Posted on 11/03/2007 5:22:11 PM PDT by nmh
Progress in Iraq Real, Momentum Growing, Odierno Says Iraq: Job Won
IBD ^ | November 2, 2007
War On Terror: With killings of both U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians down sharply, both al-Qaida and Iran may believe they have lost the Iraq War. Thanks to the surge, our mission just might largely be accomplished.
U.S. military deaths were recorded at 36 for October, down from 65 in September, according to an Associated Press count. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the No. 2 commander in Baghdad, last week said the deaths of coalition forces have declined for five straight months and are now at their lowest in years. Reported civilian casualties, meanwhile, fell from 1,023 in September to 875 last month the lowest of the year and well below the 1,216 of October 2006.
Odierno also reported that the number of roadside bombs was down significantly over the past three months.
There were only 30 attacks by explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs, in October, with 23 more unexploded EFPs discovered. That's down from 99 in July, 78 in August, and 52 in September.
All types of explosions are down in Iraq now, according to Odierno, and while he couldn't come to a definitive conclusion, the decline may be the result of Iran curtailing its supply of bombs to terrorists fighting coalition forces in Iraq.
More here http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=278895604297213
(Excerpt) Read more at ibdeditorials.com ...
I don't buy into the defeat idea ... I prefer a victory and our military is working hard to achieve that result despite those trying their best to sabotage this effort in the name of patriotism, no less ... .
Cut and run won't work. THe truth is slipping out.
The majority of Americans aren't quitters and cowards to the dismay of the Demoncrats.
What's the response by the Democrats?
Congressional Democrats are debating whether to approve $50 billion to $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan, less than half of Bush's $196 billion request but enough to keep the wars afloat for several more months.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,306178,00.html
So what's the response by Hillary?
Here's HIllary's latest statement on Iraq:
10/23/2007
From the Senate: Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on the Bush Administration's Request for Additional Iraq War Funding
With his announcement that his Administration will now seek nearly $200 billion in supplemental funding for overseas military operations, President Bush is once again asking Congress and the American people to foot the bill for his failed leadership. The Bush Administrations escalation in Iraq has not led to political reconciliation and our troops still remain in the middle of a civil war. As I have said before, I cannot and will not support funding legislation that does not begin to bring our troops home. Our men and women in uniform are serving bravely and honorably funding a failing strategy does not serve our troops or our nation. We should begin the withdrawal of U.S. troops safely and responsibly. Unless the Administration changes course in Iraq, I will vote against this supplemental request.
Right from the horses mouth!
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/r.../view/?id=3841
You know dan well they have UPDATES before WE do and KNOW we are WINNING!
How about Peloski?
Saturday, November 3, 2007 Pelosi says efforts to end war won't stop She says efforts will be similar, makes no assurance of success
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, approaching the first anniversary of an election that lifted her party into power based largely on its opposition to the war in Iraq, said yesterday that Democrats will renew efforts to end the conflict with a repetition of the same.
Speaking at Meredith College, Pelosi said that Democrats in the House will file a new proposal next week that would withdraw combat troops by the end of 2008. It would restrict war funding after that date to pay only for embassy protection, targeted counterterrorism efforts and the limited training of Iraqi forces.
But Pelosi conceded later that the effort would mimic unsuccessful attempts of the past year to reduce Americas involvement in the war, and she gave no indication that she thinks that the new attempt will succeed.
Loathing Nancy
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:20 PM PT
Congress: Speaker Nancy Pelosi's popularity is plummeting as Democrats realize she is ineffective, Republicans find her dishonorable and voters feel betrayed. That's what she gets for putting politics first.
The first female speaker of the House may be from California, but less than 10 months after taking the gavel, the San Francisco-based Field Poll finds more Californians disapprove of Pelosi's performance (40%) than approve of it (35%). A recent Zogby poll found that only 11% view Congress positively, down from an already-dismal 14% in the summer.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=278636028855263
More here http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353359324&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099
Thousands Returning to a Safer Baghdad Saturday, November 03, 2007
BAGHDAD In a dramatic turnaround, more than 3,000 Iraqi families driven out of their Baghdad neighborhoods have returned to their homes in the past three months as sectarian violence has dropped, the government said Saturday.
