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 3 of 3)
31. OK, Obama makes a referrence to television watching for the latest updates on the war....EDWARDS...OMG, his three step plan to ending poverty is to increase minimum wage, increase earned income tax, and allow workers to build union to...drum roll please....increase wages! So, we put all the mom and pop places out of business because they can keep up with the wage demands and unions, and don't even consider making education more of a priority. In some states, kids can graduate high school with their LPN certificate, or a certificate in auto mechanics! They graduate high school with a earning potential. Other students graduate with a foggy understanding of algebra. As a small business owner (who pays above average wages and provides paid medical benefits to it's employees) algebra has NEVER come in handy. I would have loved the opportunity to graduate high school with more than a diploma. EDWARDS stop sicking your wife on other candidates...how is Hilary (didnt vote for her the first time she was in office, and thanks for the crappy healthcare Hil) going to answer any attacks made by a woman with terminal cancer. Edwards is a slick willy....keep your eye on that guy.
Lara at 3:38PM on Jul 18th 2007
32. What about Barak Obama
(1) Between 1983 and 1985 Barak Obama spent a year working for Business International Corporation. You do not have to believe me it is in his biography on his web site and in his bio in Wikipedia.
Business International Corp. is a law firm that specializes in helping companies moving their manufacturing and product development overseas. Check out Business International Corp’s web site or their listing in Wikipedia. Someone whose only job in the private sector was shipping jobs overseas is not someone that should be in charge of the USA economy.
(2) The Presidency of the United States is an executive position. Barak Obama has never held an executive position of any type. No Governor, no Mayor, no CEO, not even the manager of a department store, or caption of a Swift boat. He did teach in a law school for 4 years.
(3) Barak Obama has only two years of experience in the federal government. Would anyone allow someone with only two years of experience in the aviation industry run an airline, or two years in retail run a department store, or two years of experience in a sport run a national franchise?
(4) The Presidency is an executive position that requires specific plans for solving problems. Check out Barak Obama’s web site where he states his positions in the broadest and vaguest possible terms; it contains no specific plans for anything.
(5) The best job Barak Obama has ever had is US Senate for two years for $157,000 per year. Yet he just purchased a house for $1,600,000. If he is not on the take his wife must have a valorously well paying job.
(6) Until a few days ago Barak Obama’s web site said he was educated in a Moslem school for at least 2 years while he lived in Indonesia from age 6 to age 12. His posting in Wikipedia still says that. Yet his supporters are claiming it is a smear even though it is the truth.
(7) Besides writing two auto-biographies and no legislation purposed, he has done not a thing.
(8) White canidate would be distroyed in one day if the church they went to had a doctrine aimed at ones race like Obama's church. Check out his churches web site.(i http://www.tucc.org/about.htm)
(9) In his 2006 Income Tax filing Obama donated $ 15,107 to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and $ 5,000 to Muntu Dance Theater. How long would a White presidential candidate last if it was found that he donated $ 20,000 to Whites only organizations.
saltzman21 at 9:25PM on Jul 18th 2007
33. Smells like a rat??? Is he really a muslum???
ten10pt at 4:51PM on Jul 18th 2007
34. If Barack smells a rat-maybe he needs to get his nose out of his butt-
Pat at 5:17PM on Jul 18th 2007
35. Democrat or Republican it doesn't matter, the vote was done and we are there. Yes it would have been political suicide back when 9/11 happened to go against the President for this war, but now who can justify the solders who've lost their lives and limbs fighting to what end. Just what is it that this war is suppose to accomplish that we have to stay in it until we win. Risking many of our young men and women not once, twice, but several times sending them back to Iraq in the heat of things when they were suppose to be back home with their families. How does anyone justify a war they themselves haven't faced eye to eye, chest to chest. Your insights are your thoughts and you have a right to think, but you all lack the insight of a Soldier at War. Whoever wins the whitehouse, we need to end this part of our history for the good of our own men and women of the US.
Marq at 5:42PM on Jul 18th 2007
36. Lets consider...BARACK OBAMA for President of the United States of America...(The most powerfull Man and job in the World and Commander in Chief of the most powerfull and advanced military to ever exist in history)...his qualifications:...WOW a whopping 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND!...No military experience to speak of...no executive experience AT ALL...nothing! Not even a freaking store manager...Donates only to BLACK causes...is a BIGET against Hispanics...Lashes out at the other candadets and the President to keep the focus OFF HIS INCREDIBLY UNDER QAULIFIED RESUME FOR PRESIDENT...CAN TALK A LINE OF SHIT A MILE LONG...BUT REALLY SAYS NOTHING AT ALL CONCERNING CLEAR CONSISE SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUES HE IS TALKING AND CRISIZING ABOUT...OK BARACK, HOW DO WE JUST, POOF, PULL OUT OF IRAQ?...LETS HERE SOME CLEAR DEFINED ANSWERS...YOU HAVE NONE!...Bought a 1.6 Million Dollar Home on a 150,000+ salary...HOW DID HE MANAGE THAT...Why is the media not all over that???...I make more than he does...I can't even think about buying a 1.6 million dollar home! If a mortgage company loaned me that much money for a home, it would be illegal on thier part!...He is only a major candidate in this race because he is BLACK....that's the truth...Thank God he;'s running against Clinton because I feel the Black vote will be slit...If this guy somehow does make it into the Oval Office, it will be a far worse mistake than Jimmy Carter or George W Bush ever was...he's a JOKE!!!! Plain and simple...but alot of folks are swallowing his empty bullshit...
Ronny at 7:08PM on Jul 18th 2007
37. Of course Bush expects us to believe him. This country fell hook, line and sinker for his view of the trueth early in his term (enough to reelect) so why would he think it still couldn't work?
lynn at 7:00PM on Jul 19th 2007
38. I don't understand why people think Obama or Hillary for that matter are qualified to be the head of the free world. Come on people Obama is a first term Senator and Hillary a second term Senator. Where does that qualify either of them for the Presidency of the USA?
MArk
Mark at 2:21PM on Jul 20th 2007
39. Why hasn't anyone mentioned Hillary's involvement in the death of a Black Panther?
http://www.warriorsfortruth.com/hillary-clinton-black-panthers.html
usyankee at 1:17PM on Jul 29th 2007
40. saltzman21:
Since Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, (88% Muslim), it would be difficult not to attend a Muslim school. But as we have freedom of religion and tolerance of other's beliefs in this country, I know this is not a legitimate concern to you.
It is also not the first time a black person (or half black for that matter) contibuted to a black institution.
Obama's wife makes $300,000 a year.
Let's talk about Hillary's involvement with the death of a Black Panther...stuff that REALLY matters...
usyankee at 1:41PM on Jul 29th 2007