the middle of it know we are winning and know that it's better for us to fight abroad than to fight at home.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Iraqi RhetIraq: Association of Muslim Scholars
Who: Abdul-Salam al-Kubaisi (Sunni leader within AMS)
Source: Juan Cole's Blog
Quotes:
"The previous dialogue between the two parties [Americans and AMS] was very obscure and we don't know whether it was a tactial dialogue or a strategic one."
"The dialogue that we hear of between the dissolved Baath party and the Americans seems different."
"The ground on which the AMS stands in any dialogue is patriotic whereas the Baathists have different choices, including their return to power; the AMS doesn't want any power, but seeks a specific goal that is the withdrawal of occupation forces."
"Al-Chalabi agrees with our position calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops... We told him that we won't join the political process as long as State terror is carried on in al-Qa'im, al-Anbar and Baghdad districts."
"The patriotic camp calling for the withdrawal of occupation forces and for quickly establishing a timetable for their withdrawal has become larger than anytime before."
Source: Juan Cole's Blog
Quotes:
"The previous dialogue between the two parties [Americans and AMS] was very obscure and we don't know whether it was a tactial dialogue or a strategic one."
"The dialogue that we hear of between the dissolved Baath party and the Americans seems different."
"The ground on which the AMS stands in any dialogue is patriotic whereas the Baathists have different choices, including their return to power; the AMS doesn't want any power, but seeks a specific goal that is the withdrawal of occupation forces."
"Al-Chalabi agrees with our position calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops... We told him that we won't join the political process as long as State terror is carried on in al-Qa'im, al-Anbar and Baghdad districts."
"The patriotic camp calling for the withdrawal of occupation forces and for quickly establishing a timetable for their withdrawal has become larger than anytime before."
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Pundit RhetIraq: From the Right-Wing
Who: Karl Zinsmeister (Editor-in-Chief of The American Enterprise)
Source: The American Enterprise Online
Quotes:
I spent lots of time walking both neighborhoods [Haifa Street and Sadr City] this spring—something that would not have been possible a year earlier, when both were active war zones, where tanks poured shells into buildings on a regular basis. Today, the primary work of our soldiers in each area is rebuilding sewers, paving roads, getting buildings repaired and secured, supplying schools and hospitals, getting trash picked up, managing traffic, and encouraging honest local governance.
What the establishment media covering Iraq have utterly failed to make clear today is this central reality: With the exception of periodic flare-ups in isolated corners, our struggle in Iraq as warfare is over. Egregious acts of terror will continue—in Iraq as in many other parts of the world. But there is now no chance whatever of the U.S. losing this critical guerilla war.
Policing and political problem-solving are mostly tasks for Iraqis, not Americans. And the Iraqis are taking them up, often with gusto. I saw much evidence that responsible Iraqis are gradually isolating the small but dangerously nihilistic minority trying to strangle their new society. With each passing month, U.S. forces will more and more become a kind of SWAT team that intervenes only to multiply the force of the emerging Iraqi security forces, and otherwise stays mostly in the background.
Source: The American Enterprise Online
Quotes:
I spent lots of time walking both neighborhoods [Haifa Street and Sadr City] this spring—something that would not have been possible a year earlier, when both were active war zones, where tanks poured shells into buildings on a regular basis. Today, the primary work of our soldiers in each area is rebuilding sewers, paving roads, getting buildings repaired and secured, supplying schools and hospitals, getting trash picked up, managing traffic, and encouraging honest local governance.
What the establishment media covering Iraq have utterly failed to make clear today is this central reality: With the exception of periodic flare-ups in isolated corners, our struggle in Iraq as warfare is over. Egregious acts of terror will continue—in Iraq as in many other parts of the world. But there is now no chance whatever of the U.S. losing this critical guerilla war.
Policing and political problem-solving are mostly tasks for Iraqis, not Americans. And the Iraqis are taking them up, often with gusto. I saw much evidence that responsible Iraqis are gradually isolating the small but dangerously nihilistic minority trying to strangle their new society. With each passing month, U.S. forces will more and more become a kind of SWAT team that intervenes only to multiply the force of the emerging Iraqi security forces, and otherwise stays mostly in the background.
Iraqi RhetIraq: Riverbend Girl
Who: Riverbend Girl
Source: Baghdad Burning Blog
Quotes:
A friend who recently got involved working with an Iraqi subcontractor who takes projects inside of the Green Zone explained that it was more than that. The Green Zone, he told us, is a city in itself. He came back awed, and more than a little bit upset. He talked of designs and plans being made for everything from the future US Embassy and the housing complex that will surround it, to restaurants, shops, fitness centers, gasoline stations, constant electricity and water- a virtual country inside of a country with its own rules, regulations and government. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Republic of the Green Zone, also known as the Green Republic.
“The Americans won’t be out in less than ten years.” Is how the argument often begins with the friend who has entered the Green Republic. “How can you say that?” Is usually my answer- and I begin to throw around numbers- 2007, 2008 maximum… Could they possibly want to be here longer? Can they afford to be here longer? At this, T. shakes his head- if you could see the bases they are planning to build- if you could see what already has been built- you’d know that they are going to be here for quite a while.
The Green Zone is a source of consternation and aggravation for the typical Iraqi. It makes us anxious because it symbolises the heart of the occupation and if fortifications and barricades are any indicator- the occupation is going to be here for a long time. It is a provocation because no matter how anyone tries to explain or justify it, it is like a slap in the face. It tells us that while we are citizens in our own country, our comings and goings are restricted because portions of the country no longer belong to its people. They belong to the people living in the Green Republic.
