Snow Falsely Claims That Bush Said ‘Just The Opposite’ Of ‘Mission Accomplished’
Snow Falsely Claims That Bush Said ‘Just The Opposite’ Of ‘Mission Accomplished’
In today’s press briefing, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow tried to distance President Bush from his infamous “Mission Accomplished” speech, claiming that Bush said “just the opposite” of “Mission Accomplished”:
I think the public ought to just listen to what the president has to say. You know that the mission accomplished banner was put up by members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and the president, on that very speech, said just the opposite, didn’t he?
For that May 1, 2003, Bush stood in front of a large banner that read, “Mission Accomplished.” In the opening of his speech, he declared, “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.” He called the “battle of Iraq” a “victory.” In his radio address shortly after the speech, he boasted, “I delivered good news to the men and women who fought in the cause of freedom: their mission is complete and major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”
Additionally, as Bob Woodward reported in October, then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had to pressure the White House to take out of the speech the actual phrase “Mission Accomplished,” but he couldn’t “get the sign down.”
In Oct. 2003, then-White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan admitted that the White House — not members of USS Lincoln — had “take[n] care of the production of the banner.”
Full transcript below:
QUESTION: Tony, this goes to your previous acknowledgment that the president is aware of public anxiety about the situation in Iraq.
What would your guidance be to a public that has seen the president stand under a mission accomplished banner, proclaim an end to major combat operations, a vice president talking about the last throes? How should the public go into viewing this speech tomorrow?
SNOW: I think the public ought to just listen to what the president has to say.
You know that the mission accomplished banner was put up by members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and the president, on that very speech, said just the opposite, didn’t he?
He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations. Instead, he cautioned people at the time that there would be considerable continued violence in Iraq and that there would be continued operations for a long period of time.
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The White House never said that. Some banner on an aircraft carrier said it. Jeez, get your facts straight.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:46 pmSNOW: I think the public ought to just listen to what the president has to say.
Nevermind that big ass sign behind him.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:46 pmWhat do you mean? Up IS down, isn’t it? It always has been. Likewise, black is white. Anybody who says otherwise is just supporting the terrorists.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:47 pmWow Tony Snow is making Scott McClellan competent and more likeable every day. I can’t believe Snow was ever in journalism, certainly FOX, but not journalism. What a moron.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:49 pmand the president, on that very speech, said just the opposite, didn’t he?
didn’t he? …DIDN’T HE???
YOU DON’T KNOW????????? AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGH!!!
*clears throat* … eh hmm… how can this be?
January 9th, 2007 at 3:50 pmthey must not understand what film and recorders are about…
Big news! The White House lies. I am going to start calling lies White Houses since they have become synonymous. As in: “Tony Snow White Housed again today.”
January 9th, 2007 at 3:51 pmThey were for the banner before they were against it.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:51 pmWhoa dude, the sad little man you are trying to cover ass for has said plenty of times that this war has been won, is being won, is on the way to being won, is winnable, will be won, might be won
January 9th, 2007 at 3:55 pmYou know I have seen fish, deck side, flop less than these guys.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:55 pmTheir lousy propaganda machine gets caught with pants down around the ankles and the spin is just pathetic, Tony Snow never left Fox News, Fox News came to the Whore House. How about the fact the ship was turned away from San Diego so that it couldn’t be seen and make it look like the ship was out at sea and Bush the hero had just landed, and they lived happily ever after.
Tony Snow is the most annoying lying asshat to ever have that job.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:56 pmBaghdad Bush:
“There are no infidel banners here. We have taken all banners down all over the place. We are defeating the banners, there was a big battle at the airport; we destroyed a lot of banners”
January 9th, 2007 at 3:56 pmI seem to remember something about having to catapult the propaganda. Where is that dayum catapult ennyhoo?
January 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pmTony sure does bring that Faux News credibility to the Whote House.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pmSnow “He did not say what you heard him say”. It was pulled from the speech. It wasn’t pulled from the pictures that were sent out with the words “mission accomplished” throughout. the RNC sent out bunches of those pics.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pmKarl ought to be about ready to retire or get retired.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:59 pmI NEVER thought I’d be agreeing to that, but DAMN…TONY SNOW is the BIGGEST damn liar out there! Has any truth EVER come out of his mouth??? Has it???
January 9th, 2007 at 4:00 pmBut..But he said..I mean he didn’t say..but..
Sorry, I got nothin’
January 9th, 2007 at 4:01 pmAs well they edited the video on the White House website to Pan down the angle, so the Mission Accomplished banner is no longer visible.
GOP = We’re writing history one “page” at a time.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:01 pm“He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations. Instead, he cautioned people at the time that there would be considerable continued violence in Iraq and that there would be continued operations for a long period of time. ”
-from the transcript referenced above.
******Amanda - Just trying to help out! You forgot to include this portion in your copy although you were honest enough to post the transcript. Did you know that most of the Progs don’t read the full transcript? Is that because what you’ve written wouldn’t tow the prog line? Seems to make this thread a “NON-story”…..
January 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pmI think I offered this before - the President sends people to a venue where he is to speak to make arrangements. I presume they have communication devices to get back with the President. So, if these front people got onto the aircraft carrier and saw this sign, they could have told Bush who could have ordered it taken down before he got there. This is especially true if the White House had arranged for the production of the banner in the first place and then changed its mind about its appropriateness. Otherwise, Bush was standing behind, as well as in front of, the sign. No accident.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:08 pmThe White House never said that. Some banner on an aircraft carrier said it. Jeez, get your facts straight.
Comment by ForTruth
Lets get this record straight for all the remaining low end bell curve kool-aid swilling fake Americans. WH was directly responsible for that banner and lies just as they are patheticlly again trying to lie.
Spin all you want rape-public-cans and fascist wannabees but the wheels have long since come off the WH Propaganda machine and Tony Goebbles is purely for entertainment purposes.
