Think Progress

Petraeus Falsely Claims That Six Months Ago, ‘No One Would Have Forecast’ Anbar’s Success»

Today in his testimony to the House, Gen. David Petraeus cited the reduced violence in the Anbar province as evidence that President Bush’s “surge” is working. He added that it would be “premature” to withdraw U.S. troops now, because in January, “no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months“:

However, in my professional judgment, it would be premature to make recommendations on the pace of such reductions at this time. In fact, our experience in Iraq has repeatedly shown that projecting too far into the future is not just difficult, it can be misleading and even hazardous. The events of the past six months underscore that point. When I testified in January, for example, no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months.

Watch it:

Screenshot

Yet in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Commitee six months ago — just two weeks after Bush first announced his escalation plans — Petraeus admitted that in Anbar, there already appeared “to be a trend in the positive direction where sheikhs are stepping up”:

You’ve seen it, I know, in Anbar province, where it has sort of gone back and forth. And right now there appears to be a trend in the positive direction where sheikhs are stepping up and they do want to be affiliated with and supported by the U.S. Marines and Army forces who are in Anbar province. That was not the case as little as perhaps six months ago, or certainly before that. [Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, 1/23/07]

Bush’s “surge” is not responsible for progress in Anbar. The Sunni sheik who forged the alliance with the Americans “traced the decision to fight al-Qaeda to Sept. 14, 2006, long before the new Bush strategy.” Nevertheless, the Bush administration “dispatched another 4,000 U.S. troops to Anbar to exploit the situation.”

Last week, CNN correspondent Michael Ware also noted that the Sunni insurgency in Anbar offered to work with U.S. troops — not the Iraqi government — to fight al Qaeda in 2003, but the United States rejected the offer. Only “after four years of bloodshed” was the United States “finally ready to accept those terms.”

UPDATE: The Gavel has video of the opening statements by House Armed Services Committee chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Tom Lantos (D-CA).




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405 Responses to “Petraeus Falsely Claims That Six Months Ago, ‘No One Would Have Forecast’ Anbar’s Success”

  1. Jake D. Says:

    Regardless of who gets the credit or when it started looking up, Petraeus is certainly not “falsely claiming” (unless you can point to someone 6 months ago who actually dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has) anything in that regard.


  2. gopminority4ever Says:

    1. It’s still a civil war and we have no cause to be in the middle of it, other than that old Pottery Barn rule.


  3. Japaner Says:

    no one would have dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has in the past 6 months.

    The operative words “transformed the way it has”, a huge difference from “appeared to be a trend”.

    Petr saw the trend but he couldnt have known the huge success reaped in Anbar would come as quickly and completely as it has.

    This is another example of the simple-minded parsing which normally occurs at TP.


  4. Japaner Says:

    It’s still a civil war and we have no cause to be in the middle of it, other than that old Pottery Barn rule.

    Great, I look forward to the cessation of posts lamenting Iraqi civilian deaths on this site.


  5. Dean♡Sen.Craig Says:

    DeaN CT: What is a “paid flamer”? You sound homophobic. Are you?


  6. Heynow Says:

    War was lost in 2003. Now we are just beating dead horse.


  7. Turd Ferguson Says:

    The old pottery barn rule eh? Ethics escape you?


  8. notourfight Says:

    No. 5.: Do you lament the 28,000 American wounded? Been to the VA, lately, dickhead?


  9. Jake D. Says:

    I’m still waiting for TP to point to someone who actually dared to forecast 6 months ago that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has.


  10. GSD Says:

    No one would have predicted that a US general would be arming and giving money and ammunition to Sunnis and Saddamists and dead enders who have been killing American troops.

    -GSD


  11. gummitch Says:

    The old pottery barn rule eh? Ethics escape you?

    Comment by Turd Ferguson — September 10, 2007 @ 3:18 pm

    When did the Constitution get replaced with the policy manual from a department store?


  12. warwhatisitgoodfor Says:

    Can’t we just declare victory and GTFO?


  13. dixie blood Says:

    This General is a COMPLETE TOOL of the completely corrupt GW BOTCH misAdministration!!!


  14. Turd Ferguson Says:

    #

    Can’t we just declare victory and GTFO?

    Comment by warwhatisitgoodfor — September 10, 2007 @ 3:21 pm

    “Mission Accomplished” …..


  15. PeterW Says:

    Wow, the region that has 5% of the population is still the second deadliest for our troops. Big improvement.


  16. dixie blood Says:

    Jake(off) D(ick) = TROLL!

    IGNORE!!!


  17. Kevin Good Says:

    ‘Mission Accomplished II, Anbar’
    http://www.unknownnews.org/070910a-KevinGood.html


  18. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Great, I look forward to the cessation of posts lamenting Iraqi civilian deaths on this site.

    Comment by Japaner — September 10, 2007 @ 3:16 pm

    WTF???? Try making “sense”…


  19. PaulD Says:

    HERE IS THE FULL VIDEO OF THE PETRAEUS REPORT, for those who haven’t seen it:

    http://beta.redlasso.com/ Community/ ClipPlayer.aspx?i=8861802a-115f-4506-aa24-08c389ead8c0


  20. Zimzone Says:

    Bush will continue to listen to his Generals as long as the White House writes the reports.

    ‘Gimmee a Freidman’, now; S! I! X! Six more months!!!


  21. Joneser Says:

    Man…
    Where is Bill Clinton when you need him. He knew what he was doing when he spoke about irap all those years ago… Plus he would never put us in the middle of a civil war without an exit strategy, I mean look at Kosovo!!! Duh!!! (eyes rolling)


  22. tom baker Says:

    I like how Hunter and Skelton et al are trying to frame this up as a “Gen. P. is totally honest and unbiased, therefore everyone must agree with his testimony”

    I’m sure Hunter said exactly the same thing about super-patriot Duke Cunningham when he came under scrutiny.


  23. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    #

    I’m still waiting for TP to point to someone who actually dared to forecast 6 months ago that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has.

    Comment by Jake D. — September 10, 2007 @ 3:19 pm

    You’re jumping around here a little too much, Jerk D. All TP did was quote Petraeus’ own words. It’s not up to TP to substantiate Petraeus’ claim for his sake.

