The purpose of these "turning points" was primarily to buy Bush time, in the hope that somehow something would go right. At each of these "turning points", the "liberal" media cheered, politicians sagely nodded, and war supporters darkly predicted doom for the 'defeatists' at home.
As always, unwarranted optimism is patriotic and sober scepticism is treasonous.
As the Bush administration readies a “pivotal” progress report on Iraq, it’s worth asking if this time will be any different than the past. We’ve seen countless politicians and pundits on both sides herald the arrival of a “turning point” in Iraq, only to watch the war roll on. Herewith, a quick rundown of the “turning points” that turned out to be anything but.
Lt. Gen. Jay Garner arrives in Baghdad
Date: April 21, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 131
Unwarranted optimism: “We will be here as long as it takes. We will leave fairly rapidly.” —Lt. Gen. Jay Garner
President Bush appears beneath “Mission Accomplished” banner
Date: May 1, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 140
Unwarranted optimism: “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.” —U.S. President George W. Bush
L. Paul Bremer III takes over from Jay Garner
Date: May 11, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 148
Unwarranted optimism: “The coalition provisional authority, led by Ambassador Bremer, has a comprehensive strategy to move Iraq toward a future that is secure and prosperous.” —George W. Bush
Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) announces Iraqi Governing Council
Date: July 13, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 225
Unwarranted optimism: “The establishment of the Iraqi Governing Council is an important step forward in the ongoing transition from ruthless dictatorship to a free and democratic Iraq with Iraqis determining their own future. We look forward to working with the Council as it moves toward a democratic and prosperous Iraq, at peace with its neighbors.” —George W. Bush
U.S. forces kill Uday and Qusay Hussein
Date: July 22, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 238
Unwarranted optimism: “While there is still much work to do in Iraq, the Iraqi people can see progress each day toward a better and more prosperous future for their country.” —White House statement
U.S. forces capture Saddam Hussein
Date: December 13, 2003
U.S. military fatalities to date: 463
Unwarranted optimism: “Iraq’s future, your future, has never been more full of hope. The tyrant is a prisoner. The economy is moving forward. You have before you the prospect of a sovereign government in a few months.” —L. Paul Bremer III, head of the CPA
Iraqi Governing Council completes Transitional Administrative Law
Date: March 8, 2004
U.S. military fatalities to date: 557
Unwarranted optimism: “The adoption of this law marks a historic milestone in the Iraqi people’s long journey from tyranny and violence to liberty and peace. While difficult work remains to establish democracy in Iraq, today’s signing is a critical step in that direction.” —George W. Bush
U.S. transfers sovereignty to Iraqi interim government
Date: June 28, 2004
U.S. military fatalities to date: 858
Unwarranted optimism: “Let freedom reign!” —George W. Bush, writing on a napkin
Iraq holds elections for Transitional National Assembly
Date: January 30, 2005
U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,438
Unwarranted optimism: “Across Iraq today, men and women have taken rightful control of their country’s destiny, and they have chosen a future of freedom and peace.” —George W. Bush
Ibrahim al-Jaafari forms new Iraqi government
Date: April 28, 2005
U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,580
Unwarranted optimism: “The United States is confident that the new government will meet these challenges in the months ahead, and America will stand by Iraq, its leaders, and the Iraqi people as they continue their work to establish a stable, peaceful, and democratic Iraq.” —George W. Bush
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney declares insurgency in “last throes”
Date: May 30, 2005
U.S. military fatalities to date: 1,665
Unwarranted optimism: “The level of activity that we see today from a military standpoint, I think, will clearly decline. I think they’re in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency.” —Dick Cheney
White House releases “National Strategy for Victory in Iraq”
Date: November 30, 2005
U.S. military fatalities to date: 2,113
Unwarranted optimism: “As we make progress toward victory, Iraqis will take more responsibility for their security, and fewer U.S. forces will be needed to complete the mission.” —George W. Bush
No comments:
Post a Comment