Pelosi’s reception in Iraq ‘nicer’ than Rice’s.
Pelosi’s reception in Iraq ‘nicer’ than Rice’s.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is in Iraq this weekend on a “surprise” visit to pay “respects to our troops and at the same time learn more about what the situation is on the ground.” Time notes that “in many ways she got a nicer arrival treatment than the last senior female American official to appear in Baghdad,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
Rice slipped into Iraq in January much the same way Pelosi did today — stealthily, with a terse confirmation by the U.S. embassy offering few details of the agenda. But within hours of Rice’s arrival, TV news was crackling with word of it, and soon thereafter a volley of mortars fell on the Green Zone in an obvious message from Rice’s detractors. No rockets or mortars were heard heading into the Green Zone today as word of Pelosi’s presence hit the Iraqi airwaves in what amounted to a daytime news blip.
Some Iraqi officials, however, did not receive Pelosi, in part due to her advocacy of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. On her “first day on the ground Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not make an effort to see her,” Time adds.
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I cant wait till sheehan sits this so called “anti war” dem down, out of her big chair, and shows her how it is suppose to be done.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:03 pmOn her “first day on the ground Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not make an effort to see her
WTF!! No puppet show?
May 17th, 2008 at 10:07 pm“…Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not make an effort to see her,…”
He was looking on the table and didn’t see anything of value. Who can blame him? The Iraqis aren’t intertested in us leaving so long as it doesn’t affect the money we are sending in. Their mommas only raised a bunch of fools and they all are in the bushco.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:15 pmAnd, it’s no wonder. The current Maliki government would likely soon fall as the the pullout of American troops progressed.
His continued ‘rule’ depends upon being propped up by US forces.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pmWell if true, this is just another big embarrassment to BushCo! After his abject failure in Israel this is more schadenfreude. I gloat at the all the visuals that come rushing into my head. Since the neocons have no shame, it is fear that will create abject gloom in the White House. The coming tidal wave in November has the entire Repuglican party in a paniciky state of disarray.
May 18th, 2008 at 12:01 amIMPEACH RON PAUL seriously! call Peklosi. will someone shoot me her cell number?
May 18th, 2008 at 12:44 amIMPEACH RON PAUL (*Pelosi)
May 18th, 2008 at 12:45 amGod help us if the way we get a “yay” or “nay” re: visitors is whether or not the rockets launch!
Rice in town: LAUNCH
Cheney in town: LAUNCH
Bush in town: WTF?
Cheney travels in a cloud of delusion in a man-sized safe in a bunker in a fortified plane. And Bush travels (with a gum bubble burst on his face) in a soap bubble in a mylar balloon in a dream in the Enterprise, with Secret Service protection…
PEACE
May 18th, 2008 at 1:38 amYet another endorsement for the Democrats from the terrerrissts!
May 18th, 2008 at 3:00 amWell this is not surprising since Condi called Muqtada al-Sadr a coward while she was in Iraq. Not a very diplomatic tactic to use. Of course, diplomacy is not her strong suit.
Pelosi wasn’t antagonistic like Condi. Hence no mortar fire. On a different note, if she truly was advocating for withdrawal of troops the sure fire way of that happening is to not approve anymore funds for Iraq. No money, No war. It is pretty simple economics. They can end this if they want to, but they keep giving Bush money to fund this neverending war.
May 18th, 2008 at 7:48 amBAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — A soldier used the Quran — Islam’s holy book — for target practice, forcing the chief U.S. commander in Baghdad to issue a formal apology on Saturday.
…from the shooter’s letter: “I sincerely hope that my actions have not diminished the partnership that our two nations have developed together. … My actions were shortsighted, very reckless and irresponsible, but in my heart [the actions] were not malicious.”
Good Grief! What kind of training are our troops getting?
May 18th, 2008 at 8:12 amI know that it was only one soldier out of 140,000….but it only takes one match to light a really big fire. Especially when President Bush’s policy has turned the Middle East into kindling.
Pelosi is trying to get to the truth and likes the idea of peace in Iraq. Those are the two reasons why Maliki (chosen by the Bush Regime of course) didn’t want to meet & greet Pelosi. Truth & peace acts like garlic to some, isn’t that right neocons?