WHITE HOUSE PUSHES FOR MISSION ACCOMPLISHED BANNER
January 9th, 2007 at 4:09 pmhttp://www(dot)cnn(dot)com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/28/mission accomplished
R-E-A-D the transcript IraqVET, and then we’ll forgive you for “jumping the gun” …..so to speak.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:09 pm“We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes … We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools. And we will stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and for the Iraqi people.
The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done. Then we will leave, and we will leave behind a free Iraq.”
President George W. Bush
January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pmMay 1, 2003
Let me direct your attention back to exhibit #1.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pmI firmly believe this administration counts on the feeble and fleeting memories of the American public. How else could Tony Blow get away with the lies? If I were a journalist in that room and Tony started blowing, I think I would simply leave. Just leave Tony standing there by himself. If there are no journalists in the woods, does Tony Snow still make noise? Yes, he does.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pmMighty
By all means explain to us Progs and Progettes what the hell that banner beind him was for? What did it really mean, and what was the purpose?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:12 pmHe’s the commander-in-chief, but don’t just assume he has the power to take down a misleading banner. Only God can do that.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:14 pmTony, If I told you your right shoe was on your left foot, what shoe is on your right?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:15 pmAmanda - Just trying to help out! You forgot to include this portion in your copy although you were honest enough to post the transcript. Did you know that most of the Progs don’t read the full transcript? Is that because what you’ve written wouldn’t tow the prog line? Seems to make this thread a “NON-storyâ€â€¦..
Comment by mighty aphrodite
Dear leader is trying to pull a fast one, and he got caught. So major combat operations have ended, but not all the operations? MA, you buy that? I mean really? The chimpster lies to your face and you don’t see it. I knew the right had some powerful drugs to keep them from thinking clearly, but wow!
January 9th, 2007 at 4:16 pmRight wingers prove over and over again that they have no ethics. So that’s what it means to be a “good Christian”! If Jesus were alive today he’d be appalled.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:17 pmLet me direct your attention back to yesterday’s Abramoff and Bush picture.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/08/say-cheese
Tony said today Bush didn’t know Abramoff.
Believe him now?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:17 pmMA, the transcript doesn’t say what Bush said. It says what Snow says Bush said.
Sheesh, this freak keeps coming back like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:19 pmWell, there goes the LyingBastardometer, back to the repair shop.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:19 pmThis time the “lies” is getting the bill.
We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools.
Comment by Exley
But when we invaded their country, we blew up all the schools and buildings (shock and awe). We also provided Saddam with many of the weapons and tools he used when he was a dictator. So the decider decided we were gonna hurt Saddam after we helped him. Does that sound operative?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:20 pmBy all means, they have the power to hastily cover “made in China” with “made in America” on a stack of prop boxes, but seem incapable of having a banner taken down.
Face the facts. They loved the banner until they realized it was biting them in the posterior. But instead of admitting their mistake, they try to pass it off on someone else or pretend it never happened.
This is the party of personal responsibility?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:20 pmNothing needs to be read. We all saw him on TV struttin, and winnin the war. That’s why they created them aWol winnin the war dolls.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:22 pm#11 pissedoffliberal: Wow! I had totally forgotten about Baghdad Bob! Now if only someone with better Photoshop Zen than I have could morph Tony’s face onto Bob’s body. THAT would be sweet.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:22 pmExley, regarding comment #23, thank you for providing some brief highlights of Bush’s failures in Iraq. By no means is your list exhaustive, but it makes a decent start.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:23 pmSee, libs, we got it all completely wrong.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:23 pmWhen chympie said Mission Accomplished, he was referring to the restoration of Mission San Fernando, which was accomplished about that time.
VK - Real “Scientist” - Bush has always said it would be a tough fight that would go on for many years….but if you haven’t been paying attention - that’s your fault. Tony was merely refreshing your sluggish memory. You remind me of the kid in school who was cheating and was pi$$ed when someone gave him the wrong answer……tooo cute!
January 9th, 2007 at 4:26 pm“RECIPE FOR PERPETUAL TERRORISM” -randi rhodes :
Blood and oil: How the West will profit from Iraq’s most precious commodity
January 9th, 2007 at 4:27 pmThe ‘IoS’ today reveals a draft for a new law that would give Western oil companies a massive share in the third largest reserves in the world. To the victors, the oil? That is how some experts view this unprecedented arrangement with a major Middle East oil producer that guarantees investors huge profits for the next 30 years
http://news.independent.co.uk/ world/ middle_east/ article2132574.ece
I’m kinda pissed about all the arifacts from ancient mesopotamia getting obliterated. We were supposed to learn stuff from that shit, instead we blow it up and repeat the same shit.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:27 pmVerbalkint…The point of my posting is not to argue whether the war in Iraq has been a failure or success. By citing primary documents (the President’s speech itself), I am merely addressing the narrow point that Snow is indeed correct and that Bush did say on May 1, 2003 that “We have difficult work to do in Iraq” and that “transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time … Our coalition will stay until our work is done.”
January 9th, 2007 at 4:28 pm“He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations. Instead, he cautioned people at the time that there would be considerable continued violence in Iraq and that there would be continued operations for a long period of time. â€
-from the transcript referenced above
Okay, so he expected a continued war on the magnitude of the last 3 years? Then exactly what mission was accomplished in Iraq? Appraently nothing, actually less than nothing, becuase the entire Middle East is now destabilized powder keg, or may a destabilized fisson bom would be more appropriate.
His warnings about continued violence were carefully calculated to prepare the American people for an extended military prescence in Iraq, not to fight terrorists, because the chimp knew that there weren’t any terrorists there. It was all so they could install a puppet government and secure the oil. They are very near to accomplishing this goal, screw the Iraqi people and the citiziens of the US. This is the only mission they have accomplished,a nd the only one they cared about. Anyone who can support this administration employs through processes worthy of prolonged psychiatric study.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:28 pmPeople, you have to understand that the mission referred to here was “Operation PhotoOp”, not “Operation Iraqi Freedom”.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:28 pmExley, Thank you! Progs have a difficult time with anything resembling “patience” or “perserverance”. They remind me of the whining kid at the grocery store……ick!
“By all means explain to us Progs and Progettes what the hell that banner beind him was for? What did it really mean, and what was the purpose?”
