GAO: Reduction In Violence Due To ‘Ethnically Cleansed Neighborhoods’ In Iraq
GAO: Reduction In Violence Due To ‘Ethnically Cleansed Neighborhoods’ In Iraq
Looking for signs of progress in Iraq, the Bush administration has been quick to jump on reports of reduced violence in Iraq. The “violence is thankfully coming down,” said White House spokesperson Dana Perino. Violence is “down significantly from last year,” declared President Bush.
In a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee today, Joe Christoff of the Government Accountability Office stated that this recent reduction in violence should be taken with a grain of salt, as it coincides with increased sectarian cleansing and a massive refugee displacement:
I think that’s [ethnic cleansing] an important consideration in even assessing the overall security situation in Iraq. You know, we look at the attack data going down, but it’s not taking into consideration that there might be fewer attacks because you have ethnically cleansed neighborhoods, particularly in the Baghdad area. […]
It’s produced 2.2. million refugees that have left, it’s produced two million internally displaced persons within the countryas well.
Watch it:
Christoff’s conclusions echo that of ret. Gen. James Jones last month, who observed “progress” in a Shi’a-led ethnic cleansing campaign.
Also in attendance at the hearing was Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) Stuart Bowen. In his quarterly report to Congress released today, Bowen acknowledged the reduction in violence but stated that it has not been accompanied by tangible political reconciliation, a finding that was neglected by the traditional media in its reporting today. In Baghdad, for example, Provincial Reconstruction Team officials note:
Despite reduced violence, officials are pessimistic that lasting reconciliation is occurring. … In Diyala, there is a desire to work toward reconciliation, but it will take years to overcome ill-will between tribes.
Earlier this month, Gen. David Petraeus confidently declared, “There’s a local reconciliation” in Diyala province.
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sad day in America
MSNBC has decided to censor Mike Gravel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8DkRSRk5Sw
October 30th, 2007 at 7:18 pmWhen all the neighbors you don’t like are refugees or dead, there’s no more reason to fight. Violence naturally goes down.
But the problem has not been solved, for f_ck’s sake.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:19 pmWow…I joked a little while ago that the killings were down because Iraq was simply running out of people to kill.
I really hate it when reality imitates my snark…
October 30th, 2007 at 7:29 pmOld Hack, they aren’t allowing him to take part in the debate? Sorry, but the audio isn’t very good on the clip.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:34 pmAnd why aren’t they allowing him to be a part of the debate?
October 30th, 2007 at 7:37 pmReduction in violence due to no more people to kill. That’s one way.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:37 pmYes, we have all felt that the reduction in killing was in part due to the ethnic cleansing having occurred in Iraq over the past several years. The number that have relocated elsewhere in an attempt to escape the violence — not to mention the thousands and thousands who have already been killed account for much of this.
There is also the fact that some alliances have been made.
Bush wants us all to think that his “surge” is the reason - but the addition of 30,000 troops is a small percentage to have effected the reduction. The GAO is faar more credible than any Bush&Co spokesman. So, the question comes to mind again - why aren’t we planning to come home?
October 30th, 2007 at 7:42 pmMeh, what’s so bad about a little genocide now and then?
October 30th, 2007 at 7:47 pmIt’s time to face the facts: This Civil War is not a winnable situation - especially by a third party who has inserted themselves into what has been waging for decades. How idiotic are we to imagine that we can “win” this thing in any way, shape or form.
And, yes….it’s pathetic that MSNBC has eliminated Mike Gravel - perhaps the most honest, patriotic american in the bunch! Time to boycott their sponsors!!! Show them what we think of their “unfair and biased” practices.
Let’s develop their list of sponsors and begin to put out the word across this country to boycott anyone who sponsors such overt discrimination.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:47 pmWelcome to New Orleans! The heartland of America’s ethnic cleansed communities with narry a bit of FEMA trailer trash.
Welcome to San Diego! The home of free catered dinners for the victimized rich white conservative Republicans.
No wonder the Super Bowl will be held in Qualcom Stadium instead of the Super Dome!
