We are winning, and winning decisively

[fintstone]

We are winning, and winning decisively. This article puts the war in Iraq in perspective:

Wall Street Journal
November 26, 2005

A Fitting Address

By James Q. Wilson

President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are arguing against critics of the Iraq war who are trying to rewrite history. There is some value in this, but it is a fight about the past and not about the future.

What most Americans care about is not who is lying but whether we are winning. I offer this speech that the president might use to tell Americans that we are winning.

"My fellow Americans: We are winning, and winning decisively, in Iraq and the Middle East. We defeated Saddam Hussein's army in just a few weeks. None of the disasters that many feared would follow our invasion occurred. Our troops did not have to fight door to door to take Baghdad. The Iraqi oil fields were not set on fire. There was no civil war between the Sunnis and the Shiites. There was no grave humanitarian crisis.

Saddam Hussein was captured and is awaiting trial. His two murderous sons are dead. Most of the leading members of Saddam's regime have been captured or killed. After our easy military victory, we found ourselves inadequately prepared to defeat the terrorist insurgents, but now we are prevailing.

Iraq has held free elections in which millions of people voted. A new, democratic constitution has been adopted that contains an extensive bill of rights. Discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, or politics is banned. Soon the Iraqis will be electing their first parliament.

An independent judiciary exists, almost all public schools are open, every hospital is functioning, and oil sales have increased sharply. In most parts of the country, people move about freely and safely.

According to surveys, Iraqis are overwhelmingly opposed to the use of violence to achieve political ends, and the great majority believe that their lives will improve in the future. The Iraqi economy is growing very rapidly, much more rapidly than the inflation rate.

In some places, the terrorists who lost the war are now fighting back by killing Iraqi civilians. Some brave American soldiers have also been killed, but most of the attacks are directed at decent, honest Iraqis. This is not a civil war; it is terrorism gone mad.

And the terrorists have failed. They could not stop free elections. They could not prevent Iraqi leaders from taking office. They could not close the schools or hospitals. They could not prevent the emergence of a vigorous free press that now involves over 170 newspapers that represent every shade of opinion.

Terrorist leaders such as Zarqawi have lost. Most Sunni leaders, whom Zarqawi was hoping to mobilize, have rejected his call to defeat any constitution. The Muslims in his hometown in Jordan have denounced him. Despite his murderous efforts, candidates representing every legitimate point of view and every ethnic background are competing for office in the new Iraqi government.

The progress of democracy and reconstruction has occurred faster in Iraq than it did in Germany 60 years ago, even though we have far fewer troops in the Middle East than we had in Germany after Hitler was defeated.

We grieve deeply over every lost American and coalition soldier, but we also recognize what those deaths have accomplished. A nation the size of California, with 25 million inhabitants, has been freed from tyranny, equipped with a new democratic constitution, and provided with a growing new infrastructure that will help every Iraqi and not just the privileged members of a brutal regime. For every American soldier who died, 12,000 Iraqi voters were made into effective citizens.

Virtually every American soldier who writes home or comes back to visit his or her family tells the same story: We have won, Iraqis have won, and life in most of Iraq goes on without violence and with obvious affection between the Iraqi people and our troops. These soldiers have not just restored order in most places, they have built schools, aided businesses, distributed aid, and made friends.

To take their places, Iraq has trained, with American and NATO assistance, tens of thousands of new troops and police officers. In the last election, there were more Iraqi soldiers than American ones guarding the polling places.

We know that much remains to be done. Sunni and Shiite leaders must work together more closely. We know that for centuries Sunni leaders, including Saddam, ruled Iraq even though the Sunnis are only a minority of its population: The terrorists began by killing Shiites but now have killed Sunnis as well, all without the slightest moral justification. But we know from America's own experience that when different groups work together constructively, they learn to trust one another. That must happen, and will happen, in Iraq.

Our success is not confined to Iraq. Libya has renounced its search for nuclear weapons. Syria has pulled out of Lebanon. Afghanistan has produced a democratic government and economic progress for its people. Egypt has had the beginnings of a democratic vote. In an area once dominated by dictatorships, the few remaining ones are either changing or worrying deeply about those that have changed.

We know now that some of our information about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was wrong. But we also know now what we have always believed: That Saddam Hussein, who had already invaded both Iran and Kuwait, had the money, authority and determination to build up his stock of such weapons. When he did, he would have become the colossus of the Middle East, able to overwhelm other countries and rain rockets down on Israel.

We have created a balance of power in the Middle East in which no regime can easily threaten any other. In doing this, we and our allies have followed a long tradition: We worked to prevent Imperial Germany from dominating Europe in 1914, Hitler from doing the same in 1940, and the Soviet Union from doing this in 1945. Now we are doing it in the Middle East.

