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McCain’s Speech On Progress In Iraq Interrupted By News Of Mortars Hitting The Green Zone»

Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, making the case for the “unmistakable progress” in Iraq.

A telling moment in his remarks came when he was arguing why President Bush’s surge “dramatically turned around the situation in Iraq.” Just as he reached this point in his speech, MSNBC cut away to report on escalating violence in Iraq:

McCAIN: Faced with the prospect of defeat, we had two fundamental choices. We could retreat from Iraq and accept the horrible consequences of our defeat. Or we could change strategies and try to turn things around. It was, I believe, a critical moment in our nation’s history, and a time of testing for our nation’s political leadership.

In the year that has passed, our nation showed its strength –

MSNBC: And speaking of Iraq, we do have breaking news out of Iraq, where at least four mortars have been fired into the heavily-fortified Green Zone today. It’s unclear at this time if there are casualties or any major damage. Now the news comes just a day after five U.S. soldiers were killed in Iraq. Two, again, inside that Green Zone.

Watch it:

Screenshot

Yesterday’s death toll was “one of the worst daily tolls for the American military in the most heavily protected part of Baghdad.” The New York Times notes that the attacks “were, symbolically at least, a sign that forces hostile to the United States are still able to strike at the American nerve center and seat of government power in the capital of Iraq.”

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55 Responses to “McCain’s Speech On Progress In Iraq Interrupted By News Of Mortars Hitting The Green Zone”


  1. Mugsy Says:

    Karma sux, don’t it John?


  2. misshusseinmolly Says:

    And after the news of the mortar fire in the Green Zone, we cut over to Graham and Lieberman selling us all on how well the surge is working…


  3. Juan C. Says:

    The irony of life. Can’t win an illegal occupation…never will but keep trying.


  4. Dr. Hussein Matt Says:

    the horrible consequences of our defeat.

    The “horrible consequences” of not spending 10 billion/week and not get more US troops killed and injured…..brilliant…only a reich-wing could possible consider this as “logic”.


  5. MCMetal Says:

    During his moronic speech , McStupid was spouting that the “international community” should start ‘investing money’ into Iraq , so it can start building its infrastructure ; ummm , why , you stupid old dipshit ?

    Did the ‘international community’ all give Chimpy the go-ahead to go in and illegally invade and occupy Iraq to begin with ?

    What a stupid old pandering lump of crap…………


  6. Max-1 Says:

    .

    Keep on McBelieving there Johnny. Keep up the McFaith that the surge is working even when it hasn’t.

    Johnny’s a bit McDelusional.

    .


  7. davemartin7777 Says:

    McSame’s under-the-radar warmongering that is just creepy.


  8. RUCerious Says:

    And I heard last Friday that American (not Iraqi) forces were clearing a zone around the Green Weenie zone to prevent just such mortar attacks. Looks like we need about 20,000 to 30,000 more troops so a squad can be placed in each and every household within a five mile radius of the Weenie zone.


  9. Shayne Says:

    Well if McCain says so it must be true. He’s the “allegeed” war hero after all.


  10. RobertSeattle Says:

    War are not at war in Iraq - we are occupying a foreign country that doesn’t want us there. Withdrawal is not retreat.

    Now back to our regularly scheduled mortar attack…


  11. RUCerious Says:

    And that chyron is also a nice chunka irony.
    Gas at $3.32 a gallon as McCain pontificates on why we need to be in Iraq for at least another hundred years.
    John, they’re oil will only last about forty more, so where does the extra sixty years come in?


  12. RUCerious Says:

    Or, maybe their (possessive) oil… gram dammar!


  13. bluefish Says:

    RUCerious Says:
    And I heard last Friday that American (not Iraqi) forces were clearing a zone around the Green Weenie zone to prevent just such mortar attacks. Looks like we need about 20,000 to 30,000 more troops so a squad can be placed in each and every household within a five mile radius of the Weenie zone.

