Mission Accomplished - Remember when George said that?

[freeflydrew 0]

Well, it turns out that George said Mission Accomplished, and hung the big sign on the deck of the aircraft carrier because retired Tommy Franks made him say it. Thank god Tommy came out and said that so no one can criticise George for the media shot on the carrier, right? Just in time for the elections. George said it over a year ago, and all of a sudden, Tommy Franks wants to come out and clear the air with the truth behind that bold statement's origin.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/09/franks.mission.ap/index.html

That's my fault'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retired Gen. Tommy Franks tried to take the blame Monday for President Bush's much-criticized comments declaring an end to major combat in Iraq more than a year ago.

"That's my fault, that George W. Bush said what he said on the first of May of last year, just because I asked him to," said Franks, former commander of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Less than two months after the invasion of Iraq, Bush flew to a U.S. aircraft carrier and declared an end to major combat with a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" in the background.

The event, Bush's words and the banner have been repeatedly criticized and mocked since that first day of May 2003. The Iraq occupation turned more violent, American deaths continued to mount and U.S. forces failed to find weapons of mass destruction, a main rationale for the war.

"I wanted to get the phase of military operation over as quickly as I could, because a lot of countries on this planet had said as soon as that major stuff is over, we'll come in and help with all of the peacekeeping," Franks said.

"On the first of May when Bush did what he did, I was proud of him because he did what I, as the commander, had asked him to do," Franks said in an appearance at the National Press Club. "So if there's a mistake there, it's mine, not a plot. So I thought I'd share that with you. "

Franks noted that the Bush administration has had limited success persuading other nations to participate in Iraq. Of some 160,000 foreign forces there now, about 140,000 are American.



You gotta love this administration... George must really be kicking himself for all the times he''s been mislead by his own people

[PhillyKev 0]

It's refreshing when those who make mistakes own up to it. I wish GWB and his cabinet members knew how to do that.

[Ron 10]

Gee could it have someting to do with Franks now having a book released last week?

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[freeflydrew 0]

Book release vs Presidential Election?

Tough call on that one...

[Ron 10]

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Book release vs Presidential Election?

Tough call on that one...

Gee if I wanted to influence the election I would wait till late Sept, earlyOctober....It to soon for this information...It will blow over LONG before Nov...

However I JUST released a book that I would like to sell.

And people knowing I got the President to say something I wanted will make BOTH sides read it.

MONEY

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[freeflydrew 0]

I agree with you, except for this... Now the democrats and critics of GWB can't use the whole Mission Accomplished thing in their arsenal. The Republicans want the next months to sway the votes of ther undecided, and this is a great way to earn some points from the people stupid enogh to not see right through it.

[Ron 10]

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I agree with you, except for this... Now the democrats and critics of GWB can't use the whole Mission Accomplished thing in their arsenal. The Republicans want the next months to sway the votes of ther undecided, and this is a great way to earn some points from the people stupid enogh to not see right through it.

You will still slam Bush for the "Mission Accpompished" statement. You will say he was led to lie. (Popular with you guys).

It will have about as much power as Kerrys Purple Harts...Some will rally to him, others will say they were faked.

Same here.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[kaerock 1]

I believe there is more to it than what is apparent.

Consider this:
Bush is so criticized for this so that they ask Franks to admit it was his fault, rather than Bush's, alleviating some burden of criticism from Bush. It's a classic magic card trick. "My right hand is doing something, but HEY, look at my left hand, it's doing something WAY more interesting!"

This is just more political maneuvering to draw the American public's attention away from the fact that Bush attempted to fool them into thinking that the war was over when it clearly wasn't (and isn't). He wasn't misled, it was a deliberate political stunt that failed and they're trying to clean up the mess.

-R

Quote

Well, it turns out that George said Mission Accomplished, and hung the big sign on the deck of the aircraft carrier because retired Tommy Franks made him say it. Thank god Tommy came out and said that so no one can criticise George for the media shot on the carrier, right? Just in time for the elections. George said it over a year ago, and all of a sudden, Tommy Franks wants to come out and clear the air with the truth behind that bold statement's origin.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/09/franks.mission.ap/index.html

That's my fault'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retired Gen. Tommy Franks tried to take the blame Monday for President Bush's much-criticized comments declaring an end to major combat in Iraq more than a year ago.

"That's my fault, that George W. Bush said what he said on the first of May of last year, just because I asked him to," said Franks, former commander of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Less than two months after the invasion of Iraq, Bush flew to a U.S. aircraft carrier and declared an end to major combat with a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" in the background.

The event, Bush's words and the banner have been repeatedly criticized and mocked since that first day of May 2003. The Iraq occupation turned more violent, American deaths continued to mount and U.S. forces failed to find weapons of mass destruction, a main rationale for the war.

