Posted on 09/09/2008 5:57:11 PM PDT by Kaslin
President Bush visited the Fort Lesley J. McNair - National Defense University in Washington, DC Address
President Bush visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center Transcript
Rest of the Story: President Bush Supports a Comprehensive Energy Plan
Vice President Cheney and Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy made remarks after their meeting Remarks
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
Quote of the day
I thank the leadership of the NDU. Thanks for having me again. I appreciate the civilian personnel, U.S. government civilians studying here. And I thank those who wear the uniform. You know, one of the great things about being the Commander-in-Chief is to be the Commander-in-Chief of people who have volunteered to serve our country in a time of danger. I'm incredibly impressed by our military, and I am thankful to our military families.
You know, last week, a remarkable event took place in Iraq. At a ceremony in the city of Ramadi, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces are now leading security operations across Anbar, with American troops in an "overwatch" role. With this transfer of responsibility, the people of Anbar took charge of their own security and their own destiny. It's a moment of pride for all Iraqis -- and it was a moment of success in the war on terror.
Two years ago, such a moment was unimaginable to most. Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq. Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center. They had largely succeeded in turning the region into a safe haven, which brought them closer to one of their goals -- a place from which to launch new attacks against America, our allies, and our interests in the region. In 2006, a military intelligence report concluded that the province was lost -- and Anbar was held up as proof of America's failure in Iraq.
Yet something remarkable was happening. The tribes in Anbar were growing tired of al Qaeda's brutality. They wanted to live a normal life. And this presented us with an opportunity to defeat al Qaeda in Anbar. Last year we sent 4,000 additional Marines to Anbar as part of the surge. The surge showed America's commitment to security. It showed we were committed to helping the average citizen in Anbar live a normal life. And it helped renew the confidence of local leaders, the tribal sheiks, who then led an uprising to take Anbar back from the terrorists. And together, local tribes, Iraqi troops, and American forces systematically dismantled al Qaeda control across the province.
Today, Anbar is a province transformed. Attacks in the province have dropped by more than 90 percent. Casualties are down dramatically. Virtually every city and town in Anbar now has a mayor and a functioning municipal council. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are helping local leaders create jobs and economic opportunity. As security has improved, reconciliation is taking place across the province. Today, Anbar is no longer lost to al Qaeda -- it has been reclaimed by the Iraqi people.
We're seeing similar gains in other parts of Iraq. Earlier this year, the Iraqi government launched a successful military operation against Shia extremist groups in places like Basra, and Baghdad, and al-Amarah. Iraqi forces are staying on the offense. They are pressing the advantage against those who would bring harm and danger to their citizens. They're conducting operations in and around the northern city of Mosul, where al Qaeda terrorists seek refuge. The Iraqi Army recently launched a new offensive against al Qaeda in Diyala Province. All these operations are Iraqi-led, with American forces playing a supporting role.
As a result of these and other operations in Iraq, violence is down to its lowest point since the spring of 2004. Civilian deaths are down, sectarian killings are down, suicide bombings are down, and normal life is returning to communities across the country. Provincial reconciliation is moving forward. The Iraqi government has passed budgets and major pieces of legislation. Our diplomatic -- diplomats report that markets once shuttered by terrorist violence are now open for business. Yesterday, Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus reported to me via STVS that they had just gone into a market area, and seen the commerce and the activities. The Iraqi Health Ministry issued an interesting report that said that hundreds of doctors who had fled the fighting have now returned to serve the people of their country.
Photos of the day
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President George W. Bush delivers remarks Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program. Said the President, "On this campus you're helping train the next generation of military and civilian leaders who will defend our nation against the real and true threats of the 21st century. I thank you for your patriotism; I thank you for your hard work; and I thank you for your devotion to protecting the American people." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush talks with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. Charles William Fox, Jr. (Retired) and wife, Jan, of Leesburg, Va . during a visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, with wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C. General Fox, CEO of Project Hope, was injured by an IED while helping to build a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility for children in Basra. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush delivers remarks Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program. Said the President, "On this campus you're helping train the next generation of military and civilian leaders who will defend our nation against the real and true threats of the 21st century. I thank you for your patriotism; I thank you for your hard work; and I thank you for your devotion to protecting the American people." White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush is joined by Major General Carla Hawley-Bowland, Commanding General of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, during his address to reporters Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, following his visit with wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush speaks with Sgt. Besiki Balakhadze, a member of the Georgian Army Coalition Forces, during a visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where the soldier is recovering from wounds received during Operation Iraqi Freedom. With them is interpreter Staff Sgt. Tatiana Ivanova, also of the Georgian Army Coalition Forces. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush visits with U.S. Army Sgt. Pengchun Pech of Lynne, Mass., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where the soldier is recovering from wounds received during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Looking on is his wife, Leakhenavodey Pech, and 22-month-old son, Tommy, sit nearby. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush talks with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. Charles William Fox, Jr. (Retired) and wife, Jan, of Leesburg, Va . during a visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, with wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, in Washington, D.C. General Fox, CEO of Project Hope, was injured by an IED while helping to build a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility for children in Basra. White House photo by Eric Draper
President Bush stands with U.S. Army Spc. Daryl Sullivan of Dyer, Ind., as the soldier's wife, Sarah, takes their photo Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, during the President's visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where Spc. Sullivan is recovering from wounds received during Operation Iraqi Freedom. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush stands with the extended family of U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Shepperly of Birmingham, Ala., during a visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where the soldier is recovering from wounds received during Operation Iraqi Freedom. White House photo by Eric Draper
Thanks.