    Nice try. Yer comment is a strawman, but hey, you can’t tell the difference between basketball and football, or keep your own age straight. Go figure.


  24. Japaner Says:

    No. 5.: Do you lament the 28,000 American wounded? Been to the VA, lately, dickhead?

    Yep, I drive every other night for the DAV, usually shuttling vets from their homes to the VA facilities in the Twin Cities. Ill leave the the slanderous honorifics to you intelligent types.


  25. Uncle Ho Says:

    warwhatisitgood for; I’m with you. Declare victory and go home. (1966)


  26. Another Chris Says:

    Wow TP is smearing the good name of General Petareus while he is still sitting in the chair. Impressive. I guess these are the kind of News items you get when you have a thousand monkeys at a thousand computers.


  27. VerbalKint Says:

    It sounds like the trolls had their talking points arranged for them in advance today. It makes sense. The right wing noise machine has no doubt spent weeks preparing their strategy around the phony Petraeus report.


  28. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    I mean look at Kosovo!!! Duh!!! (eyes rolling)

    Comment by Joneser — September 10, 2007 @ 3:28 pm

    Whilst living w/ your won incohernecy may not be a problem for you, on this end, all one can say is, WTF???


  29. Petraeushandingsmackdowntolibtards Says:

    This is how traitors like TP get when they’re faced with incontrovertible testimony by an independent general: they personally attack him to discredit him. This TP accusation is based on the libtarded slant of the WP; WP is discreditable because of its bias against the war. Further laughable is the fraud that based on the claim that one sheik apparently “entered” into an agreement with the US in fall 06, TP accuses Petraeus of lying. Articles written even by the WP–which TP has posted here in earlier weeks–contain quotes from Sunnis AND US generals testifying to the fact that the Sunnis were actually encouraged by the US surge to fight Al-Qaeda. In other words, without the surge, the Sunnis obviously would NOT have had the wherewithal to fight Al-Qaeda. Further destroying TP’s lies is the fact that if the Sunnis were already working with the US against Qaeda in 06, then why is news of the improvement in Anbar only emerging now, post-surge?


  30. Eatery Says:

    Why are all of the TP posts negative?? What about the 30,000 troops out by next summer business??


  31. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    I’m still waiting for TP to point to someone who actually dared to forecast 6 months ago that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has.

    Um, try this very post, dumbass. Petraeus himself. Ever heard of him?

    That. Was. The. Point.

    As for “the way it has,” I guess you mean “not very much.”

    All those American lives: wasted. Pissed away. Nothing to show for it.
    .


  32. Japaner Says:

    WTF???? Try making “sense”…

    I did, perhaps you should try harder at comprehending. Read the post I was referring to and put the pieces together, youll get it eventually.


  33. had enough Says:

    Regardless of who gets the credit or when it started looking up, Petraeus is certainly not “falsely claiming” (unless you can point to someone 6 months ago who actually dared to forecast that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has) anything in that regard.

    Comment by Jake D.

    Things are not looking up, this is a lie, we all know it and most are sick to death of our air waves spewing LIES.
    After our illegal immoral Shock and Awe, if our government sincerely wanted to rebuild Iraq, prevent civil war we would have gone along with the Iraqi peoples request… that is let the Iraqi people rebuild their own country… as they put it - they could do it pennies on the dollar. A healthy growing employed nation most likely would resist civil war.
    The very reason this is ignored gives suspect to the real intentions of the Bush thug administration.


  34. AngryOne Says:

    With the long-awaited surge progress report from General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker due beginning today, Perrspectives has updated its Iraq Document Center. The repository includes the latest news, statistics, key reports and other essential materials surrounding the Iraq war and its run-up.

    For the overview, see:
    “Required Reading for Petraeus, Crocker Testimony.”


  35. ronjazz Says:

    I’m still waiting for TP to point to someone who actually dared to forecast 6 months ago that Anbar Province would have been transformed the way it has.

    Comment by Jake D. — September 10, 2007 @ 3:19 pm

    “You’ve seen it, I know, in Anbar province, where it has sort of gone back and forth. And right now there appears to be a trend in the positive direction where sheikhs are stepping up and they do want to be affiliated with and supported by the U.S. Marines and Army forces who are in Anbar province. That was not the case as little as perhaps six months ago, or certainly before that. [Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, 1/23/07]” Petraeus, General Ass-Kisser-In-Chief, dingleberry Cluster

    Who’s reading to you, Jake?


  36. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    “incontrovertible testimony”?

    Petraeus’ bullshit was dead before it hit the floor. Crap like that only works on people who can’t count.
    .


  37. BJ Says:

    Stand back, I believe the Generals pants are on fire!


  38. ronjazz Says:

    Wow TP is smearing the good name of General Petareus while he is still sitting in the chair. Impressive. I guess these are the kind of News items you get when you have a thousand monkeys at a thousand computers.

    Comment by Another Chris — September 10, 2007 @ 3:29 pm

    Or one monkey in front of a camera.


  39. MapleStreet Says:

    I’m absolutely sure that the withdrawal by next summer was in no way timed for the elections. I do believe in fairies. I do, I do, I do!



  40. stopthecons Says:

    this guy’s a politician. people are talking about him running for president. should we expect anything other than distortions, misleading statements, coverups and outright lies?

    it’s the nature of the beast. and the beast lies even more in wartime.

    That’s my rant. read on if you’d like:

    “Politicians Lie? Say it Ain’t So!”

    http://www.populistamerica.com/ politicians_lie___say_it_ain_t_so


  41. Eatery Says:

    I love how all you people are combat and war experts! THE SURGE WASN’T RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCCESS! IT WAS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE SURGE, DEFINITELY NOT THE SURGE THOUGH. DEFINITELY NOT.


  42. Japaner Says:

    “Appears to be a trend” is supposed to be synonamous with “transformed the way it has”, i.e. incredibly successful?


  43. dixie blood Says:

    Comment by Petraeushandingsmackdowntolibtards — September 10, 2007 @ 3:30 pm

    your….littttlllee..tteeny…tinnny…memBrain IS NOT WORKING HERE!!!
    Go away RepugliscumTard!!!


