Perino Spins Renewed Violence In Iraq: ‘The Surge Created New Opportunities’ For Iraqi Security Forces
Perino Spins Renewed Violence In Iraq: ‘The Surge Created New Opportunities’ For Iraqi Security Forces
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) launched a major combat operation in the southern city of Basra today against the Mahdi Army — which is led by anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr – and other Shiite militias.
Violence also erupted in three other Iraqi cities, including Baghdad where “[b]arrages of mortars and rockets pounded the fortified Green Zone area for the second time in three days” and rival Shiite militias exchanged gunfire in Sadr City, a Mahdi Army stronghold.
But during today’s White House press breifing, press secretary Dana Perino tried to spin the recent hostilites in Iraq as a positive development for the “surge,” saying that having the ISF conduct military operations is “what critics have wanted to see”:
PERINO: This is an Iraqi led and Iraqi initiated operation. And this is what we’ve been wanting to see the Iraqis do is take on more responsibility. […]
The surge created new opportunities and in fact created many more Iraqi Security Forces. […]
So I would characterize it as a bold decision — precisely what the critics have asked to see in Iraq, more movement by the Iraqi Security Forces.
Watch it:
But according to reports, the current wave of violence is endangering a recently renewed ceasefire al-Sadr declared last August – which has been widely credited with helping to reduce violence throughout Iraq. Yesterday, al-Sadr called for a nationwide civil disobedience campaign “in response to what his followers say is an unwarranted crackdown” by the Iraqi government. Yet one Iraqi Member of Parliament and al-Sadr supporter said if the ISF “keep targeting us like this, we’ll know how to respond.”
There is no silver lining in the increased violence. Last week, Gen. David Petraeus said the military “progress in Iraq is fragile” and “tenuous.” Perhaps Perino should start listening to the commanders on the ground.
Transcript:
QUESTION: do you have any information or have you had a chance to talk to people now about the situation as it stands now with the Mahdi Army the calls for civil disobedience.
PERINO: You’re talking about the situation in Basra?
QUESTION: Yes in Basra.
PERINO: The president was briefed this morning by General Lute during his morning briefing. He was also briefed yesterday by Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Crocker. This is an Iraqi led and Iraqi initiated operation. And this is what we’ve been wanting to see the Iraqis do is take on more responsibility. The Iraqi government has pledged even handed enforcement of the law. That is being borne out today.
The surge created new opportunities and in fact created many more Iraqi Security Forces. They are better able to maneuver and respond to crises they’re a little bit flexible, they’re certainly better trained and they’re dealing with terrorists and extremist networks throughout Iraq.
Basra is one example of that. As press reports note today, Prime Minister Maliki made a brave decision to go into a very difficult situation where you have terrorist and insurgents that have infested the area and he’s taken his forces down there and are working with them.
As to whether or not MNF-I is providing sort of air cover or something like that I’ll have to refer you to them because things are unfolding quite rapidly but that’s why we are there, to help just in case they need it.
I think the way we would characterized this is this was a bold decision by the Iraqis. Many of these militias are backed by the Iranians especially when it comes to the special group’s part of Sadr’s movement that are not following the guidance of Muktada al-Sadr and have continued to fight even during the cease fire
So I would characterize it as a bold decision — precisely what the critics have asked to see in Iraq, more movement by the Iraqi Security Forces. But obviously this is one of the first times when they’ve had such an entrenched battle and we’ll be there to support them if they need it.
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69 Responses to “Perino Spins Renewed Violence In Iraq: ‘The Surge Created New Opportunities’ For Iraqi Security Forces”
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Missy - you're going to need to put down the pom pons and step away from the microphone.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:16 pmKinda like how Katrina created lots of new opportunities for the people in that region, right?
