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Leading lawmaker dismisses US scholars' upbeat report on Iraq [Murtha said on CNN......]
BREITBART ^

Posted on 07/31/2007 10:54:41 AM PDT by Sub-Driver

Leading lawmaker dismisses US scholars' upbeat report on Iraq Jul 31 01:18 PM US/Eastern

A top Democratic lawmaker Tuesday dismissed the findings of two longtime Iraq war critics, who cited a dramatic improvement in the situation there following the infusion of thousands of additional US troops.

"I dismiss it at as rhetoric," said US Representative John Murtha, a former marine, congressional heavyweight on military matters, and outspoken Iraq War critic.

"I don't know where they were staying. I don't know what they saw. But I know this: that it's not getting better," Murtha said on CNN television.

"It's over-optimist. It's an illusion," the Pennsylvania lawmaker continued.

Independent Brookings Institution analysts Michael O'Hanlon and Kenneth Pollack, who often have criticized US Iraq policy, on Monday said they noted a marked improvement on their last visit earlier this month to the war-torn country.

Pollack and O'Hanlon returned from eight days of meetings with US generals, diplomats and Iraqis saying they were more hopeful than they had expected.

"We saw considerably greater progress on the security side than I would have expected," Pollack said at a press conference Monday, adding that economic and political strides were evident at local levels.

The two scholars warned however that on the national level, the Iraqi government was making "zero" progress.

Their analysis came around seven weeks before a crucial report is due to be delivered on the surge by US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, which is being seen as a crucial moment for US policy in Iraq.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: brookings; defeatists; iraq; kennethpollack; michaelohanlon; murtha; murthawatch; nytimes
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To: smoothsailing

I have no idea why you are mincing words. I have been doing for year now to the point of sleep deprivation. So far this week one tv interview, one radio interview, bloging, 2 newsletters, and a trip on the 20th for a meeting in DC.


61 posted on 07/31/2007 9:51:18 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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To: armymarinemom
I'm not mincing words, and I in no way question your effort and commitment. My statement was not directed at you, but meant to point out the futility of only hoping for an outcome, of those who who talk the talk, but never walk the walk.

If I in anyway offended you, I am truly sorry and I sincerely apologize.

You may remember the scene below, I took this at GOE back in March. Myself, Mrs. Smooth and Just A Nobody were standing right behind you there on Constitution Ave. watching DC's finest take away those ANSWER punks.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

62 posted on 08/01/2007 6:15:49 AM PDT by smoothsailing (Liberal ideas can be hilarious in peacetime, in wartime they're life-threatening)
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To: smoothsailing

Oh gosh, I remember. It’s for the CHILDREN! At least they were amusing.


63 posted on 08/01/2007 6:21:02 AM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
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