May 18th, 2008 at 8:26 amWhy did Pelosi have to go to Iraq, anyway? There are lots of Tables here in the US.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:51 amHow about she do her f-king job and quit blocking impeachment of the criminal in the White House?
It seem clear to me why Pelosi and the Democratic strategists are not eager to end Bush’s reign with Impeachment..or to end the Iraq war with Defunding.
The Major factors that will spell the end of the Republican power in November are: President Bush and his disasterous policies in Iraq.
When the Democrats have control of the White House and both houses of Congress…they will be more free to put their Ideas into Reality. I sincerely hope that their “Time in the Wilderness” has honed their thinking skills. They will need to move America back on the right track right away…because we know the Republicans will waste little time with their counterattack.
May 18th, 2008 at 9:11 amHey fellow Floridans. Charlie Crist is going to be on Face the Nation this morning.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:28 amBadger Says:
It seem clear to me why Pelosi and the Democratic strategists are not eager to end Bush’s reign with Impeachment..or to end the Iraq war with Defunding.
The Major factors that will spell the end of the Republican power in November are: President Bush and his disasterous policies in Iraq.
I guess me expecting the Democratic Leadership to enforce Rule of Law and defend the Constitution rather than play politics is unreasonable of me,eh?
May 18th, 2008 at 10:33 amIs this really the message progressives want to promote: “People that mortar American troops favor Pelosi over Rice.”
?
May 18th, 2008 at 10:36 amWayne’
I’m not saying you are unreasonable, and your’e certainly not alone in your thinking.
I just think I’m correct about WHY the Democratic Leadership is acting as it is.
The Republicans have the VOtes to Thwart the Rule of Law, and they will until Jan. 2009. In my Opinion, Denying this will only distract attention from the real problem….30 years of Conservative and Corporate dominance of American Public Opinion.
From Bill Moyer’s new book:
. . . the philosophy popularized in the last quarter century that “freedom” simply means freedom to choose among competing brands of consumer goods, that taxes are an unfair theft from the pockets of the successful to reward the incompetent, and that the market will meet all human needs while government itself becomes the enabler of privilege — the philosophy of an earlier social Darwinism and laissez-faire capitalism dressed in new togs — is as subversive as Benedict Arnold’s betrayal of the Revolution he had once served.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:50 amIs this really the message progressives want to promote: “People that mortar American troops favor Pelosi over Rice.”
And TP’s newest concern troll makes his inevitable appearance.
What else gives you deep concern for liberals, today?
May 18th, 2008 at 10:53 amold hack,
So we should impeach Ron Paul, who voted against the war in Iraq and against the Patriot Act and against ny and all Iraq War funding, but not Pelosi, who voted for the Patriot Act, who took chimpeachment off the table, and enabled war funding time and time again?
May 18th, 2008 at 10:57 amIs this really the message progressives want to promote: “People that mortar American troops favor Pelosi over Rice.”
The AP reports that Maliki did eventually meet with Pelosi.
So, does that mean that Maliki is connected with the terrorists? He seems to like her, since he met with her.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:58 ambarfly. Open your mind for just one minute.
If progressives are offended about being compared to appeasers, why send out a message like this:
Nancy Pelosi is the leader of American opposition to the war. She has promoted the idea of withdrawing the troops.
The people in Iraq mortaring the Green Zone obviously want Americans to leave. They see an ally in Nancy Pelosi.
This thread isn’t debating the merits of the war in Iraq or the merits of troop withdrawl. It’s set up as a popularity contest between Rice and Pelosi. Popularity contest?
It feeds into the impression that Democrats are willing to concede on issues, if they feel people will like them better; regardless of the circumstances.
If you want to be taken seriously about reasons we should be pulling out of Iraq; chalking it up to being popular with those that are firing mortars at us, isn’t the way to do it.