March 25th, 2008 at 6:17 pmMembers of the Mahdi Army were shutting down entire Shi'ite neighborhoods in protest and al-Sadr is launching a huge civil disobedience campaign against the government. This is good? The White House is either incredibly stupid or they think we are. Or both.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:21 pmShe never fails to deliver textbook examples of the used car salesman's art.
Then again, that's the only thing R's are consistently good at, pitching like gypsy car-lot hawkers.
Ironic, because most so-called conservatives I know hate car salesmen, and would do anything to avoid dealing with them.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:22 pmYa see, some people may say that Perino is a half-wit, but she prefers to think of herself as a brain half-full kinda person...
March 25th, 2008 at 6:24 pmWell, Tom, the GOP does sell their BS to suckers.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:25 pmWell, some of us saw this coming some time ago, this is an effort to secure the oil port of Basra.
BAGHDAD, May 26 2006 (Reuters) - Iraq's new government risks being held to ransom by a dissident Shi'ite faction using its local clout in Basra to hobble vital oil exports, Iraqi officials and senior political sources said on Friday.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pmReich-wing "logic":
More violence = surge is working
March 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pmLess violence = surge is working
Same amount of violence = surge is working
tombaker Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Then again, that’s the only thing R’s are consistently good at, pitching like gypsy car-lot hawkers.
I think you owe an apology to the Roma. I doubt any of them would appreciate being compared to a Republican.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Reich-wing “logic”:
More violence = surge is working
Less violence = surge is working
Same amount of violence = surge is working
The usual Republican problems with math.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pmNo doubt Faux will some day give Perino her own nightly hour long show.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pmI think Perino is more concerned whether the peroxide bottle is half full or half empty. All this Iraq stuff is just blather.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pmPerino is a Bushiue idiot. No one cares about her comments anymore, other than the Bushie Zombies.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:28 pm9 - Gum - you're right, and that's why I didn't capitolize my "G".
March 25th, 2008 at 6:35 pmCan these people be any more removed from reality than they already are?
March 25th, 2008 at 6:39 pmThank you, Wingnut Barbie.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pmCan these people be any more removed from reality than they already are?
Well, there is Gitmo.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:42 pmIn another unfortunate case of premature Iraq elation, the Wall Street Journal last week celebrated the decline and fall of Iraqi Shiite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr. Echoing the "bring 'em on" taunt of their former boss, ex-Bush advisers Dan Senor and Roman Martinez triumphantly asked "Whatever Happened to Moqtada?" But as the renewed turmoil in Baghdad and violent chaos in Basra suggest, the answer may be, "he's back."
For the details, see:
March 25th, 2008 at 6:44 pm"Moqtada Al-Sadr Answers the Wall Street Journal."
Gitmo, the mecca of the wingnuts.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:44 pmGitmo, the mecca of the wingnuts.
I think a pilgrimage is in order...
March 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pmLying Barbie. According to the news, the Iraq security forces fighting in Sadr City were sent to their barracks and replaced by US forces. Via la Surge!
March 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pmOh, the spin she's in, spinning that ole blonde ice-white magic. Dana is like one of those old cotton-candy machines, formerly found in movie theaters and at summer carnivals: She spins around and you get Fluff-on-Stick...
March 25th, 2008 at 6:51 pmYou just know that Daring Dana wanted to say, "Bring it on!."
March 25th, 2008 at 6:57 pm#24: Al-Sadr is the true voice of the Iraqi people.
- - That's like saying,(Insert U.S. Politician's name here)is the true voice of the American people.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:59 pm24 - that's what I meant from the other thread. that's a statement none of the regulars here would make, because the many divisions within the Iraqi populace are very common knowledge hereabouts.
it's the reason our invasion and occupation were doomedly bad ideas from the get-go, and the reason there's no cheap-and-easy way to stick humpty-dumpty back together again.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pmThe Bush administration uses whatever the current situation is to justify their policies, whether it makes any sense or not.
A minor reduction of violence in Iraq is proof that the surge is working. An uptick in violence in Iraq is similarly proof that the surge is working. And, in fact the surge has worked so well that it has proved not to be a surge at all, but rather an escalation.