Source: Baghdad Burning Blog
Quotes:
A friend who recently got involved working with an Iraqi subcontractor who takes projects inside of the Green Zone explained that it was more than that. The Green Zone, he told us, is a city in itself. He came back awed, and more than a little bit upset. He talked of designs and plans being made for everything from the future US Embassy and the housing complex that will surround it, to restaurants, shops, fitness centers, gasoline stations, constant electricity and water- a virtual country inside of a country with its own rules, regulations and government. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Republic of the Green Zone, also known as the Green Republic.
“The Americans won’t be out in less than ten years.” Is how the argument often begins with the friend who has entered the Green Republic. “How can you say that?” Is usually my answer- and I begin to throw around numbers- 2007, 2008 maximum… Could they possibly want to be here longer? Can they afford to be here longer? At this, T. shakes his head- if you could see the bases they are planning to build- if you could see what already has been built- you’d know that they are going to be here for quite a while.
The Green Zone is a source of consternation and aggravation for the typical Iraqi. It makes us anxious because it symbolises the heart of the occupation and if fortifications and barricades are any indicator- the occupation is going to be here for a long time. It is a provocation because no matter how anyone tries to explain or justify it, it is like a slap in the face. It tells us that while we are citizens in our own country, our comings and goings are restricted because portions of the country no longer belong to its people. They belong to the people living in the Green Republic.
British RhetIraq
Who: Britain Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw
Source: Independent UK
Quote: "Two years ago, most Arab states were extremely sceptical about whether there was any chance at all that Iraq - after the military action - would be able to come together to start to form a secure, prosperous and coherent state. I think most of them have been relieved by the progress."
Source: Independent UK
Quote: "Two years ago, most Arab states were extremely sceptical about whether there was any chance at all that Iraq - after the military action - would be able to come together to start to form a secure, prosperous and coherent state. I think most of them have been relieved by the progress."
German RhetIraq
Who: Germany Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer
Source: Independent UK
Quote: "A democratic process is taking place that is vital for us, whether you were against the war or not."
Source: Independent UK
Quote: "A democratic process is taking place that is vital for us, whether you were against the war or not."
Military RhetIraq: US 42nd Infantry
Who: Major General Joseph Taluto (commander of the 42nd Infantry Division)
Source: Boston Globe and GulfNews.com (Article entitled, "'Good and honest' Iraqis fighting US forces")
Quotes:
BOSTON GLOBE:
Taluto acknowledged that the Iraqis suffered from a lack of equipment and manpower, but he predicted that, at least in his area of operation, the US military would meet its goal of having battalion-level units operating independently by the fall.
''I can tell you, making assessments, I think we're on target," Taluto said in an interview.
GULFNEWS.COM
"If a good, honest person feels having all these Humvees driving on the road, having us moving people out of the way, having us patrol the streets, having car bombs going off, you can understand how they could [want to fight us]."
"There is a sense of a good resistance, or an accepted resistance. They say 'okay, if you shoot a coalition soldier, that's okay, it's not a bad thing but you shouldn't kill other Iraqis.'"
"I think there is a small core of foreign fighters. I don't know how big that is but there is some kind of capability here, and it's being replenished.
"Then there is a group of former regime personnel they're the facilitators. They make all the communications, move the money, they enable things to happen. Their goal isn't the same as the foreign fighters but they're using them to do what they want to do.
"Then we have the foot soldiers. Some are doing it for the money. Some are doing it because they're offended by our presence and believe we are a threat to their way of life. There are various levels."
He added: "Who knows how big these networks are, or how widespread? I know it's substantial enough to be a threat to the government and it will be for some time."
General Taluto said "99.9 per cent" of those captured fighting the US were Iraqis, but was also adamant most people in Iraq wanted a free, democratic and independent country.
Source: Boston Globe and GulfNews.com (Article entitled, "'Good and honest' Iraqis fighting US forces")
Quotes:
BOSTON GLOBE:
Taluto acknowledged that the Iraqis suffered from a lack of equipment and manpower, but he predicted that, at least in his area of operation, the US military would meet its goal of having battalion-level units operating independently by the fall.
''I can tell you, making assessments, I think we're on target," Taluto said in an interview.
GULFNEWS.COM
"If a good, honest person feels having all these Humvees driving on the road, having us moving people out of the way, having us patrol the streets, having car bombs going off, you can understand how they could [want to fight us]."
"There is a sense of a good resistance, or an accepted resistance. They say 'okay, if you shoot a coalition soldier, that's okay, it's not a bad thing but you shouldn't kill other Iraqis.'"
"I think there is a small core of foreign fighters. I don't know how big that is but there is some kind of capability here, and it's being replenished.
"Then there is a group of former regime personnel they're the facilitators. They make all the communications, move the money, they enable things to happen. Their goal isn't the same as the foreign fighters but they're using them to do what they want to do.
"Then we have the foot soldiers. Some are doing it for the money. Some are doing it because they're offended by our presence and believe we are a threat to their way of life. There are various levels."
He added: "Who knows how big these networks are, or how widespread? I know it's substantial enough to be a threat to the government and it will be for some time."
General Taluto said "99.9 per cent" of those captured fighting the US were Iraqis, but was also adamant most people in Iraq wanted a free, democratic and independent country.
Military RhetIraq: Troops Working with Iraq's Charlie Company
Who: US Troops; Sgt. Rick McGovern & First Lieutenant Kenrick Cato
Iraqi Troops: Private Amar Mana & Corporal Ahmed Zwayid
Source: Boston Globe
Quotes:
''We can't tell these guys [Iraqi Security Forces] about a lot of this stuff [where they are going on a mission] because we're not really sure who's good and who isn't," said Rick McGovern, 37, a tough-talking platoon sergeant from Hershey, Pa., who heads the military training for Charlie Company.