Comment by ForTruth
*****This was an acknowledgement of the fall of Saddam’s government. What part of that don’t you understand?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:30 pmMA appears to be working the big lie with her/himself as its target.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:30 pm“The chimpster lies to your face and you don’t see it. I knew the right had some powerful drugs to keep them from thinking clearly, but wow!”
Comment by Tom
******Tommy - And the lies Dems and Progs have told you for years (fill in the blank…).
January 9th, 2007 at 4:32 pmMighty
By all means explain to us Progs and Progettes what the hell that banner beind him was for? What did it really mean, and what was the purpose?
Comment by ForTruth
Take your time with a logical, coherent answer, I know your busy.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:33 pmOk Mighty,
Got my answer. You know as well as anyone, it was misleading, like a cheap advertisement.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:34 pmExley, pull your head out of your a**. Only a pathetic fool fleeing the truth believes that there is any connection whatsoever between Bush’s actual, stated, or proxy-transmitted expectations and what eventually transpired in Iraq (although some people believe that he and his cabal actually intended to incite the chaos we are witnessing today in Iraq).
Arguing otherwise is beyond ludicrous. It is really, really pathetic, and I really, really mean that.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:36 pmThe sun rises in the east and Tony Snow lies when his mouth opens.
Anything else old?
-GSD
January 9th, 2007 at 4:36 pmThere are plenty of new artifacts to be found in Iraq now .
Comment by Las Vegas Louie
Yep. Body parts from those innocent Iraqi citizens we killed.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:40 pmLas Vegas Louie is making less sense with every post.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:42 pmVerbalKint…The document speaks for itself. President Bush said difficult work remained in Iraq and that the transition to democracy would take time.
ThinkProgress was inaccurate to intimate otherwise. Snow, on the other hand, was accurate.
Always go the primary document.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:43 pm#48 - “Tommy - And the lies Dems and Progs have told you for years (fill in the blank…). ” Comment by mighty aphrodite — January 9, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
I’ll try:
And the (unconfirmed) lies Dems and Progs have told you for years are NOTHING compared to the lies Reps and Regressives have told that have caused the largest run-away spending in the world, created the highest debt in history, killed more American service members than terrorists killed on Sept. 11th, and proven that Republicans and Regressives are the party of big-government, anti-states rights, pro-”borrow and squander”, anti-Constitution, and pro-war for greed!
Wow! I got that one right on the very first try! Point to Progressives!
Progressives - 1
January 9th, 2007 at 4:44 pmRegressives - 0
Don’t you guys remember? His speech that day was to celebrate how the Mission wasn’t even close being Accomplished. duh…
What do the apologists say to the fact that this speech was made before Fallujah (1 and 2), Anbar, and the reshift to Baghdad (1 and soon to be 2)? Are those not “major”? Why or why not?
January 9th, 2007 at 4:44 pmMission Accomplished is an anagram for “C’mon, I lied. So scampish” (thank the Daily Show for that one).
Theresa
January 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pmJeezuz! Can Snow say anything without spin? His years at Fox have given him experience sufficient to continue his attempt to make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pmGolly Louie,
That was way over the top, uncalled for, jeez, you think you have a sense of humor now?
/sarcasm
January 9th, 2007 at 4:46 pmMISSION ACCOMPLISHED!*
*actual “mission” NOT accomplished
January 9th, 2007 at 4:49 pmAnd the reason Bush made the ship turn around and face the most flattering direction, and strut his stuff in the flight suit, and have his podium positioned just so in front of the Mission Accomplished banner, and say that major combat operations are over was to….?? What — say “you ain’t seen nuthuin’ yet?”
January 9th, 2007 at 4:49 pm[Less than] Mighty aphrodite at #40
“Bush has always said it would be a tough fight that would go on for many years…” A tough fight against whom? The outside forces or foreign fighters who are fighting against the U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq number an incredibly miniscule 2 per cent. Again, so there is no misunderstanding, that figure is not 92 per cent but 2 [two] per cent of those who are considered outside forces and are engaged in fighting U.S. forces in Iraq. That number is estimated to be about two thousand people. Again, that number is not 20,000 but 2,000 [two thousand] outside forces in Iraq. The rest of those who are fighting against the U.S. and coalition forces are those Iraqis who fervently desire and wish that the United States would stop illegally occupying their country. Try to imagine what it would be like if another country illegally invaded this country. Could your DNA makeup be lacking in that all important trait called empathy? Cheering for the Bush/Cheney team is one thing, arguing with facts on your side seems to be another matter entirely.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:50 pm#57 - Why stop with your cherry-picking, Exley? Why not inlcude more of the transcript?
“Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment — yet, it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other, made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free. (Applause.)
Today, we have the greater power to free a nation by breaking a dangerous and aggressive regime. With new tactics and precision weapons, we can achieve military objectives without directing violence against civilians. No device of man can remove the tragedy from war; yet it is a great moral advance when the guilty have far more to fear from war than the innocent. (Applause.)
We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes. We’ve begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. (Ignore the fact that they were never, ever found. Pres. Bush lied and used false data to justify his war.) We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools. And we will stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and for the Iraqi people. ”
There’s more to his speech, but they key parts are:
Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.
In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.
Sorry, Exley, when you cherry-pick Pres. Clinton, don’t cry like a little girl when others cherry-pick Pres. Bush.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:52 pmHere’s a chympquip from the speech, (with comments)
“We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous (MIGHT TAKE FOUR TO TEN, MAYBE TWENTY OR FORTY YEARS). We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes (HANG EM HIGH). We’ve begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated(WON’T FIND ANYTHING, JUST INVESTIGATING). We’re helping to rebuild Iraq(EXCEPT WHERE IT’S TOO DAMN DANGEROUS), where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools. And we will stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and for the (SHIITE THEOCRACY) Iraqi people. “
January 9th, 2007 at 4:53 pmSenator’s condition upgraded after brain surgery
POSTED: 2:12 p.m. EST, January 9, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Tim Johnson’s condition has been upgraded from critical to fair, four weeks after he was hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage, his office said Tuesday.
