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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
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 Wed Jun 29, 2005 12:40 am Bush: 'Terrorists Are Failing' in Iraq |
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| Quote: |
Bush: 'Terrorists Are Failing' in Iraq
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
WASHINGTON � On the first anniversary of Iraq's sovereignty, President Bush outlined Tuesday what his administration says is a winning strategy for the violent conflict in Iraq that has cost the lives of more than 1,740 U.S. troops.
He also reminded Americans why U.S. troops are there.
"The terrorists who attacked us � and the terrorists we face � murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance and despises all dissent. Their aim is to remake the Middle East in their own grim image of tyranny and oppression � by toppling governments, driving us out of the region, and exporting terror," Bush told troops at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina, home of the Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division (search).
"Iraq is the latest battlefield in this war. Many terrorists who kill innocent men, women and children on the streets of Baghdad are followers of the same murderous ideology that took the lives of our citizens in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. There is only one course of action against them: to defeat them abroad before they attack us at home," he said.
The chorus has been rising against the administration, with several lawmakers pointing to a drop in public opinion and making comparisons between Iraq and Vietnam by calling it a "quagmire."
In his speech, Bush acknowledged that "progress has been uneven. But progress is being made.
"The terrorists � both foreign and Iraqi � failed to stop the transfer of sovereignty. They failed to break our coalition and force a mass withdrawal by our allies. They failed to incite an Iraqi civil war. They failed to prevent free elections. They failed to stop the formation of a democratic Iraqi government that represents all of Iraq�s diverse population. And they failed to stop Iraqis from signing up in large numbers with the police forces and the army to defend their new democracy," he said.
A Multi-Step, Coordinated Process
Bush quoted Al Qaeda terror network leader Usama bin Laden in saying that Iraq is the central front in the War on Terror and he repeated the mission there several times � to hunt down terrorists while helping Iraqis build a free nation that will lay the groundwork for peace in the rest of the Middle East.
In achieving those goals, Bush said several objectives he pledged to pursue have been reached:
� Sovereignty has been restored to Iraqis;
� Eight million Iraqis voted in elections to establish an interim government;
� The infrastructure, including roads, schools and health clinics as well as sanitation, electricity and water facilities, is being rebuilt;
� More than 160,000 security forces have been trained and equipped.
The president acknowledged that not all Iraqi security forces can plan and execute anti-terrorist operations but they are building up as quickly as possible.
"As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down," Bush said.
The president also gave credit to the international community for its support. Forty countries and three international organizations have pledged $34 billion in assistance for Iraqi reconstruction, Bush said.
Meanwhile, 30 nations have troops in Iraq and others are contributing non-military assistance; the United Nations is helping Iraqis write a constitution for their next elections; and donor countries are meeting in Jordan next month to pledge support toward Iraqi reconstruction, similar to a meeting in Brussels last week.
In terms of hunting down terrorists, Bush said hundreds of foreign fighters from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and other nations have been killed or captured. More than 2,000 Iraqi security forces have died in the effort.
The president also discussed three new steps being taken by U.S. troops:
� Partnering coalition units with Iraqi units to conduct field operations together;
� Embedding coalition "transition teams" inside Iraqi units to provide battlefield advice and assistance during combat operations. Between battles, U.S. officers teach skills such as urban combat, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance techniques;
� Working with the Iraqi ministries of Interior and Defense to improve their capabilities and develop command and control structures as well as civilian and military leadership training.
Bush added that NATO is establishing a military academy near Baghdad to train the next generation of Iraqi military leaders.
Bush said all these steps will allow Iraqis to develop and vote for a new government. Meeting those deadlines will allow Iraqis to "bind their multiethnic society together in a democracy that respects the will of the majority and protects minority rights."
Praise for the U.S. Military
During his remarks, Bush thanked the troops, who were warned not to hoop and holler during the address, telling them they have "contributed mightily" to create a free, democratic and safe Iraq (search).
"To the soldiers in this hall, and our servicemen and women across the globe: I thank you for your courage under fire and your service to our nation. I thank our military families � the burden of war falls especially hard on you," Bush said.
Earlier in the day, Bush scheduled two-and-a-half hours to meet with families of soldiers who have died, as he usually does when he visits military bases. Outside the base, opponents of the war protested.
