Bush: "I'm Deciding to De-Surge the Surge, 'Cuz I'm the Decider"

From CNN: Bush: 5,700 troops to return home by Christmas

President Bush said Thursday night conditions on the ground in Iraq have improved sufficiently to start bringing some U.S. troops home, and urged Americans divided over the war to "come together."

In a televised speech to the nation, Bush said he would reduce U.S. force strength by 5,700 troops by Christmas and, by next July, reduce the number of combat brigades from 20 to 15 -- a decrease of roughly 21,500 troops overall.

In other words, for those who haven't been paying much attention, he's essentially saying that he's just going to return us to the numbers we had in there before the "surge". In fact, he may not even reduce troop numbers that much.
As for this flap about "conditions on the ground in Iraq have improved sufficiently", where the hell is he getting that? The GAO concluded that violence is still high and "The average number of daily attacks against civilians remained about the same over the last six months." That doesn't sound like "improved conditions" to me. That sounds more like the same old bullshit.

On Surges and Serpent's Tongues

So I've had several days to reflect on the Petraeus report, the White House's spin on it, what have you.

First, I've been meaning to use this and just couldn't get around to it until today:

People are taking what they want to from Gen. Petraeus' words. The Journal-Gazette ran a huge image the day after saying that his words were analogous the old, tired, already-discarded GOP talking point, "stay the course". Some saw his words as a sign that we may be leaving Iraq sometime. Some just ignored him and continued their own little crusades.
The White House, meanwhile, immediately took the report just as they wanted to, considering it vindication for the failed policies that have led us to our current state.

My biggest beef with all this, though, is probably with MoveOn.org, which attacked Petraeus before he even said anything. It's not so much about the substance of their attack, either, but about the fact that they essentially gave the Republicans ammunition to use against us. Thanks loads, guys, you fucked us over.

"Will of the people? Who cares about that?"

So...

The war continues. Despite the best efforts of those who want an end to the pointless murder of our troops, the war continues. Despite the nay votes of many sane people, the war continues. Despite the will of the people, the war continues.

And to think I hoped for something better.

Glenn Beck: Unhinged Lying Scumbag

From Crooks & Liars: Glenn Beck Unhinged

This clip is sure to raise your pulse and is wrong on so many levels I don't have a clue where to begin. Beck and the few remaining supporters of George and his war are scared to death. His feigned outrage is the dead giveaway. He tries to frame his message as non-political then ends with this:

"If your bill goes through I hope you can't go to bed any single night without the images of bodybags of our American soldiers coming off those planes - I hope they dance in your head every single night. Because you will be just as responsible for their deaths as anyone who has ever strapped a bomb to their chest and screamed Allah Akbar."

No politics going on there, eh Glenn?

Can you count the lies and distortions? I ran out of fingers and toes and just gave up.

Hey Glenn, you lying sack of dogshit, what about all those bodybags coming home now, the ones Bush and his brownshirts won't let be shown on TV? Are those the fault of your enemies, the sane people, too? Or are they the fault of your master, the man who started a war with a country he had no actual beef with? No, those are YOUR FAULT, Glenn, you and every bloodthristy murderous warmongering traitor to this country and this world who has the utter gall to say that war is good.

Disgusting, lying, scum-sucking, racist, bigoted lapdog of the neoconservative movement. May you die a thousand deaths without dying of a one.

I hate Joe Lieberman.

From Daily Kos: Those Crazy Republicans

I'm mostly posting because of this single quote by stealth Republican and lying, cheating, hateful scumbag Joe LiarmanLieberman:

Yes, we should vigorously debate and deliberate. That is not only our right, it is our responsibility. But at this difficult juncture, at this moment when a real battle, a critical battle is being waged in Baghdad, as we face a brutal enemy who attacked us on 9/11 and wants to do it again, let us not just shout at one another, but let us reach out to one another to find that measure of unity that can look beyond today’s disagreements and secure the nation’s future and the future of all who will follow us as Americans.

Uh, Joe? Noboody's parroting that line in the administration anymore except you. The warring Muslim factions in Iraq didn't attack us on 9/11, you blithering simpleton. If you're going to lie, at least pick a lie that's believable, not one that's been debunked four trillion times.

YOU DUMB FUCK.