More good news. Sorry about being off topic. Its a first.
January 9th, 2007 at 4:56 pmThank you, Democrat Soldier for admitting that ThinkProgress “cherry-picked” the President’s May 1, 2003 speech. You are a gentleman and a scholar, sir!
January 9th, 2007 at 4:58 pmThere’s more to his speech, but they key parts are:
Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.
In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.
Comment by Democrat Soldier — January 9, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
could be… but i thought these words seemed pertinent:
(Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
NOT.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:02 pmthanks for that johnson update, fortruth!
January 9th, 2007 at 5:03 pmIt must be difficult having to be the media spokesperson for the worst President in American History. I wonder if Snow ever feels like the sell out the American people see him as. He’s sold his soul to the Devil for a career advancement.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:03 pmExley and MA’s comments on this thread provide compelling evidence that these two will never get it, and will never stop deluding themselves with their hair-splitting semantics and reality-defying spin.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:04 pmRecall, as well, that in the same Mission Accomplished speach, Bush falsely claimed, “We’ve removed an ally of al Qaeda. . . .”
January 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pmBush was for “Mission Accomplished” but now he’s deciding it into”Mission Demolished”. Soon, they’ll sink the carrier and tell us it never existed.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:07 pmComment by Exley
Good grief, while the rest of us try to return our government to the people, the trolls continue to try and score minor points to make themselves feel superior. Seems childish to me.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:10 pmSnow can say whatever he wants. All anyone will remember is that photo of Bush in front of the Mission Accomplished banner. People remember images, not words.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:12 pmHeard this afternoon on NPR:
Maybe Bush can just declare victory–right now!
It would be pretty consistent with his past patterns.
Repeat something often enough and it becomes true, no?
Seriously, there is no end in sight, anything short of immediate withdrawal will simply prolong the carnage. There will be plenty of political fallout regardless of when or how we conclude this debacle.
With enough of the right kind of spin, he could repeat his May, 2003 declaration and a significant number of Americans would buy it. Those who wouldn’t buy it would be relieved the travesty has ended.
“Good job, Georgie, good job. Now, do you want to go out and play”?
January 9th, 2007 at 5:12 pm#33 RUcerious
Well, there goes the LyingBastardometer, back to the repair shop.
This time the “lies†is getting the bill.
I had to throw away my LyingBastardometer a few weeks ago. Phony Tony pegged the meter so many times the needle got wrapped around the peg.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:15 pm“Thank you! Progs have a difficult time with anything resembling “patience†or “perserveranceâ€. ”
Nonsense! I’m still waiting patiently for my drop from the “trickle down” theory…
Oh, and I will never end in my perseverance to see the end of this “War” of which I have considered immoral and unjust from the beginning. You don’t even have the vaguest of ideas of what that word means.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:16 pmPresident Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended
Remarks by the President from the USS Abraham Lincoln
At Sea Off the Coast of San Diego, California
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 1, 2003
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment — yet, it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other, made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free. (Applause.)
Operation Iraqi Freedom was carried out with a combination of precision and speed and boldness the enemy did not expect, and the world had not seen before. From distant bases or ships at sea, we sent planes and missiles that could destroy an enemy division, or strike a single bunker. Marines and soldiers charged to Baghdad across 350 miles of hostile ground, in one of the swiftest advances of heavy arms in history. You have shown the world the skill and the might of the American Armed Forces.
This nation thanks all the members of our coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, who shared in the hardships of war. We thank all the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country. And tonight, I have a special word for Secretary Rumsfeld, for General Franks, and for all the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States: America is grateful for a job well done. (Applause.)
The character of our military through history — the daring of Normandy, the fierce courage of Iwo Jima, the decency and idealism that turned enemies into allies — is fully present in this generation. When Iraqi civilians looked into the faces of our servicemen and women, they saw strength and kindness and goodwill. When I look at the members of the United States military, I see the best of our country, and I’m honored to be your Commander-in-Chief. (Applause.)
In the images of falling statues, we have witnessed the arrival of a new era. For a hundred of years of war, culminating in the nuclear age, military technology was designed and deployed to inflict casualties on an ever-growing scale. In defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, Allied forces destroyed entire cities, while enemy leaders who started the conflict were safe until the final days. Military power was used to end a regime by breaking a nation.
Today, we have the greater power to free a nation by breaking a dangerous and aggressive regime. With new tactics and precision weapons, we can achieve military objectives without directing violence against civilians. No device of man can remove the tragedy from war; yet it is a great moral advance when the guilty have far more to fear from war than the innocent. (Applause.)
In the images of celebrating Iraqis, we have also seen the ageless appeal of human freedom. Decades of lies and intimidation could not make the Iraqi people love their oppressors or desire their own enslavement. Men and women in every culture need liberty like they need food and water and air. Everywhere that freedom arrives, humanity rejoices; and everywhere that freedom stirs, let tyrants fear. (Applause.)
We have difficult work to do in Iraq. We’re bringing order to parts of that country that remain dangerous. We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes. We’ve begun the search for hidden chemical and biological weapons and already know of hundreds of sites that will be investigated. We’re helping to rebuild Iraq, where the dictator built palaces for himself, instead of hospitals and schools. And we will stand with the new leaders of Iraq as they establish a government of, by, and for the Iraqi people. (Applause.)
The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done. Then we will leave, and we will leave behind a free Iraq. (Applause.)
The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on September the 11, 2001 — and still goes on. That terrible morning, 19 evil men — the shock troops of a hateful ideology — gave America and the civilized world a glimpse of their ambitions. They imagined, in the words of one terrorist, that September the 11th would be the “beginning of the end of America.” By seeking to turn our cities into killing fields, terrorists and their allies believed that they could destroy this nation’s resolve, and force our retreat from the world. They have failed. (Applause.)
In the battle of Afghanistan, we destroyed the Taliban, many terrorists, and the camps where they trained. We continue to help the Afghan people lay roads, restore hospitals, and educate all of their children. Yet we also have dangerous work to complete. As I speak, a Special Operations task force, led by the 82nd Airborne, is on the trail of the terrorists and those who seek to undermine the free government of Afghanistan. America and our coalition will finish what we have begun. (Applause.)