  44. Exley Says:

    #4 Dean CT,

    This is the third time in a week that ThinkProgress has printed this lie and it is the third time this week they have been caught…It looks like they are relying as the repetitive lie method — Repeat a lie often enough and, hopefully, someone will end up believing it. Fortunately, everytime they shamelessly try to pass off this hoax, they get caught.


  45. lefty Says:

    Let me explain the “Betrayus” thing. First of all it’s lame, Sean Hannity crap. Accuse the opposition of being a traitor. That said, Bush has so far fired EVERY general who said anything that disagreed with his party line and propaganda. He has thrown every other general he’s had under the bus.

    The very idea that there are any corners of the government left which are impartial and nonpartisan is bullsh!t. That is why we are all over Petraeus. This is a setup just like all the other setups.


  46. Bobwurst Says:

    ThinkProgress has been overrun by trolls! We may have to destroy ThinkProgess in order to save it.


  47. John Sacks Says:

    Bobwurst - anyone with an opposing view is classified as a troll in your book. The overrun is true in that there are many more people with an opposing view in this country than you thought.


  48. Jake D. Says:

    As Japaner pointed out:

    The operative words “transformed the way it has”, a huge difference from “appeared to be a trend”. Petr[aeus] saw the trend but he couldn’t have known the huge success reaped in Anbar would come as quickly and completely as it has. This is another example of the simple-minded parsing which normally occurs at TP.

    TP put these two quotes together, along with the headline: “Petraeus Falsely Claims That Six Months Ago, ‘No One Would Have Forecast’ Anbar’s Success” to feed the Bush haters.


  49. ronjazz Says:

    THE SURGE WASN’T RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCCESS! IT WAS SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE SURGE, DEFINITELY NOT THE SURGE THOUGH. DEFINITELY NOT.

    Comment by Eatery — September 10, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    What success? There is no success until American soldiers aren’t being blown to pieces every damn day, idiot.


  50. had enough Says:

    The RNC plants are certainly here just for this article…. tell me trolls - Why do you continue to support these obvious lies and this corrupt administration?


  51. dixie blood Says:

    Comment by Exley — September 10, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    LONGTIME TROLL!!! IGNORE!!!


  52. ronjazz Says:

    Fortunately, everytime they shamelessly try to pass off this hoax, they get caught.

    Comment by Exley — September 10, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    and every time Betryus speaks, he lies, and gets caught. Every time.


  53. Bobwurst Says:

    Mr sack, and anyone who disagrees with you is a traitor, what’s your point?


  54. VerbalKint Says:

    The Petraeus testimony is irrelevant. Bush is going to stay the course NO MATTER WHAT. That much is clear. Petraeus is just the latest in a long line of fig leaves, each of which has given the administration less cover than the last. Bush will drag the GOP into oblivion by the time he leaves office.


  55. Japaner Says:

    Or one monkey in front of a camera.

    More proof that the liberals really do love the troops. Slurs like this have become so common that they rarely shock me anymore, rarely.


  56. ronjazz Says:

    TP put these two quotes together, along with the headline: “Petraeus Falsely Claims That Six Months Ago, ‘No One Would Have Forecast’ Anbar’s Success” to feed the Bush haters.

    Comment by Jake D. — September 10, 2007 @ 3:38 pm

    Still allergic to the truth, Jake? That’s what that (R) means, allergic to truth.


  57. dixie blood Says:

    Comment by ronjazz — September 10, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    See #54…


  58. Bobwurst Says:

    “I’m in the U.S. illegally.
    Comment by Bobwurst ”

    I rest my case, mr. sack.


  59. John Sacks Says:

    Mr sack, and anyone who disagrees with you is a traitor, what’s your point?

    Comment by Bobwurst — September 10, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    Who said anything about being a traitor? I just made a statement that the trolls (as you put them) are overrunning because they far outnumber your point of view. Get with the program.


  60. ronjazz Says:

    More proof that the liberals really do love the troops. Slurs like this have become so common that they rarely shock me anymore, rarely.

    Comment by Japaner — September 10, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    the fact that you have happily sold your country out to enrich the already wealthy traitors that laugh at you all the way to the bank no longer shocks me, either.


  61. lefty Says:

    “It’s a quagmire”

    Dick Cheney on the idea of invading and occupying Iraq, 1994

    Why does Dick Cheney Past hate the troops? Was he saying the Future Troops are imcompetent? Didn’t he realize we would be turning the corner every six months? WTF?


  62. ronjazz Says:

    Get with the program.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:41 pm

    Nah, you’re already with the program. still getting your marching orders from traitor Kristol, i see.


  63. upside00 Says:

    What success? There is no success until American soldiers aren’t being blown to pieces every damn day, idiot.

    Comment by ronjazz — September 10, 2007 @ 3:38 pm

    You forget that the Repugs and the BushCo enablers don’t give a shit about the troops: They are just numbers (or commas in Snow-job’s words). Since they have a dogtag, they are US property, to be used as Darth and the NeoCons see fit.

    And Petraeus is the worsat kind of military keader, one who puts everything else in front of his troops’ safety; his career, politics, his next star and his morals. Guess that is why he is one of the few senior Generals left who will still carry the BushCo water. I just hope it breaks his f’ing back.


  64. Eatery Says:

    Excuse me, “progress” as it says in the article above.


  65. John Sacks Says:

    Let’s see, an elected Congress votes for the war and the war begins. Almost immediately a liberal base protests against the war and begins disinformation campaigns to do anything they can to undermine the effort and stop the war. I don’t know how you define treason, but I think that shoe fits pretty well with the anti-war movement.


  66. ronjazz Says:

    Trolls are always outnembered 6 to 1 by patriots here. The trolls are only 2 or 3, with dozens of sock-puppets. They represent the ever-shrinking, brain-dead, troop-hating rightwing basketcases left holding the Bush bag of shit.


  67. Eatery Says:

    Personal attacks are not necessary ronjazz. I mis-typed. No need for immature name calling here.


  68. VerbalKint Says:

    More proof that the liberals really do love the troops. Slurs like this have become so common that they rarely shock me anymore, rarely.
    Comment by Japaner — September 10, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    Criticizing one corrupt general for being a partisan political hack and Bush sycophant is slurring the troops how?

