"THERE WILL BE NO RETREAT" ~ and other quotes from experts the PRESS ignored this week.

White House, DoD, various ^ | August 25, 2003 | Pres. Bush, Amb. Bremer, SOD Rumsfeld, others

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

5th Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston, Baghdad, Aug. 22:

"The soldiers are really doing a magnificent job," he added. "All of you should be very proud of what soldiers here are doing in support of the people of Iraq."

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Bush, 1st Armored Division and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Fuss, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) agreed: 

"They're doing very well," said Fuss, who also serves as command sergeant major for Task Force Iron Horse, which has responsibility for the northeast portion of Iraq. "They're disciplined. They're trained. They are taking the fight to the enemy every day and we're winning."

This is in spite of working in difficult conditions such as the "tough, rugged" terrain and temperatures that have averaged 123 degrees, said Preston. "Even in full uniform out on the ground, their spirits are high," he added. "Soldiers are proud of the mission they are doing.

8 Troops Doing "Magnificent Job" in Iraq Say Senior Leaders - DoD  | 8/22/03

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SOD Rumsfeld, Thurs. Aug. 21:

''The terrorists and the regime remnants see progress that is taking place across Iraq. The terrorists see that Iraqi people are reclaiming their country, starting independent newspapers, policing their own streets, forming municipal councils, civic institutions and political parties. They see the Iraqi Governing Council getting on its feet and paving the way for a new constitution and free elections. They see Iraqis putting the era of Saddam Hussein behind them.''

''These accomplishments are victories for the Iraqi people and defeats for the Ba'athists and their terrorist allies. This much is certain: their cause is lost. That regime will not be coming back. The coalition will not be dissuaded from its mission, not by sabotage, not by snipers and not by terrorists with car bombs.''

~~~

''Each day more Iraqis are coming forward with information, leading coalition forces to be able to find weapons caches, hideouts, and with their help, the coalition has now captured or killed 42 of the 55 "Most Wanted."

''Thus far, 27 nations have sent forces to Iraq, and over 40 nations have pledged more than 3 billion (dollars) in assistance to help the Iraqi people.''

''The vast majority of the Iraqi people want peace. They want democracy, and they want the chance to build a free society. They deserve that chance, and a small minority in that country or individuals coming in from other countries are not going to be permitted to take it away from them.''

8 DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Abizaid [Excellent!] - DoD | 8/21/03

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Amb. Bremer, CBS Early Show, Aug. 20:

 

"I don't accept the proposition that we're not in control.  We certainly have a threat of terrorism.  That does not mean chaos.  It doesn't mean that we've lost control.  It does mean that we have an element of terrorism here, the kind of terrorism we've seen in New York and Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam and Beirut over the years."

     "It is a terrible war.  It's one which was declared on the American people very dramatically on September 11th, and it's a war that we will win.  It's not something that we're going to get deterred from by an attack here, bad as it was."

 ~~~ 

 "I don't know who makes the assessment that things aren't in control.  It's clearly not the view of the coalition here. We have a security problem here.  The security problem now has got a terrorist dimension, which is new, but the rest of the security is basically in better shape than it was three months ago when I arrived here."

     "It is true that we're taking some casualties among the coalition forces, but that's largely coming from a small group of bitter-enders from the former regime, and almost all of it in a very small geographic area."

 ~~~

 "Well, the streets of the main cities, including Baghdad, are safe.  They're safe today.  You can go around them.  You find thousands of Iraqis on the streets every day.  Right now, if you went downtown, you'd find them walking around.  The shops are open. Men and women and their children are there.

     It is dangerous after the curfew, obviously, in the late evening. But the country is not a country in chaos.  And terrorism doesn't mean chaos.  It does mean an outrage against humanity.  And it is something we have to deal with, and we will deal with it.  But it is simply wrong to extrapolate from these terrorist acts to a conclusion that this country is in chaos.  It's simply not true."

8 Ambassador Bremer Interview with the CBS Early Show

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President's Radio Address

     Audio

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Earlier this week, terrorists struck the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad. The U.N. personnel and Iraqi citizens killed in the bombings were engaged in a purely humanitarian mission. Men and women in the building were working on reconstruction, medical care for Iraqis, and the distribution of food. Among the dead was Sergio Vieira de Mello, the U.N. representative for Iraq -- a good man serving an important cause.

On the same day, a terrorist in Jerusalem murdered 20 innocent people riding a bus, including five Americans. The killer had concealed under his clothing a bomb filled with metal fragments, designed to kill and injure the greatest number of people possible. Among the 110 people hurt were 40 children.

These two bombings reveal, once again, the nature of the terrorists, and why they must be defeated. In their malicious view of the world, no one is innocent. Relief workers and infants alike are targeted for murder. Terrorism may use religion as a disguise, but terrorism violates every religion and every standard of decency and morality.

The terrorists have declared war on every free nation and all our citizens. Their goals are clear. They want more governments to resemble the oppressive Taliban that once ruled Afghanistan. Terrorists commit atrocities because they want the civilized world to flinch and retreat so they can impose their totalitarian vision. There will be no flinching in this war on terror, and there will be no retreat.

From Afghanistan to Iraq, to the Philippines and elsewhere, we are waging a campaign against the terrorists and their allies, wherever they gather, wherever they plan, and wherever they act. This campaign requires sacrifice, determination and resolve, and we will see it through. Iraq is an essential front in this war. Now we're fighting terrorists and remnants of that regime who have everything to lose from the advance of freedom in the heart of the Middle East.

In most of Iraq, there is steady movement toward reconstruction and a stable, self-governing society. This progress makes the remaining terrorists even more desperate and willing to lash out against symbols of order and hope, like coalition forces and U.N. personnel. The world will not be intimidated. A violent few will not determine the future of Iraq, and there will be no return to the days of Saddam Hussein's torture chambers and mass graves.

Working with Iraqis, coalition forces are on the offensive against these killers. Aided by increasing flow of intelligence from ordinary Iraqis, we are stepping up raids, seizing enemy weapons, and capturing enemy leaders. The United States, the United Nations, and the civilized world will continue to stand with the people of Iraq as they reclaim their nation and their future.

We're determined, as well, not to let murderers decide the future of the Middle East. A Palestinian state will never be built on a foundation of violence. The hopes of that state and the security of Israel both depend on an unrelenting campaign against terror waged by all parties in the region. In the Middle East, true peace has deadly enemies. Yet America will be a consistent friend of every leader who works for peace by actively opposing violence.

All nations of the world face a challenge and a choice. In continued acts of murder and destruction, terrorists are testing our will, hoping we will weaken and withdraw. Yet across the world, they are finding that our will cannot be shaken. Whatever the hardships, we will persevere. We will continue this war on terror until all the killers are brought to justice. And we will prevail.

Thank you for listening.

8 President Bush's Radio Address - Aug.23, 2003

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Any question? Does everybody hear what the experts are saying?

We are winning.

There will be no retreat.

The troops are doing a magnificent job.