''We're handling everything with kid gloves because we're hoping the Iraqis are going to step up and start taking things on themselves," McGovern said. ''But they don't have a clue how to do it." Asked when he thought the Iraqi soldiers might be ready to operate independently, McGovern said: ''Honestly, there's part of me that says never. There's some cultural issues that I don't think they'll ever get through."
''I know the party line. You know, the Department of Defense, the US Army, five-star generals, four-star generals, President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld: the Iraqis will be ready in whatever time period," said First Lieutenant Kenrick Cato, 34, of Long Island, N.Y., the executive officer of McGovern's company. ''But from the ground, I can say with certainty they won't be ready before I leave," he said. ''And I know I'll be back in Iraq, probably in three or four years. And I don't think they'll be ready then."
"We don't want to take responsibility; we don't want it," said Amar Mana, 27, an Iraqi private. ''Here, no way. The way the situation is, we wouldn't be ready to take responsibility for a thousand years."
''We fire 10 bullets and it [issued AK47] falls apart," he [Corporal Ahmed Zwayid] said. Zwayid patted a heavy machine gun mounted in the bed of the Humvee. ''This jams," he said. ''Are these the weapons worthy of a soldier?" He and others said it was a sign of the US lack of confidence in them." "We trust the Americans. We go everywhere with them, we do what they ask," he said. ''But they don't trust us."
Iraqi Troops: Private Amar Mana & Corporal Ahmed Zwayid
Source: Boston Globe
Quotes:
''We can't tell these guys [Iraqi Security Forces] about a lot of this stuff [where they are going on a mission] because we're not really sure who's good and who isn't," said Rick McGovern, 37, a tough-talking platoon sergeant from Hershey, Pa., who heads the military training for Charlie Company.
''We're handling everything with kid gloves because we're hoping the Iraqis are going to step up and start taking things on themselves," McGovern said. ''But they don't have a clue how to do it." Asked when he thought the Iraqi soldiers might be ready to operate independently, McGovern said: ''Honestly, there's part of me that says never. There's some cultural issues that I don't think they'll ever get through."
''I know the party line. You know, the Department of Defense, the US Army, five-star generals, four-star generals, President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld: the Iraqis will be ready in whatever time period," said First Lieutenant Kenrick Cato, 34, of Long Island, N.Y., the executive officer of McGovern's company. ''But from the ground, I can say with certainty they won't be ready before I leave," he said. ''And I know I'll be back in Iraq, probably in three or four years. And I don't think they'll be ready then."
"We don't want to take responsibility; we don't want it," said Amar Mana, 27, an Iraqi private. ''Here, no way. The way the situation is, we wouldn't be ready to take responsibility for a thousand years."
''We fire 10 bullets and it [issued AK47] falls apart," he [Corporal Ahmed Zwayid] said. Zwayid patted a heavy machine gun mounted in the bed of the Humvee. ''This jams," he said. ''Are these the weapons worthy of a soldier?" He and others said it was a sign of the US lack of confidence in them." "We trust the Americans. We go everywhere with them, we do what they ask," he said. ''But they don't trust us."
Presidential RhetIraq: PM al-Jaafari
Who: Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari
Source: MSNBC - Hardball with David Gregory
Quote:
GREGORY: Vice President Cheney said a few days ago that he thinks the insurgency is in its final throes. Do you agree with that?
AL-JAAFARI: Indeed. It's true. We do not call them insurgents. We call them terrorists. Because that's what they do. They carry out acts of terrorism against innocent people, men, women and children and it is true that with the help of friends and with the support of our friends and with our securing our borders, we will very soon defeat terrorism.
GREGORY: You're going to meet with President Bush tomorrow at the White
House. What will you ask him for?
AL-JAAFARI: First of all, we have to say that as a result of the increasing security operation, the terrorist element has greatly reduced and Iraq is much more secure and safe now. As far as my meeting with President Bush, from a position of mutual self-respect I will ask President Bush to help us in our plight, the help the Iraqi people — anything that benefits the Iraqi people I will ask of him.
Source: MSNBC - Hardball with David Gregory
Quote:
GREGORY: Vice President Cheney said a few days ago that he thinks the insurgency is in its final throes. Do you agree with that?
AL-JAAFARI: Indeed. It's true. We do not call them insurgents. We call them terrorists. Because that's what they do. They carry out acts of terrorism against innocent people, men, women and children and it is true that with the help of friends and with the support of our friends and with our securing our borders, we will very soon defeat terrorism.
GREGORY: You're going to meet with President Bush tomorrow at the White
House. What will you ask him for?
AL-JAAFARI: First of all, we have to say that as a result of the increasing security operation, the terrorist element has greatly reduced and Iraq is much more secure and safe now. As far as my meeting with President Bush, from a position of mutual self-respect I will ask President Bush to help us in our plight, the help the Iraqi people — anything that benefits the Iraqi people I will ask of him.
Bush Admin RhetIraq: V.P. Cheney
Who: Vice Pres. Dick Cheney
Source: CNN - Wolf Blitzer Interview
Quote:
BLITZER: The commander of the U.S. Military Central Command, Gen. John Abizaid has been testifying on Capitol Hill.
CHENEY: Right.
BLITZER: He says that the insurgency now is at a strength undiminished as it was six months ago, and he says there are actually more foreign fighters in Iraq now than there were six months ago. That doesn't sound like the last throes.