Recall, that before the "surge" started we were assured it would be so successful that the troops could reduce to pre-surge levels quickly. Now, we learn it's such a success that the troops must remain in the country at a higher level.
Similarly, the tax cuts were originally a response to Clinton's balanced budgets and project budget surpluses. The country was doing so well, we were told, that it was irresponsible to pay down our debts, and we needed to give the excess back to the rich taxpayers.
But, when the economy turned sour, magically, the Bush tax cuts were just the prescription. Now, the tax cuts rather than giving back in a boom time, were just what the country needed to pull through a tough time. Record deficits be damned, the war be damned, the recession be damned, we'll borrow more money so the rich can pay less taxes.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pmShe reminds me of a flat rock skipping across a lake. Occasionally touching the surface but eventually sinking to the bottom like the stone that is.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:04 pmDoesn't matter what happens in Iraq, the NeoCons will spin it as a positive.
BushSpeak distorting the truth for 7 years.
Bush the Butcher
March 25th, 2008 at 7:12 pmHague Trials '09
"doomedly?"
If that's really a word, I'm going to steal it.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:15 pmHey Dana, the "reality based community" disagrees.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ?SITE=WDUN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
March 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm30 - I think he's a power-hungry warlord opportunist, who sees an uptick in violence as a means to extort more money from the U.S., which will be paid to avoid having bad press re: "the surge is working/has worked". Even common 3rd world thugs are smarter than Bushco.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:19 pmDo these people actually believe they'll be able to walk among us "commoners" once Bushco is no longer around to protect them?
March 25th, 2008 at 7:19 pmthis is the opposite of "the picture of Dorian Grey". You can actually see these used car salesmen AGE under the weight of the lies they've taken an oath to spew.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pmDana is gonna look like she's sixty by the time this circus ends.
Barfly, if it's not a word, I'd like it to be canonized asap. It's a valid adverb form of doomed, right? Or is it against the rule to use it on the past-tense form of the word?
If "doggedly" can hang around as it does, then I say "doomedly" has to be o.k.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:22 pmthe media is not doing it's job. see video: Mainstream Media Fraud Violates Integrity of the Election
March 25th, 2008 at 7:24 pmHomepage
Damn. That's got RPM, with that much spin.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:31 pmThe MSM/Bush is trying to implicate Iran for this civil unrest. Al Sadr is an Iraqi Nationalist and opposed to SCIRI, whose Badr Brigade is pro Iranian.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:36 pmIf all hell breaks loose in the Shiite areas of Iraq, be on guard for "Attacking Iran". This could be the Backdoor escalation we've all been worried about....and right on schedule. I'm worried about this.
"The surge created new opportunities and in fact created many more Iraqi Security Forces"
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hah
breath in...
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
In related news, a crime wave in NY created new opportunities for police, and a forest fire costing 2 billion $$$ and endangering hundreds of thousands of people in California created new opportunities for firefighters ...
March 25th, 2008 at 7:42 pmRemember, it is WELL-KNOWN (but seldom UTTERED) that if we attack Iran, the Shia MAJORITY in IRAQ will stop being NICE
and proceed to SLAUGHTER our 170,000 US soldiers and 160,000 contractors.
While the contractors can be VAPORIZED for all they they do for AMERICA, that would raise the US toll from 4000 to 170,000.
Again, WELL-KNOWN, but seldom UTTERED.
McHussein McNRA McGun McNut(e)s
March 25th, 2008 at 7:44 pm41 I'm thinkin you've nailed it Mr. Badger. Dovetails neatly with General Dave's testimony re: those hits to the GZ, and explains why Dubbie is busy rearranging his tin soldiers again, even though he's deep into lame duck season.
If they sense the election isn't going to go their way, an attack "by" or on Iran, follwed quickly with the "can't change horses" line will do the job for them.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:59 pmProgressive Thinker Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Arn Gunnutes,
They would have every right to rise up!