~~~

The press isn't listening. Nor are the pols.

The troops are asking for our help.

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[facedown]

Iraqi Kurdish men, members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, waving a flag of Kurdistan, center, dance during their graduation ceremony in the northeastern Iraqi town of Khan Aqin, on the Iraqi-Iranian border, Sunday Aug. 24, 2003. The U.S. Army is training the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, an Iraqi militia force, to take on civil defense duties and pave the way for U.S. forces to leave Iraq. Some 100 Iraqi Kurdish men completed a ten-day intensive training course in the border town of Khan Aqin.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This president will perservere in this fight because he believes it to be the right thing to do for America. He is leading, not following dem pollsters. And if he must, he will lose reelection rather than knowingly compromise the security of the country.

I agree. Well said. Thank you.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, keats. Thanks for passing on the stories for the troops.

I prefer to contact friendly sources anymore. The mainstream press isn't listening.

IF anyone should care to contact (mostly) left-wing media outlets, let 'em know WE know what they're up to: hundreds of e-mail links.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

It's a noticeable change in reporting and I think it's in response to the fact that the US was successfully preventing fatal attacks.

Thanks, o.c., good observation.

No rational person could claim we've suffered mass-casualties in Iraq. For a NEWS person to continue implying that we have, undermining the will of the American people, the international Coalition nations and the morale of the troops - it's unacceptable.

Their inaccurate reporting - the hyping negative, ignoring good, handing their 'pens' to our enemies - proves their 'concern' for the troops is as shallow as their understanding of what's happening on any given day on the ground across Iraq, imho.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for caring about the troops, Imal.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I'm working on another 'Florida 2002' -> bypass the press and take the NEWS to the people. Thanks for paying attention and spreading the word, FV. The average American wouldn't think to look for news at the DOD, has no loved ones serving - has no idea what's been happening in Iraq.

The least we can do for the troops is to listen, tell others, let' em know we're keeping track - and keeping score. (^;

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

AMMO. Sick 'em.

Lol! Bit of a mixed metaphor, that. Thanks for all your help, radu.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen. Thank you for your support of the troops, pierrem15.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You are always welcome, Alamo-Girl.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

We have the best troops in the world. Godspeed!

You know it! Thanks, P-B.

[bert]

ping

Here is some good news.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

leftist media malaise never fed a hungry child.

QUAGMIRE-FREE ZONE DITTOS

You are good. Thank you! (^:

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Great pic, facedown. Big bump for the Iraqis who KNOW our enemies and yet STILL risk their lives, and the lives of their families, to help us in Iraq.

[BOBTHENAILER]

Fantastic compilation. I'll use a quote from here on another thread.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, BOB.

Last weekend was the most surreal and scandalous PRESS weekend of the war, so far, imho. They ignored the facts, the real experts to push their partisan agenda.

I have NO more use for the current crop of mainstream pundits and Senate members who get those prize spots on the weekend so-called "news" shows and use the time to sell out the country while claiming to 'care' about the troops.

[blackie]

Support Our Troops And Support GWB!

[Tunehead54]

Here's a pretty good one: Engineers lend helping hand

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;-)

[ArGee]

Good post, but one really bad quote: Yet America will be a consistent friend of every leader who works for peace by actively opposing violence. [from G. W. Bush's radio address]

Peace can not always be achieved by opposing violence. Sometimes the only way peace can be achieved is by imposing violence. Peace is not the absence of conflict, but a state in which justice and opportunity are there for all.

Shalom.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

If it wasn't for your pings, I wouldn't have a clue about the status of Iraq.

Ditto here. Keep 'em coming!!!

It's interesting to note that the terrorism is not centered any more on U.S. troops. The UN and the Iraqi people are the targets as well. They are getting the message and they know the real enemy.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Shalom, ArGee.

Diplomacy, ack. (^:

Yet across the world, they are finding that our will cannot be shaken. Whatever the hardships, we will persevere. We will continue this war on terror until all the killers are brought to justice. And we will prevail.

"The time is long overdue to stop taking the media, as well as the U.N., so seriously." - Thomas Sowell, The media and the war, April 10, 2003 http://www.townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/ts20030410.shtml 

Someday...