October 30th, 2007 at 7:55 pmAfter the last Super Bowl, the commisioner of the NFL (Paul Tagliabue), in his state of the league address, stated that no further Super Bowls will be held in San Diego until extensive renovation is performed on Qualcomm Stadium. The Super Bowl will be held in the Superdome before it is held in Qualcomm, Clyde, my ripping friend.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:59 pm. The “violence is thankfully coming down,†said White House spokesperson Dana Perino.
*****Yeah! & Hugo Chavez will be the next Prez of the USA.
October 30th, 2007 at 7:59 pmThe country should be split up into four regions, as Senator Biden suggested.
Comment by Newsflash — October 30, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Really? I hope New England partners with New York to create a strong liberal government. Let’s give Texas back to mexico, California too, let them fight the fires. The south can be independent, like they always wanted, and we can finally charge them through the nose for all the stuff they’ve been getting from the Blue states for free for all these years. They won’t last two years without begging. That leaves the vast heartland, which won’t even notice, and the Northwest, another liberal paradise. Biden has a good idea.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:03 pmI really hate it when reality imitates my snark…
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — October 30, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
What was that old saying?
be carefull what you snark for….
October 30th, 2007 at 8:06 pm=P
Really? I hope New England partners with New York to create a strong liberal government. Let’s give Texas back to mexico, California too, let them fight the fires. The south can be independent, like they always wanted, and we can finally charge them through the nose for all the stuff they’ve been getting from the Blue states for free for all these years. They won’t last two years without begging. That leaves the vast heartland, which won’t even notice, and the Northwest, another liberal paradise. Biden has a good idea.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — October 30, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
Or, you know, as studies have shown, the authoritarians that dominate the modern political right will self-destruct, unable to prevent military and economic conflict. While the non-authoritarians more-or-less live in peaceful coexistence with no real wars to speak of.
Of course, authoritarians simply cannot win an election in an actual democracy without voter caging, vote rigging, fear-tactics, and the help of the Supreme Court and/or the Electoral College.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:21 pmAnd by the way, a one-party country doesn’t equal a perfect country
Absolutely! There’s always room for the Greens!
October 30th, 2007 at 8:23 pmLaugh Bush out of the White House
Mr. Bush recently seems to be getting quite testy and a little tired of being stuck in the White House. Millions of Americans are also extremely of Mr. Bush long-time residence in the White House. Perhaps if we all take fifteen (15) seconds to all laugh at Bush at the same time, say Saturday, November 3, 2007 at Noon Eastern time, 11 AM Central time, 10 AM Mountain time, 9 AM Pacific time, and 8 AM Hawai’ian time, maybe Mr. Bush will finally get embarrassed, quit and move south to that lovely Ranchero that awaits his presence in rural Paraguay. The vast pampas brush awaits, you, Sir. It really needs a good trimming, Sir.
P. S. if you find this message interesting, please pass it on to blogs, relatives, Congresswomen and corporate lobbyists. Remember, she who laughs last, laughs best…
October 30th, 2007 at 8:27 pm#12
Thanks for the compliment and for reinforcing my point my brain dead friend.
The NFL is one of the most ethnic exploitative organizations in this Country. At least the NBL only throws five at a time into the arena with the lions; Baseball only uses nine per game; while the NFL abuses a maximum of 22, but only because most of the kickers come from the white soccer fields instead of the ghettos.
You should pursue your GED and learn the value of satire and irony in a literary presentation.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:42 pmThere was another report a few days ago that said air strikes in Iraq are up 4 fold recently. This increase was attributed to a change in tactics where rather than have ground troops go after suspected insurgents they call in air strikes to bomb the building where the suspected insurgent was last seen. More often than not those buildings have been apartment buildings. This also likely accounts for some of the increase in cost for the Iraq war.
Also, what plans are there for resettlement of those 2.2 million, mostly Sunni, refugees. Obviously, there is 100% unemployment for those refugees. This situation is beginning to make Darfur look like a picnic.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:58 pmNo part of this country belongs to Mexico.
And by the way, a one-party country doesn’t equal a perfect country.
Only in your mind…
Lefty Patriot = smafdy
Comment by Newsflash — October 30, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
You should have reminded KKKarl Rove of that before his disastrous ONE PARTY RULE for 6 years that brought down the GOP!!!!