CHENEY: No, I would disagree. If you look at what the dictionary says about throes, it can still be a violent period -- the throes of a revolution. The point would be that the conflict will be intense, but it's intense because the terrorists understand if we're successful at accomplishing our objective, standing up a democracy in Iraq, that that's a huge defeat for them. They'll do everything they can to stop it.
When you look back at World War II, the toughest battle, at the most difficult battles, both in Europe and in the Pacific, occurred just a few months before the end, the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and Okinawa in the spring of 1945. And I see this as a similar situation, where they're going to go all out.
They'll do everything they can to disrupt that process, but I think we're strong enough to defeat them. And I think the process itself of establishing a democracy and a viable security force for the Iraqis will, in fact, signal the end, if you will, for the terrorists inside Iraq.
Source: CNN - Wolf Blitzer Interview
Quote:
BLITZER: The commander of the U.S. Military Central Command, Gen. John Abizaid has been testifying on Capitol Hill.
CHENEY: Right.
BLITZER: He says that the insurgency now is at a strength undiminished as it was six months ago, and he says there are actually more foreign fighters in Iraq now than there were six months ago. That doesn't sound like the last throes.
CHENEY: No, I would disagree. If you look at what the dictionary says about throes, it can still be a violent period -- the throes of a revolution. The point would be that the conflict will be intense, but it's intense because the terrorists understand if we're successful at accomplishing our objective, standing up a democracy in Iraq, that that's a huge defeat for them. They'll do everything they can to stop it.
When you look back at World War II, the toughest battle, at the most difficult battles, both in Europe and in the Pacific, occurred just a few months before the end, the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and Okinawa in the spring of 1945. And I see this as a similar situation, where they're going to go all out.
They'll do everything they can to disrupt that process, but I think we're strong enough to defeat them. And I think the process itself of establishing a democracy and a viable security force for the Iraqis will, in fact, signal the end, if you will, for the terrorists inside Iraq.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Republican RhetIraq: Rep. Delay
Who: Rep. Tom Delay (R-Tex)
Source: Sen. Biden's Congressional Site - Transcript of Brookings Institute Q & A
Quotes:
QUESTION: Thank you. Senator, in his pen and pad briefing this morning, House Majority Leader DeLay said, regarding Iraq, that, "The strategy is working. It's an incredibly fast schedule. Nobody gives anyone any credit. The quality of life and the economy is improving every day."
And he went on to say that, "Everyone that comes back from Iraq is amazed at the difference they see on the ground and they see on their TV sets."
Could you address why the House majority leader would have such a different view of what's going on in Iraq from you?
BIDEN: No.
Source: Sen. Biden's Congressional Site - Transcript of Brookings Institute Q & A
Quotes:
QUESTION: Thank you. Senator, in his pen and pad briefing this morning, House Majority Leader DeLay said, regarding Iraq, that, "The strategy is working. It's an incredibly fast schedule. Nobody gives anyone any credit. The quality of life and the economy is improving every day."
And he went on to say that, "Everyone that comes back from Iraq is amazed at the difference they see on the ground and they see on their TV sets."
Could you address why the House majority leader would have such a different view of what's going on in Iraq from you?
BIDEN: No.
Democrat RhetIraq: Sen. Biden
Who: Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del)
Source: Senator Biden's Congressional Site - Speech @ Brookings: A New Compact for Iraq
Quotes:
There is a credibility gap, a credibility gap that exists between the rhetoric the American people are hearing and the reality of what is happening on the ground. That does not mean the gap cannot be closed, but absent closing that gap, the American people are not, in my view, going to be prepared to give the president the support and time he needs to get it right in Iraq.
First, the insurgency remains as bad as it was a year ago, but more jihadists are coming across the Iraqi border, and they are an increasingly lethal part of the problem.
Insurgent attacks are back up between 60 and 70 per week. Car bombs now average 30 a week, up from just one a week in January of 2004.
In the seven weeks since the Iraqi government has been seated, more than 1,000 people have been killed.
The good news is -- and there is some good news -- but the good news is that some disgruntled Sunnis are finally beginning to make the switch from violence to politics.
The bad news is, a whole lot of them are not.
Our forces go out and clean out towns. But then they move to the next hornet's nest. They lack the resources to lead a strong residual force behind to prevent the insurgents from returning to and intimidating the fence-sitters who are too afraid to take a chance on behalf of the government.
I heard, with every general and every flight officer with whom I spoke about the inability to mount a serious counterinsurgency effort.
Second, Iraqi security forces are very gradually improving. But they are still no match for the insurgents without significant coalition support.
Right now, there are 107 battalions in uniform being trained by us.
Three of those are fully capable. Translated: It means they can do the job without any Americans hanging around with them. They can do the job.
Somewhere around 27 are somewhat capable, meaning they can do the job but backed up by a significant American presence -- backed up by.
The rest are in varying degrees of ability to be able to in any way enhance the security circumstance with American forces.
And I would note parenthetically again, there has been a rapid change since my last trip. Now everybody is essentially sanctified – or sanctified's the wrong word -- maybe for Iraq it's not -- but has essentially acknowledged the permanency, at least in the initial stages, of the Badr Brigade and the peshmerga. Remember, they were going to be integrated into the army, not as units, but on a personal basis.
Fourth, the reconstruction program in Iraq has thus far been a disaster.
Remember the $18.4 billion that Congress appropriated at the urgent request of the president of the United States in the fall of '03, for which I helped floor manage and took on the responsibility, along with others to push hard, because I believe there is a nexus between the reconstruction and the physical safety and possible success of our military in the region.
Just $6 billion of that $18.4 billion has been spent.