Vice President Dick Cheney and Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi stand together Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 before their meeting at the Piazza Colonna in Rome. Said the Vice President after their meeting, "This great nation is a fine ally of the United States, and millions of Americans are proud to claim Italian heritage. When we think of Italy, we think of your wonderful people, your rich history and culture of the beautiful land you call home." White House photo by David Bohrer
Vice President Dick Cheney and Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi hold a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 following their meetings at the Piazza Colonna in Rome. Said the Vice President, "In addition to our excellent cooperation on key global security issues, our governments are working closely with Italians to enhance the economic relationship between our two countries. We have much on our common agenda. There is a great deal more we can and will do to add to the prosperity of our nations, to strengthen our common security, and to bring greater peace to the world." White House photo by David Bohrer
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks honoring volunteerism and the achievements of USA Freedom Corps Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush gestures as he addresses his remarks highlighting the achievements of the USA Freedom Corps and honoring volunteerism Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush addresses his remarks to volunteers and invited guests highlighting the achievements of the USA Freedom Corps and honoring volunteerism Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush is applauded following his remarks highlighting the achievements of volunteerism and work of the USA Freedom Corps Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
Vice President Dick Cheney meets with Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano Monday, September 8, 2008 at Quirinale Palace in Rome. The Vice President's trip to Italy comes after travels to the Caucasus region and Ukraine to discuss the current crisis Georgia. White House photo by David Bohrer
President Bush walks out as he is introduced before delivering remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at Ft. McNair in Washington
President Bush walks on stage to deliver remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at Ft. McNair in Washington
U.S. President George W. Bush is seen before speaking about U.S. military troop strengths in Iraq while at the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington September 9, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush gestures before speaking about U.S. military troop strengths in Iraq while at the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, September 9, 2008.
President Bush announces plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, during an address at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington.
President Bush announces plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, during an address at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about U.S. military troop strengths in Iraq while addressing the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, September 9, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about U.S. military troop strengths in Iraq while addressing the National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, September 9, 2008.
President Bush delivers remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 at Ft. McNair in Washington.>
US President George W. Bush announces he will send more troops to Afghanistan during remarks at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Bush announced Tuesday that he would pull just 8,000 US troops from Iraq in the coming months, while sending 4,500 soldiers to Afghanistan.
President Bush announces plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, during an address at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington.
Wonderful pictures.
Audience members listen as US President George W. Bush makes remarks at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Bush announced Tuesday that he would pull just 8,000 US troops from Iraq in the coming months, while sending 4,500 soldiers to Afghanistan.
President Bush delivers remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at Ft. McNair in Washington.
President Bush announces plans to order 8,000 more combat and support troops out of Iraq by February, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, during remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program at Ft. McNair in Washington.
President Bush delivers remarks to the National Defense University's Distinguished Lecture Program, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at Ft. McNair in Washington.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) talks next to Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland after he visited wounded U.S. military personnel and medical staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington September 9, 2008.
U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks with Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland after he visited wounded U.S. military personnel and medical staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington September 9, 2008.
In this photo released by the White House, President Bush talks with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dr. Charles William Fox, Jr. (Ret.) and wife, Jan, of Leesburg, Va. during a visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, with wounded military personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. General Fox, CEO of Project Hope, was injured by an IED while helping to build a state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility for children in Basra.
In this photo released by the White House, President Bush speaks with Sgt. Besiki Balakhadze, a member of the Georgian Army Coalition Forces, injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom, during his visit Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. With them is interpreter Staff Sgt. Tatiana Ivanova, also of the Georgian Army Coalition
I will miss him after he leaves office. Until now he was the most viciously and unwarranted attacked President by the main stream media in our history.
Sara Palin will beat his record.
I personally have more respect for a child molsetor than I do for a member of the main stream media. Of the two, again in my opinion, the child molestot is the better individual.