October 30th, 2007 at 9:02 pmAnd by the way, a one-party country doesn’t equal a perfect country.
Only in your mind…
Lefty Patriot = smafdy
Comment by Newsflash — October 30, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
No part of this country belongs to you either, coward. who said anything about party? You’re projecting, you weak, sniveling little liar. The USA is a liberal democracy, founde as such. Your attempt to destroy it from within will be punished appropriately in the not-too-distant future. I hope to be able to attend Bush’s hanging, and to celebrate America’s freedom from its most insidious enemy, the GOP.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:03 pmThe country should be split up into four regions, as Senator Biden suggested.
Comment by Newsflash — October 30, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Maybe they can spend the next 100 years arguing and warring over territory?
Maybe Israel can be split into two regions - what do you think?
October 30th, 2007 at 9:03 pmAlright, someone in government finally gets it!
Kudos and commendations to Joe Christoff of the Government Accountability Office with regard to “increased sectarian cleansing and a massive refugee displacement.”
However, one other contributing factor is being overlooked; that of payoff/protection money.
Yes, the surge may be working but only because those who haven’t been displaced or ‘cleansed’ are being bought off. All said and done this isn’t success. We do not have the hearts and minds of the Iraqis. We have not had their hearts and minds for years. We’re not likely to regain their hearts and minds anytime soon, so long as we continue to fund failure.
Pacifying insurgents with payoffs to not kill our troops is an absolute policy for disaster. What is supposed to happen when the money stops? Or do we just keep paying?
If the surge is working so well someone needs to tell the 4+million displaced Iraqis they can go home now, cause I don’t think they know yet…
We must DE-AUTHORIZE, DE-FUND, AND RE-DEPLOY!!!!!!!
October 30th, 2007 at 9:18 pmIT’S THE ONLY ANSWER!!!!!!!
Maybe Israel can be split into two regions - what do you think?
Comment by republicans hate facts — October 30, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
It’ll never work. You can’t have a two state solution in which one state is swiss cheese and the other state is the holes.
I’m a fan of the one-state Federation of the Holy Land solution myself, but it’s not getting much traction except from a few scholars.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:20 pm#17 Excuse me but exactly what is it that Blue States have been supplying Texas? With the influx of Blue Staters coming down every year and staying they must be liking something. I haven’t seen such an influx since the late 70’s. The oil from Corpus and Houston all go North. So far, our economy, jobs and housing are booming. So what is it we are getting from you all.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:36 pm‘Ethnically Cleansed Neighborhoods’
October 30th, 2007 at 9:36 pmIsn’t this the ultimate goal of the murderous giggling idiots anyway?
Oops that was a question for #14. And Texas’s Constituition has a clause for seceeding if we want. But now so many Yankees have moved down doubt if they would want to leave the Union.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:45 pmIf Bush and his cohorts are not in hell when I die then God is truly f**cked up.
October 30th, 2007 at 10:50 pmThe “violence is thankfully coming down,†said White House spokesperson Dana Perino. Violence is “down significantly from last year,†declared President Bush.
See, this is the good news that the biased liberal media won’t print.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:02 pmSee, this is the good news that the biased liberal media won’t print.
Comment by Merlin — October 30, 2007 @ 11:02 pm
Yeah. They must be too busy printing the facts instead.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:26 pmKind of like the old joke of the person who kills their mother and father and then asks the court for leniency as they are an orphan:
Once you kill off the opposition, you can’t kill them again.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:16 amso where is bigfoot telling us we should ignore this report because the Government Accoutability Office is nothing but accountants and we shouldnt let accoutants run the war? Bigfoot thinks only politicians with 5 deferments should be allowed to have relevant opinions.
October 31st, 2007 at 12:25 am“When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.”
Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984).
. . . and so they shot me . . .
mercenaries and all . . . and got immunity.
No one was there to speak for me . . . my headless body was buried . . . I could not fight back for my country . . .
the numbers of my countrymen were down . . .
We’ve lived here for centuries . . . or did before Bush liberated us and brought democracy to the now dead.
God bless the USA . . . ?
Waterboard me please . . . my family is . . . well . . . gone.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:21 amWaterboard me . . .
I’ll tell you whatever you want to hear . . .
Drown me in a passion of sorrows . . .