U.S.-led forces raid consulate, piss everyone off

U.S. Detains 6 Iranians in Irbil Raid

U.S.-led multinational forces detained six Iranians Thursday at an Iranian government office in the northern city of Irbil, Iraqi officials said, as President Bush accused Iran and Syria of aiding militants and promised to "interrupt" the flow of support as part of his new war strategy.

I really cannot believe this. Are we trying to start a war? If Iran attacks us, we're not getting any support from the rest of the world.

You know what Bush and his cronies would call this if it were someone doing this to us? They'd call it terrorism. So what's that make this?

Moussaoui to rot in prison, not in grave

From CNN: Moussaoui gets life in prison.

I know people, especially the Freepers, are bitching about this. I know they're saying he's an evil person and he should die, but revenge has no place in justice. Further to that, he can't be considered a martyr this way. He'll spend his life in solitary in a Supermax prison, most likely, wasting away devoid of contact and the attention he craved.

Would those of you wanting him dead rather he die quickly and with a minimum of pain, or would you rather he be forced to live out his miserable life in prison? In all honesty, which sounds worse? And don't try to keep the blood from your hands by saying he'll be killed by other inmates - as I said, it will be more than likely he'll be left in solitary confinement. If you honestly believe that killing a man is justice, then be expeditious about expressing your feelings. Own up to it, grow a pair, get some hair on your chest. Tell me you think he should have been a martyr, tell me you think he should have gotten exactly what he wanted - a "glorious death" at the hands of "The Great Satan".

Bush is trying to get us all killed.

I'm not going to do this in the usual format.

All I'll say is what we already know: Bush wants to use nukes against Iran.

And the obvious response: This is, without a doubt, the stupidest, most ignorant, most dangerous idea that you have ever had. The moment you do it, we're persona non grata to the world. They'll mark us as the rogue state, since we've essentially committed a crime against humanity.

You do it, and we will be the target. You do it, and we're all gonna die.

Is your legacy worth all our lives?

And an interesting thought from The Liberal Avenger: What if it's all saber-rattling?

Truth is, if it is, then it's to get Iran to actually get nukes; then Bushiemort can point and say "they got nukes, let's get 'em" and Avada Kedavra their asses with a nuke of our own.

So it all comes down to the same thing, most likely.

Freedom for Jill.

From appletree: Christian Science Monitor Reporter Jill Carroll is Freed.
Same story from MSNBC.

Here's the odd thing: her captors didn't treat her badly. They apparently let her walk around her room freely, didn't hurt her...

...it's a nice change.

Unofrtunately, the talking-heads are spinning this already. I've actually seen right-wing blowhards trying to say that this is some sort of terrorist PR move, trying to get the Iraq situation to look "worse than it actually is" (how the hell is that possible?!) when other journalists report it, then releasing the journalist who'll give stories of how well they're treated.

People are even trying to say that this may have been a hoax. What the hell? Are they that cynical about stories that won't end in "OMG KILL TEH BROWN PEOPLES!"?

Bush Blames Saddam for Iraq Instability

From ABC News: Bush Blames Saddam for Iraq Instability

WASHINGTON Mar 29, 2006 (AP)— President Bush said Wednesday that Saddam Hussein, not continued U.S. involvement in Iraq, is responsible for ongoing sectarian violence that is threatening the formation of a democratic government.

In his third speech this month to bolster public support for the war, Bush worked to counter critics who say the U.S. presence in the wartorn nation is fueling the insurgency. Bush said that Saddam was a tyrant and used violence to exacerbate sectarian divisions to keep himself in power, and that as a result, deep tensions persist to this day.

"The enemies of a free Iraq are employing the same tactics Saddam used, killing and terrorizing the Iraqi people in an effort to foment sectarian division," Bush said.

Well, we can add "Saddam" to the chant of Bushiemort and his Truth Eaters: "9/11 9/11 9/11 terror terror terror Saddam Saddam Saddam".

Gee, weren't they saying not too long ago that Iraqis hated Saddam and wanted him gone? Weren't they saying that getting rid of him would fix all the problems?

And they called Kerry a flip-flopper...

At least Henery Hawk was funny.

From THE NEWS BLOG: Chickenhawk squawk

I have this feeling that the 'hawks are going to be slapping this guy on the back and haw-hawing about this. It's sick.

And I also wonder how long it'll be before this kid puts his dirty trust-fund money where his ever-open mouth is and enlists? Who wants to bet he never does?

The 101st Fighting Keyboarders march on!