Bush warns of more U.S. losses in Iraq

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061221/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq

Bush warns of more U.S. losses in Iraq

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent Thu Dec 21, 2:55 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Acknowledging deepening frustration over
Iraq,President Bush said Wednesday he is considering an increase in American forces and warned that next year will bring more painful U.S. losses. New Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Baghdad that a troop surge was an obvious option.


Bush was unusually candid at a year-end news conference about U.S. setbacks and dashed hopes in the war, which has claimed the lives of more than 2,950 U.S. military members.

He said "2006 was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people. We began the year with optimism" but that faded as extremists fomented sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites.

"And over the course of the year they had success," the president acknowledged. "Their success hurt our efforts to help the Iraqis rebuild their country, it set back reconciliation, it kept Iraq's unity government and our coalition from establishing security and stability throughout the country."

[hatrack]

1. Thanks, Captain Obvious!

We would never have guessed that without your eagle-eyed foresight and wisdom!

All hail our good and wise Leader, George W. Bush!!!!

[demnan]

2. We should send him over there

hopefully someone would take care of things.

[LiberalEsto]

3. No kidding?

Really, he must have peered into his Magic 8-Ball for that prediction.

[Botany]

4. 46,880 Wounded, injuried, or sick U.S. troops in Iraq. 31,493 airlifted out.

As we close in 3,000 KIAs we now have 46,880 other victims of this
unneeded war. I hope bush enjoys his Xmas @ his "ranch" in TX.


U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: 2950
Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: 4
Total 2954
DoD Confirmation List
Latest Coalition Fatality: Dec 20, 2006

US Non Mortal Casualties: Total 46,880 (wounded in battle, non battlefield injuries, and sick)
# that have needed airlifted out of Iraq 31,493


http://icasualties.org/oif /

[BOSSHOG]

5. He's just trying to cheer up his base

More troops in Iraq means more dead "ragheads" just what the patriotic "christians" in this country want. If that means more Americans get killed - well they are volunteers!! It must be really irritating to "conservatives" to have to hear that some of our troops get killed on a daily basis. They must have other things to concern themselves with.

[Virginia Dare]

6. I think they're actually hoping for more casualties...

to give them an excuse to go in and obliterate the whole damn place once and for all, thus gaining control of all of the oil in the region along with our Saudi buddies.

:cry:

[BOSSHOG]

7. You are right my Dear

about their thinking, but we can not do that. Even if we Nuke them we will not have won. Sunnis and Shias will be fighting one another long after the U. S. is consigned to the history books.

[mikeytherat]

8. "Some of you will die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make."

mikey_the_rat

[gratuitous]

9. Oh no! Not more losses!

Clearly all the Democrats' fault from now on. So when Chimpy ramps up the violence, ramps down the troop preparedness and more guys go off to kill and die in the "surge," the GOP can say, "See what happens when you vote Democrat {sic}? More troops die!"

[Double T]

10. Who cares if MORE of our troops and Iraqi citizens are slaughtered and die.......

bush has a legacy HE needs to create and preserve.

[RoccoR5955]

11. What happened to 'Mission Accomplished?' n/t

[ashling]

12. Losses?

What you talkin 'bout.
He didn't say nuthin bout no losses ... he said "sacrifices" :sarcasm:

[moondust]

13. Commas, George, nothing but commas.

As far as the eye can see.

Ho hum......

[sinkingfeeling]

14. In other words, 2006 was evidence of Bush's massive failure!!

[teryang]

15. Another scripted rationale for greed, conquest, and war crimes

The reason our troops have to stay other than the necessary conquest of all iraqi economic resources by American corporate backers of the war, is because the Sunnis have figured out that the death squads and alleged al CIAda terrorists foment sectarianism for covert US/UK sponsors.