"Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1..."

Coalition Provisional Authority, White House ^ | Oct. 19, 2003 | L Paul Bremer, VP Cheney (w/ liberties taken by me)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Iraqis will be holding their Constitutional convention, drafting a Constitution, then holding popular elections. Steps 4-6 of the 7-step plan for restoring sovereignty to Iraq. Step 7 is our leaving.

CPA's plans also include a 4-step reconstruction plan to get the basic infrastructure into shape to allow the Iraqis to get their oil to market and electricity, etc., into their homes. CPA's post-major combat stabilization plans are part of #7 and #8 of the original 8 objectives of Gen. Franks's plan, which the Coalition is still completing, with some expected adjustments as needed.

Why the Iraqi people can't just get back on their feet and take over? Over 30 years of being terrorized by a mass-murdering monster left them a bit hesitant. Saddam's still around. Last time we left, he destroyed whole villages.

The Iraqi people are risking their lives and the lives of their families to help us stabilize and rebuild their own country.

Courageous people.

[SkyPilot]

BUMP!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

More things need doing.

Yep.

[SandRat]

They need a Constitution, and an Election. Then they need about a few of years of PaPa watching over them so the other bullies in the neighborhood won't beat them up, before they can go it totally on their own.

[roses of sharon]

He was also welcoming a carrier home that had been at sea, FOR A YEAR!

His visit was their "parade".

[mystery-ak]

Applause....you've outdone yourself...thanks for posting this....you are a treasure on FR.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Since President Bush declared an end to major combat OPERATIONS!

Yes, it does make a difference. I copied the quote (which, of course, didn't include the word OPERATIONS), from one of this morning's usual mainstream negativity-hyping articles.

[Cacophonous]

Did you force them to walk before they were able to? Did you abandon them because they couldn't?

Of course not. I also would never claim they were capable of walking before they are able.

Just like I would not claim Iraq - or any country - is truly free while it is dependend on another, as Iraq is on us. The reality is, Iraq is NOT yet free, while it is dependent on the US.

I heard on Fox News either Tony Snow or Brit Hume - I forget which - say something like allowing the naturally democratic tendencies of Iraqis to take root (I forget the exact words, but that was the gist). Sorry, but they don't have naturally democratic tendencies; were governance allowed to take its natural course in Iraq, they would undoubtedly end up with a Saddam-type dictatorship. The US will not - and would not - allow that to happen; so Iraq is not yet truly free, is it?

Yes, we have accomplished some amazing things over there, and not enough attention or merit is given. But let's not fool ourselves. Blithely tossing about terms like "Iraq is now free" is mindless bubblegum sloganeering. What can be said, is that we have made life immeasurably better for Iraqis, and someday, they will be free. With our help.

Just like my child will someday walk and run. With my help.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

((Hugs)). My pleasure.

Tell Mike we'll keep fighting domestic enemies for them on the homefront.

[SandRat]

Remind me never to get you angry with or at me! Ouch! Ouch!

You sure took Cauc--- however he spells his posting name, to the woodshed and about wore out that willow switch.


I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading your reply post back to Cauc---, whatever. Cheshire-Cat Smiles to you.

[Naspino]

Now this proves once and for all that there is no liberal bias in the press.

Koppel: I have to take issue with that statement. Americans have long believed the Internet as a form of press. The fact that this was posted on the internet therefore contradicts that there is a bias in the press.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Freedom is messy. They are not under Saddam's thumb. They are electing their own government, writing their own Constitution, have an independent judiciary...they are free.

They have many enemies within and without. They are most afraid of our leaving before they have independent elections and can stand against their neighbors. Please at least read the link to the atrocities Saddam committed on these people.

Six months is a very short time. They hope to hold elections by next year. The CPA is not a "Nanny" - far from it. They're forcing fast reform.

[Empireoftheatom48]

This is great it's a shame it will not be in the Mainstram press. Well anyway send a copy to Fox and Friends maybe it would just get on. Who knows?

[Cacophonous]

My only point is that they cannot be truly free until they are capable of self-governance, which, as you have pointed out, hasn't happened yet.

[Cacophonous]

Hey you don't have to convince me of Saddam's evil. As I said, there is not question the Iraqis are better off immeasurably.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Just thought of this this morning.

It's mostly copied from the CPA report. Please use it if you can, and you'd rather.

[Broadside Joe]

So are you saying you agree with Koppel or that his statement proves his twisted logic?

[Joe Hadenuf]

We are providing fleets of trash trucks, police motorcycles/cars and many other things.....What a country....

[boxerblues]

WOOHOO Excellent Ragtime. Thanks for putting this out, I will definately be passing this on to some naysayers I know

[not_apathetic_anymore]

bump