From Pakistan to the Philippines to the Horn of Africa, we are hunting down al Qaeda killers. Nineteen months ago, I pledged that the terrorists would not escape the patient justice of the United States. And as of tonight, nearly one-half of al Qaeda’s senior operatives have been captured or killed. (Applause.)
The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in the campaign against terror. We’ve removed an ally of al Qaeda, and cut off a source of terrorist funding. And this much is certain: No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime, because the regime is no more. (Applause.)
In these 19 months that changed the world, our actions have been focused and deliberate and proportionate to the offense. We have not forgotten the victims of September the 11th — the last phone calls, the cold murder of children, the searches in the rubble. With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States. And war is what they got. (Applause.)
Our war against terror is proceeding according to principles that I have made clear to all: Any person involved in committing or planning terrorist attacks against the American people becomes an enemy of this country, and a target of American justice. (Applause.)
Any person, organization, or government that supports, protects, or harbors terrorists is complicit in the murder of the innocent, and equally guilty of terrorist crimes.
Any outlaw regime that has ties to terrorist groups and seeks or possesses weapons of mass destruction is a grave danger to the civilized world — and will be confronted. (Applause.)
And anyone in the world, including the Arab world, who works and sacrifices for freedom has a loyal friend in the United States of America. (Applause.)
Click here for a USS Abraham Lincoln photo essay.
Our commitment to liberty is America’s tradition — declared at our founding; affirmed in Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms; asserted in the Truman Doctrine and in Ronald Reagan’s challenge to an evil empire. We are committed to freedom in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in a peaceful Palestine. The advance of freedom is the surest strategy to undermine the appeal of terror in the world. Where freedom takes hold, hatred gives way to hope. When freedom takes hold, men and women turn to the peaceful pursuit of a better life. American values and American interests lead in the same direction: We stand for human liberty. (Applause.)
The United States upholds these principles of security and freedom in many ways — with all the tools of diplomacy, law enforcement, intelligence, and finance. We’re working with a broad coalition of nations that understand the threat and our shared responsibility to meet it. The use of force has been — and remains — our last resort. Yet all can know, friend and foe alike, that our nation has a mission: We will answer threats to our security, and we will defend the peace. (Applause.)
Our mission continues. Al Qaeda is wounded, not destroyed. The scattered cells of the terrorist network still operate in many nations, and we know from daily intelligence that they continue to plot against free people. The proliferation of deadly weapons remains a serious danger. The enemies of freedom are not idle, and neither are we. Our government has taken unprecedented measures to defend the homeland. And we will continue to hunt down the enemy before he can strike. (Applause.)
The war on terror is not over; yet it is not endless. We do not know the day of final victory, but we have seen the turning of the tide. No act of the terrorists will change our purpose, or weaken our resolve, or alter their fate. Their cause is lost. Free nations will press on to victory. (Applause.)
Other nations in history have fought in foreign lands and remained to occupy and exploit. Americans, following a battle, want nothing more than to return home. And that is your direction tonight. (Applause.) After service in the Afghan — and Iraqi theaters of war — after 100,000 miles, on the longest carrier deployment in recent history, you are homeward bound. (Applause.) Some of you will see new family members for the first time — 150 babies were born while their fathers were on the Lincoln. Your families are proud of you, and your nation will welcome you. (Applause.)
We are mindful, as well, that some good men and women are not making the journey home. One of those who fell, Corporal Jason Mileo, spoke to his parents five days before his death. Jason’s father said, “He called us from the center of Baghdad, not to brag, but to tell us he loved us. Our son was a soldier.”
Every name, every life is a loss to our military, to our nation, and to the loved ones who grieve. There’s no homecoming for these families. Yet we pray, in God’s time, their reunion will come.
Those we lost were last seen on duty. Their final act on this Earth was to fight a great evil and bring liberty to others. All of you — all in this generation of our military — have taken up the highest calling of history. You’re defending your country, and protecting the innocent from harm. And wherever you go, you carry a message of hope — a message that is ancient and ever new. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “To the captives, ‘come out,’ — and to those in darkness, ‘be free.’”
Thank you for serving our country and our cause. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America. (Applause.)
END 6:27 P.M. PDT
January 9th, 2007 at 5:19 pmOracle: re #83–A simple link to the article would have sufficed…
January 9th, 2007 at 5:27 pmWar is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength
January 9th, 2007 at 5:28 pm“I think the public ought to just listen to what the president has to say. You know that the mission accomplished banner was put up by members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, and the president, on that very speech, said just the opposite, didn’t he?”
*****************************
Ummmmmmmm, no. Sorry, Phony Tony — he didn’t, actually…
This latest steaming pile of bovine excrement from Snowjob makes it all too clear just whom he has decided to emulate in his career as White House Press Secretary…
He’s Squealer from George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” — the pig whose job it was to convince and persuade all the other animals that certain events which they remembered either never actually took place or happened in a different way. All he’s really missing is the little curly tail which Squealer habitually whisks from side to side…
If it comes to that, the only thing preventing Snowjob from emulating O’Brien in Orwell’s “1984″ is the fact that the Bush administration doesn’t have the ability — or at least, not as yet! — to destroy all concrete evidence which would refute their claims. However, it’s all too clear that they are taking one of Big Brother’s axioms very much to heart. To wit: “Who controls the past controls the future — who controls the present controls the past.”
Over the past five-odd years, it’s been glaringly apparent time and time again to anyone who’s been paying attention that the Bush administration believes itself to be virtually omnipotent — that their beliefs determine the facts, and that nothing is true unless they say it is. This perspective is straight out of “1984″, practically right out of the mind of Big Brother. In fact, in 2002, one of Bush’s senior advisors went so far as to tell Ron Suskind of the New York Times “We’re an empire now — and when we act, we create our own reality.“. To my way of thinking, this is one of the core beliefs at the heart of the Bush administration — that they and they alone have the right and the power to decide what is and is not true, regardless of whether it actually fits the facts or not. Unfortunately for them — and for the rest of us, given that we end up suffering the consequences of this dangerous mindset — this is not the case.
