Quote:
|
Originally Posted by onetime2
As has been discussed at least once before here in politics, the accusations of the "Mission Accomplished" banner being created by the administration is yet another example of the partisan bullshit of this election year. The crew of the ship suggested a banner congratulating the crew on a job well done. The White House brought one to the ship because it was easier than trying to create one on board.
The "administration version" comes from General Franks' book American Soldier. I have far more confidence in his integrity than I do the political hacks that continually point to this speech as an example of poor leadership or stupidity on the part of the President. Anyone who debates that major combat operations were over has no desire to face reality. The invading force had reached all of their objectives. Nowhere did he say "and now Iraq will be at peace" or "no one else will die" or "and there shall not be another fire fight". But it's always far easier to prod, goad, and criticize than it is to plan, lead, or offer real alternatives.
|
I didn't know that Gen. Franks said that and I am inclined to believe that he wouldn't lie about something so petty. Regardless of whether the Bush image makers thought of the idea or not they cetainly incorporated it into the choreography of the event. What does this mean? Not too much, but the entire victorious montage does point to an air of overconfidence that permeated the administration with regards to the Iraq conflict. Are we to forget Cheney's predictions of our soldiers being greeted like the liberators of France during WWII?
Are major combat operations over now? We can split hairs about the definition of that term, but there is definitely major combat going on now and there is much more to come.
As for criticizing rather than offering alternatives, I'd say that that phenomena is a two way street around here. I could offer examples but i don't think any of us want to go on a searching and quoting shitstorm.