Saad al-Azawi, his wife and four children are among them. They fled to Syria six months ago, leaving behind what had become one of the capital's more dangerous districts west Baghdad's largely Sunni Khadra region.
The family had been living inside a vicious and bloody turf battle between Al Qaeda in Iraq and Mahdi Army militiamen. But Azawi said things began changing, becoming more peaceful, in August when radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his Mahdi Army fighters to stand down nationwide.
About the same time, the Khadra neighborhood Awakening Council rose up against brutal Al Qaeda control the imposition of its austere interpretation of Islam, along with the murder and torture of those who would not comply.
The uprising originated in Iraq's west and flowed into the capital. Earlier this year, the Sunni tribes and clans in the vast Anbar province began their own revolt and have successfully rid the largely desert region of Al Qaeda control.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,307909,00.html
Is it any wonder that OBL is apologizing?
Bin Laden Urges Iraq Insurgents to Unite Monday, October 22, 2007
By KIM GAMEL, Associated Press Writer
E-Mail Print Digg This! del.icio.us BAGHDAD Osama bin Laden scolded his al-Qaida followers in Iraq and other insurgents Monday, saying they have "been lax" for failing to overcome fanatical tribal loyalties and unite in the fight against U.S. troops.
The message of his new audiotape reflected the growing disarray among Iraq's Sunni Arab insurgents and bin Laden's client group in the country, both of which are facing heavy U.S. military pressure and an uprising among Sunni tribesmen.
In the brief tape played on Al-Jazeera television, the terrorist leader urged militants to "beware of division ... The Muslim world is waiting for you to gather under one banner."
He used the word "ta'assub" _ "fanaticism" _ to chastise insurgents for putting their allegiance to tribe or radical organization above the larger fight to overcome American forces.
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Oct22/0,4670,Iraq,00.html
By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2007 Coalition and Iraqi troops are creating security in Iraq, and life is returning to normal for the vast majority of Iraqi citizens. But the momentum is not irreversible, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said today. Coalition and Iraqi troops have been able to break the cycle of violence in the country, and all trends are positive, Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno told Pentagon reporters via teleconference from his headquarters at Camp Victory, Iraq.
When the Armys 3rd Corps arrived in Baghdad a year ago, Iraq was enmeshed in sectarian violence. Al Qaeda in Iraq was launching daily deadly attacks, and al Qaeda and Shiite groups had sanctuaries from which they could plan and launch attacks.
The surge of U.S. troops into Iraq was the solution. Beginning in January, five brigades of American troops came into Iraq and ripped the initiative away from extremist groups. The surge was meant as a way to protect the Iraqi people and to give the Iraqi government the time and space it needed to take control, Odierno said.
More here http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48011
I don’t think you’re going to hear Bush say that the job is won.
The momentum is there. I do smell victory and hope that it is so. It’s sad to see “patriotic” people cheering for the enemy. Their last weapon appears to be defunding the troops to achieve defeat since the news is POSITIVE.
"Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called 'walking'."
I miss Rumsfeld.
He IS one sharp cookie.
This dramatic drop in bombings has a lot to do with Bush
finally turning up the heat on Iran. Naming them as terrorists, without diplomatic cover, cutting off their supply routes, hunting them down and taking them out when possible, locking them up and teaching them how to surf indoors. “Gnarly wipeout dude!”
Before you know it, dramatically fewer bombs.
Give em hell George!
The ‘Rats smell the victory, too, and are terrified that the US might WIN.
“Give em hell George!”
Or in the words of General U.S. Grant (and quoted on another thread by other Freepers)
“Press the thing.”
Pelousy should shut her yap once and for all (she won’t) and finish this task. There should be absolutely no letup on the savages we are fighting. As General Sherman said:
“Beat them down until they cry ‘ENOUGH’”
Call me overcautious, but I wouldn’t say victory until at least a year or two passed after the insurgency was quelled. If we speak too soon, it’ll never be let go.
Now is the time to keep the foot on AQs throat and push even harder.
More upsetting news for Harry Reid.
Yes. We should wait a year or two to proclaim victory in Iraq. That way we can make sure that Hillary gets the credit.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan on letting her win the election.
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