    This sort of low rhetorical garbage is typical of the guttersnipes who troll for Bush these days.


  69. Bobwurst Says:

    “I just made a statement that the trolls (as you put them) are overrunning because they far outnumber your point of view. Get with the program.

    Comment by John Sacks”

    Really? maybe in the troll population, but not overall:

    http://www.pollingreport.com/iraq.htm

    Namejacking idiots are part of your program.


  70. ronjazz Says:

    Let’s see, an elected Congress votes for the war and the war begins. Almost immediately a liberal base protests against the war and begins disinformation campaigns to do anything they can to undermine the effort and stop the war. I don’t know how you define treason, but I think that shoe fits pretty well with the anti-war movement.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    Johnny Coward, not posting from iraq, when you open your post with a lie, don’t expect anybody to read the rest. You’re some f*cking stupid, boy.


  71. John Sacks Says:

    There really is no such thing as a left winged patriot since you really do have to be a nationalist, not a “one world government” type to be a patriot. Given that the liberals are pushing for world socialism then it is impossible for any liberal to be a patriot.


  72. upside00 Says:

    I don’t know how you define treason, but I think that shoe fits pretty well with the anti-war movement.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    No, it’s called Democracy, and we WILL get our counbtry back, and clean the BushCo shitstains off the constitution too. Life will be better for you as well. You will see, just don’t fear the change.


  73. VerbalKint Says:

    Let’s see, an elected Congress votes for the war and the war begins. Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    You forgot the part where the Bush administration LIED about the intelligence to gin up a war.


  74. Joneser Says:

    I wonder what it says when you disparage the highest ranking general of United States… What does that say about your view of our military? Or what of the level of condescension TP’ers have for the best men and women who volunteer and sacrifice thanklessly for their belief in their country. Are they idiots? are they followers? are they ignorant? are they kids, children? Because they left their comfortable chairs at home and decided to hangout in 100+ degree whether for fun? Well then again… maybe its harder to leave your comfy couch and die your hair pink.
    The actual reality that the overwhelming majority of those men and women don’t remotely share your outlook of what we are doing there, doesn’t dawn on you? Mainly, because they are there seeing it everyday?


  75. Japaner Says:

    Sorry ron but I cant accept your faux concern for the troops. In one post you refer to General Petr as a monkey, in a following post you profess concern that our troops are being blown-up, then again you slander Petr as “Betrayus”. General Petraeus is a troop is he not?


  76. ronjazz Says:

    My analysis of TP’s troll presense means a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y squat.

    I’ve been trying to get a job with TP as a paid troll statistician, but they keep hanging up on me.

    :(


  77. ronjazz Says:

    I hear that TP is producing a fictional account, post after post, to propose as a scripted replacement for ‘Passions’ on NBC. They want to call it “Vietraq” or some else equally retarded.

    Comment by Dean CT — September 10, 2007 @ 3:47 pm

    well, they figured the White House long-running fiction about “turning hte corner”, etc., etc., is selling pretty well, but now they know that it isn’t, so they’ll just continue going with the truth, until you stop the lies. Isn’t it always the way: we’ll stop telling the truth about you when you stop lying about us.


  78. John Sacks Says:

    ” LIED ” - the old false comeback of a liberal with no substance in their debate. Again we are back to the liberal “I know you are but what am I” way of debating. Good luck.


  79. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    Criticizing one corrupt general for being a partisan political hack and Bush sycophant is slurring the troops how?

    Because the bushtards have to change the subject from the argument they can’t make to how mean we are. It’s the whining of losers.

    Petraeus has gone the way of Powell. Apparently, the bushtards think they can hide bullshit behind a title.

    Uh, no. You already lost, thanks for playing.
    .


  80. John Sacks Says:


    No, it’s called Democracy, and we WILL get our counbtry back, and clean the BushCo shitstains off the constitution too. Life will be better for you as well. You will see, just don’t fear the change.

    Demcracy is when we accept the results of an election then cary out what ever agenda the election resolved. In the case of the Iraq war, it was that - war. Undermining this after it was decided by Congress to move forward is not democracy but closer to anarchy or mob rule.


  81. Tobey Tall Says:

    9 American soldiers killed in Iraq


  82. Tobey Tall Says:

    BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers died in Iraq on Monday — all but one killed in vehicle accidents in and around Baghdad, the military said.


  83. Krazny Says:

    The actual reality that the overwhelming majority of those men and women don’t remotely share your outlook of what we are doing there, doesn’t dawn on you? Mainly, because they are there seeing it everyday?

    Comment by Joneser — September 10, 2007 @ 3:47 pm

    The military is split about 50/50 same as the rest of the country. The brave men and women, are part of a volunteer army that is supposed to defend the US. Use of these men and women for empire building, and to settle a personal grudge is poor leadership.


  84. VerbalKint Says:

    I wonder what it says when you disparage the highest ranking general of United States
    Comment by Joneser — September 10, 2007 @ 3:47 pm

    Uh, maybe it says that you believe that the highest ranking general of the United States isn’t doing his job. Is this somehow against the rules in your mind? Thou shalt not criticize one’s leaders? This might be how poeple in your authoritarian cult think, but it isn’t how democracy works in this country.


  85. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    the old false comeback of a liberal with no substance

    Wow, you haven’t even read the post, have you? It’s right there, above your stupidity. Right at the top of the page.

    You can lead a bushtard to water, but you can’t make him think.
    .


  86. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Comment by Another Chris — September 10, 2007 @ 3:29 pm

    Still hanging around, petending you’re something you’re not, huh?


  87. ronjazz Says:

    I wonder what it says when you disparage the highest ranking general of United States… What does that say about your view of our military?

    It says that even the highest-ranking general of the United States is a scum-sucker capable of selling his country out. It has happened countless times throughout history. It also says that America can only be defeated by the rightwing robots continuing to suck off Bushco puppets.


  88. John Sacks Says:


    The military is split about 50/50 same as the rest of the country

    I call BS on that comment. Back that up soldier.


  89. trollbuster Says:

    Or one monkey in front of a camera.

