Snow: Situation In Iraq Was ‘Sour’ For Only ‘15 Months’
Snow: Situation In Iraq Was ‘Sour’ For Only ‘15 Months’
In a new interview with Reason magazine, former White House press secretary Tony Snow attempts to whitewash the failures of the Bush administration in Iraq, claiming that the only time the situation was “sour” was for 15 months, between Feb. 2006 and early 2007:
Reason: There’s a strong sense, borne out by action or the lack thereof, that the president is impervious to his critics. So for a long time, people had been telling him that the Iraq war wasn’t going well, but he was not listening.
Snow: The critics quite often have criticisms but they don’t have recommendations. The new narrative is that somehow the Iraq war has been a failure for a long time and that everybody knows that it’s been a failure for a long time. The period when Iraq went sour was from the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara in February 2006 until really the surge in 2007. Fifteen months, maybe?
Even out of the administration, Snow is still repeating the talking point that the Feb. 2006 bombing was the start of Iraq’s deteriorating security situation. In January, Snow also claimed that no one anticipated the “eruption of sectarian violence.” While such fighting did escalate after the bombing, it wasn’t calm before that point. A look at the pre-Samara situation one more time for Snow:
– “The numbers of car bombs, suicide car bombs and roadside bombs all doubled from 2004 to 2005.”
– In 2005, there were more U.S. casualties in Iraq (846) than there were in 2006 (821).
– On Feb. 27, 2005, Knight Ridder quoted then-Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman Sabah Kadhim warning about sectarian violence, “It’s the beginning, and we could go down the slippery slope very quickly. … Both sides are sharpening their knives.”
– On Sept. 26, 2005, CBS News reported that “there is an undeclared civil war already underway in Iraq, between the Sunni minority who ruled this country under Saddam and the Shiite majority.”
Furthermore, it’s premature to declare victory in Iraq. Military commanders and other Iraq experts have warned that the “positive” momentum is “not yet irreversible” and Iraq is “going nowhere” in “political terms.”
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Tony’s doing one of 2 thing in that photo…
Delivering a sermon, or passing a kidney stone.
Or… peraps Jeff Gannon finally found his long-lost wrist watch.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmSnow: The critics quite often have criticisms but they don’t have recommendations.
Aww, yes we do, Tony: admit yer part in this far-ranging criminal enterprise, plead guilty, and agree to testify in return for a lighter sentence.
See? Now, THAT’S good advice!
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:36 pmThere goes Tony again, acting as if competence was his usual companion.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:36 pmHeres the truth
George Bush needs to present some sort of success to his people, and it is the same with the current Iraqi government. Both have realised that the tense situation in Iraq would do them no good. Hence, the Iraqi government ordered its death squads to halt their attacks on people. That’s all.
think about it – heres some proof
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:41 pmhttp://www.brusselstribunal.org/pdf/deathSquadsMHRI.PDF
Snow: The critics quite often have criticisms but they don’t have recommendations.
Sure we do.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:44 pmIt is my recomendation that everyone in the Bush Administration be impeached and that RICO be applied to them all.
Remember when they cited the lower fatalities in summer as proof of the “surge”? Except that casualties were down every summer – and this summer was still the bloodiest of summers yet. And then when violence stayed down in August? Except that one of the main anti-American factions, the Mehdi Army – had temporarily stood down for reasons unrelated to the surge (or anything we did).
Remember how the surge was supposed to be to provide the conditions for political reconciliation? How did that turn out? A parliament ready to vote to kick us and our thieving “oil law” out of the country, but procedurally blocked by a puppet prime minister; and yet no moves from either on the important reconciliation issues (moderating de-Baathification, a real oil profit sharing law).
In other words, the actual facts on the ground don’t matter. Everything is twisted to justify continuing the glorious occupation indefinitely. Because it’s never been about Iraq for the Iraqis.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:53 pmIt is my recomendation that everyone in the Bush Administration be impeached and that RICO be applied to them all.
Comment by Wayne — December 23, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Here here!!! Here here!!! (There there!!! There there!!!)
RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO!RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO! RICO!
Racketeer Influenced And Corrupt Organizatons…
Doen’t RICO basically say, ahem, that “anytime 3 or more people engage in an ongoing criminal enterprise across state lines, they can all be proseuted at once”… basically… sure fits the Brusch WH and the GOOP, in my opinion.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:59 pmI’m just wondering what they’re going to say when the Mahdi Army decides it wants to play again. They will come back into the political reality of Iraq. How they do so is the question. judging by their history, and the way things have played out before, blood will flow.
Even if there has been something of a lull in violence, the Iraqi government is hardly a finished piece, and if anybody thinks that it will become one without blood running in the streets, they are deluding themselves.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:05 pmRussia to equip Iran defense system
Russian experts are in Tehran to install the Tor M1 Air Defense System and train Iranian forces on operating and maintaining the equipment.
http://www.presstv.ir/
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:05 pmsure fits the Brusch WH and the GOOP, in my opinion.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — December 23, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
They fit the definition of racketeering as well:
# Any violation of state statutes against gambling, murder, kidnapping, arson, robbery, bribery, extortion, dealing in obscene matter, or dealing in a controlled substance or listed chemical (as defined in the Controlled Substances Act);
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:09 pm# Any act of bribery, counterfeiting, theft, embezzlement, fraud, dealing in obscene matter, obstruction of justice, slavery, racketeering, gambling, money laundering, commission of murder-for-hire, and several other offenses covered under the Federal criminal code (Title 18);
Has anyone told him that to lie and murder in the name of religion is a sin?
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:10 pmHas anyone told him that to lie and murder in the name of religion is a sin?
Comment by Jack Jett — December 23, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
Depends on which “god” he actually worships doesn’t it?
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:11 pm“15 months maybe…” reminds me of Tony’s comment on the occasion of the 500th US soldiers death so long ago…
“It’s just a number….”
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:12 pmMakes since Tony would lie as a loyal Bushie. Tony was a draft dodger to as he was scared to serve in the US Military when needed. Most of the men who were drafted served with honor as Tony was in the age group to be drafted he did as his fellow Republican war mongers did stayed safe at home while real men/woman honored and served the United States of America. This is only show time and as the White House gives him money to spread the lies. What’s interesting is Tony will have to explain this to God. At lease Tony Snow will never get to face the dead brave soldiers who were lied to. Hell only has those who follow Satan so Tony will see some friends like Nixon, Hitler and other Satan employees.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:18 pm“15 months maybe…†reminds me of Tony’s comment on the occasion of the 500th US soldiers death so long ago…
“It’s just a number….â€
Comment by Nevar — December 23, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
You mean this?
“It’s a number, and every time there’s one of these 500 benchmarks people want something.” — Tony Snow — June 15, 2006
Yeah, Snow is an asshat
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:18 pmi bet ya anything that we bombed that mosque in samara to cause all this violence. remember the brits dressed like arabs shooting at ppl then getting broke out of an iraqi jail by their military…the iraqi’s who claimed they were sent down the road by americans with bombs in their trunks that luckily didn’t explode…all the beheadings by devout muslims wearing rings and speaking english in the background on the videos? so they stop all these fake attacks and the violence drops right at the level is was before all of this and they claim success…lol?
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:20 pmThe “500 benchmarks” Snow was was referring to was the death of the 500th soldier.
Its “just a number”, just a “benchmark”
How I hate that idiot.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:22 pmTony Snowjob has been talking to god way too much.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:28 pmTony who??
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pmThere are still people without “reason” who continue to listen to people like Snow, Hannity, O’Really, Rush, Coulter, et. al. It fits their small world and makes things less complicated for them.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:31 pmThese are scary folks who listen to this dribble.
What 15 months would that be, Tony? I have checked the White House records and there has never been a time we have not been “winning in Iraq”. Ever since Mission was Accomplished, we have continuously been “winning in Iraq”.