1984 may not be here quite yet — but it’s certainly not for lack of trying on the part of the Bush administration…
January 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pmComment by Barry S.
I believe there was already a link to that same speech under “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”
January 9th, 2007 at 5:31 pm*****This was an acknowledgement of the fall of Saddam’s government. What part of that don’t you understand?
Comment by mighty aphrodite
ROTFL!!!
January 9th, 2007 at 5:36 pm#81 - The new improved LBM has a titanium needle that tends to shear off the peg when Tony’s mouth opens..
January 9th, 2007 at 5:36 pmSo now it’s gotten so bad that Bush is distancing himself from………Bush? This is becoming more and more of a Shakespearean tragedy everyday. IMPEACH before there’s nothing left of the Republic except Nero Jr’s ego.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:38 pmComment by Democrat Soldier — January 9, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Hope you don’t mind me cherry-picking from your post, along with a few comments…
And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
Sounds an awful like police work and nation building, two things that presidential candidate George Bush said the U.S. would never do.
Today, we have the greater power to free a nation by breaking a dangerous and aggressive regime.
More police work.
Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.
Funny…I thought WMDs were the reason we invaded Iraq…not to free the Iraqi people. Yet more police work.
We’re pursuing and finding leaders of the old regime, who will be held to account for their crimes.
Hmmmm. Nothing to do with WMDs or the gathering threat, as Bush put it, that Iraq posed to the U.S.
Damn. Three (3) examples of police work by the U.S. military. Remind me what candidate Bush said about this? Oh yeah…the U.S. wouldn’t be the policemen of the world.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:44 pm“Thank you! Progs have a difficult time with anything resembling “patience†or “perserverance.â€
Kinda hard to do what with Cheney and Rumsfeld telling us that we’d be greeted as liberators, the troops would have flowers thrown at them, and “I doubt the war will last 6 months.”
January 9th, 2007 at 5:46 pmWC,
Are you saying we’re using police work to go after the terrorists? But, if we’re going to solve the problems of terrorism using police work, why is our military involved? (Rhetorical question to you and me.)
January 9th, 2007 at 5:49 pm#89 RUCerious
Don’t waste your money on the digital LBM. I bought one and ended up bringing it back. They don’t make them with enough digits to handle even a medium strength Phony Tony spinfest. Mine registered all 9s before he’d finished his first sentence.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:49 pm#90 - found on Ebay
January 9th, 2007 at 5:51 pmUsed violin, vintage.
only minor smoke damage.
Previously owned by a demented chymperor.
Barry, if a link would have sufficed, then a certain false goddess would not have resorted to cherry-picking.
Sometimes the entire article is necessary to put an end to Sophistry.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:54 pm#94 chimpeach.
January 9th, 2007 at 5:54 pmSuch a disappointing product. You’d think that Consumer Reports would do an article on them.
The WTF-Incredulometer from the same company has major stability issues, tends to bounce around and shatter furniture in bashes into.
The siren that goes off is in direct proportion to the incredulosity of the BS being fed into it.
Causes major ringing of the ears for hours after. Neighbors dogs hate it too.
95 - made by Stradavarious
January 9th, 2007 at 5:57 pmActually, WC, liberating the Iraqi people was always one of the stated goals of the aptly-named Operation: Iraqi Freedom:
“Whereas in December 1991, Congress expressed its sense that it “supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent with the Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102-1),” that Iraq’s repression of its civilian population violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 and “constitutes a continuing threat to the peace, security, and stability of the Persian Gulf region,” and that Congress, “supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688″;
Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act (Public Law 105-338) expressed the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove from power the current Iraqi regime and promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime”
January 9th, 2007 at 5:57 pmJoint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq — October 2002
When did Baghdad Bob get plastic surgery?
January 9th, 2007 at 5:58 pmComment by Exley — January 9, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Again, police work and nation building. Again, 2 things Bush the candidate said we’d never do. Again, lies by Bush.
May I also remind you that in early and mid-2001, both Colin Powell and Condi Rice said that Iraq was not a threat to its neighbors nor to the U.S., was being “contained,” and did not have any significant means to produce WMDs. Powell even referred specifically to their nuclear program. The sanctions were working. Powell said so. Google it if you get the urge.
And don’t try to pass this off on Congress. Bush is the one who wanted to invade Iraq. Richard Clarke and Paul O’Neil both said that within hours and days of 9/11/01, Bush was itching to go after Iraq. Rummy himself tried to justify invading Iraq because that country had better targets.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:06 pmLike an abusive spouse, he keeps going and going and yet the few people who can do something about it go along with the abuse.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:07 pmOfficial: First wave of troops to Iraq by Jan. 31
Responsibility for security shifts to Iraqis by November, another says
WASHINGTON - The latest draft of the new strategy for Iraq that President will Bush will lay out Wednesday calls for an increase of more than 20,000 troops, with most going to Baghdad and 4,000 to Anbar province, one senior official said Tuesday.
The first wave of additional U.S. troops will go into Iraq before the end of the month under Bush’s revised plan, said the official, who requested anonymity because the plans have not yet been announced.
The plan also calls for responsibility for security for all the country’s provinces to be turned over to Iraqi forces by November, said another official, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Bush is due to unveil his plan in a speech Wednesday evening.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:22 pmWe all know it was just a dress rehearsal for winning after the Decider’s planned surge.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:44 pmthanks for that johnson update, fortruth!
Comment by katy
I’m usually good about giving the “Johnson” update.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:44 pm#99 Exley, it’s too bad 51% of American voters confused the phrase “promote the emergence of a democratic government” with “blow the place up and hope the pieces land the exact right order.”
How exactly did they picture the emergence of a democratic government? Because I picture a gradual awakening of the liberal intellectual class. Apparently these voters pictured big explosions and a fully enacted constitutional government floating down among the rubble.
January 9th, 2007 at 6:51 pmI’m usually good about giving the “Johnson†update.