    More proof that the liberals really do love the troops. Slurs like this have become so common that they rarely shock me anymore, rarely.

    Comment by Japaner — September 10, 2007 @ 3:40 pm

    Like conservatives supported Jack Murtha or John Kerry, Shinseki or teh generals who have come out calling for a change in strategy or the troops who authored an op-ed for the Times? Like Dick Cheney supported the troops in Vietnam by securing five deferments? Like George W. Bush supported his comrades fighting in southeast Asia by keeping the skies above Alabama safe from communists (when he wasn’t working on political campaigns, that is)?


  90. Tobey Tall Says:

    BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers died in Iraq on Monday — all but one killed in vehicle accidents in and around Baghdad, the military said.

    3771


  91. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    ” LIED ” - the old false comeback of a liberal with no substance in their debate. Again we are back to the liberal “I know you are but what am I” way of debating. Good luck.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

    WHINING ABOUT GETTING CAUGHT LYING - the old false comeback of a conservative with no substance in their debate. Again we are back to the conservative “I know you are but what am I” way of debating when they’re caught LYING. Good Luck - LIAR!


  92. dixie blood Says:

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:44 pm

    Your comment is dumb and completely out of touch with recent and well documented history!

    You seem to be another useless troll ‘roun’ here!!!


  93. Tobey Tall Says:

    BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers died in Iraq on Monday — all but one killed in vehicle accidents in and around Baghdad, the military said.


  94. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Undermining this after it was decided by Congress to move forward is not democracy but closer to anarchy or mob rule.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:50 pm

    HUH??? WTF???

    Try “making sense”…


  95. Sharon Says:

    #48, let us not act like the reich but merely walk away…..Leave it to the black hearted little troll’s and it will be fixed or not as TP chooses……That will prove just how Thinking progressive they are wont it…….Blessings


  96. ronjazz Says:

    ” LIED ” - the old false comeback of a liberal with no substance in their debate. Again we are back to the liberal “I know you are but what am I” way of debating. Good luck.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:49 pm

    False comeback? So, all of the WMDs are where? Your back yard?

    Lies, moron, the coin of the rightwing realm. lies, more and more, better and better, but lies just the same.


  97. DRxJ Says:

    This is the third time in a week that ThinkProgress has printed this lie and it is the third time this week they have been caught…It looks like they are relying as the repetitive lie method
    Comment by Exley — September 10, 2007 @ 3:35 pm

    Sorry, I’m still searching for your outrage regarding a select few who call Obama, “Osama”. Not having much success, mind you, but I am still searching.

    Meanwhile, what exactly is “the lie” TP is repeating? Not “what you feel” is a lie. Exact lies, please.



  98. Bobwurst Says:

    “Let’s see, an elected Congress votes for the war and the war begins. Almost immediately a liberal base protests against the war and begins disinformation campaigns to do anything they can to undermine the effort and stop the war. I don’t know how you define treason, but I think that shoe fits pretty well with the anti-war movement.

    Comment by John Sacks ”

    Funny you see it that way. what exactly was the disinformation campaign you speak of? Was it the campaign to convince the country that there really wasn’t any WMD in Iraq? Was it the campaign to convince the nation that Saddam really didn’t pose a clear and imminent threat to our country? That there were no connections between Iraq and the 9-11 attacks? Enlighten me here mr sack.

    Becuse the way I see is the country was lied into a war, and the few patriots who see through the lie use their first amendment rights to speak out against an injustice . And now 4 plus years later after we’ve suffered through the worst managment of two wars this country has ever seen, the public has come to the conclusion that the war is a mistake,and bush couldn’t manage a paper route much less a war.


  99. Eatery Says:

    ron “hugh” jazz is full of crap. She is a confused and angry adolescent and nothing more. Personal attacks from hugh to follow.


  100. Japaner Says:

    Criticizing one corrupt general for being a partisan political hack and Bush sycophant is slurring the troops how?

    How is he corrupt, I really want to know?

    And please refrain from the usual schlockery that Petr is a “sock puppet”, “lying turd”, “Chimpy mouthpiece” or any of the other juvenile slander that is such a staple of the libs on this site.


  101. John Sacks Says:

    “The lie” has never been figured out. The ole WMD thing was not a lie so if you call that a lie then you are just wrong. I guess if a hollywood type says there are lies, then there must be lies regardless of reality.


  102. toasterhead Says:

    BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers died in Iraq on Monday — all but one killed in vehicle accidents in and around Baghdad, the military said.

    3771

    Comment by Tobey Tall — September 10, 2007 @ 3:52 pm

    We must defeat the vehicle accidents in Iraq so we don’t have to


  103. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    The actual reality that the overwhelming majority of those men and women don’t remotely share your outlook of

    Don’t you ever get sick of being wrong?


  104. trollbuster Says:

    ron “hugh” jazz is full of crap. She is a confused and angry adolescent and nothing more. Personal attacks from hugh to follow.

    Comment by Eatery — September 10, 2007 @ 3:55 pm

    Ah, irony, thy politics are right wing.


  105. John Sacks Says:

    You are just wrong about that then. Noone was lied into war. The intelligence gathered by the past 3 presidents including W led to the decisions in this war. Whether they were wrong or not, there was no lie in that.


  106. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Hi, everybody! I was ‘MichaelIsretarded.’ Feel free to ignore me as regularly scheduled.


  107. ronjazz Says:

    ron “hugh” jazz is full of crap. She is a confused and angry adolescent and nothing more. Personal attacks from hugh to follow.

    Comment by Eatery — September 10, 2007 @ 3:55 pm

    Thanks, p, I knew I could count on you to cry and pout. Want a hankie? I’m so glad you have given up personal attacks.


  108. Bobwurst Says:

    mr sack is hiding behind the troops again. no one can criticize a general because that will harm the morale of the people who are getting their legs blown off because this administration can’t be bothered arming them properly.


  109. hellinabucket Says:

    John Sacks, can you point to any evidence that “War” was declared? You use that term stating we have to all accept it but there hasn’t been a declaration of war for Iraq.


