Pentagon: New Iraq Fighting Due to "Success of the Surge"

by: Brandon Friedman

Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 19:05:08 PM EDT


This is not a joke:

The Pentagon on Wednesday said an eruption of violence in southern Iraq, where US-backed government forces were battling Shiite militias, was a "by-product of the success of the surge."

Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said it showed that the Iraqi government and security forces were now confident enough to take the initiative against Shiite extremists in the southern port of Basra.

That's some impressive spin, if you ask me.  Takes balls to get up there in front of the media--and the world for that matter--and tell everyone that the conflagration we're on the verge of witnessing is due to how awesome we are.

Almost Bush-like in his simplistic view of the situation, Morrell went on to say:

"Citizens down there have been living in a city of chaos and corruption for some time and they and the prime minister clearly have had enough of it," he said at a Pentagon press conference.

Because that's clearly what's going on.  Next thing you know, he'll be calling them "al Qaeda."

Brandon Friedman :: Pentagon: New Iraq Fighting Due to "Success of the Surge"
Tags: , , , , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
As I have said before (0.00 / 0)
They spin the violence either way.  If violence goes down, the surge is working.  If violence goes up, the surge is working.  Either way, the only plan is to send more troops and keep them there permanently.  

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

If I had a nickel... (4.00 / 1)
If I had a nickel for every time over the past several years that I heard/read/saw a report saying something to the effect of "Bush/Generals say troop draw-down expected later this year," I'd be a rich man.  Of course,it's never happened, but they keep the potential draw-down dangling in front of us like a carrot in front of a horse...we keep expecting it, but it's always just out of reach.  

[ Parent ]
Success. (4.00 / 1)

I have been wondering what the definition of success in Iraq is. Now I know that "success" means more violence.

Silly me.


Its been a few hours since this diary was posted.... (0.00 / 0)

... and I still can not wrap my head around how someone can use the increase of violence as proof that the surge is working.

What the hell am I missing here?


You're not missing anything (4.00 / 1)
You're just trying to use logic.  

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

[ Parent ]
Obviously... (4.00 / 1)
...we're turning a corner, right? I mean, like, this should all be over soon?

 And the beat goes on.

 


Yep, just turning a corner (4.00 / 1)
We just need to give it 6 more months.  They are in their last throes.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

[ Parent ]
Yup... (0.00 / 0)
...it's just a few "dead-enders" out there.  

[ Parent ]
The roadmap to success in Iraq! (0.00 / 0)
Take a right turn, then a right turn, then a right turn, then another right turn, and, then, take a right turn. Repeat. Repeat often.

[ Parent ]
Good grief! Someone please tell me . . . (0.00 / 0)
what this guy is smoking 'cause I sure want to get some.

I had occassion on Monday to watch part of the Frontline documentary, "Bush's War". I could only stand it for maybe a half hour. I was was so incredibly infuriating that I figured if I watched any more of it, I'd put my foot thru the TV.

That's approximately the way I feel about this.


VetVoice on Facebook
VetVoice Recommends

"The War I Always Wanted,"
By Brandon Friedman

"The welcome mat for memoirs by veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom might never wear out so long as they write with the savvy of Brandon Friedman . . . Friedman's take is vivid, frank, precise and dramatic." --Military Times

"Add Brandon Friedman's The War I Always Wanted to the ranks of outstanding non-fiction produced by officers from elite combat units in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Always truthful, often excruciatingly so, The War I Always Wanted rises at numerous points to the level of literature." --Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire

Buy The War I Always Wanted here.

"A Time To Lead,"
By General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark

"A Time To Lead confirms the rewarding benefits of military service at a time when such service is experiencing considerable strain. It also includes a comprehensive description of America's current national imperatives, which deserve serious consideration." --General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State

"This is a primer on leadership forged in battle and by decades of experience. . .This isn't just a book; it's a manual for leading people and living a good life." --Barry McCaffrey, General, USA (ret.)

Buy A Time to Lead here.

"Love My Rifle More Than You,"
By Kayla Williams

"Whip smart, sassy, with a mouth as foul as a sailor's, 28-year-old Sergeant Kayla Williams. . .tells what it's like to be a female soldier in Iraq." --Booklist

". . .echoes military memoirists from Julius Caesar to Ernie Pyle." --Publishers Weekly

". . .a shocking, on-the-ground view of one military woman's experience in Iraq." --Bookmarks Magazine

Buy Love My Rifle More Than You here.

"How to Break a Terrorist,"
By Matthew Alexander

"...a riveting, fast-paced account that reads like a first-rate thriller." --Publisher's Weekly

" ...an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the secret intelligence war within a war." --Military.com

Buy How to Break a Terrorist here.

RSS Feed Links

Subscribe to VetVoice in a feed reader!

Subscribe to VetVoice by Email!

Diaries and comments at VetVoice do not necessarily represent the views of VoteVets.org. VetVoice will strive to remove any illegal material as soon as it is flagged. Similarly, VetVoice will use its discretion in determining whether to remove exceedingly offensive material. However, between posting and removal, any offensive or illegal material does not reflect the condoning or endorsing of said material by VoteVets.org or VetVoice.
Similarly, the views expressed on this website are those of the authors alone. Opinions on this website do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.
Menu

Front Page Writers
PTSD Resources
TBI Resources
IRR Information
Casualty Reports
VA Information
Support the Troops
Veteran Candidates We Support
Congressional Committees
Contact Your Elected Leaders
Sites We Like
Search

Advanced Search

Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.

Site Design: Articulated Man

VoteVets Political Action and Vote Vets Action Fund are separate organizations.

Powered by: SoapBlox