Comment by ForTruth
I wish someone would ask me for a “Johnson” update. :)
January 9th, 2007 at 6:51 pm“Thank you! Progs have a difficult time with anything resembling “patience†or “perserverance.â€
No! We have to invade Iraq now! We can’t wait! Now now now!
January 9th, 2007 at 6:53 pmMA: “He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations.”
I’m guessing the families of marines killed securing Falluja would call that operation a “major combat operation.”
January 9th, 2007 at 7:01 pmExley, since you’re so fond of pasting in parts of the resolution, maybe you can explain why your dear leader has never held up his end of this part of it:
SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS
(a) The President shall, at least once every 60 days, submit to the Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint resolution, including actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in section 2 and the status of planning for efforts that are expected to be required after such actions are completed, including those actions described in section 7 of Public Law 105-338 (the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998).
They were supposed to go back with further evidence of WMD’s, Exley. Why didn’t they do that.
And, since you’re such an adherent to our constitution, I’m sure you know that all appropriations for any war must be reviewed at least every two years. It’s right there in black and white.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:07 pmMA: “He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations.â€
As if MA has any battle experience.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:15 pmMA: “He said it was the end of major combat operations, but he did not say it was the end of operations.â€
Fact check: 140 U.S. soldiers were killed and 542 were wounded during “major operations”. 3975 soldiers have been killed and 21,517 wounded since then.
Source: icasualties.org
So Exley and MA, please just STFU about what it all means, because you will never, ever get it.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:16 pm“I’m guessing the families of marines killed securing Falluja would call that operation a “major combat operation.†Comment by Bluedog49 — January 9, 2007 @ 7:01 pm”
And they would call mighty aphrodite a *useless cvnt*. But that would be *kind* - wouldn’t it?
January 9th, 2007 at 7:17 pmthanks for that johnson update, fortruth!
Comment by katy
I’m usually good about giving the “Johnson†update.
Comment by ForTruth — January 9, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
… as soon as i hit the post button… uoy…
January 9th, 2007 at 7:18 pm“As if MA has any battle experience. Comment by Zep Tepi — January 9, 2007 @ 7:15 pm”
Don’t forget her battles with substance abuse, mental illness, and terminal *ugliness* - inside and out. Don’t those count? Or with the cvnt du jour still measure up short in the *battle experience*?
Battle experience is exactly what this *reckless keyboarder* needs some of. But like all *cowardly lions*, she’ll shield herself with some dishonest *but I served in the support corpse*. What a lying, stupid b!tch and ignorant cvnt *she* is.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:23 pmHmmmm, Baghdad Tony.
January 9th, 2007 at 7:38 pmHey all you “progressively more retarded” folks. Remember “shock n awe”?
Major operations are over. We won the war against Iraq. I know you hate that you want to call America LOSERS so bad you can taste it. But saying it does not make it so.
We conquered our enemy. When it became obvious long after the war with Saddam behind bars and his sons dead. Iran decided to take advantage of the liberal anti-America propaganda machine and start infighting amongst Sunni and Shite. Who really cares? For the most part the liberals do not that they care about the violence. No they are tickled about it and hoping beyond comprehension that some more American soldiers die. That way they can say “See there we lost …miserably…failure.†All those words that liberals love to use when talking about their country.
Like I said saying its so does not make it so.
The president repeated in several speeches that this was going to be a long war against terrorism.
The headline should read:
ThinkProgress.org misleads simple minded web audience into believing that there are still ongoing major operations in the country of Iraq.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:00 pmActually, WC, liberating the Iraqi people was always one of the stated goals of the aptly-named Operation: Iraqi Freedom:
Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq — October 2002Comment by Exley — January 9, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
Since you site one section let me site one section. A little more from Public Law 105-338:
MILITARY ASSISTANCE
SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT A TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ.
(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE- The President may provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations designated in accordance with section 5 the following assistance:
(1) BROADCASTING ASSISTANCE
(A) Grant assistance to such organizations for radio and television broadcasting by such organizations to Iraq.
(B) There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States Information Agency $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 to carry out this paragraph.
(2) MILITARY ASSISTANCE
(A) The President is authorized to direct the drawdown of defense articles from the stocks of the Department of Defense, defense services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training for such organizations.
(B) The aggregate value (as defined in section 644(m) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961) of assistance provided under this paragraph may not exceed $97,000,000.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:08 pmSEC. 8. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize or otherwise speak to the use of United States Armed Forces (except as provided in section 4(a)(2)) in carrying out this Act.
For the full PL-105-338 (Iraq Liberation Act: http://ednet.rvc.cc.il.us/~PeterR/IR/docs/IraqLib.htm
Major operations are over. We won the war against Iraq.
Comment by joeslogic
I must have missed the party.
We conquered our enemy.
Small dick syndrome.
Iran decided to take advantage of the liberal anti-America propaganda machine and start infighting amongst Sunni and Shite.
So Iran waited until the liberal Anti-american propaganda machine in order to fight americans? Ahhh…well, let me just take some facts out of my ass…
The president repeated in several speeches that this was going to be a long war against terrorism.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:18 pmWas there any 9/11 terrorist in Iraq? Mmmm… Its funny you know, cuz back in the 80´s with that great actor Reagan as president, was also a war on terror and…this is funny… Iraq was deleted as a terrorist nation when…god, really funny…Saddam decided to buy chemical and biological weapons from the US. How did I War on terror ended? Who won? Did US conquered the “enemies”? Heh. You are funny, joe. Keep posting.
The “Authorization and Requirements” portion: Public Law 107-243.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) Authorization.–The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to–
(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
(b) Presidential Determination.–In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon thereafter as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that–
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorist and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Now please note that Bush parrots Congress’s PL for his Letter of Determination. A complete freshman college approach, not worthy of a president going to war no matter how you slice it.