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Although I know from your postings that you are a TREASONOUS DoD PSYOPS, posting here as a "progressive", it is TRUE.
If we attack Iran, the Shiites in Iraq would likely feel justified in SLAUGHTERING our troops, sent there for LIES.
And the BLOOD would be on the hands of TRAITORS like Bush, Cheney and YOU, the TREASONOUS DoD PSYOPS who helped it be...
March 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pmThis is an alarming development regardless of what the witless Perino spins. We may find out soon how many and what kind of weapons Iran has been shipping into Iraq. Iran sure as hell wasn't shipping them to al Qaeda in Iraq, notwithstanding John McCain's "everybody knows" comment. Could this be, in fact, an Iraqi version of the Tet offensive?
March 25th, 2008 at 8:19 pmWhy do I see in about 2012 Dana in some movie on Cinemax at about 1:30 am. Maybe it could at least have a Cuban Missile Crisis theme, so this embarrassment could know what that "minor event" was
March 25th, 2008 at 8:23 pm27 million Iraqi freed from Oppression
Mission Accomplished!
Thanks to Bush from a grateful Kurd
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3 TRILLION DOLLARS gone to war profiteers and a war that didn't need to take place.
And Osama is STILL FREE. Remember the MASTERMIND of 9/11? Bush saying "dead or alive"? Of COURSE you do...
BURN IN HELL, TRAITOR Bush, from a PATRIOTIC American!!
March 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pmAnd a MILLION Iraqis DEAD from the LIES of Bush.
BURN IN HELL, TRAITOR Bush.
From a PATRIOTIC American.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:26 pmShe is inexperienced in every subject she talks to the press about.
March 25th, 2008 at 8:33 pmblue state bob Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Why do I see in about 2012 Dana in some movie on Cinemax at about 1:30 am. Maybe it could at least have a Cuban Missile Crisis theme, so this embarrassment could know what that “minor event” was
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She'll play the role of the harried chaperon to the Bush twins in their beach romp "Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran"
March 25th, 2008 at 8:38 pmYou know, I might actually pay to see the three of them in a Skinemax flick.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:26 pmDang. I've been away for a few hours. Is "Progressive Voice" still trying to pretend that it's not a mole troll?
Does it think anyone here will take it seriously?
March 25th, 2008 at 9:41 pmYou know, I might actually pay to see the three of them in a Skinemax flick.
I'd watch it for a six pack...
March 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pmwilliamf Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
She is inexperienced in every subject she talks to the press about.
as are bush,cheney,mccain,rice,chertoff etc....etc
March 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pm(As long as I get the six pack before the show begins....)
March 25th, 2008 at 9:58 pmBlondie's looking a little haggard...
March 25th, 2008 at 10:15 pmHer eyelids are drooping big time....
March 25th, 2008 at 10:28 pmYeah, her eyelids.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:53 pmIt is an illegal military OCUPPATION! There will never be stability until the criminals who are occupying the country leave. What would North Americans do if China invaded and occupy the USA? Wouldn't you resist? They can claim the 'surge' is working... that it will work in six months... you can buy ruggs in the local market... The usual delusional crap the criminals in Washington like to tell the North American people, but until the USA leaves there will not be peace and the USA will not prevail.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:53 pmPerino have a job which consists in Lying to the American people. That is her job... Go to hell Perino!
March 25th, 2008 at 11:55 pm.
I'm a Barbie girl in the Bushie world,
Charge on plastic, debts fantastic.
You can question me, I'll just drink my tea...
Imagination, lies are my creation.
What Barbie Perino meant was:
"The surge was a success...
... A success at providing Iraqis an opportunity to hate Americans even more."
.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:35 am.
Oooo...
Iraqis are standing up...
Can our troops come home now?
.