And 40 percent of that has been allocated to rebuilding Iraqi security forces because of our lack of truth and advertising in the budget in asking directly for that money for that purpose.
Of the $3.5 billion or so actually spent on reconstruction, between 25 percent and 40 percent of the reconstruction dollars has gone to provide security for those jobs.
We have repeatedly missed the deadlines for increasing power, oil production. As temperatures approach 120 degrees in the third summer since Saddam's statue came down, Iraqis still have only about eight hours a day of electricity and almost half do not have regular access to clean water. And most estimates place unemployment above 40 percent.
Fifth, the Iraqi government has very little capacity and very limited reach beyond the green zone. In the absence of governmental authority, insurgents, foreign fighters, neighbors like Iran and Syria, criminals and other opportunists are filling the breach.
In short, I did not come away with the impression that the insurgency was, as the vice president of the United States suggested, in its last throes.
And unlike the president of the United States, I am not, quote, "pleased with the progress," end of quote, we're making, as I recently saw it and as he recently put it.
The disconnect between the administration's rhetoric and the reality on the ground has opened not just a credibility gap, but a credibility chasm. Standing right in the middle of that chasm are 139,000 American troops, some of them -- some of them -- on their third tour.
This disconnect, I believe, is fueling cynicism that is undermining the single most important weapon we need to give our troops to be able to do their job, and that is the unyielding support of the American people.
But I believe we have a shot, a serious shot, we have still a chance to succeed in Iraq. And I also believe that the future, if it results in failure, will be a disaster.
I want to see the president of the United States succeed in Iraq. It is necessary for the president to succeed in Iraq. His success is America's success, and his failure is America's failure.
And let me state to you what I think the options are. The options are basically four.
First, we can stick with the status quo and try to muddle through. I think that is a prescription for failure. It is not working now and nothing leads me to believe that it can work.
Second, we can call it quits and withdraw. I think that would be a gigantic mistake for the reasons I stated earlier.
Or we can set a deadline for pulling out which I fear will only encourage our enemies to wait us out -- equally a mistake.
Third, we can limit our losses -- which may end up being our only option, if we don't do the right thing in the near term. We may limit our losses by manipulating the emerging balance of power in Iraq and throwing our weight behind the Kurds and the Shia.
I recommended -- not presumptuously, but in response to a question -- I recommended to the administration the president address the nation in prime time on Iraq sooner than later in order to be able to keep the American people in the deal.
I was pleased to learn that the president is planning to speak to the American people on Iraq in the days ahead. I hope he will take the opportunity to level with the American people about what is at stake, what still we have to do to achieve, what is our goal and how we plan to achieve it.
Most importantly, I hope the president will demonstrate that he has heard the concerns of the American people and that he is taking significant steps not to stay the course, but to correct the course.
Tell them [the American public] the truth, tell them what you need, tell them how hard it will be, and they, if they believe you're leveling with them, will give you the resources to have a shot at getting it done.
Fail to do that and they will leave you, not because of the deaths, as tragic as they are, but, in my view, because they will have concluded that there is not a plan, there is not a plan for success.
We also need to make real policy changes on the ground in four key areas: security, governance and politics, reconstruction and burden-sharing.
My conviction, ladies and gentlemen, that we can still succeed in Iraq, is at the heart of my call today for a new compact between the president and Congress to regain the trust of the American people because, mark my words, if we do not regain that trust, it will be virtually impossible to succeed.
It's late in the day, folks, but it's not too late. If the president agrees to this new compact, if he makes important political changes at home as well as the policy on the ground, if he levels with us and presents a clear strategy for Iraq, then I believe the American people will respond and give him the support and the time he needs to prevail.
For I know of no one I've met in the rosiest, rosiest of all projections suggest that any less than a year, any less than a year is needed -- and most of the estimates from very realistic people on the ground is that it will be considerably more than that.
We need the time. We need the American people. We must level with them.
I can't imagine it being less than two years, if all goes well, before we essentially can say we're out of Iraq.
Source: Senator Biden's Congressional Site - Speech @ Brookings: A New Compact for Iraq
Quotes:
There is a credibility gap, a credibility gap that exists between the rhetoric the American people are hearing and the reality of what is happening on the ground. That does not mean the gap cannot be closed, but absent closing that gap, the American people are not, in my view, going to be prepared to give the president the support and time he needs to get it right in Iraq.
First, the insurgency remains as bad as it was a year ago, but more jihadists are coming across the Iraqi border, and they are an increasingly lethal part of the problem.
Insurgent attacks are back up between 60 and 70 per week. Car bombs now average 30 a week, up from just one a week in January of 2004.
In the seven weeks since the Iraqi government has been seated, more than 1,000 people have been killed.
The good news is -- and there is some good news -- but the good news is that some disgruntled Sunnis are finally beginning to make the switch from violence to politics.
The bad news is, a whole lot of them are not.
Our forces go out and clean out towns. But then they move to the next hornet's nest. They lack the resources to lead a strong residual force behind to prevent the insurgents from returning to and intimidating the fence-sitters who are too afraid to take a chance on behalf of the government.
I heard, with every general and every flight officer with whom I spoke about the inability to mount a serious counterinsurgency effort.
Second, Iraqi security forces are very gradually improving. But they are still no match for the insurgents without significant coalition support.
Right now, there are 107 battalions in uniform being trained by us.
Three of those are fully capable. Translated: It means they can do the job without any Americans hanging around with them. They can do the job.
Somewhere around 27 are somewhat capable, meaning they can do the job but backed up by a significant American presence -- backed up by.
