Bush: Ousting Saddam was right

[sabra]

Source: Chicago Trib

President Bush traveled today to Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, home of the 101st Airborne.

It was a chance for Bush to visit with one of the few groups of Americans where his popularity remains relatively high, the U.S. military. And it was another chance for him to make the argument that invading Iraq and ousting Saddam Hussein was the right decision despite all we now know which we didn't in 2003.

<snip>


Because we acted, the dictator, his sons and their regime are no more, more than 25 million Iraqis are free and a young democracy has taken root where a tyrant once ruled. Removing Saddam Hussein was the right decision then and it is the right decision today. (Cheers, applause.)

With Saddam gone from power, our mission turned to helping the Iraqi people defend their freedom against violent extremists, including al Qaeda. In 2006, our efforts were faltering. So I reviewed our strategy and changed course. Instead of retreating, I ordered more troops into Iraq. And to lead the surge, I chose a former commanding general of the 101st Airborne, the man formerly known as Eagle 6, General David Petraeus. (Cheers.)

Our troops conducted this surge with resolve and with valor and nobody knows the impact better than the Screaming Eagles. When the Bastogne Brigade deployed to Salahuddin last year, the province was struggling to recover from the bombing of the famous golden mosque. But you partnered with the Iraqis to restore security. Schools and businesses are now open. The golden mosque is being rebuilt. And throughout the province hope is returning. The terrorists are being driven out. The Iraqi people have the Screaming Eagles to thank.

Across Iraq, the surge has produced similar results. Since the surge began, violence and sectarian killings have fallen dramatically. Iraqi security forces have taken responsibility for 13 out of Iraq's 18 provinces. Slowly but steadily, economic and political progress is taking place. And Iraqis are working together for a more hopeful future.

As conditions on the ground continue to improve, we will further reduce American combat forces in Iraq. It's a strategy I call "return on success." So far, we've brought home a Marine Expeditionary Unit, two Marine battalions, six Army brigades without replacement, including the Rakkasans.


Read more: http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/11...

[Parche]

1. Hmmm

Our military is to defend our country, not another country....period

[onehandle]

2. Then why not oust the leaders of China?

C'mon, smirk. Are you a man or a Bush?

[sasquatch]

6. "Are you a man or a Bush?"

Is that a rhetorical question?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

3. STFU, Chimpy Fucknuts

I am so sick of being reminded that you're still alive.

Just shut up, and then go far, far away.

[Submariner]

4. Submariner: Ousting Saddam was NOT right, otherwise you wouldn't

have to keep announcing that bullshit over and over, because if it was right, everyone would know it. You blithering f'ing IDIOT!

[msongs]

5. that was not the reason given to justify the killing of 100K+people & start a war nt

[sasquatch]

7. Typical Boomer, never admits they're wrong despite the evidence they're facing

[shanti]

15. gee thanks...

for the blanket denunciation of boomers. stay on point!

[sasquatch]

18. Sorry sweety, but 75% of them aren't worth a tinker's dam

[shanti]

23. really...

how do you figure?

[sasquatch]

28. For starters see post #19

[rhett o rick]

25. "Sorry sweety" ????? That's so '60's. nm

[madrchsod]

16. ?

[sasquatch]

19. .

And that's just the beginning.

[shanti]

29. all is see

is four empty boxes

[Javaman]

37. sorry, but I prefer a over privileged silver spoon rich dickhead* telling us all to

go fuck ourselves and move if we don't like his* dictator like rules.

remember, the boomers that ruined this nation only make up a very very small percentage of this nation. like 5%.

The rest of that generation were normal hard working people trying to make a living.

and if you haven't been paying attention, gen x and gen whatever the new one is called have their own version of morons. I just hope they don't get "elected".

[denem]

8. '25' million Iraqis are 'free', and 1 million are dead

freed from life.

[HopeHoops]

12. "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose"

Bush probably remembers that song from his cocaine days.

[lebkuchen]

9. did anyone notice that the soldiers behind him weren't creating space for a photo op?

Bush had to elbow his way into the group.

I'm curious what the soldiers who stood as props were told. They didn't have happy looks on their faces; they were generally not reacting, though others beyond the camera range were.

[Shipwack]

24. I noticed the same thing....

The woman who was next to/behind him really had some defensive body language going on.

[lebkuchen]

41. Bush had a wtf "let me in" look on his face

I think those in the DoD whose job it was to cull the soldier ranks for Bush supporters in order to promote the propaganda, have bailed from the Bushy administration, like Allison Barber (phony Bush teleconference), who suddenly needed to spend more time with her family Oct. 20.

[santamargarita]

10. Ousting your fascist ass is better!

Just get the fuck out of our White House!

