Bush: Pull Out Would Hand Iraq to Enemies

[sabra]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1418958

Bush: Pull Out Would Hand Iraq to EnemiesBush: Pulling Out of Iraq Would Signal to the World That U.S. Cannot Be Trusted to Keep Its Word

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Dec 18, 2005 — President Bush said Sunday that pulling out of Iraq would signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word and that the elections in the Middle East nation mean the United States has "an ally of growing strength."

Leaving too soon "would hand Iraq over to enemies who have pledged to attack us," the president said in remarks prepared for delivery in an Oval Office address.

...

"Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day," the president said. "I don't believe that. Our military commanders do not believe that."

The president said that withdrawing "before our work is done" would "abandon out Iraq friends and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word."

[panader0]

1. Iraq's biggest enemy is the U.S.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Besides, who'd be there to protect our oil if we left?

If anyone thinks this invasion was not planned with $400BB invested so we'd leave after the Iraqi's had their "democratic" elections, you probably also believe that Bush won in 2000 and 2004.

[Canuckistanian]

3. The US also gave its word to uphold decency, justice and morality

A little late to start crowing about "keeping promises".

[NanceGreggs]

4. Note to BUSH:

RE your quote: "... would signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word ..."

Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but THAT shipped sailed off the edge of the world eons ago.

We can only hope that someday, somehow, American's word will be trusted once again.

As for your OWN WORD, well, that hasn't been good for shit since the day you took office.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. As Tweety would say..... HAH!!. nt.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. So we keep our word, even when we're dead wrong.

And people wonder why they hate us.............

[democrank]

7. The world already knows

America can`t be trusted, thanks to the dangerous fascist at the helm and the cover-up Congress abetting him.

[Triana]

8. We ARE the enemy, dufus!

But I understand we gotta stay there and guard the OIL....

[pinto]

9. I guess this is a pre-speech release of remarks from his speech for tonite

If so, man, I hate it when AP runs this as if it were "news"...

Minor pet peeve...

That said, it's sadly ironic that this President chooses "trust" as a key talking point. Or has had it chosen for him, would be more accurate.

[Nite Owl]

10. Yet another failed Bush* endeavor that

we are left to pay for with lives and hard earned money. It was his lies that brought us to this point. He should admit that much and resign (along with his vp and cabinet).

[rodeodance]

11. what is this 'Bush said"---this part of his speech tonight. Or did he giv

e it already and I missed it?



Bush's speech tops off an 18-day span in which the president made five speeches conceding setbacks in Iraq. At the same time, he is outlining a strategy he says will enable the Iraqi people to establish a stable political system and a strong defense capable of quelling a stubborn insurgency.

.........Bush's address follows a string of weekend attacks by insurgents in Iraq that pierced three days of relative calm. Nineteen people died, including two relatives of a senior Kurdish official.

"Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day," the president said. "I don't believe that. Our military commanders do not believe that."

The president said that withdrawing "before our work is done" would "abandon out Iraq friends and signal to the world that America cannot be trusted to keep its word.

[Democrats_win]

12. Satan speaks: keep the war going, our "honor" is at stake. At xmas!

He sits in his house and speaks of peace yet delivers war.

[POAS]

13. the rhetoric of Iraq sounds more like Nam everyday

[Democrats_win]

14. Yeah, but bu$h had an exit strategy for Nam.

[rodeodance]

15. Fox just said these were excerpts of Jr speech that were relearsed. but

this story makes it seem like he already gave it!!1

[Pithy Cherub]

16. Dear bush in the bubble-gum:

Iran is, um already guiding the process under the direct US occupation. See exhibit: Chalabi

Syria is profitably trading with Iraq: See exhibit, Iraq border security or lack there of...

The USA will not accrue any credit for what it has done. See exhibit: Latest polls from Iraqis about how quickly they'd like US gone.

Yeah, uh huh, * has his bubble-gum under control - truly right before it pops all over his brillo pad hair...

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

17. a secular gov they will NOT have.

[Pithy Cherub]

20. Yes, That is The BIGGEST loss bush can't face.

Thousands upon thousands dead to turn Iraq into Iran II.

[buff2]

18. Poppy should have "pulled out" 59 years ago.

We wouldn't be stuck with this idiot at the helm for 8 long agonizing years if he had. :puke:

[More Than A Feeling]

19. What about the Iraqi government, George?

Surely, the elected government we spent 2000+ lives for isn't the ENEMY?:sarcasm:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

21. The world ALREADY knows that we're liars.

[stepnw1f]

22. Name the Enemy Asshole!

Because we think You are the enemy. You started this mess by your greedy business practices and meddling in foreign affairs for wealth. You are the problem, not your fictious boogeymen...

[cliss]

23. It's so interesting -

I'm working on exporting American agricultural products. I was referred to the government web site that deals with this. You can look up countries that want to import our stuff. There's India, Germany, even Bangladesh that wants certain products.

To my surprise, there was a request for bids for the country of IRAQ. I couldn't believe it. I thought, "is it safe enough to ship stuff in?"

Here's what it said:

"We, the United States and England, are overseeing the rebuilding of Iraq. Over the next few months, we will be requesting bids for a variety of procurements; food, school supplies, and a whole list of other things we'll be needing.

THOSE BASTARDS, I thought. Here's where the REAL truth comes out. They think it's theirs. Needless to say, I passed on that pile of crap.

[Hyernel]

24. The invasion is what handed Iraq over to enemies.

Or rather, it made Iraq into a terrorist haven...when before, it was not a threat.

[0007]

25. What time is the turd gonna stink up the U.S. tonight?

[Jacobin]

26. No. INVADING Iraq and creating chaos gives enemies a haven

Pretzledent Bush, YOU created this clusterfuck

[dback]

27. Why do I keep feeling like I'm hearing him say things over and over?

Is it because he seriously has such a limited vocabulary, and he thinks that repeating a lie/wish enough times will make it come true (or at least influence the simpleminded)?

I feel like the media just keeps posting the same crap day after day, month after month, year after year, and nothing ever changes. The question is, are citizens finally noticing?

[daleo]

28. The U.S. won't keep its word to whom?

This doesn't even rise to the level of Viet Nam, where in theory an independent South Vietnamese ally requested assistance which the U.S. promised. It was then supposedly committed to "keeping its promise".

Iraq is nothing like that. No Iraqi government (not even one in exile) asked for assistance from the U.S. - in fact, the Iraqi government explicitly condemned and fought against the invasion and occupation.

It wouldn't be that Bush wouldn't be keeping his word if the U.S. withdrew - it would be that he wasn't capable of backing up his threats. There is a difference there, and not such a subtle one.