The rest are in varying degrees of ability to be able to in any way enhance the security circumstance with American forces.
And I would note parenthetically again, there has been a rapid change since my last trip. Now everybody is essentially sanctified – or sanctified's the wrong word -- maybe for Iraq it's not -- but has essentially acknowledged the permanency, at least in the initial stages, of the Badr Brigade and the peshmerga. Remember, they were going to be integrated into the army, not as units, but on a personal basis.
Fourth, the reconstruction program in Iraq has thus far been a disaster.
Remember the $18.4 billion that Congress appropriated at the urgent request of the president of the United States in the fall of '03, for which I helped floor manage and took on the responsibility, along with others to push hard, because I believe there is a nexus between the reconstruction and the physical safety and possible success of our military in the region.
Just $6 billion of that $18.4 billion has been spent.
And 40 percent of that has been allocated to rebuilding Iraqi security forces because of our lack of truth and advertising in the budget in asking directly for that money for that purpose.
Of the $3.5 billion or so actually spent on reconstruction, between 25 percent and 40 percent of the reconstruction dollars has gone to provide security for those jobs.
We have repeatedly missed the deadlines for increasing power, oil production. As temperatures approach 120 degrees in the third summer since Saddam's statue came down, Iraqis still have only about eight hours a day of electricity and almost half do not have regular access to clean water. And most estimates place unemployment above 40 percent.
Fifth, the Iraqi government has very little capacity and very limited reach beyond the green zone. In the absence of governmental authority, insurgents, foreign fighters, neighbors like Iran and Syria, criminals and other opportunists are filling the breach.
In short, I did not come away with the impression that the insurgency was, as the vice president of the United States suggested, in its last throes.
And unlike the president of the United States, I am not, quote, "pleased with the progress," end of quote, we're making, as I recently saw it and as he recently put it.
The disconnect between the administration's rhetoric and the reality on the ground has opened not just a credibility gap, but a credibility chasm. Standing right in the middle of that chasm are 139,000 American troops, some of them -- some of them -- on their third tour.
This disconnect, I believe, is fueling cynicism that is undermining the single most important weapon we need to give our troops to be able to do their job, and that is the unyielding support of the American people.
But I believe we have a shot, a serious shot, we have still a chance to succeed in Iraq. And I also believe that the future, if it results in failure, will be a disaster.
I want to see the president of the United States succeed in Iraq. It is necessary for the president to succeed in Iraq. His success is America's success, and his failure is America's failure.
And let me state to you what I think the options are. The options are basically four.
First, we can stick with the status quo and try to muddle through. I think that is a prescription for failure. It is not working now and nothing leads me to believe that it can work.
Second, we can call it quits and withdraw. I think that would be a gigantic mistake for the reasons I stated earlier.
Or we can set a deadline for pulling out which I fear will only encourage our enemies to wait us out -- equally a mistake.
Third, we can limit our losses -- which may end up being our only option, if we don't do the right thing in the near term. We may limit our losses by manipulating the emerging balance of power in Iraq and throwing our weight behind the Kurds and the Shia.
I recommended -- not presumptuously, but in response to a question -- I recommended to the administration the president address the nation in prime time on Iraq sooner than later in order to be able to keep the American people in the deal.
I was pleased to learn that the president is planning to speak to the American people on Iraq in the days ahead. I hope he will take the opportunity to level with the American people about what is at stake, what still we have to do to achieve, what is our goal and how we plan to achieve it.
Most importantly, I hope the president will demonstrate that he has heard the concerns of the American people and that he is taking significant steps not to stay the course, but to correct the course.
Tell them [the American public] the truth, tell them what you need, tell them how hard it will be, and they, if they believe you're leveling with them, will give you the resources to have a shot at getting it done.
Fail to do that and they will leave you, not because of the deaths, as tragic as they are, but, in my view, because they will have concluded that there is not a plan, there is not a plan for success.
We also need to make real policy changes on the ground in four key areas: security, governance and politics, reconstruction and burden-sharing.
My conviction, ladies and gentlemen, that we can still succeed in Iraq, is at the heart of my call today for a new compact between the president and Congress to regain the trust of the American people because, mark my words, if we do not regain that trust, it will be virtually impossible to succeed.
It's late in the day, folks, but it's not too late. If the president agrees to this new compact, if he makes important political changes at home as well as the policy on the ground, if he levels with us and presents a clear strategy for Iraq, then I believe the American people will respond and give him the support and the time he needs to prevail.
For I know of no one I've met in the rosiest, rosiest of all projections suggest that any less than a year, any less than a year is needed -- and most of the estimates from very realistic people on the ground is that it will be considerably more than that.
We need the time. We need the American people. We must level with them.
I can't imagine it being less than two years, if all goes well, before we essentially can say we're out of Iraq.
Presidential RhetIraq: Pres. Bush
Who: Pres. George W. Bush
Source: Findlaw - Transcript of Joint Press Availability
Quotes:
Q: Mr. President, we were told that you planned to sharpen your focus on Iraq. Why did this become necessary? And given the recent surge in violence, do you agree with Vice President Dick Cheney's assessment that the insurgency is in its last throes?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Adam, I think about Iraq every day -- every single day -- because I understand we have troops in harm's way, and I understand how dangerous it is there. And the reason it's dangerous is because there's these cold-blooded killers that will kill Americans or kill innocent Iraqis in order to try to drive us out of Iraq. I spoke to our commanders today -- Commander Abizaid today, and will be speaking to General Casey here this week, getting an assessment as to how we're proceeding. We're making progress toward the goal, which is, on the one hand, a political process moving forward in Iraq, and on the other hand, the Iraqis capable of defending themselves. And the report from the field is that while it's tough, more and more Iraqis are becoming battle-hardened and trained to defend themselves. And that's exactly the strategy that's going to work. And it is going to work. And we will -- we will complete this mission for the sake of world peace.