[HopeHoops]

11. Can't he just shut up now? Get him another bottle of Jack Daniels - he'll be fine

[recovering democrat]

13. Honoring the 101st

Speaking as the mother of one of those Rakkasans who just returned, most of their families are as proud of them as they are for doing the job they have been tasked with doing. Notice, I referred to their job, not the "Bush" overal mission of Iraq invasion.

Perhaps the results of a poll of these soldiers would reflect the truth instead of assuming their support. I haven't met any Bush fans yet. These soldiers just do their jobs. Another post has a YouTube video of Bush's remarks. No smiles, no enthuasiasm from the background. Their applause is in response to comments about their carrying out of their duty, of which they are appropriately proud.

Welcome home Rakkasans and Marines and other combat forces from our military. You are just in time to join us in watching Bush hand over the US to an honorable President of whom we can all be proud.+

[Botany]

14. Our troops have done their "doody"

I really hate that man

[opihimoimoi]

17. Bushies TRUST LEVEL is at all time LOW.....its at the DO NOT TRUST LEVEL

He is a prevaricator...a cheat, a thief, and a cad...no class...

[L0oniX]

20. So how much has it cost to get rid of one man?

[Lasher]

45. $575 billion and counting.

Current cost of war $575 billion

Ultimate total cost will be $3 trillion

Junior said it would cost $50 to $60 billion. White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsay was fired for saying it would cost $100 to $200 billion.

[trollybob]

21. I've got an idea. Why not let the International War Crimes Tribunal

at The Hague determine whether or not invading another country without legal justification and overthrowing its government was "the right thing to do"?

[fascisthunter]

22. actually... ousting Bush would have been better

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. Not letting him steal the election would have been best.

I can never forgive that. Never. Just look where we are now as a result of that treason.

[Demeter]

26. Talk to the Hand, W.

[tclambert]

27. Was this an attempt to raise morale?

Our dear leader is the worst cheerleader ever. Sorry, sorry. Said it wrong.

Worst. Cheerleader. Ever.

[aquart]

30. No, George, it was wrong. You are still an idiot.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. He'll never admit that he's a crook.

We can't expect him to.

[classysassy]

33. The troops

I wonder how many were forced to attend dimson's disaster tour.?

[dflprincess]

34. There's a video of his speech posted here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

The title of the thread is
"Slurred speech 'n' coke jaw, before a captive audience at Fort Campbell. Junior's RIPPED."

[Amonester]

35. Ousting Saddam was a war crime.

The Iraqi government is now a 'pal' of Iran, whether the Worst.propagandist.ever realizes it or (obviously) not.

And it costs the taxpayers (not 'him') how much per month? $10,000,000,000.00 to $12,000,000,000.00??

Of course, it's not that little War criminal's own money (it's "someone else's," as ALWAYS...)

[WriteDown]

38. Ridiculous....

Ousting Saddam was a good thing. Ask any Kurd. The way it was done, the occupation, the lack of an exit strategy are the real crimes.

[Amonester]

40. Question: When did Saddam ever attacked the United States?

Answer: Never.

According to International Law it was a war crime.

[ldf]

42. so the kurds are now happy

and no one else has drinkable water, electricity for more than a few hours a day, and a toilet that flushes... not to mention a way to make a living and feed a family.

saddam wasn't a good guy, but he did keep what HAS happened, from happening.

we can thank our dear fuckwad leader for absolutely destroying iraq. we will never be able to make right what we did. and we have increased those who hate us, and are willing to DIE to punish us, a thousand fold...

and don't forget that iraq had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with 911.

[Xenotime]

36. BULL--FUCKING--SHIT!! The death and suffering we brought...

is beyond anything ever seen on this planet.

[area51]

39. Sorry, GW Hoover.

The Iraq invasion not only was wrong, you lied and said that Hussein was connected with 9/11, and your insane war of choice has helped put our economy into the 2nd Great Depression. Right now, you're even more hated than your nazi bud, Herbert Hoover. How's that working out for you?

[sofa king]

43. Please, just go away.

Your malevolent place in History is assured.

[Dangerman]

44. Go F*ck Yourself Bush! You're DEAD WRONG!

Saddam was no sweetheart, but at least he give electricity and food to his people and under his watch, Shia and Sunni people lived happily together. And he was never behind 9/11 and hated Osama bin Laden as much as the next guy.

You and your dad killed A LOT MORE people in your lousy 12 years combined than Saddam did in his entire lifetime! Not to mention did what he never dream of doing... Destroyed an entire f*cking city! (Fullujah)

I hope that you will get what's coming to you: a one-way trip to an international war crimes tribunal!

Go f*ck yourself, Bush! You asshole liar!!!

[Dinger]

46. Ousting bu$h Would Be Right Too

There's still time.