The 1600 Crew policy. And so far it's worked. Not.
A year ago tonight, President Bush took the nation to war in Iraq with a grand vision for change in the Middle East and beyond.
The invasion and occupation of Iraq, his administration predicted, would come at little financial cost and would materially improve the lives of Iraqis. Americans would be greeted as liberators, Bush officials predicted, and the toppling of Saddam Hussein would spread peace and democracy throughout the Middle East.
...
...But the administration badly underestimated the financial cost of the occupation and seriously overstated the ease of pacifying Iraq and the warmth of the reception Iraqis would give the U.S. invaders.
...
..."A year ago, Iraq was ruled by the whims of one cruel man," Bush said. "Today, Iraq has a new interim law that guarantees basic rights for all: freedom of religion, the right to cast a secret ballot and equality under the law." Iraqis, he said, are "building a country that is strong and free, and America is proud to stand with them."
How strange, General Eric Shinseki, a decorated combat veteran and US Army Chief of Staff had somewhat different predictions. He was ignominiously dismissed by the Neocon Rose-Petal and Candy Brigade. And as for being subject to the "whims of one cruel man" they just got to trade in one for another...the Evil-Doer Sad-AM for Preznit No Turkee For Eye-Rack. Believe it.
posted by Jo Fish on 03.19.04 at 01:11 AM
Comments:
With the one-year anniversary of Iraq II, the neo-cons in the Administration (and out) are being interviewed on various news and pundit shows. Watching them squirm as they carefully sculpt their responses to avoid saying they were wrong is like watching children who get caught with their hands in the cookie jar and coming up with all kinds of excuses and explanations. I caught Wolfowitz on the Lehrer News Hour yesterday. His smooth, dulcet tones, however, do not cover up the rationalizing of events that have occurred in the past year in comparison with the expectations of the Bush Administration when they planned (or failed to plan) the invasion. Why, oh why, can't one of them just belly up to the bar and say, "We goofed." I guess like Paul O'Neill they would first have to be fired.
posted by: Shag from Brookline on 03.19.04 at 07:12 AM [permalink]
We just traded over 550 lives (just ours) for what looks like a soon to be Shiite Goverment.Was it worth it? "Oh My goodness yes " Donnie Rumsfield.Emphasis his
posted by: Carrier vet on 03.19.04 at 10:37 AM [permalink]
