Bush: "Al Qaeda knows the surge is working."

[sabra]

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080131006201&newsLang=en

Remarks by the President on the Global War on Terror
LAS VEGAS--
Emerald at Queensridge


<snip>

The surge is working. I know some don't want to admit that, and I understand. But the terrorists understand the surge is working. Al Qaeda knows the surge is working. They thought they could live safely in Anbar province. This was the place from which they were going to launch attacks throughout Iraq and throughout the Middle East. This is a place where they proudly proclaimed, this is our safe haven. They no longer have a safe haven in Anbar province; they're on the run. We're going to keep them on the run, and it's in our interests for our own security to keep them on the run. (Applause.)

As a result of our successes, some of our troops are coming home. A Marine expeditionary unit and one Army brigade came home in December. It's not going back. I don't know whether my fellow citizens understand that or not. We surged, we accomplished missions, the Iraqis are more capable. The commanders on the ground say that now we can do the same job with less troops. So folks came home for Christmas. It is anticipated that five more Army brigades and two Marine battalions will be coming home by July.* That's over 20,000 troops will be coming home -- (applause) -- because we've been successful, that's why.

You know, a lot of folks say, well, what's next, Mr. President? And my answer is, we have come too far in this important theater in this war on terror not to make sure that we succeed. And therefore any further troop reductions will be based upon commanders and conditions. Iraq is important for our security. I will be making decisions based upon success in Iraq. The temptation, of course, is for people to say, well, make sure you do the politically right thing. That's not my nature. That's not exactly what we're going to do. (Applause.)

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. yes that's it Mr Bush it's theater!

[bdamomma]

2. oh I would love to throw his a$$ over there, spoiled psychotic

frat boy. Has no idea what those soldiers are going through, despicable little prick he is.

I hope justice does serve him and all his cohorts someday.

[wtmusic]

3. I know, I felt the surge several times during his STFU address nt

[Johonny]

4. didn't they just blow up

a major candidate and ex leader in Pakistan. I might be crazy but isn't that like a sign you can't combat global terrorism by a large occupying force in a small country.

[gratuitous]

5. Can we ban the word "understand" from Bush's vocabulary?

It doesn't mean anything, and it's a verbal crutch he uses to spout complete gibberish. Go back and read each sentence where he uses the word "understand," and you'll see what I mean.

[TahitiNut]

6. Amazing. He seems to know what Al Qaeda is thinking BUT NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

Fucking delusional psychopath! :grr:

[Rex]

7. LooOOOoser!

Bush has to be the BIGGEST loser ever to grace the WH! EVA!

[Disturbed]

8. Al Q in Iraq is not a danger to America.

If the US Troops were to leave, except for a few to guard that Embassy monstrosity, the Iraqis
would drive that small al Q contingency out of Iraq. Al Q is expanding in Pakistan, Afghanistan & Indonesia & the Taleban is garnering strength in Afghanistan, which is close to becoming a failed
state. Busholini is lying about this as he has done about most everything else.

[Rex]

9. True, the Taliban was never a threat nor was Afghanistan or Iraq.

And our politicians ate it up like wedding cake.

[margotb822]

11. You're kind of off on that statement.

The Taliban were definitely in need of deposing. Not like I am a proponent of nation building, but that was barely a government. The Taliban weren't terrorists, but they were allowing terrorists to operate within their borders. We had an excellent chance to do some good in the world. We had a chance to aid people and help them build a true government (not necessarily a western democracy). However, we blew that chance when we dropped them and flew into Iraq like fools. Now we are failing in two places, Al Qaeda is resurgent in Afghanistan and we have no way to fix Iraq.

[margotb822]

10. I had a very disturbing realization today.

I was thinking about the stuff we are doing in Iraq and I realized just how much more terrorism we are creating. Thing about it. Regular citizens are being forced to submit to inspections, photographing, fingerprinting and then the possibility of deportation to secret military prisons. How f'ing outrageous is that?!

What would happen if China began patrolling the Gulf of Mexico, stopping our fishermen, subjecting them to the same treatment we are now subjecting the Middle East to, and then shipping our citizens off to their prisons? We'd be at war! We would nuke the crap out of China (or any other country that tried that). We are lucky that Iran hasn't started a war with us, the way we are aggressing them.

We are only making the problem worse. I don't know if I can keep going on with this. The only hope I have is of electing a Democrat president who will stop this nonsense. We are not being good leaders. We are more of the problem than the solution.