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borgslayer
Rear Admiral
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 2646
Location: Las Vegas
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 Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:11 pm Bush: More to Iraq story than violence |
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| Quote: | Bush: More to Iraq story than violence
Monday, March 20, 2006; Posted: 1:51 p.m. EST (18:51 GMT)
CLEVELAND, Ohio (CNN) -- In the face of flagging support for the Iraq war, President Bush said Monday that while Americans might be dismayed by events in Iraq, he sees signs of progress.
"The situation on the ground remains tense," Bush told an audience at the City Club of Cleveland. "In the face of continued reports about killings and reprisals, I understand how some Americans have had their confidence shaken.
"Others look at the violence they see each night on their television screens, and they wonder how I can remain so optimistic about the prospects of success in Iraq. They wonder what I see that they don't."
He said video of children playing safely or shops opening will never be as dramatic as the footage of an explosion or of bodies.
The president cited the northern city of Tal Afar, once an insurgent stronghold.
"The savagery of the terrorists and insurgents who controlled Tal Afar is really hard for Americans to imagine," Bush said. "They enforced their rule through fear and intimidation, and women and children were not spared."
The president said Iraqi troops took the lead in the retaking and rebuilding of the city.
"In this city, we see the outlines of the Iraq that we and the Iraqi people have been fighting for," Bush said. "A free and secure people are getting back on their feet ... are participating in government and civic life."
The president was making the second of a series of speeches to highlight what he says is progress in Iraq.
A prominent Democrat said Monday that Bush, instead of making speeches, should concentrate on putting more pressure on Iraqi officials to form a government.
"If his war fails, then America is hurt, America fails," said Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware.
On Sunday, the president made a brief statement at the White House, saying he was optimistic the U.S. strategy in Iraq is working.
"And a victory in Iraq will make this country more secure and will help lay the foundation of peace for generations to come," he told reporters.
Bush hailed the political process, which diplomats and military officials have said is key to defeating the Iraqi insurgency.
"The Iraqi people voted for democracy last December -- 75 percent of the eligible citizens went to the polls to vote," he said. "Now the Iraqi leaders are working together to enact a government that reflects the will of the people. I'm encouraged by the progress."
Bush met Monday with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and the president said he thanked NATO for helping to train Iraqi security forces.
The president's address in Ohio continues his speeches on the war, a public relations blitz similar to a four-part series he went on in November and December.
Last week, Bush argued Iraqi security forces have shown they can handle tougher assignments and reacted well during recent sectarian violence.
"The situation in Iraq is still tense, and we're still seeing acts of sectarian violence and reprisal," Bush said in Washington. "Yet out of this crisis, we've also seen signs of a hopeful future."
While the president is upbeat about Iraq, a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll indicates Americans are more pessimistic about the war and where Iraq is headed.
In the survey, 41 percent of respondents said the prospect of a U.S. victory is unlikely or certain not to happen. In a 2003 poll, 1 percent was sure of a U.S. defeat, with 3 percent saying a U.S. victory was unlikely.
Most of the people questioned March 10 to 12 -- 55 percent -- thought Iraq was headed for civil war, while 40 percent said the country could emerge with a stable government.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/20/bush.iraq/index.html |
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webtaz99
Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003
Posts: 1229
Location: The Other Side
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| Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:25 am |
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I too tire of the focus on loss of life. Yes, it's tragic, and yes maybe one day we can stop killing each other, but for now let's PLEASE keep things in perspective.
I heard (haven't checked for myself but it sounds plausible) that in the three years since we "invaded" Iraq, 120,000 Americans died in car wrecks, including "innocent women and children". 45,000 Americans died from falling. 12,000 Americans drowned.
We should be celebrating the efforts of all the people who contributed to keeping the loss of life as low as it is.
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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