On Thu, 01 Dec 2005 09:26:38 -0500, Harry Krause wrote:

wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
startribune.com
Editorial: Bush creates illusion of progress in Iraq

What I loved about the speech is that Bush said that we will be
victorious! How many times will we have victory in Iraq? We had victory
in the beginning (remember "Mission Accomplished"). Then, when the
Iraqis got their constitution in order, Bush declared again that we had
won in Iraq. Now, he's telling the naval cadets that we'll have victory
in Iraq!!!!

Did you notice that when Bush told the cadets that they were heroes
because they put on a military uniform during a war, that there were
hardly any applause? Those men and women probably didn't think an idiot
could be elected twice!!



I'd like Bush to define what he means by victory, and the specific
measurements by which he will order all our troops home from Iraq.

Betcha he can't.
VICTORY IN IRAQ DEFINED

As the central front in the global war on terror, success in Iraq is an
essential element in the long war against the ideology that breeds international
terrorism. Unlike past wars, however, victory in Iraq will not come in the form
of an enemy's surrender, or be signaled by a single particular event -- there
will be no Battleship Missouri, no Appomattox. The ultimate victory will be
achieved in stages, and we expect:

* In the short term:
o An Iraq that is making steady progress in fighting terrorists and
neutralizing the insurgency, meeting political milestones; building democratic
institutions; standing up robust security forces to gather intelligence, destroy
terrorist networks, and maintain security; and tackling key economic reforms to
lay the foundation for a sound economy.
* In the medium term:
o An Iraq that is in the lead defeating terrorists and insurgents and
providing its own security, with a constitutional, elected government in place,
providing an inspiring example to reformers in the region, and well on its way
to achieving its economic potential.
* In the longer term:
o An Iraq that has defeated the terrorists and neutralized the
insurgency.
o An Iraq that is peaceful, united, stable, democratic, and secure,
where Iraqis have the institutions and resources they need to govern themselves
justly and provide security for their country.
o An Iraq that is a partner in the global war on terror and the fight
against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, integrated into the
international community, an engine for regional economic growth, and proving the
fruits of democratic governance to the region.

--
John H

"It's not a *baby* kicking, beautiful bride, it's just a fetus!"
[A Self-obsessed Hypocrite]