I have nothing to live for . . .
What exactly do you want to hear?
October 31st, 2007 at 1:31 amDeath be not proud . . .
The Islamic people must stand up. Do not act as door mats. Saudi Arabia must change its ways.
Every Islamic American must stand up. You must know that in order to enjoy the freedoms of the American promise, you must stand tall.
If you can’t, you invite, if not deserve, the terrible consequences of your religion’s attributes.
Methodists are not killing Americans, nor are Presbyterians . . . Islamic radicals are.
. . . .promise you . . . if Methodists were killing, we Methodists would put a quick end to the problem. . . We would disavow them as Methodists, we would weed oul the trouble makers, we would turn them in. The fact that you haven’t done so makes you all complicit in the process.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:47 amIf killing and hatred is not your way, stop it. Report to the FBI and reach out to religious organizations that support open-mindedness. Reach out to the Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherians, Jews, Catholics
October 31st, 2007 at 1:49 amWe’re all in this together . . . come on people now, rely on your brother . . . rely on one another right now. RIGHT NOW.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:52 amThe fact that you haven’t done so makes you all complicit in the process.
Comment by rockyroad — October 31, 2007 @ 1:47 am
Hate to burst yer bubble Rocky, but there haven’t been any deaths IN THIS COUNTRY due to “Islamic Americans”. NONE of the 9/11 hijackers were American citizens. So, WTF are you babbling about?
October 31st, 2007 at 1:58 amStupedity,
More than a couple of thousand American died I”N THIS COUNTRY due to “Islamic Americans”;. Granted, the “Islamic Americans” were actually a product of Saudi Arabia in America on fake VISAs.
You are absolutely correct: NONE of the 9/11 hijackers were American citizens.
In my world, that just points to serious problems with American immigration and Customs’ policies [oh yeah, and misbegotten hatred for the US, the President’s illiteracy, and the failure of the Secret Service to acknowledge that “The President Can’t Read.” - Mind you that, even though he neglected to read “Bin Laden plans to fly planes into the World Trade Center” memo, he can still relate to kindergartners about the trials and tribulations of a goat”].
Oh yeah, Al Q tried to blow up the WTC before, the Kirr (sp?) the embassies in Kenya, et nausem, but, who woulda thunk?
No, they weren’t American citizens. Who woulda thunk? Clark maybe? Clinton maybe? any number of Secret Service and FBI agents that tried to warn dub’ya as he pretended to be a “cowboy” on his ranch while demonstrating his machismo by not reading his top secret, extra-secret, special, horribly scary briefings.
As a Texan who knows, dub’ya was in a classic state of denial . . . too f**g scared . . . he knew, but was paralyzed and hoping for the best. . . . hardly the profile of courage.
Didn’t want to land in NO following the hurricane b/c, Rove siad it had the potential, in the aftermath, to become a “Red State.”
Berke Breathed . . . .Please, come out from hiding.
October 31st, 2007 at 2:11 amHey, Stupid Republic, Where are you?
October 31st, 2007 at 2:24 amHit a nerve . . .
October 31st, 2007 at 2:29 amAs long as we’re nerve screaming . . . let’s find out who attended those “energy conferences” with shotgun loon Cheney. Now that oil is hitting $100/barrel, inquiring minds want to know . . . Cheney should forego all profits and interests in O&G companies over which he has had an interest for the past 10 years. He, and all administration profiteers should also forego profits, interests and just in case it’s not covered by the foregoing, stock options and the opportunity to affiliate or speak on behalf of the aforementioned O&G interests EVER.
No doubt Bush wants to luxuriate in these same perks, deny those same perks to ALL government retirees. Pelosi, that goes for you too.
For too long, we have been deceived. Stop it. All of you.l
October 31st, 2007 at 2:38 amThe situation in Anbar is the same… We have struck a deal with the Sunni Insurgancy Leaders to arm them so they can go after “al Qaeda In Iraq” and turned a blind eye to them forcing the Shia out of the province. These Shia are ending up in the slums around Baghdad, like Sadir City. Even though there is reduced violence now, again, it will be breeding violence in the future. Like robbing Peter to pay Paul; doesn’t work in the long run.
October 31st, 2007 at 8:34 am