Bush Speaks From Iraq
From Anbar, no less
By haystack Posted in Breaking News — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Having been told by Erick that the President went there while we were sleeping, Bush gave a brief speech from Anbar Province. Alongside him were SecDef Gates, SecState Rice, NSC Hadley, and JCC Pace-AND PM Maliki as well.
It should not be lost on ANYONE that he chose the place MOST identified with the reason the war was lost and that we should tuck tail and run...to bring his ENTIRE war brain-trust for a sit down with the men and women fighting this war.
While some of our media friends will surmise it as nothing more than a pre-Petraeus testimony PR stunt, it's worth noting that we ARE in fact still fighting the enemy there AND trying to get their Government to stand up on its own "two feet." AND, as President, for him to place himself ON THE GROUND amongst the Soldiers fighting it in our stead, a little more appreciation is due here than the continued anti-war media cynicism.
To the speech...
He began by reminding us that Al Qaeda used to run Anbar, and that it was considered lost to the war. And he noted that the citizens refused to give in...that they didn't like the idea of murderers dictating their fate. Iraqis chose to fight alongside coalition forces and won back their homes and their lives. Marines have now been placed there to keep it that way, and citizens have re-taken their futures.
He went on to say he had met with Talabani and Maliki, and that they had a frank discussion. They share the goal of a free Iraq. They all know that a free Iraq depends on the Government-bottom up, and they all know much is left to be done.
Petraeus and Crocker gave the group an update. There IS progress, and it can't be taken for granted. Further, when these two meet with Congress, he asked that BOTH sides listen to what they have to say...
If security continues to improve, American troops can begin to come home. AND, should the Iraq Government continue to make progress, such as finally having implemented oil revenue sharing with regions such as Anbar and others in order to improve the quality of life for ALL Iraqis, this too will enable our guys to come home.
He committed that we will not abandon Iraq.
Short, sweet, and to the point. Good for him.
for his commitment to the troops and their families he has never let them down. God Bless the President and God bless the troops who lay down their lives for the greatest country on this earth.