    And they can call this newly cleared zone, the Light Green Zone. And then perhaps protecting the Light Green Zone they could dig a moat and declare that the Sea-Foam Green Zone.


  14. TheToonGuy Says:

    This brings to mind the former minister of Iraq who proclaimed on television that the forces were nowhere near Bagdad even as the incoming tanks could be seen behind him.

    Birds of a feather?


  15. Dr. Hussein Matt Says:

    Reich-wingers no longer have any credibility on Iraq. This “war” is going to destroy the GOPigs.


  16. hussein toasterhead Says:

    Looks like someone’s having a crisis of credibility, eh?


  17. vinylspear Says:

    Comrade McCain, why don’t you pass the time by playing a little solitaire?


  18. davemartin7777 Says:

    McSame will blame the inability to hold onto the gains from the “surge” on Iran.


  19. Juan C. Says:

    Dr. Hussein Matt Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
    the horrible consequences of our defeat.

    The “horrible consequences” of not spending 10 billion/week and not get more US troops killed and injured…..brilliant…only a reich-wing could possible consider this as “logic”.

    I noticed that too. What the hell is that? Horrible consequences of defeat??? What defeat? What part of Washington is being under an illegal occupation? What neighborhood in LA is subject to terrorism and carpetbombs? Funny how these a-hole speak about defeat as if they have been attacked on their own soil. You are occupying a country, idiot!!

    You don’t want to get bombed? Stay the fcuk in Oklahoma! /George Carlin


  20. hussein toasterhead Says:

    Juan C. Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    What defeat? What part of Washington is being under an illegal occupation?
    ______

    Well, if you’re counting the 588,000 residents who don’t have representation in the U.S. Congress, all of it.


  21. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    Wow! Holy we have no idea what the hell we’re talking about Batman!

    First Linsdey & Liar-man, now Grumps Insane! Jeebus can we please shut these pathalogical lunatics up?


  22. Buckie Boy Says:

    McSame: “our nation showed its strength –”…DUCK, RUN FOR COVER.


  23. galmud Says:

    The horrible consequences of defeat translates to a souvereign democratic Shia dominated Iraq, telling the US to go f** themselves while seeking protection from US imperialism by aligning with Iran.


  24. MCMetal Says:

    McCAIN: Faced with the prospect of defeat, we had two fundamental choices. We could retreat from Iraq and accept the horrible consequences of our defeat. Or we could change strategies and try to turn things around. It was, I believe, a critical moment in our nation’s history, and a time of testing for our nation’s political leadership.

    Hey McMoron

    We were “defeated” by our president’s stupidity and ineptitude ; not through any actions , feelings or words emitted by our troops , the American people , or the Democratic party .

    When are you going to get that through your thick , bald skull ?


  25. Witch1 Says:

    Just another mad Monday in bull shit bush’s bizarro world….Never liked Monday’s much. alway’s the first day of a long work week….Since these war whore’s have been in office every day is a disaster…Note they prefer Friday’s, late, to give out bad new’s…..I am going to go agains’t my grannie’s advise once again..”If you don’t have anything nice to say, say nothing at all”….Huh! That said, there is nothing good to say about Mcfukusworsethanbush. This fool is insane, just another drummer beating war drum’s to our end…Blessings


  26. LividLib Says:

    McFool
    to those out there who support this SOB - ESAD!


  27. Shayne Says:

    How will we know when we’ve won this “war” Senator McCain? What exactly is there to “win”? Surely nobody still believes in the “mythical cheap oil” not even McCrazy.


  28. Clumberfeet Says:

    He is starting to remind me of “Bagdad Bob” giving press conferences during “Shock and Awe”.


  29. mary Says:

    What’s wrong with you people? Four mortars flying into the Green Zone just shows how desperate the “enemy” is! It shows that things are going really really well!

    Jeez - you must not have received your briefing memos.