And so, you know, I think about this every day, every single day, and will continue thinking about it, because I understand we've got kids in harm's way. And I worry about their families; and I obviously, any time there's a death, I grieve. But I want those families to know, one, we're not going to leave them -- not going to allow their mission to go in vain; and, two, we will complete the mission and the world will be better off for it.
Source: Findlaw - Transcript of Joint Press Availability
Quotes:
Q: Mr. President, we were told that you planned to sharpen your focus on Iraq. Why did this become necessary? And given the recent surge in violence, do you agree with Vice President Dick Cheney's assessment that the insurgency is in its last throes?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Adam, I think about Iraq every day -- every single day -- because I understand we have troops in harm's way, and I understand how dangerous it is there. And the reason it's dangerous is because there's these cold-blooded killers that will kill Americans or kill innocent Iraqis in order to try to drive us out of Iraq. I spoke to our commanders today -- Commander Abizaid today, and will be speaking to General Casey here this week, getting an assessment as to how we're proceeding. We're making progress toward the goal, which is, on the one hand, a political process moving forward in Iraq, and on the other hand, the Iraqis capable of defending themselves. And the report from the field is that while it's tough, more and more Iraqis are becoming battle-hardened and trained to defend themselves. And that's exactly the strategy that's going to work. And it is going to work. And we will -- we will complete this mission for the sake of world peace.
And so, you know, I think about this every day, every single day, and will continue thinking about it, because I understand we've got kids in harm's way. And I worry about their families; and I obviously, any time there's a death, I grieve. But I want those families to know, one, we're not going to leave them -- not going to allow their mission to go in vain; and, two, we will complete the mission and the world will be better off for it.
Republican RhetIraq: Sen. McCain
Who: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Source: Meet The Press Transcript
Quotes:
McCAIN: It's a hard slog, Tim. And we've made serious mistakes. And we're paying a price for those mistakes. And I would hasten to add in every conflict we make mistakes. The key is to fix it.
RUSSERT: Do you believe the insurgency is in its last throes?
McCAIN: No, but I do believe that there are some signs, which can be viewed as hopeful. More and more of the activities we're seeing are coming from foreign people, Saudis and others, who have come into the country. There is a better training and equipping program of the Iraqi military. We've got one of our best generals, General Petreus, doing that. There is now an agreement--we have to bring the Sunnis into this constitution-forming convention, and that's important. People were frustrated by the delay after the elections to the formation of a government. But, overall, I think there are some hopeful signs. But what I think we should do, Tim, is wait until we achieve the successes, then celebrate them, rather than predict them. Because too often that prediction has not proven to be true. And that kind of--that's what affects, I think, American public opinion.
I don't think Americans believe that we should cut and run out of Iraq by any stretch of the imagination. But I think they also would like to be told, in reality, what's going on and, by the way, I think part of that is it's going to be, at least, a couple more years.
RUSSERT: A couple more years.
McCAIN: At least.
RUSSERT: Do you see a return of the draft?
McCAIN: No.
MR. RUSSERT: Never?
McCAIN: I don't. No.
MR. RUSSERT: Bottom line: What should President Bush say to the country about Iraq right now
SEN. McCAIN: "It's going to be a long, hard slog. And I'm asking for your patience. [deleted excerpt] We will stay the course and we will do whatever is necessary in order to succeed."
Source: Meet The Press Transcript
Quotes:
McCAIN: It's a hard slog, Tim. And we've made serious mistakes. And we're paying a price for those mistakes. And I would hasten to add in every conflict we make mistakes. The key is to fix it.
RUSSERT: Do you believe the insurgency is in its last throes?
McCAIN: No, but I do believe that there are some signs, which can be viewed as hopeful. More and more of the activities we're seeing are coming from foreign people, Saudis and others, who have come into the country. There is a better training and equipping program of the Iraqi military. We've got one of our best generals, General Petreus, doing that. There is now an agreement--we have to bring the Sunnis into this constitution-forming convention, and that's important. People were frustrated by the delay after the elections to the formation of a government. But, overall, I think there are some hopeful signs. But what I think we should do, Tim, is wait until we achieve the successes, then celebrate them, rather than predict them. Because too often that prediction has not proven to be true. And that kind of--that's what affects, I think, American public opinion.
I don't think Americans believe that we should cut and run out of Iraq by any stretch of the imagination. But I think they also would like to be told, in reality, what's going on and, by the way, I think part of that is it's going to be, at least, a couple more years.
RUSSERT: A couple more years.
McCAIN: At least.
RUSSERT: Do you see a return of the draft?
McCAIN: No.
MR. RUSSERT: Never?
McCAIN: I don't. No.
MR. RUSSERT: Bottom line: What should President Bush say to the country about Iraq right now
SEN. McCAIN: "It's going to be a long, hard slog. And I'm asking for your patience. [deleted excerpt] We will stay the course and we will do whatever is necessary in order to succeed."
Military RhetIraq - Brig. Gen. Alston
Who: Brig. Gen. Donald Alston (Chief Military spokesman in Iraq)
Source: Seattle Times
Quote: "This insurgency is not going to be settled — the terrorists and the terrorism in Iraq is not going to be settled — through military options or military operations," Brig. Gen. Donald Alston, the chief military spokesman in Iraq, told Knight Ridder earlier this month. "It's going to be settled in the political process."