  110. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Hi, everybody! I was ‘MichaelIsretarded.’ Feel free to ignore me as regularly scheduled.
    Comment by UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid — September 10, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

    Hi everybody, Pee Stain is a NAMEJACKER, because he a whiny little Pansy that feels IGNORED in the world…


  111. Another Chris Says:

    Stupdity,

    Man your obsessed with me, that’s not healthy.


  112. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    The ole WMD thing was not a lie …

    We have a disqualification!
    .


  113. DRxJ Says:

    “The lie” has never been figured out. The ole WMD thing was not a lie so if you call that a lie then you are just wrong. I guess if a hollywood type says there are lies, then there must be lies regardless of reality.

    Comment by John Small Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:55 pm

    Oh dear lawd. John, do you just type to see your name on line?
    Because you’ve just posted a paragraph with absolutely no substantial evidence, yet treated it as fact.
    Hey, I can play that game:
    Bush is a known bisexual who prefers men. I guess if you call that a lie, then you are just wrong.


  114. VerbalKint Says:

    It’s a troll frenzy today. The authoritarian cultists are in thrall to their leader Bush. Any attack on him is an attack on them, and nothing symbolizes Bush more than his failed war.


  115. John Sacks Says:

    Does war actually have to be declared to take military action? State that law will you?


  116. craig johnson Says:

    Establishing working relations with the Sunni sheikhs has clearly been a necessity ever since the Insurgency coalesced. -cognitorex blogspot-

    This is from my post of January 2005 circa when Arafat died. It seemed clear that America needed a highly regarded Sunni leader that would both hold out his palm for American lucre and make political accommodation. Back then, Rummy said “It’s not like you can just pick up a phone and call these guys.” Had BushCo. tried all this would have happened earlier.
    Now the Military is making nice with perceived bloody handed heavyweights, which as I wrote, was always an eventual necessity.

    (excerpt “The Ghost of Arafat” Jan. 2005):

    The ghost of Arafat will appear from the Sunni side and George B. to his enormous bile-choking displeasure will have to deal. Were that it were otherwise, but this is written.
    Fielding one per cent of the Sunni fighting-age men as active insurgents/freedom fighters with three percent as cadre (40,000) creates a stalemate. They can not dislodge us and our Shia forces nor can we pacify them.
    Personally I would find this leader (or group) now and begin the next phase. Offer them administrative control of electric and water reconstruction projects. They create no-kill, no-maim zones, implement the projects, Halliburton yes, Halliburton no, who cares, and we release the money on a quasi ‘completion’ basis.
    This gambit lacks all pride and ego but we do get to stay a while.
    Sarge might say “Light em if you got em,” for a change.

    In a picture that makes one cringe,Abu Aardvark has commentary and a photo of Bush with a less than savory Sunni nuevo ally. (He beams in his necessary yet nefarious success.) link is http://abuaardvark.typepad.com/ abuaardvark/ 2007/ 09/ bush-and-abu-ri.html


  117. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    You are just wrong about that then. Noone was lied into war. Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

    BHAHAHA, yeah, NO-ONE falsely cooked the book from the Pentagon Special Operations office!! You can just IGNORE the Pentagon’s OWN REPORT that showed this happened!!!

    The intelligence gathered by the past 3 presidents including W led to the decisions in this war. Whether they were wrong or not, there was no lie in that.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

    BAHAHA, the intelligence was COOKED and the american people were lied to by the NEO-CON F*CKERS in Rumsfeld’s private propaganda office!


  118. ronjazz Says:

    Noone was lied into war. The intelligence gathered by the past 3 presidents including W led to the decisions in this war. Whether they were wrong or not, there was no lie in that.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:56 pm

    You are wrong about THAT. Congress was lied into war, the “16 words” is merely one instance, along with Colin Powell’s career-ending self-destruction in front of the entire world. Lies on lies on lies. No word of truth whatsoever, and no previous presidents decided to “f*ck Saddam, we’re taking him out” because of their daddy-penis issues. History has already flunked you; you really should crawl back into your gutter, if it will have you after this embarrassing display.


  119. VerbalKint Says:

    John Sacks is starting to sound like Jake.


  120. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Does war actually have to be declared to take military action? State that law will you?
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 3:59 pm

    No, but a WAR has to be declared before the for RIGHTS OF WAR are in place constitutionally! But then again, you ANTI-CONSTITUTIONALIST FASCISTS really work to SHRED OUR DEMOCRACY with your LIES, DISTORTIONS, DECEIT and MISREPRESENTATIONS!


  121. John Sacks Says:

    Everything is cooked in your world I am sure, including your own brain. Still doesn’t make you right or anything you say as true. So, since most of what you say is not true, does that make you a liar?


  122. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    John Sacks is starting to sound like Jake.
    Comment by VerbalKint — September 10, 2007 @ 4:01 pm

    They’re ALL THE SAME… Just a HAND FULL of lonely RETARDED FAT GOP NERDS!


  123. dixie blood Says:

    If we IMPEACH CHENEY then we remove his spastic, corporate hand from the a$$ of this pusspuppet moron known as GW BOTCH!!


  124. John Sacks Says:

    Please explain “RIGHTS OF WAR are in place constitutionally! ” and state the sections of the Constitution to go along with that.


  125. hellinabucket Says:

    John Sacks,

    Military action without a clear objective cannot be justifiably sustained. The AUMF is what has sustained this current conflict. The coherent objectives have already been met. The intangible fear concept can’t be defined so I ask you where is the threat to this country that is greater than others?


  126. John Sacks Says:

    UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid has made his case for actually ranting about something it knows nothing about. Typical.


  127. John Sacks Says:

    hellinabucket - you are obviously for a complete withdrawl of our troops right?


  128. hellinabucket Says:

    WMD’s? Mushroom cloud? AQ connection with Saddam? Immenant threat?


  129. ronjazz Says:

    UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid has made his case for actually ranting about something it knows nothing about. Typical.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:03 pm

    and it applies perfectly to you. perfectly.


  130. John Sacks Says:

    ronjazz - of course since you are obviously on that side. What a great comeback - did you attend community college or are you still in highschool?


  131. François Says:

    Success! Another TPer called you hughjazz! Whah whah whah.. Betarus this, bush is bin laden’s replacement that.. Quit your whining woman.


