Figures the media elite are not too elated:
Violence in Iraq is at its lowest levels since the first year of the American invasion, finally opening a window for reconciliation among rival sects, the second-ranking U.S. general said Sunday as Iraqi forces formally took control of security across half the country.
Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the man responsible for the ground campaign in Iraq, said that the first six months of 2007 were probably the most violent period since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The past six months, however, had seen some of the lowest levels of violence since the conflict began, Odierno said, attributing the change to an increase in both American troops and better-trained Iraqi forces.
“I feel we are back in ’03 and early ’04. Frankly I was here then, and the environment is about the same in terms of security in my opinion,” he said. “What is different from then is that the Iraqi security forces are significantly more mature.”
……In Diyala, one of Iraq’s most dangerous regions, al-Qaida militants tried to regain control of several villages around Khalis, 50 miles north of Baghdad, but the U.S. backed volunteers drove them away, said Abdul Karim al-Rubaie of the provincial command center.
Sunnis have been turning against al-Qaida in significant numbers and signing up for the volunteer security forces _ partly in disgust at the militant group’s brutal tactics, and partly to seek American protection against what they see as government-backed Shiite militias.
“It is a battle of life and death, it is a continuous fight until we cleanse all the villages on the outskirts of Khalis,” said Sheik Zuhair al-Obeidi, who was involved in Sunday’s fighting.
http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/iraq/2007/12/16/57436.html
The enormous success of the Iraqi Campaign goes largely ignored by the MSM. News like this should be trumpeted on the nightly news, every night. But you know how it is….good news in the GWOT equals bad news for the leftwing defeatist media.
This is not a war. This invasion was intended, and continues, to be an occupation.
It was unnecessary and the American public was lied to. The motives have not been at all investigated by the MSM. The unnecessary occupation has cost the taxpayers nearly a trillion dollars from the most wasteful spending President this country has ever seen. If the occupation is going so well, bring everyone home now!! Let the market rule in the Middle East.
Bob,
The only problem with your thinking is that 1) it’s wishfull, and 2) doesn’t account for the fact that this war ain’t over by a long shot. Declaring victory in Iraq and Afghanistan is just a start. Do you honestly believe that the Islamofascists are going to relinqush their vision of a world Caliphate when they are supported throughout the Middle East? Of course the invasion was planned. It’s called retaliation. Personally, I would have taken out Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan on 12 September 2001. But, I was a Soldier, not a diplomat. Aside from that we’ve got terrorist cells rioght here in America that snuck across the southern border right along with the other illegals, because no one and nothing stopped them.
Lied to?
I don’t think so Bob.
For one thing, WMDs were found.
Did you want to wait until he was ready to use them??? I was in Iraq, and quite frankly, I’m glad we overthrew the son of a bitch and confiscated everything we found.
I love you democrat’s cut-and-run philosphy: “Let’s hurry up before we have to admit we’ve won”
Just brilliant, Bob.
Any money spent on killing violent theocratic Islamic thugs, you know, the misunderstood terrorist scum your hearts pump purple piss over, is money well spent.
BTW: You can thank Bubba Clinton for not spending enough money, time, or effort against terrorism. His non-response to all the terrorist attacks against Americans on his watch, gave al Qadea the green light. Too bad your priorities are just as low.
Brave Soldiers are helping to ensure that you won’t have to worry about another attack on this soil. At least act like you’re worth it.
SFC MAC
I’M JUST A DUMB HOUSEWIFE AND GRANDMOTHER BUT EVEN I COULD HAVE SEEN THAT “SURGING” WOULD HAVE WORKED. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS WHY THE HELL WE DIDN’T DO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHAT DUMB BUTT THOUGHT OTHERWISE?
Fleur,
Ask Bob.
SFC MAC