"There's a groundswell against this war,'" said Bill Dobbs, spokesman United for Peace and Justice (search), an anti-war coalition of more than 1,300 local and national groups. "You can see it in Congress, you can see it in newspaper editorials and what young people are saying to military recruiters: 'No.'"
In spite of or perhaps because of the daily attacks, the Bush administration is fighting public apathy toward the war effort. A recent Associated Press-Ipsos poll showed public doubts about the war have reached a high point � with more than half saying invading Iraq was a mistake.
A FOX News/Opinion Dynamics poll taken earlier this month found that Iraq was by far the issue Americans considered the most important for the federal government to address. In the poll, 25 percent cited Iraq and Saddam Hussein as the top issue; the No. 2 issue was the economy with 13 percent listing it as the most important.
In the poll, Bush had the approval of 48 percent of Americans while 43 percent disapproved of his job performance.
No doubt watching the public opinion polls, several lawmakers stated prior to the president's speech that they wanted to hear about concrete steps to be taken in securing Iraq so that U.S. soldiers and sailors can plan to leave. Many Democrats on Capitol Hill and some Republicans have urged the president to develop a timetable for beginning a withdrawal.
Responding to the cacophony, Bush said he recognized that Americans want the troops to come home.
"Some contend that we should set a deadline for withdrawing U.S. forces. Let me explain why that would be a serious mistake. Setting an artificial timetable would send the wrong message to the Iraqis � who need to know that America will not leave before the job is done.
"It would send the wrong message to our troops � who need to know that we are serious about completing the mission they are risking their lives to achieve. And it would send the wrong message to the enemy � who would know that all they have to do is to wait us out. We will stay in Iraq as long as we are needed � and not a day longer," he said.
Bush also explained why he did not want to put more or fewer troops on the ground if commanders aren't asking for them.
"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."
Bush's speech is part of a new public-relations campaign from the White House to try to calm anxieties about the war. It comes after several conflicting or perplexing messages about the nature and duration of the conflict.
Vice President Dick Cheney made headlines last month with his assertion that the insurgency in Iraq was "in its last throes." He was later contradicted by the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, Gen. John Abizaid, and by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who said the insurgency could drag on for years.
Rumsfeld also told an interviewer this month that Iraq is "statistically" no safer today than it was before the ouster of Saddam Hussein, although he maintains progress is being made.
As part of the PR campaign, Bush encouraged Americans to show their support for the military by flying the flag on the Fourth of July, sending letters to military members and helping military families. He also announced a new Department of Defense Web site: AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
Bush also pressed those who may be interested in a military career to look into enlisting. Enlistment rates are down this year, and the Defense Department has said it expects a shortfall in enlistments for the first time in six years, when the booming economy stole many would-be recruits into the private sector.
"There is no higher calling than service in our Armed Forces," Bush said. "We live in freedom because every generation has produced patriots willing to serve a cause greater than themselves. Those who serve today are taking their rightful place among the greatest generations that have worn our nation's uniform. When the history of this period is written, the liberation of Afghanistan and the liberation of Iraq will be remembered as great turning points in the story of freedom."
Swift Reaction to the Speech
Immediately after the speech, New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer said that Americans know a strong fight in the War on Terror is necessary but they need to see a "light at the end of the tunnel.
�People want to know what the endgame is, how the insurgency can be quelled, and when an Iraqi security force will be trained to take care of its own security needs. This administration still has a long way to go in laying out the details of a plan to enable the Iraqis to defend their own democracy and secure victory in Iraq,� Schumer said.
Former presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark said the president recited some points that needed to be said but left several questions unresolved.
"For example, he didn't really come to grips with the dichotomy between what Vice President Cheney said that the insurgency is in its last throes and what Secretary Rumsfeld warned that this could last five to 12 more years. And he admitted progress is uneven," Clark told FOX News.
"He didn't really explain why car bombings have gone up despite our effective operations or why the insurgents are coming in increasing numbers or why the insurgency is still the same strength. These are all the elements that create doubt and uncertainty in the minds of the American public."
On the other hand, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told FOX News that he was very proud of the president.
"He spoke with confidence and an unwavering resolve to stay the course and to achieve the goals on which we've set out," Warner said, adding that it's essential for the Iraqis to stay on a timeline in developing a constitution and holding elections.