    (snark off - for now)


  30. FearandSmear Says:

    Isn’t this *just a little* like the Iraqi Minister of Disinformation, whatever the hell his name was, yapping away on TV about the Americans being nowhere in sight and being crushed by the mighty Iraqi forces even as we went into Baghdad?

    BOOM! “Americans will never…” BOOM! “…enter Baghdad…” Boom! “…they are nowhere to be seen. All lies…” BOOM!

    What a complete clusterf***.


  31. tombaker Says:

    and to think they accuse Obama of slinging empty words around.

    HFS! I don’t think Sen. Obama has ever said anything that was proven false, empirically and unequivocally, as he uttered the words.


  32. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    MCMetal Says:
    During his moronic speech , McStupid was spouting that the “international community” should start ‘investing money’ into Iraq , so it can start building its infrastructure ; ummm , why , you stupid old dipshit ?

    I expect once we leave Iraq that the international community will step up to the plate and help them recover from our invasion. But, I don’t blame them for refusing to invest while we are occupying Iraq. If they start investing money in Iraq while we are still occupying the country, that money is likely to fall into the hands of the US contractors. I doubt that the international community wants to enrich FOB’s any more than we want our taxpayer money going to enrich FOB’s.


  33. FearandSmear Says:

    LOL Clumberfeet.. Great minds and all that…

    YES, he IS…


  34. DieNowForPeace Says:

    My grandparents are all deceased, so I can say without guilt that if everyone over the age of 65 dropped dead, I’d be very happy.


  35. tokin librul Says:

    The US “won” the Tet Offensive, back in ‘68, too.
    Drove Charlie and the NVA back into the jungle and down into their caves and tunnels.
    But Charles/NVA “won” the propaganda initiative. The “war” was over and lost by this time, in ‘68, even as the marines had retaken Hue.

    But there’s no comparison between the USer ICORP in Viet Nam and the USer ICORP in Iraq. None. Anybody who says different hates Murka…


  36. Zooey Says:

    DieNowForPeace Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

    My grandparents are all deceased, so I can say without guilt that if everyone over the age of 65 dropped dead, I’d be very happy.

    Hey! My parents are over 65!


  37. DieNowForPeace Says:

    Zooey, so is my mom (father deceased), but she voted for Shrub (twice).

    I don’t think I’d miss her that much.


  38. tokin librul Says:

    I don’t think I’d miss her that much.

    speaking from experience, i suspect you’ll be surprised, eventually, by how much you’ll miss ‘em.
    Anymore, I’m my only adult relative…


  39. stewarjt Says:

    RobertSeattle Says:
    We are not at war in Iraq - we are occupying a foreign country that doesn’t want us there. Withdrawal is not retreat.

    Exactly. And withdrawal is not defeat.


  40. shoeless Says:

    MCMetal Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
    During his moronic speech , McStupid was spouting that the “international community” should start ‘investing money’ into Iraq , so it can start building its infrastructure ; ummm , why , you stupid old dipshit ?

    Because US taxpayers have already spent $50 billion on Iraq’s infrastructure with nothing to show for it. Iraq is just banking their oil profits, because they don’t want to waste their money attempting to build in a war zone. So, McWarmonger is hoping the international community will pour some of their money down the toilet, just to be fair.


  41. Freedom Rebel Says:

    We could retreat from Iraq and accept the horrible consequences of our defeat.

    There is no horrible consequences, when that would be doing the right thing. Iraq would give a big sigh of relief.

    Or we could change strategies and try to turn things around.

    I don’t think you are going to be able to turn things around for the people in Iraq after you have destroyed so many families. That doesn’t include all the families in the US that no longer have husbands and sons anymore. Not to mention all the wounded missing limbs and other critically wounded soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

    War sometimes is a necessary evil, but this war wasn’t necessary and it’s most definitely evil.


  42. tokin librul Says:

    RobertSeattle Says:
    We are not at war in Iraq - we are occupying a foreign country that doesn’t want us there. Withdrawal is not retreat.