And we are winning. Soon Iraqi forces will be able to maintain order in the few hot spots that still exist in Iraq. We will stay the course until they are ready. We made no mistake ending Saddam's rule. We have brought not only freedom to Iraq, but progress to most of the Middle East. America should be proud of what it has accomplished. America will not cut and run until the Iraqis can manage their own security, and that will happen soon.

Thank you, and God bless you."

Mr. Wilson has taught at Harvard, UCLA and Pepperdine, and is the author, among other books, of "The Moral Sense" (Free Press, 1997).

[fintstone]

We are winning...and winning decisively...and most Americans know it....despite the efforts of the liberal press:

Washington Times
November 24, 2005
Pg. 1

Public Ignores Iraq War Naysayers

By Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times

Negative press coverage of the war in Iraq in recent weeks has emphasized rising pessimism among the American public about the conflict. But a new survey found that 56 percent of the public thinks that efforts to establish a stable democracy in the country will succeed.

The survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press -- which also plumbed opinions of journalists, university presidents and others in academe, diplomats, government officials, religious leaders, members of the military, scientists and international security specialists -- revealed a marked disconnect between the perceptions of the general public and many of the so-called opinion leaders.

When asked whether they thought democracy would succeed in Iraq, only 33 percent of the journalists agreed that it had a chance. The number was even worse in academe -- 27 percent of respondents thought the effort would succeed. Among the military, however, the number stood at 64 percent.

"The media and academia have always been more to the left, so how they report these things is not necessarily the way the country sees things," said Charles Gravely, 56, a real estate executive from the District.

Meanwhile, close to half of the American public -- 48 percent -- think the decision to take military action in Iraq was the right one.

"I put my trust in the people in charge of our defense," said Haley Praytor, 21, an intern from Lindale, Texas.

The survey found a spectrum of opinions between the opinion leaders.

Among journalists, 28 percent thought the decision was justified. The number was 21 percent among the academic elites and 49 percent in the military.

The public is evenly divided on whether the war in Iraq has helped or hindered efforts to combat terrorism, 44 percent thought the conflict has helped the effort and the same number thought it has hurt. In the press, 68 percent said the war had hurt the effort, and 22 percent said it had helped.

In the academic world, the numbers were 75 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Among the military, it was 47 percent and 45 percent.

The war in Iraq "has definitely helped indirectly," said Andrew Reese, 33, a software sales representative from Arlington. "It has probably kept other countries from committing terrorist acts in the U.S."

The survey also found that the public's view of the United Nations has soured since March.

Overall, 48 percent of Americans felt favorably toward the United Nations, down from 77 percent in 2001. The approval ratings of the United Nations dropped by 11 points since March alone.

The survey found that 54 percent of Americans think that the United States should cooperate fully with the United Nations, down from 67 percent in 2002. And 32 percent thought the United States should "go its own way in international matters," up from 25 percent three years ago.

President Bush's approval ratings have grown tepid -- but have not tanked -- among Americans. Overall, Mr. Bush garners a 40 percent favorability among the public, with 52 percent disapproving of him and 8 percent "unsure."

However, 52 percent approve of his efforts to fight terrorism, and 86 percent say defense against terrorism should be a top foreign policy priority, followed by the protection of American jobs (84 percent) and preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction (75 percent).

Only 24 percent of Americans approve of Mr. Bush's immigration policies, but 51 percent say reducing illegal immigration should be a top foreign policy priority.

The survey, which addressed "America's Place in the World," was conducted in two phases. It polled 2,006 adults between Oct. 12 and 24, and 540 members of the press, academia and the other five demographic groups from Sept. 5 to Oct. 31. The margin of error ranges from three to five percentage points.

The complete results can be viewed online at httpeople-press.org.

Shepherd Pittman contributed to this report.

[darkbeer]

One Iranian Intellegence Services officer to another...

"We are winning, & winning decisively"....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Geez, and all this time I thought the mission had been accomplished since last spring. . .

[CRH911S]

Washington Post
November 25, 2005

Bomber Bloodies U.S. Toy Giveaway

At Least 31 Iraqis Killed; 22 Die in Other Violence

By Ellen Knickmeyer, Washington Post Foreign Service

BAGHDAD, Nov. 24 -- A suicide attacker steered a car packed with explosives toward U.S. soldiers giving away toys to children outside a hospital in central Iraq on Thursday, killing at least 31 people. Almost all of the victims were women and children, police said.

In all, 53 people were killed in bombings and gunfire across the country, including two American soldiers who died in a roadside bombing near Baghdad. The U.S. military also reported the deaths of four American troops on Wednesday.

Previously posted by finstone. Seems a little contradictory, gather the children around for a little media event to show why we need to stay the course.

[Moses]

Originally posted by fintstone
We are winning, and winning decisively.

[darkbeer]

MY GOD !!!

It's Scottie McClellan...in a beret !!!!!!!!!