  132. hellinabucket Says:

    Answer my questions and I’ll answer yours John Sacks. Where is the threat to this country from Iraq? Where were they ever a threat?

    I’d take you more seriously if you didin’t try to ask the strawmen questions.


  133. Tobey Tall Says:

    Anbar is the biggest lie ever , Anbar is under seige thats all, 93% of the Sunnis support attacks on American troops

    pretty pathetic using a seige to demand staying when you lost 9 troops today alone


  134. tom Says:

    Petraeus is being asked alot of questions that are above his pay grade . . . and he’s not smart enough to just say that and refrain from answering them.

    I am not impressed with this testimony. He is nothing more than a soldier but he somehow fashions himself as an authority on Iraq, what’s causing the sectarian violence, etc.


  135. Bobwurst Says:

    You are just wrong about that then. Noone was lied into war. The intelligence gathered by the past 3 presidents including W led to the decisions in this war. Whether they were wrong or not, there was no lie in that.

    Comment by John Sacks

    That is pure crap. When cheney says on meet the press that it’s pretty well confirmed that Atta met with Iraqi agents in prague, he was lying. you can hang your hat on the pretty well confirmed part if you want, but it was an attempt to get people to believe the substance of the argument.

    When bush spoke those 16 words in his state of the union address about nigerian urainium, he layed it at the feet of the british becuase the CIA would not back him up because they knew the “evidence” was forged. Bush said it anyway and gave himself the out of saying it was the brit’s fault. That is not only dishonest it shows a lot about bush’s character.

    When rumsfeld said “we know exactly where the WMD are” right before the invasion he lied. He never took that statement back.

    Feel free to argue around this, say they are not technically lies, Hide behind Clinton, and daddy bush if you want. It just makes you look all the more pathetic.


  136. Tobey Tall Says:

    9 US troops killed today

    11 wounded


  137. gnois Says:

    The “Surge” is an unqualified success. All ya gotta do is send a big eared, dickheaded american president with a bag full of $75 million bucks and Anbar is yours.

    “I wish I could have been there as Abu Risha nodded along sagely while Bush promised to funnel large-scale American economic development funds in Anbar, perhaps offering the services of his own highly professional office in seeing to the disbursement of the funds. It’s kind of humiliating to watch an American President get rolled by a two bit, corrupt petty shaykh.”


  138. John Sacks Says:

    That is pure crap. When cheney says on meet the press that it’s pretty well confirmed that Atta met with Iraqi agents in prague, he was lying.

    This statement doesn’t meet your world view but to just say he is lying because you hate the guy? That is what is wrong with your side. Unless you had a lie detector tied to him on that day when he made that statement, they you are just full of hot air.


  139. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Please explain “RIGHTS OF WAR are in place constitutionally! ” and state the sections of the Constitution to go along with that.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:02 pm

    Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is the declaration of war clause, and the Constitution sets what powers the executive and legislative have both in war and in peace.

    UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid has made his case for actually ranting about something it knows nothing about. Typical.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:03 pm

    Says the f*cker that doesn’t realize the Constitution determines the guidelines for war powers and Constitutional responsibilities!

    Come one dumbass, please explain to us your UNDERSTANDING of the Constitution! Oh wait, you don’t HAVE ANY!! BHAAHA, Typical ConTURD!


  140. Bobwurst Says:

    I guess if a hollywood type says there are lies, then there must be lies regardless of reality.

    Comment by John Small Sacks

    Pretty funny coming from the party of reagan, thompson, cooter from the dukes of hazard, gopher, sonny bono, and Ahhhnold.


  141. John Sacks Says:


    9 US troops killed today

    11 wounded

    Thank God we didn’t have your type in 1941 or we would all be speaking German right now.


  142. Average Democrat Says:

    Squeal….snurk…..snurk…..snurk…..wreeeeeeeeeeeee…chomp…chompVoice of Republican Farmer to Democrat hog…HILLARY…..STOP CRAPPING IN THE TROUGH YOU OLD SOW.


  143. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    This statement doesn’t meet your world view but to just say he is lying because you hate the guy? That is what is wrong with your side. Unless you had a lie detector tied to him on that day when he made that statement, they you are just full of hot air.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:08 pm

    Well he WAS lying, because the CIA and FBI had already informed him that they had Atta under surveillance during this time period and that he was IN THIS COUNTRY!

    Now YOU are the KNOWN LIAR (either that or FULLY RETARDED!)


  144. DRxJ Says:

    This statement doesn’t meet your world view but to just say he is lying because you hate the guy?
    Comment by John Tiny Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:08 pm

    ….so, Atta did meet with Iraqi agents? Please provide the proof that he had.
    Thank you in advance for your time and effort in your research of the topic you’ve offered.


  145. hellinabucket Says:

    John Sacks, what evidence was true that deserved sending our troops to fight in Iraq?


  146. Tobey Tall Says:

    As a rule of thumb, don’t believe anybody above the rank of lieutenant colonel. That’s the rank most warriors are forced to retire at. Most of the rest are politicians in uniform.

    Petraeus is dishonest - - NEXT GENERAL PLEASE


  147. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Thank God we didn’t have your type in 1941 or we would all be speaking German right now.
    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:09 pm

    We DID have our types, we’re the REASON that the war was EXECUTED WITH COMPETENCE - you LYING UNAMERICAN PIECE OF SH!T TRAITOR!


  148. Another Chris Says:

    “Petraeus is being asked alot of questions that are above his pay grade . . . and he’s not smart enough to just say that and refrain from answering them.”

    Well given the impression most people on this site have of him, he’s damned if he does and damned of he doesn’t. Imagine if he said he wasn’t qualified to answer certain questions, you guys would be all over him saying he is a fool and a Bush crony. He’s trying to answer as hoinestly as he can and he’s still getting killed, jeez.


  149. trollbuster Says:

    Man, all of the trolls are furiously spinning their little wheels in an attempt to kick up enough dust to obscure the pathetic legacy they’re supporting.

    But I gotta hand it to john sacks. He kicks up more dust with less talent than any troll I know. Well done, John Sacks! You are the Troll of the Day®!

