Bush: Violence in Iraq 'defining moment'

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - President Bush says the recent increase in violence in oil-rich southern Iraqi and parts of Baghdad presents "a defining moment in the history of Iraq" as the government seeks to rout out Shiite militias.

"It's going to take awhile, but it's a necessary part of the development of a free society," Bush said at a White House news confernce with visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Bush's comments followed U.S. airstrikes in both the southern city of Basra and in a Shiite militia stronghold in Baghdad. The renewed violence came as tensions rose among followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr angered by a crackdown that has threatened to unravel a militia cease-fire.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080328/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_17

[Mountainman]

1. Heck of a job Muqtada al-Sadr it's a necessary part of the development of a free society

[SpiralHawk]

2. You want a defining moment, Commander AWOL?

Okay, I'll give you a defining moment. It happened FIVE (5) freaking years ago when you lied to America and the world again while pranced around in a codpiece falsely claiming "Mission Accomplished."

That was a heckuva snow job. But no one believed your republicon lies then, and no one who is sober and paying attention believes your NEW LIES...

[Adsos Letter]

3. So...once again, American forces are now taking the lead in what the iraqi army is "trained" to do..

while that same Iraqi army experiences defections to Sadr's side...


A major civil war between heavily armed factions, motivated by ancient religious differences and tribal loyalties (reinforced and given "new life" by the past 5 years of viscious internecine warfare and atrocities), heavily influenced by outside nations, and with an absolutely ineffective national government overseeing an army riven with those same tribal and religious loyalties...which trump overarching national-political loyalties...

What historical precedent do we, as Americans, look to for an example of successfully concluding the "...development of a free society,"? And what does a "Free Society" even mean in this case...is it supposed to look like post-Revolutionary America?

I'm thinkin'...but it's not comin' to me...

[Stuart G]

4. Getting in the middle of a Civil War..that is a real great idea..

Since he defines the moment..why doesn't he fly out there and take a good look..
...He can land in the middle of it, and see for himself, It will not end there. If Sadr retreats, that doesn't mean he is done. Just a little time out till the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Until there is a winner of the civil war, which we do not need to be a part of. ....How many ways can one say it?

Getting involved in another countries Civil War..well it ain't a good idea. What did Great Britain do? In Iraq?
.................................in the U.S. Civil War..? Did they bomb the North?

[pattmarty]

5. Exactly how many fucking "defining" moments is this now????