[creaturecat]

What are you "winning". The war,you say - what war? Have the Iraqis declared war? Are you talking about the illegal invasion? How do you know when you have "won" What will you have "won" when you are done "winning"?

[damouth]

Originally posted by CRH911S
Previously posted by finstone. Seems a little contradictory, gather the children around for a little media event to show why we need to stay the course.

When the dem's do it, it's charity and goodwill. When the repub's do it, it's a "media event".

[CRH911S]

damoth...engage dabrain.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by creaturecat
What are you "winning". The war,you say - what war? Have the Iraqis declared war? Are you talking about the illegal invasion? How do you know when you have "won" What will you have "won" when you are done "winning"?

Considering that "your" past Presidental candidate (Kerry) voted for the war, and your future Presidental candidate (Hilary) as well voted for the war, I am having a slight problem figuring out why you are not clear about whether its a legal or illegal war. There was no "illegal invasion" no matter how much of that funny stuff you have been smoking.

It was voted on and given due process in our govt, and approved so how much more would you like to have seen? French approval? German approval? Sorry but no matter how much you do not like it, given the information that all the senators and congressmen had at that time, they voted on our going to Iraq and it was not to hug trees with your friends. We accomplished the mission (taking Saddam out of power) in short order and are still working on stabilizing the country.

We will have won when you can come out of your basement and out in the open, then travel to a vacation spot of your choice and not worry about being killed by terrorists. Right now Spain, England, India, Indonesia and Malaysa cannot say this, as there have been strikes in each of their country by these fanatical idiots. They hit us first then found out that we got serious about security very fast and now are going to places where the security is not so strict.

Got it? Good, now stop winning and get to work!

Joe A

[Rodeo]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
We will have won when you can come out of your basement and out in the open, then travel to a vacation spot of your choice and not worry about being killed by terrorists. Right now Spain, England, India, Indonesia and Malaysa cannot say this, as there have been strikes in each of their country by these fanatical idiots. They hit us first then found out that we got serious about security very fast and now are going to places where the security is not so strict.
Joe A

Yep, having 158,000 troops on the ground half a world away sure makes me feel safer.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Of course. It's made us safer, remember. That "grave and gathering danger" that Iraq posed to us with their mega-stockpiles of WMDs and of course their link to Al Qaeda. Yep. It's all been neutralized now. We're a lot safer. We've bolstered our standing in the international community, made our ties with our allies stronger, shown the world that democracy truly does work when it's transparent and of COURSE free of corruption and misrepresentation of the facts to the populace. Yep. Shining example. We're a lot safer now.

[tabs]

The American Left has turned Americans into LOSERS..... Is there a task in the world where Americans won't whine and complain about how tough it is...and say "Why are we here?"

[cool_chick]

Originally posted by tabs
The American Left has turned Americans into LOSERS..... Is there a task in the world where Americans won't whine and complain about how tough it is...and say "Why are we here?"

Don't blame your personal problems on the American left....

[Rodeo]

Blame it on your favorite bogymen, the "left" and the media (both of which are only stand-ins for anyone that does not practice slavish devotion to the Bush/Cheney administration).

Unlike the administration apologists, I put the blame squarely where it belongs -- on this criminally incompetent executive branch.

Our president has taken the strongest, proudest military on the planet, tasked it with an ill-defined, poorly planned, open-ended mission, proclaimed victory in the top of the first inning, and then, in sad desperation, blamed everyone on the plant but themselves for the end result.

Good job Mr. President.

[CRH911S]

The American Left has turned Americans into LOSERS.....

TABS, what are you smoking in that pipe? What is it about you neocons getting excited and saying stupid things in desperation?

I hear there is a plan to distribute toys to children in downtown Bagdad next week. Maybe you, Joe, and Fint will volunteer and give our troops some much needed rest with a day off?

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by CRH911S
TABS, what are you smoking in that pipe? What is it about you neocons getting excited and saying stupid things in desperation?

I hear there is a plan to distribute toys to children in downtown Bagdad next week. Maybe you, Joe, and Fint will volunteer and give our troops some much needed rest with a day off?

Tell everybody what you think about those "freedom fighters"...

rjp

[CRH911S]

With 80% of the Iraqi's wanting us to leave what do you think?

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by CRH911S
With 80% of the Iraqi's wanting us to leave what do you think?

80%? Straight out the booty!

Here, allow me to be of assistance:

From another thread:

Looking at this from a different perspective, what were the soldiers doing handing out toys to the children in the first place?

Seems like anyone with half a brain would know better. What strategy, that creates opportunities such as these, can be considered beneficial when the outcome is known well in advance?

Our only intention by this supposed generous act is to gain a foothold for information purposes only. Unfortunately, the freedom fighters of Iraq are way ahead of Bush again.

Our troops are not responsible for these blood bath political policies, the Cheny/bush administration is.

Maybe the you and the rest of the left should just stick to Homo marriage and personal rights for trees.

rjp


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