If the Democrats play their cars right, we’ll be “winning in Iraq” forever or until the Iraqi oil runs out, whichever comes first.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:32 pmI thought that Tony Snow-job was dead already.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:35 pmMore than 800 U.S. troops have lost their lives in Iraq from Feb. 1, when additional troops started arriving for the surge, through Dec. 21.
Year US Deaths
2003 486
2004 849
2005 846
2006 822
2007 894
which 15 months is that Tony
PS congratualations to the real winners in Iraq – well done Iran
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:39 pmIraqi oil delegation due in Tehran Dec. 28
TEHRAN – Iraq will dispatch a delegation comprising 30 Oil Ministry officials to Tehran on Dec. 28.
Mehdi Salih Alvan, the head of the delegation, said the aim behind the visit is to get familiar with Iran’s capabilities and introduce Iraq’s investment opportunities in the oil sector.
Iraq welcomed the invitation of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Mines’ (ICCIM) and will be here from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:00 pmTony Snow doing his best Yogi Berra impression,
It’s like ‘Mission Accomplished’ all over again!
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:05 pmSnow brings up strategy but never acknowledges the fact that the U.S. had no right to invade Iraq and therefore has no right to occupy that country. When this fact is addressed, then all attempts to justify the presence of the United States in a sovereign nation with military force must, on its face, cease. But then, as evidenced with Vietnam, the United States has seldom allowed reason and intelligence to get in the way of brutalizing and terrorizing another foreign country. As Barbara Tuchman observed in The March of Folly, when it comes to war, the trait of wooden-headedness never fails to rear its ugly head by those political leaders who are so quick to demonstrate their desire for naked aggression.
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:07 pmThe Abominable SnowJob Man of the Him-A-Liar
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:10 pmSnow: Criticism but no recommendations…!!!
How about J. Baker report..’The Iraq study Group’ prepared last year. and recommeded:
1.Withdrawal from Iraq.
2. Talk to Iran and Syria.
Bush answer was :The Surge , with more troops sent to Iraq and more money to spend on Iraq war).
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:19 pmSecurity Council renews mandate of multinational force in Iraq for another year
18 December 2007 – The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United States-led multinational force (MNF) in Iraq by another year, until the end of 2008, after a formal request from the Government of the Middle East country.
MNF’s mandate can be terminated earlier if desired by the Iraqi Government.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25122&Cr=iraq&Cr1=
Now this is Bushes plans
The next battle will be the U.S.-Iraq treaty that will govern the long-term presence of U.S. forces in Iraq, including possible permanent bases. The United States and Iraq are supposed to conclude that accord by July, 2008. That accord will be subject to parliamentary approval, says Maliki–but who knows? He might try to impose that one, too.
In any case, the just-renewed UN mandate will expire in December, 2008. At the point, without a U.S.-Iraq agreement, the occupation will be illegal. If Maliki does submit it to parliament, what are the chances that body will approve it by December? Slim to none. And what happens if they don’t? Stay tuned.
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
The United States and Iraq are supposed to conclude that accord by July, 2008
what the same day Bush wants more funding for Iraq
the democrats are in this hook ,line and sinker
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 pmIt’s only blowing snow….
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 pm#28 – the ISG, yeah, that big media deal that disappeared down the memory hole the instant that Bush announced his “surge”. The grownups were going to save Bush, and he would have to listen. But instead, like a petulant child he did the exact opposite, and Republicans and their enablers among the “serious” blowhards in the beltway media had to pretend that the ISG recommendations had never happened.
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:24 pmIt’s over tony, you can STOP lieing now.
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:42 pmTony McSnowjob = 24% moron (lying, bootlicking, troglodyte).
December 23rd, 2007 at 6:49 pmPS congratualations to the real winners in Iraq – well done Iran
Comment by Bush Cover Ups
Why are you congratulating Iran for a job well done? They didn’t do anything. We did it for them. Congratulations Bush for destroying an enemy of Iran.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 pmIn any case, the just-renewed UN mandate will expire in December, 2008. At the point, without a U.S.-Iraq agreement, the occupation will be illegal.