March 26th, 2008 at 12:58 amdo we get to de-saint General Betrayus when it turns out reduced violence had nothing to do with his troop escalation - the so-called [permanent] "surge" idiotic play with words - and everything to do with Sadr unilaterally declaring a cease fire.
March 26th, 2008 at 1:20 am.
>Thanks to Bush from a grateful Kurd.
Would you be one of those Kurds designated by the European UNion and the UNites as a terrorist that is currently committing terrorists acts against our ally Turkey. If not, how do you feel about those terrorist Kurds?
March 26th, 2008 at 1:30 am"Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) launched a major combat operation in the southern city of Basra today against the Mahdi Army — which is led by anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr – and other Shiite militias.
I think this is exactly what Bushco wants, the brown people killing the other brown people.
CNN Lou Dobbs' poll
Which presidential candidate do you trust most to represent Middle Class Americans?
McCain 9% 1344
Clinton 32% 4683
Obama 39% 5690
Nader 19% 2756
Total Votes: 14473
March 26th, 2008 at 4:46 amThis is not a scientific poll
Fancy Nader beating McCain!
HoR TP 3rd shift
ManBearPig Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
27 million Iraqi freed from Oppression
Mission Accomplished!
Thanks to Bush from a grateful Kurd
27 million? Is that counting the 1.2 million dead and the 4 million IDPs and refugees?
March 26th, 2008 at 7:13 amSo the cease-fire breaking down, a military confrontation between the Iraqi army/US forces and the Mahdi army with the risk of escalating into civil-war is... proof the surge was successfull?
March 26th, 2008 at 8:22 am"The surge presented new opportunities for..." for more Americans to die. You see, with more Americans fighting in Iraq, that means the odds increase that Americans will be killed in the fighting. There are more American targets.
She is such a poor mouthpiece for her boy Bush.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:53 amThat gal looks every day more like a Reich Fräu.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:29 amManBearPig Says:
March 25th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
27 million Iraqi freed from Oppression
Mission Accomplished!
Thanks to Bush from a grateful Kurd
BearPig: Here is what Iraqis felt in one poll, and you can find others which reflect the same. They want us out. We are occupiers. Depose Saddam, cut and run would have worked for them, as it works for you. I am also glad that the Kurds have deservedly found a homeland of sorts, but wonder how long before you revert to full terrorism yourselves to establish something more than an autonomous zone in Iraq and Turkey. Don't count on any help from your butt buddy Geo W. Custer then.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2004-04-28-poll-cover_x.htm
Except for the Kurds, such feelings are widely held. For example:
Two-thirds say soldiers in the U.S.-led coalition make no attempt to keep ordinary Iraqis from being killed or wounded during exchanges of gunfire.
58% say the soldiers conduct themselves badly or very badly.
60% say the troops show disrespect for Iraqi people in searches of their homes, and 42% say U.S. forces have shown disrespect toward mosques.
46% say the soldiers show a lack of respect for Iraqi women.
Only 11% of Iraqis say coalition forces are trying hard to restore basic services such as electricity and clean drinking water.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:27 amI have a blog posting on the is topic at http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com
Excerpt:
"After six months of a self imposed cease fire by the Mahdi Army, all hell is breaking loose in Baghdad and Basra as the Mahdi Army is battling U.S. and Iraqi Army forces and the relative stability brought about by the "surge" of U.S. forces is now threatened.
Today, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino delivered what may be the most stunning counter perspective in ages. This, in fact, may well rank in the Hall of Fame for counterintuitive logic. Ms. Perino asserts the new violence in Iraq is not a setback but, in fact, really a positive sign."
March 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pmWe are occupiers. Depose Sadbedava mp3 indirdam, cut and run would have worked for them, as it works for you. I am also glad that the Kurds have deservedly found a homeland of sorts, but wonder how long before you revert to full terrorism yourselves to establish ssohbetomething more than an autonomous zone in Iraq and Turkey.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:51 pm