    Exactly. And withdrawal is not defeat.

    But it is–or can be sold as–’surrender.’ That’s McStain’s meme: Withdrawal = ’surrender.’

    And of course, neither HRC nor BHO will actually ever totally withdraw from military activities in the region. Too much at stake…Gonna need to have troops to protect the ‘temporary bases’ there, at a minimum…


  43. Witch1 Says:

    Die now for peace, give me a break would ya, I’m over 65 and many good poster’s here are as well….Blessings


  44. MCMetal Says:

    shoeless Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
    MCMetal Says:
    April 7th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
    During his moronic speech , McStupid was spouting that the “international community” should start ‘investing money’ into Iraq , so it can start building its infrastructure ; ummm , why , you stupid old dipshit ?

    Because US taxpayers have already spent $50 billion on Iraq’s infrastructure with nothing to show for it. Iraq is just banking their oil profits, because they don’t want to waste their money attempting to build in a war zone. So, McWarmonger is hoping the international community will pour some of their money down the toilet, just to be fair.

    Instead of putting everyone to sleep with one of his useless speeches(as well as not having to hear the stupid old fart say “My Friends” for the 1 zillonth time) , why doesn’t he just stroll through Baghdad once again , and put a huge “For Rent” sign up …………..


  45. jb Says:

    “were, symbolically at least, a sign that forces hostile to the United States are still able to strike at the American nerve center and seat of government power in the capital of Iraq.”

    Certainly a bit more than symbolic for the DEAD and Wounded and their families and friends and communities and in the end our country, the USA. This horse$hit invasion should never have happened and it’s way past time to admit our huge mistake and end this bloody fiasco. Shame upon McCain.


  46. jb Says:

    Who exactly is willing to buy the shameful empty tired words of Grampa McCain. Most seniors are wiser and less deluded. Most Americans realize the GOP has set us up and knocked us down and we don’t want to be kicked around by old Fuddy Duddy McCain.


  47. Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:

    And of course, neither HRC nor BHO will actually ever totally withdraw from military activities in the region. Too much at stake…Gonna need to have troops to protect the ‘temporary bases’ there, at a minimum…

    I am fervently hoping that President Obama will close the bases as a show of good faith to the Iraqi people that we don not intend to occupy their country any longer. I doubt that he will close the embassy. At least he won’t close it until it is a shell of a building because I believe the Iraqi’s will consider it a poke in the eye and will try to remove that poke by any means they have at their disposal.


  48. LividLib Says:

    Too bad he wasn’t giving this bullsh!t speech to the troops in the green zone.
    This McMortar is for you, Johnny!


  49. sacopenapa Says:

    FREE IRAQ NOW!


  50. shoeless Says:

    Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
    I doubt that he will close the embassy. At least he won’t close it until it is a shell of a building because I believe the Iraqi’s will consider it a poke in the eye and will try to remove that poke by any means they have at their disposal.

    Correct. This incident shows that the Green Zone will have to be abandoned once the troops are pulled out. Since it is the only thing Bush/Cheney’s corrupt no-bid contractors have built in Iraq which doesn’t have crumbling foundations and feces leaking through the ceiling, it will be tough to give it up, but the Iraqis will give us no choice. They despise the Green Zone.

    I’m guessing once we leave, they will turn the U.S. Embassy into the Iranian Embassy.


  51. Leporello Says:

    Baghdad Bob’s spirit and flair live on in McInsane!
    Impeach Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution!
    Abu Ben Hussein Leporello.


  52. YouCantHandleDaTruth Says:

    LOL!!! cons will stay call this progress though


  53. obsessed Says:

    When I think of McCain I picture a cross between Granpa Simpson and Baghdad Bob.


  54. Ditch Mitch KY Says:

    Here’s some McNews for Sen. McSurge: You don’t know what the hell you are talking about. The US Occupation of Iraq is over, done, a total disaster.

    If you can’t see that, we don’t want you near our White House.


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