It may not take that long. It looks like it is illegal right now because Maliki did not include the Iraqi parliament in on the re-certification. The Iraqi constitution says that he can’t do that alone:
In late 2007, Washington and London again asked the Security Council to renew the MNF mandate, for an extension of another year. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki wrote to the Council to request a mandate renewal without referring the matter to parliament for ratification, as required by the Iraqi constitution. A majority of parliamentarians also had written a letter in April to Security Council members calling for a timetable for MNF withdrawal. The cabinet’s actions were unilateral, unconstitutional and illegal.
Iraqi parliamentarians wrote another letter to Security Council members immediately before Council action. Further, the US House of Representatives scheduled a hearing on the matter asking “Is the Iraqi Parliament Being Ignored?” But on December 18, under heavy pressure from Washington, the Council voted unanimously to extend the mandate for a further year.
You gotta love the Bush Crime Family. They hate the UN, but they are willing to use them when it suits their needs. It’s too bad that there are a bunch of wimps on the UN Security Council.
Anyway, if the Iraqi Parliament (the only elected body in the Iraqi government) wants to take down this deal, they can. But it remains to be seen if they have the courage to act, especially when they are talking about taking another month vacation.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:15 pmIraqi oil delegation due in Tehran Dec. 28
TEHRAN – Iraq will dispatch a delegation comprising 30 Oil Ministry officials to Tehran on Dec. 28.
Mehdi Salih Alvan, the head of the delegation, said the aim behind the visit is to get familiar with Iran’s capabilities and introduce Iraq’s investment opportunities in the oil sector.
Iraq welcomed the invitation of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Mines’ (ICCIM) and will be here from Dec. 28 to Jan. 4
Comment by Bush Cover Ups
Wow, that’ going to really piss Bush off. Wouldn’t it be funny for Iran and Iraq to make friends and go together on oil deals. That will definitely require a “Heck of a good job” for Bush.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:18 pmGive Snowy some lemons, watch him make dogshet out of it.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:27 pmUN report: Two million Iraqi children face disease, poverty!
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:28 pmI can’t believe he is still touting that no one could have forseen the secterian violence !
Could one of the conservative apologists on this list at least give a cognizant reason why after the last 1500 years history in this region, and especially after the post-World War European attempts to control this region, that no one could have forseen the whole Shia-Sunni thing ? (Not to mention Kurds who have mutually been on the wrong end of genocide by both – and- not to mention the possible parallels in European history of both the Catholic / Protestant thng and the Christian / Jewish thing ?)
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 pmComment by MapleStreet — December 23, 2007 @ 9:06 pm
This may be the epitaph of the Bush administration. These scum will go to their graves believing they were “right” about everything.
“If I don’t provide a signed confession? I didn’t do anything wrong”.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:51 pmAnd a great WaPo article today on Sunni “awakening” group about to get it on with Shiites, pissed about a bombing in their neighborhood. Can’t get “permission” of US forces to go after bombers in their own neighborhood.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:17 pmSurge hard at work, how long will it take to create a lasting peace?
Snow was such a chearleader on Iraq. I don’t recall him ever stopping his rah rah sis boom bahs. Now he says things were sour for over a year.
HE IS ADMITTING HE LIED THROUGH HIS TEETH.
We all know he is a liar. But this may be the first time he has, albeit unwittingly, admitted it so brazenly.
When can we trust the White House to say what it really believes versus lying with overly optimistic chearleading on situations it knows are “sour”?
December 24th, 2007 at 8:49 amIraq announces there are now 5,000,000 orphans! Does that come under the “sour” part or the “success” part, Tony? How’s that for family values?
December 24th, 2007 at 11:59 amWhat do you expext from a crackhead?
December 24th, 2007 at 12:06 pmTony Snow is a “Freeper”, that’s all you need to know about him.
Freepers are giant scumbags.
Snow: The critics quite often have criticisms but they don’t have recommendations.
No, Tony, the critics often have recommendations that you and the other asses in the White House do not like.
December 25th, 2007 at 11:56 am