"I wanted to get the phase of military operation over as quickly as I could, because a lot of countries on this planet had said as soon as that major stuff is over, we'll come in and help with all of the peacekeeping," Franks said.

"On the first of May when Bush did what he did, I was proud of him because he did what I, as the commander, had asked him to do," Franks said in an appearance at the National Press Club. "So if there's a mistake there, it's mine, not a plot. So I thought I'd share that with you. "

Franks noted that the Bush administration has had limited success persuading other nations to participate in Iraq. Of some 160,000 foreign forces there now, about 140,000 are American.



You gotta love this administration... George must really be kicking himself for all the times he''s been mislead by his own people

You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE

[EricTheRed 0]

I actually believe that none of this is actually GW's fault. He's just an average guy that spent most of his youth doing what a lot of us did-or would do if we were rich and powerfull from day one, party party party.
I've always felt that the reason he was pushed so hard from the right was that they felt they could get him to do just what they asked him to do.

That's what scares me the most about this administration, it's largely a puppet show - the people actually pulling the strings aren't the ones that we see, and can't really be held accountable for their decisions. SO if Franks told GW to say this - and it doesn't surprise me a bit- I think the big news is why wasn't GW bright enough to saay

"Hey, wait a minute. Are you sure we are done over there? Don't we still have people fighting over there? Did we get OBL yet? Did we find the WMD's? What, we didn't, well I'm not giong to strut my ass around and say we are finished."

The leader of our country should lead - not follow his advisors blindly.

illegible usually

[Ron 10]

Quote

That's what scares me the most about this administration, it's largely a puppet show - the people actually pulling the strings aren't the ones that we see, and can't really be held accountable for their decisions. SO if Franks told GW to say this - and it doesn't surprise me a bit- I think the big news is why wasn't WG bright enough to saay

"Hey, wait a minute. Are you sure we are done over there? Don't we still have people fighting over there? Did we get OBL yet? Did we find the WMD's? What, we didn't, well I'm not giong to strut my ass around and say we are finished."

The leader of our country should lead - not follow his advisors blindly.

The main military advisor to that conflict was telling him it was done. The guy that was in charge of the whole thing was saying "Hey, its over".

Who would you listen to?

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[EricTheRed 0]

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Who would you listen to?

Many who know me would say I don't listen to anyone

Actually, I listen to everyone, and try to get as much info as possible. If someone tell me something that contradicts what I am getting from everywhere else, I tend to question that persons statements.

It was pretty obvious at the time of the "mission accomplished" speech that we were, still, very much not finished.

Yes, I would listen to the guy that is supposed to be in the know, but if he was blowing smoke up my ass it would change my opinion of the value of his advice.

I was just saying that there was a lot of evidence that we were no where near finished in Iraq, and I would be reluctant to make an ass of myself by saying that we were.

illegible usually

[Ron 10]

Quote

It was pretty obvious at the time of the "mission accomplished" speech that we were, still, very much not finished.

We were finished fighting with SH's Republican Guard troops. They were done. It was the end to organized fighting. We had the city.

It was no longer a war to clear out SH...He was done.

The insurgency was not finished, nor will it be...ever.

So in that aspect...Remove SH from power it was over.

Now we are fighting against Rebels/freedom fighters, and terrorists.

If they would stop and think, the fastest way for us to be out of the country is to stop trying to push us out.

Elect people you want that are not dictators or religious nut cases...and we will pull out.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

It's refreshing when those who make mistakes own up to it. I wish GWB and his cabinet members knew how to do that.

LOL

Like you demanded of the last admin?

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[PhillyKev 0]

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Like you demanded of the last admin?

Yes, exactly like that. Are you insinuating I didnt?

[kaerock 1]

Good point. I do believe GWB is a puppet as well. You can usually tell the difference between his ideas and opinions and the ones he's regurgitating...his are about as intelligent as the averate 5th grader. He's a face-man being led around by the interests of the global imperialists. You'd think they'd pick a more articulate face-man, or one that at least spoke English...I guess they got what we paid for.

-R

Quote

I actually believe that none of this is actually GW's fault. He's just an average guy that spent most of his youth doing what a lot of us did-or would do if we were rich and powerfull from day one, party party party.
I've always felt that the reason he was pushed so hard from the right was that they felt they could get him to do just what they asked him to do.

That's what scares me the most about this administration, it's largely a puppet show - the people actually pulling the strings aren't the ones that we see, and can't really be held accountable for their decisions. SO if Franks told GW to say this - and it doesn't surprise me a bit- I think the big news is why wasn't GW bright enough to saay

"Hey, wait a minute. Are you sure we are done over there? Don't we still have people fighting over there? Did we get OBL yet? Did we find the WMD's? What, we didn't, well I'm not giong to strut my ass around and say we are finished."

The leader of our country should lead - not follow his advisors blindly.

You be the king and I'll overthrow your government. --KRS-ONE