Q Majority Leader Reid says despite the President's announcement this morning, the war in Afghanistan is still suffering at the expense of Iraq. What's your response to that?
MS. PERINO: Look, I don't know who briefs Senator Reid and I don't know what sort of staff work he gets or the updates that he gets. I think the best information comes from the Commander-in-Chief and also from the Department of Defense. I think you heard from the President today, not only has the United States increased the number of troops in Afghanistan, but so have so many other countries, because we recognize that we're dealing with a ruthless enemy.
And the President was pleased to be able to announce today that he will bring home an additional 8,000 troops based on the success that we've been able to achieve in Iraq. But we have said, and we've said since April, that we would be doing more in Afghanistan and that's what he announced today.
Q He says the "more" more is not enough.
MS. PERINO: Well, you know, when Senator Reid becomes Commander-in-Chief he'll have a little bit more credibility on that score.
Go Dana Go
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, adjusts U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's shirt cuff during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney talk during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney talks to journalists during a joint press conference with Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, not seen, at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney shake hands during their meeting at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, right, and U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney shake hands at the end of a joint press conference at Chigi palace, Premier's office, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008. Cheney's visit to Italy is part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Over the weekend he addressed a conference of global business and political leader and issued a strong rebuke of Russia's actions in Georgia last month.
US Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin speaks at a "McCain Street USA" campaign event in Lebanon, Ohio. September 9, 2008
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, left, accompanied by his vice-presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, center, and her husband Todd Palin, responds to the crowd, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at a rally in Lebanon, Ohio
Supporters of Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, hold up campaign signs, one of Palin as ' Rosie the Riveter', as they wait in line to see Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Palin, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at a campaign rally at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa
Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, poses for a picture with a supporter along a rope line at the conclusion of a campaign rally in Lebanon, Ohio., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008.
Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, signs autographs as she enters a campaign rally in Lebanon, Ohio., Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008.
kaslin: Thank you for posting these AWESOME photos of our visionary President and his courageous troops!!
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THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH AT THE NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY: CSPAN WILL RE-BROADCAST THE SPEECH AT 11 PM EDT:
http://cspan.org/Topics/President-George-W-Bush-Administration.aspx
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BRIAN KILMEADE’S INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT BUSH:
[the video link is located halfway down the page; an additional link is provided for Steve Doocy’s interview with the President earlier this year.]
http://www.foxnews.com/foxfriends/
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WOODWARD ON THE SURGE
Peter Wehner
Since it hasn’t been available until today, I have not yet read Bob Woodward’s new book, The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008. But his articles in the Washington Post and and his 60 Minutes interview do invite commentary.
The most important point to make, I think, is that the book underscores what an extraordinary decision President Bush made in deciding on the so-called surge. As Woodward’s book recounts, and my own experience in the White House underscores, in settling on a surge of five brigades to Baghdad and 4,000 Marines to Anbar Province, the President bucked the views of most members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (including the Army Chief of Staff, Peter Schoomaker, and Chief of Naval Operations, Michael Mullen), General George W. Casey, Jr., then the commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq, John P. Abizaid, the commander of U.S. Central Command, military analysts, the entire Democratic Party, much of the Republican Party, most of the foreign policy establishment, the Iraq Study Group, and many within his own Administration.
The prevailing view was that of General Casey, whom Woodward quotes as telling the President in June 2006, “To win, we have to draw down.” General Casey was exactly wrong, as was the much-heralded Baker-Hamilton Report, which in its 96 pages dismissed the idea of a surge in a single paragraph. (The ISG did recommend a short-term surge, but it argued, “Sustained increases in U.S. troop levels would not solve the fundamental cause of violence in Iraq, which is the absence of national reconciliation... past experience indicates that the violence would simply rekindle as soon as U.S. forces are moved to another area... America’s military capacity is stretched thin: we do not have the troops or equipment to make a substantial, sustained increase in our troop presence.” The ISG also recommended a drawdown of all U.S. combat forces by early 2008.)
The only real support for the surge was found within the White House and the National Security Council; from General David Petraeus, who succeeded General Casey and said, “I want all the force you can give me” and knew what to do with it once he got it; from Lt. General Ray Odierno, who had the courage to request the forces he knew were required despite the opposition from those he reported to; from retired General Jack Keane, the former Army vice chief of staff; from Fredrick Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute and William Kristol; and, of course, the early, forceful support of Senator McCain, as well as Senators Graham and Lieberman, was crucial, politically and substantively. At the time the surge was announced, it seemed as if its supporters could fit in a large phone booth.
Read the rest of this EXCELLENT commentary here:
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/viewarticle.cfm/woodward-on-the-surge-12708
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