Source: Seattle Times
Quote: "This insurgency is not going to be settled — the terrorists and the terrorism in Iraq is not going to be settled — through military options or military operations," Brig. Gen. Donald Alston, the chief military spokesman in Iraq, told Knight Ridder earlier this month. "It's going to be settled in the political process."
Republican RhetIraq: Rep. Jones
Who: Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-NC)
Source: Rep. Jones' Congressional Site - Congressman Jones' Statement on Iraq
Quotes: "What I do support is a public discussion of our goals and the future of our military involvement in that country. The resolution I am co-sponsoring will do no more than call on the President to set a plan and a date to begin reducing the number of troops we have in Iraq. It does not in any way, shape or form set a date certain for complete withdrawal."
"... we need a plan to begin a gradual reduction of our presence in Iraq so that our military, which is the most potent fighting force in the world, is ready to address these other threats."
Source: Rep. Jones' Congressional Site - Congressman Jones' Statement on Iraq
Quotes: "What I do support is a public discussion of our goals and the future of our military involvement in that country. The resolution I am co-sponsoring will do no more than call on the President to set a plan and a date to begin reducing the number of troops we have in Iraq. It does not in any way, shape or form set a date certain for complete withdrawal."
"... we need a plan to begin a gradual reduction of our presence in Iraq so that our military, which is the most potent fighting force in the world, is ready to address these other threats."
Republican RhetIraq - Rep. Paul
Who: Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex)
Source: Rep. Paul's Congressional Site - Rebutting the Critics of the Iraq Withdrawal Resolution
Quotes: "A plausible argument can be made that the guerillas are inspired by our presence in Iraq, which to them seems endless. Iraqi deaths, whether through direct U.S. military action, collateral damage, or Iraqis killing Iraqis, serve to inspire an even greater number of Iraqis to join the insurgency. Because we are in charge, we are blamed for all the deaths."
"Continuing to justify our presence in Iraq because we must punish those responsible for 9/11 is disingenuous to say the least. We are sadly now at greater risk than before 9/11. We refuse to deal with our own borders while chastising the Syrians for not securing their borders with Iraq. An end game needs to be in place, and the American people deserve to know exactly what that plan is. They are the ones who must send their sons and daughters off to war and pay the bills when they come due."
Source: Rep. Paul's Congressional Site - Rebutting the Critics of the Iraq Withdrawal Resolution
Quotes: "A plausible argument can be made that the guerillas are inspired by our presence in Iraq, which to them seems endless. Iraqi deaths, whether through direct U.S. military action, collateral damage, or Iraqis killing Iraqis, serve to inspire an even greater number of Iraqis to join the insurgency. Because we are in charge, we are blamed for all the deaths."
"Continuing to justify our presence in Iraq because we must punish those responsible for 9/11 is disingenuous to say the least. We are sadly now at greater risk than before 9/11. We refuse to deal with our own borders while chastising the Syrians for not securing their borders with Iraq. An end game needs to be in place, and the American people deserve to know exactly what that plan is. They are the ones who must send their sons and daughters off to war and pay the bills when they come due."
Republican RhetIraq: Sen. Hagel
Who: Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb)
Source: U.S. News and World Report
Quotes: "Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality," Hagel tells U.S. News. "It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq."
"I got beat up pretty good by my own party and the White House that I was not a loyal Republican," he says. Today, he notes, things are changing: "More and more of my colleagues up here are concerned."
"If things don't start to turn around in six months, then it may be too late," says Hagel. "I think it's that serious."
Source: U.S. News and World Report
Quotes: "Things aren't getting better; they're getting worse. The White House is completely disconnected from reality," Hagel tells U.S. News. "It's like they're just making it up as they go along. The reality is that we're losing in Iraq."
"I got beat up pretty good by my own party and the White House that I was not a loyal Republican," he says. Today, he notes, things are changing: "More and more of my colleagues up here are concerned."
"If things don't start to turn around in six months, then it may be too late," says Hagel. "I think it's that serious."
Republican RhetIraq - Sen. Graham
Who: Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC)
Source: Newsweek Periscope
Quote: "We're going to lose this war if we don't watch it." South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, on why the public, Congress and the courts need to "buy in" on holding Guantanamo Bay detainees indefinitely.
Source: Newsweek Periscope
Quote: "We're going to lose this war if we don't watch it." South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, on why the public, Congress and the courts need to "buy in" on holding Guantanamo Bay detainees indefinitely.
Bush Admin RhetIraq - Sec. Rice
Who: Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice
Source: NY Times - "International Donors Pledge to Step Up Their Efforts to Provide Financial Aid for Iraq"
Quote: Secretary Rice assured attendees that despite news reports focusing on violence and instability, Iraq was "well on its way to democracy" and had "exceeded our expectations" in restoring political order.
Source: NY Times - "International Donors Pledge to Step Up Their Efforts to Provide Financial Aid for Iraq"
Quote: Secretary Rice assured attendees that despite news reports focusing on violence and instability, Iraq was "well on its way to democracy" and had "exceeded our expectations" in restoring political order.
It's Alive!
Thanks to the war/occupation of Iraq, I've managed to become a news junkie. Life was so much simpler when all I worried about was the next hiking trail and how well my fantasy baseball team is doing. Today I subscribe to several daily email news services and typically scour the internet for more each day. In doing so, it is inevitable that I encounter the rhetoric of how well or how badly the war in Iraq, and the war on terror, is. I thought it would be interesting to start cataloguing comments - preserving them for posterity sake - in an effort to provide a history that someday may even become interesting. So, along with other miscellaneous thoughts ... let this blog come alive.
