Posted on 08/31/2010 4:32:46 PM PDT by markomalley
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, in Baghdad to mark the transition of power to Iraqi leaders, said Iraq has become "much safer."
"Notwithstanding what the national press says about increased violence, the truth is things are still very much different. Things are much safer," Biden said Tuesday after meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, two days after a series of 20 bombings killed 48 people and wounded hundreds more.
In a national address Tuesday, Maliki declared Iraq to be "sovereign and independent," CNN reported.
After more than seven years, 4,400 service members killed and 30,000 wounded, President Obama was set to announce the end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq.
Obama spoke to U.S. troops at Fort Bliss, Texas, Tuesday in advance of his Oval Office address to the nation, telling them his remarks are "not going to be a victory lap" and that "we still have a lot of work to do."
The gist of his message will be directed to veterans of the Iraq war, offering them "congratulations on a job well done," Obama said.
Obama will herald the successes of U.S. operations in Iraq -- including the removal of Saddam Hussein and national elections -- while emphasizing the need to redirect U.S. resources against al-Qaida and the fight to stabilize Afghanistan.
An estimated 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in Iraq through 2011 to advise, train and assist Iraqi forces.
Biden and Gibbs are rivaling Laurel and Hardy as comedians.
That’s the old “Baghdad Joe” we’ve come to know and love.
Keep up the good job Joe!!!
I do not have the talent or software to do it but I'd love for one of the FReeper geniuses to put their faces on this one.
I think Joe should prove his point by spending a day strolling the streets of Bagdad alone.
You got it!
No they are not. Laurel and Hardy were funny. Why to you insult Laurel and Hardy?
Notwithstanding what the National Press says...
Wow, thanks for admitting the truth about so much of the mainstream media right then and there.
The list, ping
Let me know if you would like to be on or off the ping list
Once his regime's crimes come to light, he'll be safer in Baghdad than Baltimore.
Is it "much safter" than in 2006?
Heck yeah. It was insane here then.
Is it "much safer" than in late 2008 when the US had pretty much gotten this thing calmed down and moving in the right direction?
Nope. It shows signs of reverting back to the insane days.
We'll see...
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