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What I think has failed expectations is Iraq's desire for freedom. Defectors and supposed high ranking people that were against Hussien told of a ground-swell that would come if only "He" were removed. The biggest disappointment, I believe, for the US planners has been the lack of the Iraqi people to step-up and take this opportunity. |
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I think the problem is not that they do not want the freedom, but they have been oppressed for so long that they are scared or don't know how to take it. The delay has only allowed the insurgents to setup camp and wont be moving anytime soon. |
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but the Iraqi people are going to have to keep the town clean when the soldiers leave or else it just isn't going to work and it is this lack of support that I believe the planners were banking on. What they didn't do was "walk a mile" in their shoes and see how difficult that stance just might be... |
REPORT FINDS LITTLE PROGRESS IN IRAQ
Iraq has failed to meet 11 of the 18 benchmarks the U.S. Congress set when it approved a war-spending bill in May, the Government Accountability Office
reported Tuesday.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/04/gao.iraq/index.html
The White House challenges the report because it required an "all or nothing" response to the questions. The White House points out that there has been progress towards "a great number" of the benchmarks.
Katie Couric Reports "Real Progress" in Iraq
While the GAO (an office of Congress) is reporting little progress, Katie Couric (news anchor for CBS News and on-site in Iraq) is reporting "real progress" and "dramatic improvements."
https://wcbstv.com/seenon/local_story_247203227.html
CONGRESS EXPECTED TO GRILL GENERAL ON VIOLENCE DATA
Congress is expected this week to pick apart U.S. military data suggesting attacks and civilian casualties in Baghdad have sharply decreased in recent months.
Ref. https://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/09/ira...acks/index.html
Democrat leaders have claimed the general is putting forth lies from President Bush. They have made up their minds.
And moveon.org has mocked the top U.S. general in Iraq as a traitor, calling him General Betray Us (as opposed to Petraeus).
https://www.zazzle.com/general_betray_us_ro...667788299306978
Pretty sad lot.
Katie Couric's assessment of the situation in Iraq weighs very little in the actuality that is iraq. However, it is nice to see that someone from the media actually has the capacity to say anything good about the situation there. The truth is that the amount of coalition soldiers dying has decreased and there must be a reason. Either they took a holiday, it is getting more difficult for them to manuever or they are playing dead to get the coalition out of Iraq. Any way, a month or two of improvement is not enought to claim victory or pull the stakes and pack up the tents. We need to extend the deadline to years end or beginning of next year.
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For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Democrats are complaining. This is perfect for them... Another reason to roast the Republicans come next Novemeber. I would actually expect a small rebellion from the Republicans up for re-election next year, as they are the ones with the most to lose. |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
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The US's top military leader in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, says the US surge of troops is "in large measure working" in reducing violence. |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%