FOX News' Sharon Kehnemui Liss and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Well, I am listening to his speech at the moment, and it is very reassuring. I am glad that Bush is still our President, because I don't think many other politicians would have the guts to stick this out like he has. 
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:49 am |
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I agree. I am glad he still in office as well.
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Hitchhiker
Rear Admiral
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 3514
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Wed Jun 29, 2005 12:18 pm |
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I saw clips of Bush's speech and must say that it was probably the most cogent speech I've ever seen him make.
The "terrorists" in Iraq who were responsible for September 11 are probably not in Iraq anymore . . . I mean, if I were a terrorist, I would leave an occupied country and flee to one of the other Middle Eastern theocracies or oligarchies, like maybe Iran or Syria. However, I do blame the media for much of it, because I've noticed that the search for al-Quaeda and Osama bin Laden isn't getting much coverage, probably because there's nothing new to report. Regardless of its status though, its absence from the news does give the impression that nobody is doing anything about it.
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:28 am |
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He forgot to mention WMDs in any of it. 
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purple_kathryn
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Belfast
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:53 am |
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Why is it even when lies have been debunked people still persist in believing them?
It's been stated time and time again in numerous that there were
A) No WMDS in Iraq and
B) No link between Iraq/Sadam Hussein & September 11
and yet people still insist on believing the opposite
Kathryn
-------signature-------
"There's not much makeup in the army, is there? No. They only have that nighttime look, and that's a bit slapdash, isn't it?" - Eddie Izzard
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:29 am |
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| purple_kathryn wrote: | Why is it even when lies have been debunked people still persist in believing them?
It's been stated time and time again in numerous that there were
A) No WMDS in Iraq and
B) No link between Iraq/Sadam Hussein & September 11
and yet people still insist on believing the opposite
Kathryn |
Being stated now means fact? Cool. 
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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purple_kathryn
Lieutenant, Junior Grade
Joined: 16 Jan 2005
Posts: 91
Location: Belfast
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:35 am |
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| Theresa wrote: | | purple_kathryn wrote: | Why is it even when lies have been debunked people still persist in believing them?
It's been stated time and time again in numerous that there were
A) No WMDS in Iraq and
B) No link between Iraq/Sadam Hussein & September 11
and yet people still insist on believing the opposite
Kathryn |
Being stated now means fact? Cool. |
Ah
So you don't think government reports are fact then.
Fair enough.
Irony noted.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:44 am |
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The government is neither "confirming nor denying".
http://www.startrekvoyager.com/viewtopic.php?t=21743
And it took that long to find that, but hey, nothing else is hidden.
Saddam did harbor terrorists, which is indirectly related to 9/11. "Any country who harbors terrorists...."
It always amuses me that the general public has more facts at their disposal than the government. I mean, you must, you know things they don't.
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:12 pm |
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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, goody! That means we can move on Saudi Arabia as well then, since they were doing the same, 
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:22 pm |
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| Jeremy wrote: | | Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, goody! That means we can move on Saudi Arabia as well then, since they were doing the same, |
Oh, goody! You don't read entire posts! Now I know to not take any post of yours seriously, thanks!
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
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And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:46 pm |
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I did read your post, and I do agree with you on people about the way government decissions are made, with more information than we have. But there is plenty of other countries with pretty bad human right records that we regard as friends, although they can be as bad as Saddam. I understand if we don't go after them all, there isn't the money, but we don't have to say they are friends or support them. (Kind of putting points from other post, so that it isn't way off topic in that thread).
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:51 pm |
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There's a difference between "political allies" and friends. Our two governments, for the most part, could be considered friends, even Canada. Allies, however, is something toooooootally different. Guiliani told a Saudi prince what he could go do with himself after 9/11. (He donated money, then tried to dictate politics, his money was given back to him.) Politics is crap, imo. Waaaaaay too many gray areas, and that's the problem.