Fairly or unfairly, it’s feeding the impression that Democrats view appeasement as an appropriate response to our detractors in difficult foreign policy situations.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:04 amPrime Minister Nouri al-Maliki does not want the American Free Money to quit coming.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:11 amI’m with Wayne on this issue..Why the hell was Palosi over there when she has a job she isn’t doing here..On a popularety scale 1 to 10, 10 being the best, rice is at #1 and palose #2….Yep! the shit’s…..Blessings
May 18th, 2008 at 11:17 ambarfly. Open your mind for just one minute.
A little early for strawmen, but…
Nancy Pelosi is the leader of American opposition to the war. She has promoted the idea of withdrawing the troops.
In a safe and reasonable manner, but go ahead…
The people in Iraq mortaring the Green Zone obviously want Americans to leave. They see an ally in Nancy Pelosi.
Because they didn’t mortar the green zone on Pelosi’s trip? Were they even aware she was in country? It’s a stretch, but continue…
It feeds into the impression that Democrats are willing to concede on issues, if they feel people will like them better; regardless of the circumstances.
Democrats have been consistent in their support of the troops. While some former democrats have been supportive of the war’s goals, we have been by and large against invading a sovereign nation in preemtive fashion, and all that entails. Judging from history, they have so far been proven right.
This thread isn’t debating the merits of the war in Iraq or the merits of troop withdrawl. It’s set up as a popularity contest between Rice and Pelosi. Popularity contest?
Hasn’t that been covered extensively by TP? Must every Iraq thread cover the same ground? Doesn’t sound like something a person with a supposedly “open mind” would assert.
If you want to be taken seriously about reasons we should be pulling out of Iraq; chalking it up to being popular with those that are firing mortars at us, isn’t the way to do it.
Given all the things that have gone disatrously wrong, I would suggest you be more concerned about your own political house. That’s the part I find screamingly hilarious.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am…which sentiment was committed to the public discourse by an advertizing campaign for the 7/11 Corp: remember “Get YOUR Freedom At The Seven-Eleven”? I don’t remember the year? 1980? It’s been a while. Remember the General Motors campaign: “It’s not just your car”–again i fergit, was it Mr Goodwrench?–” it’s your freedom!” But I and a millions upon millions of others remember it.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:30 amIt’s a pretty short trip from slogan to policy in this super-permeated media culture…
Isn’t that the premise of the thread?
May 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Oh, yeah: In the Corporate State, corporate media ARE the State Media, nest paw?
May 18th, 2008 at 11:33 amI guess if someone points out a discepency with one of your positions, the answer is to point in the other direction.
More of the same.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:33 amI guess if someone points out a discepency with one of your positions, the answer is to point in the other direction.
More of the same.
Thanks for breezing past my other points, when I took the time to address yours.
“Open Mind?” [snerk!}
May 18th, 2008 at 11:36 amSo why take a step back and make it look like you’re interested in a popularity contest?
May 18th, 2008 at 11:38 amIsn’t that the premise of the thread?
No rockets or mortars were heard heading into the Green Zone today as word of Pelosi’s presence hit the Iraqi airwaves in what amounted to a daytime news blip.
It was a simple staement of fact, devoid of spin. “Nicer” means no violence occurred during her trip. You are the one drawing conclusions, Mr.”Open Mind.”
May 18th, 2008 at 11:39 amMatt Bai, on Steffi’s show, made the point that whenever McCain or his surrogates try to make the case that he has more foreign policy credibility, democrats are going to hit back, saying that since McCain supports continueing Bush’s failed policies, his foreign policy experience is deeply flawed.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:50 amThe ONLY thing McCain and the Reuplicans have to sell, is their supposed “foreign policy experience”. They certainly can’t tout the Great Economy resulting from deregulation and the Bush Tax cuts.
May 18th, 2008 at 11:58 amI agree with Matt Bai. Rumsfeld had experience. Cheney had experience. Barack Obama has Judgement. Just compare what Obama was saying BEFORE the Iraq War, with what McCain was saying….and see which version corresponds to today’s reality.
Badger Says:
The ONLY thing McCain and the Reuplicans have to sell, is their supposed “foreign policy experience”.
