Hey, have you heard? Things aren't going so badly in Iraq after all. How do we know? Because President Bush says so. Surprise, surprise, the White House sees mixed progress from the Iraqi government. Eight of the eighteen benchmarks we've set out have had "satisfactory progress," while we've only discerned "mixed progress" on eight others, and "unsatisfactory progress" on the other two. So what's going right?
It [the report] cites "satisfactory" progress toward a revision of the Iraqi constitution, the formation of semi-autonomous governing regions, and Iraqi political and economic support for military operations to secure Baghdad neighborhoods. The government has taken some steps to protect minority rights in the existing legislature and authorized the expenditure of $10 billion on provincial reconstruction projects."Okay, we have a serious case of grade inflation going on here. When you give the Iraqis high marks for authorizing expenditures, but not actually spending the money or implementing the reconstruction projects (which they can't because it is far too dangerous to build anything) then you know how that this report isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Barack Obama wasted no time in saying so, either. Today he released the following statement:
"Does this White House think that we don't know how to turn on our televisions? Don't tell us we're making progress in Iraq when the last three months have been some of the deadliest since the war began for our brave troops who have sacrificed so much. And don't tell us it's progress when the Iraqi leadership has done nothing--nothing--to take the political steps necessary to end their civil war. This war has only fueled the terrorist threat whose strength is now at pre-9/11 levels. It should never have been authorized, never have been waged, and it must end now."For those interested, here's the article about the al-Qaida report that Barack Obama references.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. "Does this White House think that we don't know how to turn on our televisions?"
Haha, Obama makes a funny. Seriously, how much of what we see on television can we trust?
David MacKenzie at 12:56PM on Jul 12th 2007
2. I hope to God that Obama does not watch the news networks for whats happening in Iraq, or anywhere else (or on any other issue!)!
Jean at 12:57PM on Jul 12th 2007
3. How much of the Democrats position on Iraq is making political hay and how much is concern for our national security?
"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of rogue states will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face."
Madeline Albright
Feb 18th 1998
The above has not changed since Madeline Albright said it in 1998, just our politics.
Pete at 2:12PM on Jul 12th 2007
4. Hey Pete, that post looks familiar.
If you can't believe what you see on T.V. then we are screwed because President Bush was no T.V. today. I guess these news networks have extraordinary ability to create special effects too. It's all Bill Clinton's fault all the Dems suck.
You republicans are so full of Shit!!
David McCool at 3:49PM on Jul 12th 2007
5. Don't take it personal, McCool, you Democrats can still watch the news programs for your facts. Nobody said you couldn't. It's just that most Americans recognize the biases from the "talk" cable news networks when they editorialize, and take it with a grain of salt. When we realize that our politicians may glean their facts from these program while they have access to the inside scoop instead, one has to admit, that's pretty scary.
Jean at 4:45PM on Jul 12th 2007
6. Does obama Think that we are stupid. You Cant believe everthing you see on T.V. were talking about liberal tv stations that have been against are president since day one. Sure I dont agree with some of the things he has done but that the case with any president were not going to always agree with everthing they do. But leaving Iraq without finishing the job would be the worst thing to do. I pray that some idiot like obama or clinton does not get into office. Go Rudy!!!
Donnie at 5:11PM on Jul 12th 2007
7. Democrats Say these things just to get votes! One day there for going to war then when things arent going as planned they change there minds! Dont blame the war just on the republicans many dems voted for this war as well. kerry isnt the only dem who flip flops they all do !
Donnie at 5:10PM on Jul 12th 2007
8. I don't watch much T.V. for news, I read the paper Jean. I was making the point that there is as much propaganda for conservatives as there is for liberal stuff. There are some in the middle that one side would deam the other because it does not go along with what they believe in.
David McCool at 5:04PM on Jul 12th 2007
9. oh yeah, and I am an independent by the way Jean.
David McCool at 5:04PM on Jul 12th 2007
10. Alot people dont know this but obama is a muslim! google obama you will too find out! He was raised muslim and his middle name is hussein after saddam
Donnie at 5:09PM on Jul 12th 2007
11. Good decision to be Independent, McCool, seems most of America would be smart to register as an Independent these days. In fact, I'm a breath away from it myself!
Jean at 5:49PM on Jul 12th 2007
12. I watch the cable news networks all the time. There is some slanting sometimes, but the sources of news, including Congress and the white house, also slant it.
Also there are the opinion shows, such as Tucker and O'Reilly, which can help analyze what's going on. MSNBC often has knowledgeble guests like Pat Buchannon and many retired genrals, as does CNN. Even Fox cable will put on both sides of the debate. Juan Williams is a good counterpoint to some of the conservatives.
Newspapers are good for yesterdays news, but to keep up to date we need live TV.
Steve Bonomo at 7:01PM on Jul 12th 2007
13. If Obama mamma smells a rat it had to of happened during one of their staged so called debates, there were a whole bunch of them there.
joem at 7:44PM on Jul 12th 2007
14. Sen. Obama is a fresh face and new voice in the debate about Iraq. He's welcome to join it, but he can't lead the charge because he wasn't around when his vote actually counted. Black Senate representation was the goal of the 2000 election and it carried over to 2004. Obama wouldn't be in the Senate today if Jeri Ryan "7 of 9" hadn't come out against her husband the former Senator. Obama was an afterthought who practically ran unopposed against Alan Keys. Republicans picked him as a last minute token protest. Obama instantly became "Oprah's Boy" and he hasn't done a thing to distinguish himself or help the Black race in the struggle. As I see it, Obama has chosen to be critical and that makes him look a whole lot lighter in my eyes. There's not that much difference in being critical and hypocritical. Iraq was a train wreck of choice. Al Qaeda is a mental illness not an established country or respected army. Iraq borders Saudi Arabia and 19 of the hijackers were from there. Iraq is a war convenience store. It's open 24 hours and conveniently available to train anyone with mental illness how to kill us more efficiently. That's one store we must close. We made it more convenient for war to be endless because "War pays More." The stockmarket is soaring. How can Democrats make peace more profitable? I'd start with getting out of Iraq and raining a little something something untraceable on Warziristan. How do you get rid of rats and roaches?
Cecil Jones at 11:07PM on Jul 12th 2007
15. pssst...wanna tell y'all somthun...it ain't no civil war...it's a mindset...sectarian strife, ethnic prejudices, fundamentalist dogmas....no, these are just convenient approximate spinners...Tahar Djaout. an Algerian writer assassinated for provoking fundamentalist muslims for his audacity (translated: heretic) to think and inquire about their motives and coopting the koran to their advantage: "This mindset is unreachable. It lies in the dark ages of superstition. It is a phobia of such all-consuming intensity that, for survival, it must eliminate ALL doubters. It is the setting of mind not on questions but on the mantra "I AM RIGHT. THEREFORE YOU ARE WRONG! The ultimate goal of this unreason is "I am RIGHT; you are DEAD!" We are not equipped to span this mindset. Allah be blest should he come to restore sanity and reason!
boredwell at 11:10PM on Jul 12th 2007