    (Note: Troll of the Day® is an honorary title awarded based on an inverse ratio of bandwidth used to logic displayed. It is not affiliated with Subway Restaurants, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, or the consulting firm Challenger Grey and Christmas.)


  150. Bobwurst Says:

    That is pure crap. When cheney says on meet the press that it’s pretty well confirmed that Atta met with Iraqi agents in prague, he was lying.

    This statement doesn’t meet your world view but to just say he is lying because you hate the guy? That is what is wrong with your side. Unless you had a lie detector tied to him on that day when he made that statement, they you are just full of hot air.

    Comment by John Sacks

    It’s not a question of whether it meets my world view or not. That statement was directly refuted by the FBI. He lied. sorry it doesn’t fit your world view. How does your world view bush’s preformance in the state of the union? While were at it, I forgot to mention how Powell was suckered in his united nations presentation.


  151. UprightLeftIsDownrightStupid Says:

    Petraeus is dishonest - - NEXT GENERAL PLEASE
    Comment by Tobey Tall — September 10, 2007 @ 4:11 pm

    General BetrayUS is just doing what the GOOD GOP SOLDIERS DO, LIE for their Commander so he won’t LOOK LIKE THE INCOMPETENT FOOL THAT HE IS!


  152. John Sacks Says:

    Article. I. - The Legislative Branch - Section 8 - Powers of Congress - which gives the explicit powers to Congress under the Constitution. So explain your so called “Rights of War” - I am waiting for that lesson genious.


  153. John Sacks Says:

    you LYING UNAMERICAN PIECE OF SH!T TRAITOR

    The sign a a great debator - or in liberal speak, a Master Debator.


  154. toasterhead Says:

    Thank God we didn’t have your type in 1941 or we would all be speaking German right now.

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:09 pm

    What “type” is that - people who know when to stop fighting an unjust war?


  155. gnois Says:

    This statement doesn’t meet your world view but to just say he is lying because you hate the guy? That is what is wrong with your side. Unless you had a lie detector tied to him on that day when he made that statement, they you are just full of hot air.

    What do you call it when the president, the vice president, the secretary of defense and the secretary of state, all get up and on camera tell you that Iraq has WMD’s, that Iraq has nuclear weapons and are pursuing uranium, that Iraq has ties to al queda and are shown pictures of mobile weapons labs and you know, that they know, that none of what they are saying is true?

    What do you call that? Would you call that lying?


  156. Tobey Tall Says:

    the big question to the right wing trolls is - do you wnat another 800 dead troops or not


  157. John Sacks Says:


    That statement was directly refuted by the FBI. He lied

    Show me how he lied. His statement was based on some report given to him, whether later refuted or proven wrong by the FBI, does not make him a liar. He has to willingly know that the report was not true when making that statement - prove that.


  158. hellinabucket Says:

    genious?


  159. Bobwurst Says:

    “the big question to the right wing trolls is - do you wnat another 800 dead troops or not

    Comment by Tobey Tall ”

    The answer is they don’t care as long as you don’t call bush or any of his lackeys liars.


  160. Grand Moff Texan Says:

    Thank God we didn’t have your type in 1941 or we would all be speaking German right now.

    Actually, millions of Americans did speak German in 1941, especially in Texas. They treasured their heritage.

    But you’re not an American, so I don’t expect you do know anything about my country.
    .


  161. ronjazz Says:

    onjazz - of course since you are obviously on that side. What a great comeback - did you attend community college or are you still in highschool?

    Comment by John Sacks — September 10, 2007 @ 4:05 pm

    Of course I’m on that side. I am well-educated, thoughtful, liberal patriot, not an ignorant, kool-aid swilling rightwing dolt following obediently at the heels of a lightweight frat-boy deserter-in-chief who is a world-class failure at everything.


  162. Another Chris Says:

    Keep up the good work John, they have no good arguments for you. It shouldn’t take too long for them to give up. Libs don’t have much of an attention span, especially if there’s something good on tv or someone shows up at their house with pot.


  163. John Sacks Says:

    I guess we could end all war and call back our troops so that they won’t get hurt anymore, let the emminant genocide begin in Iraq and watch yet another people attempt to completely wipe out a race or religion. Then with the vacuum left behind, we can watch Iran do what they say they are going to do on a daily basis, watch them completely destroy Isral with nukes only to have themselves destroyed with nukes - and I suppose non of this will impact our country. Ok, let’s do what you want.


  164. hellinabucket Says:

    Here’s some evidence to show they lied John Sacks.

    “Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent.”

    State of the Union Address – 1/28/2003
    Iraq has 500 tons of chemical weapons:

    - Sarin gas

    - Mustard gas

    - VX Nerve agent
    Not True

    Zero Chemical Weapons Found
    Not a drop of any chemical weapons has been found anywhere in Iraq

    “U.S. intelligence indicates that Saddam Hussein
    had upwards of 30,000 munitions capable
    of delivering chemical agents.”

    State of the Union Address – 1/28/2003
    Iraq has 30,000 weapons capable of dumping chemical weapons on people
    Not True

    Zero Munitions Found
    Not a single chemical weapon’s munition has been found anywhere in Iraq

    “We have also discovered through intelligence
    that Iraq has a growing fleet of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to disperse chemical or biological weapons across broad areas.”

    State of the Union Address – 1/28/2003
    Iraq has a growing fleet of planes capable of dispersing chemical weapons almost anywhere in the world
    Not True

    Zero Aerial Vehicles Found
    Not a single aerial vehicle capable of dispersing chemical or biological weapons, has been found anywhere in Iraq

    “Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications and statements by people
    now in custody reveal that
    Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of Al Qaida.”

    State of the Union Address – 1/28/2003
    Iraq aids and protects terrorists, including members of Al Qaeda

    And implied that Iraq was somehow behind 9/11
    Not True

    Zero Al Qaeda Connection

    To date, not a shred of evidence connecting Hussein with Al Qaida or any other known terrorist organizations have been revealed.
    (besides certain Palestinian groups who represent no direct threat to the US)

    “Our intelligence sources tell us that he (Saddam) has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production.”

    State of the Union Address – 1/28/2003
    Iraq has attempted to purchase metal tubes suitable for nuclear