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Conclusion of Diplomatic Efforts With Regard to Iraq:
January 9th, 2007 at 8:24 pmMarch 18, 2003
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that in the enclosed document, I determine that:
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
tony snow is a bitch. just a plain bitch.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:29 pmHey Juan C
Are you saying that the initial major war operations from the first few months of the war. You remember the one where the hundreds of sorties were flying each day dropping bombs. They were not patrolling the streets in any less than tank escorted convoys (surely you remember the tanks going through the city and Iraq army sending news crews in to spot enemy encroaching on strategic locations.) Do you think this is still ongoing?
Answer me
A: Major operations are still ongoing
B: No Joe the article was wrong and it took advantage of us simpletons whipping us into a frenzy of misplaced sarcasm. Everyone who commented in this thread sarcastically about what Snow said is an idiot tool for the terrorist movement.
Real simple for you is it (A) or is it (B)?
January 9th, 2007 at 8:35 pmSnow Falsely Claims That Bush Said ‘Just The Opposite’ Of ‘Mission Accomplished’…
Tony Snow is now saying that Bush never said the mission was accomplished. I could have sworn that is what the banner behind him said. BUT some Republicans are saying to ignore the banner. After all it was the crew of the Abraham Lincoln that put it up…
January 9th, 2007 at 8:38 pmIf what you say was true Joe, would we need 30,000 more troops?
January 9th, 2007 at 8:41 pmA No
B Yes
Real simple for you is it (A) or is it (B)?
Comment by joeslogic
Combat operartions are not just air sorties, the real battles are always fought upon the ground Joe. Did Hitler lose the war because of air battles? No his demise came thru hard fought ground battle.
Your logic is skewed Joe, for Joe.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:43 pmB: No Joe the article was wrong and it took advantage of us simpletons whipping us into a frenzy of misplaced sarcasm. Everyone who commented in this thread sarcastically about what Snow said is an idiot tool for the terrorist movement.
Snow is an officebound person, and only knows what he is told IE compartmentalization. Do you JOE know about all the troop movements?
January 9th, 2007 at 8:45 pmA NO
B YES
For JuanC. to know anything about the Middle East he would do well to put on his sombrero and think like the drug cartels that now run Mexico with the full blessings and assistance of the Mexican federales and local governments. Unfortunately, the clash with modernity (which many Iraqis appreciate) does not sit well with Koranimals.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:48 pm“Mission Accomplished” was exactly what America was to see on the deck of that ship. The White House tacitly cleared this and that fact is widely known inside the Beltway.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:53 pmAnd you whom have the whole world piped unto your little compartmentalized PC monitor somehow know what the military sattelites, and encrypted intelligence know?
I will not rob these troops of a job well done.
What we should be cautious of however is the spin zen of the politicians, L and R, and the media.
January 9th, 2007 at 8:54 pmMA…boring. BTW, I agree with what you say about the mexican government. They support drug dealers as much any government. On topic, please…
January 9th, 2007 at 8:57 pmDo you not realize MA that your are but a compartmentaized speck, fed only what you need be?
That you exist only upon what you are fed?
January 9th, 2007 at 8:59 pmFor JuanC. to know anything about the Middle East he would do well to put on his sombrero and think like the drug cartels that now run Mexico with the full blessings and assistance of the Mexican federales and local governments. Unfortunately, the clash with modernity (which many Iraqis appreciate) does not sit well with Koranimals.
Comment by mighty aphrodite — January 9, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Well said! You really do understand.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:00 pmYou MA, are quite intelligent, yet a horses ass. I like you, I really do, but you need to think beyond the TV.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:01 pmAnd if you ever do figure it out STFU.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:01 pm“The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist — McDonald’s cannot flourish without McDonnell-Douglas, the designer of the F-15. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley’s technologies is called the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.â€
— Thomas Friedman, “A Manifesto for the Fast Worldâ€, New York Times Magazine, March 28, 1999
There you have your victory, joe. Thats what your soldiers are dying for. Keep it up.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:08 pm“The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist — McDonald’s cannot flourish without McDonnell-Douglas, the designer of the F-15. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley’s technologies is called the US Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.â€
— Thomas Friedman, “A Manifesto for the Fast Worldâ€, New York Times Magazine, March 28, 1999
There you have your victory, joe. Thats what your soldiers are dying for. Keep it up.
Comment by Juan C — January 9, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
?
January 9th, 2007 at 9:14 pmMighty that was a little harsh, I sensed racial undertones. Just come out and tell us what you really think.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:15 pmSo your a commie I guess that’s your point Juan at least it is the best I can figure. You read that and thought there was a point to be made right?
January 9th, 2007 at 9:16 pmCome on guys, this is so admirable. Mr. Snow can rearrange history in real-time while knowing full well that people will point out the sleight of hand - and still he can do it with the absolute assurance that IT DOESN’T MATTER AT ALL. He IS telling FUTURE TRUTH. Why isn’t he being ridden out of town on a rail?
January 9th, 2007 at 9:17 pmRacial undertones with Juan?
Is that what you are referring to Comment by ForTruth?
Explaine your case because this is exactly what I have talked about before this so called law of political correctness.
Please explaine your accusation Comment by ForTruth.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:19 pmjoe,
Juan is illustrating the short-term, superficial, special interests that basically use 10x the resources than any other place, completely ignore the suffering in the world, completely rub it in everyone’s faces, act like bullies and babies, have no respect, think they will last forever on this shit, type of crap you think people should die for.
Keep it up Joe.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:19 pm“Koranimals”… did aphro make that one up all by herself?
January 9th, 2007 at 9:20 pmsounds like a malkinism… such a racist, unkind thing to say… sad…
for joe’s?logic:
Military-Industrial Complex Speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961
http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html
go ahead… it’s an easy read… spells it all out…
January 9th, 2007 at 9:24 pmStop defending the Aphrodite Joe. Be a man and answer all the questions people have already posed to you.
January 9th, 2007 at 9:28 pmOk so Juan has a hatred for American people. I sense some racial undertones with Juan as well as Comments statements.
I for one am offended and you know what that means.
You broke the:
“offended someone who found a round about way to create the impression of the possibility that there were undertones of a racial nature” rule. And we know what that means!
Of course any argument previously made ceases to be relevant regardless of the obvious logic that it indicates. Right?
January 9th, 2007 at 9:28 pm