Like this. It's illegal to drink if you are under 18 in the US, but it's not illegal for you to be drunk. Make sense? Nope, not to me, either.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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IntrepidIsMe
Pimp Handed
Joined: 14 Jun 2002
Posts: 13057
Location: New York
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:57 pm |
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Under 18 maybe 20 years ago, Is 21 now, Miss. Dino
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:04 pm |
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Oh shut up, I never have drank, so I don't care,
-------signature-------
Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:48 pm |
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| Theresa wrote: | There's a difference between "political allies" and friends. Our two governments, for the most part, could be considered friends, even Canada. Allies, however, is something toooooootally different. Guiliani told a Saudi prince what he could go do with himself after 9/11. (He donated money, then tried to dictate politics, his money was given back to him.) Politics is crap, imo. Waaaaaay too many gray areas, and that's the problem.
Like this. It's illegal to drink if you are under 18 in the US, but it's not illegal for you to be drunk. Make sense? Nope, not to me, either. |
Well, just recently Tony Blair called the Saudi's a really good friend... (Don't have the source as it was on the radio I heard it).
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:10 am |
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| Theresa wrote: | | Oh shut up, I never have drank, so I don't care, |
*thumbs up*
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madlilnerd
Duchess of Dancemat
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 5885
Location: Slough, England
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:55 am |
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There's only one way to establish complete world peace, and that's to kill everyone.
I do agree that the soldiers in the middle east are doing well, but... well, I can't really think of a but right now, except that I think the UK troops should withdraw and leave the US to get on with it.
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Birdy
Socialist
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 13502
Location: Here.
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:47 am |
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| Jeremy wrote: | | Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, goody! That means we can move on Saudi Arabia as well then, since they were doing the same, |
YAY!! Hey wait, I have a kewl pic with that.
[mods, if this goes too far for you guys, feel free to remove it  ]
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Nosce te ipsum
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:55 pm |
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I don't think it is funny pic Birdy, no offense.
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Birdy
Socialist
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 13502
Location: Here.
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:42 pm |
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Well, I think it is, but that's why our political opinions are so different.
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Nosce te ipsum
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Arellia
The Quiet One
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Posts: 4425
Location: Dallas, TX
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:49 pm |
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| madlilnerd wrote: | There's only one way to establish complete world peace, and that's to kill everyone.
I do agree that the soldiers in the middle east are doing well, but... well, I can't really think of a but right now, except that I think the UK troops should withdraw and leave the US to get on with it. |
I kind of like the first idea. We could do the thing from Julian's holodeck program...save the best scientists as breeding stock and flood the rest of the world...
*cough* Or not.
I really admire all the troops, and certainly thos of the U.K., for doing what they've done...this mess has really shown the kind of friends we have in Britain, or at least its government, even if so many people there don't agree with what's happening. And while Iraq is definitely not the only source of problems in the world...it was a start, and a powerful statement. I'm just hoping that Iraq won't just get overrun with idiots in the government again and come back to bite us. There are those who have exponentially less trust in the Shiites.
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madlilnerd
Duchess of Dancemat
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 5885
Location: Slough, England
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| Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:16 pm |
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I just think that they've really done enough and maybe more of them should go home. Bring in some professional politicians to work on the more political side of the country. I don't really see anything that the soldiers can do that they haven't already done. Pretty proud of our military, but I'd like to see it come home. Not all of it, but some.
| Quote: | | save the best scientists as breeding stock |
Geeks getting laid. They'd have a field day.
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charlie
American Soldier
Joined: 26 Feb 2004
Posts: 598
Location: In The United States
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| Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:02 am |
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As a soldier myself, who was over there twice, no they should not come home just yet. Iraqis are making progress to get their country in order themselves, with us helping.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:13 pm |
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| charlie wrote: | | As a soldier myself, who was over there twice, no they should not come home just yet. Iraqis are making progress to get their country in order themselves, with us helping. |
Exactly. And thank you for your service, btw. Anyways, the terrorists ARE losing, but Iraq IS the main front in the War on Terror now.
And FYI--there were PLENTY of connections between Saddam and Al Quada, including money, etc, therefore there was a connection between Iraq and 9/11--maybe not direct, but nonetheless a connection.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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madlilnerd
Duchess of Dancemat
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 5885
Location: Slough, England
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| Mon Jul 18, 2005 3:28 am |
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It doesn't really matter if there was a connection between 9/11 and Iraq. Sadaam was commiting genocide against the Curds. The Western world has ignored genocide before (eg Rwanda) but this time, we decided to do something about it.
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