What the Republicans sell, I compare to someone selling a cereal box,it claims to provide 100% nutrition, clean your house, change your flat tires, warns you the other brand cereals will poison you, but when you open the box, a big turd plops out into your bowl.
May 18th, 2008 at 12:06 pmHey backup, do you ever get dizzy spinning so much?
May 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pmSounds like pelosis’ allies outside the greenzone were worried about a little red on red. TP is proud that the head choppers in iraq are your allies? We on the right are wide open, just like 2004, and you guys are stepping back into the pocket, throwing the election right into our waiting hands. You cant help yourselves, you are the anti-American scum we say you are, and the voters will see this AGAIN in Nov., Thank you.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:00 pmCopano_Texian Says:
Keep telling yourself that, Bunky. It will be the only thing to keep you warm, on those long nights in the political wilderness. Write a postcard, let us know what it’s like.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pmCopano_Texian Says:
I spoke of turds and one shows up. A stinky one.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:39 pmRice and Bush have the nasty habit of walking around with middle finger extended. No wonder they’re not welcome anywhere.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:59 pmThe occupation is doing so well that these criminals polititians have to go to Iraq in a ’surprise’ visit. Pelosi may complain about China occupation of Tibet, but she herself is responsible to enable the US’s continuous occupation of Iraq, which she does not mention. She may complain about Bush’s ‘appeasing’ speech, but she herself took impeachment ‘off the table’. PELOSI THE APPEASER AND ENABLER. What is she doing about the WAR CRIMINAL Condi Rice??? Is she going to do anything about it? About the fact that Rice mislead Congress and the american people when stating the ‘The US does not Torture’, while actively participating in secret meeting about the US TORTURE PROGRAM in the WH????
May 18th, 2008 at 5:26 pmRicemustGo.com
May 18th, 2008 at 5:27 pmWhy can we never get a straight story/ Orwhy is the story never straight? al-Malaki has stated that the U.S. can leave Iraq. Why then would he snub Pelosi because her position is that the U.S. should leave Iraq. Politics has replaced truth.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:37 pmNo rockets or mortars were heard heading into the Green Zone today as word of Pelosi’s presence hit the Iraqi airwaves in what amounted to a daytime news blip.
Well they probably didn’t think she was worth the ammo. After all, she is a sell-out to her country, an America-hating liberal who wants nothing but to bring it down. If Pelosi up and croaked tomorrow, no one in this country would care either. Well maybe a thief like Hilary or a murderer like Ted Kennedy or a Nazi like Obama, but the rest of us could care less. (And yes a Black man can be a Nazi in that he thinks some people are worth life and some people are not. That is all the Nazi ideology boils down to.)
I do love how liberals think they are so progressive when they are in fact the most backwards, the most primitive, dysfunctional and socially retarded people on the planet. (Sorry to the retarded community, whereas you cannot help your developmental delays, these people can-so they are truly retarded-you are not!) If liberals had their way, deodorant, toilet paper (and toilets!), airplanes, cars, computers, microwaves, Oreo cookies, and the words Mom and Dad would all be banned. Pretty much anything that we love like Mom, apple pie and God must be purged. Anything that makes our lives healthier like indoor plumbing, deodorant well that is evil. If it makes our lives easier like microwaves, airplanes or the internet (which they now decided they don’t like because it gives everybody a chance to create “news” story instead of just the big media, and Lord forbid they can’t control the media anymore.)well they have to go too. You believe in evolution that we came from pond scum, turned into monkeys and then became human but don’t have a shred of evidence to back it up! In fact the fossil records disprove evolution, not prove it! You believe in the big bang theory where some random explosion created a precise Earth. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen explosions go off and said to myself, “Wow look how precisely all that debris fell, in perfect order, how about that?” Happens every day. But yeah, you guys are progressive. You guys would’ve been the jailers in Galileo’s time because he had the nerve to say the world was round. Heck, you are doing it now with global warming. If someone says it doesn’t EXIST!!!! You go bonkers! But you’re progressive. And I guess you are progressively dull. (And I don’t mean dull as in boring. I mean dull as in not sharp, having a dull and feeble mind.) Glad I am not like you guys.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:27 am