Four years ago today, on May 1, 2003, combat operations in Iraq ended. That nation is now a thriving democracy in a peaceful Middle East where freedom bells chime.
The event was marked in a speech by President Bush on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Arriving in the back of an S-3 Viking which landed on the carrier, Bush spoke in front of a large banner which announced "Mission Accomplished" and began the speech by declaring an end to major combat operations in Iraq.
"In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed," Bush declared. He also noted the destruction of the Taliban in Afghanistan. "You are homeward bound," Bush said to the men and women aboard the Abraham Lincoln.
And, like a dream, it all turned out exactly as the President said. The banner was perhaps a premonition. Like World War II, it all ended on the deck of a mighty ship. The symbolism was acute. The U.S. was again secure, thanks to the acumen of her President. The May 1 speech was a moment for free people everywhere, and especially for George W. Bush.
American marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen returned home and grew old with their families. They watched their children grow old with them. They drove their cars on lazy trips and barbecued under hazy suburban skies.
Once the mantle of tyranny was removed, Iraq became a healthy model of democracy in the Middle East. The oppressed peoples in neighboring countries heard the beckonings of freedom, responded, and set it loose across the entire Middle East. Iran's days of sponsoring terrorism and seeking nuclear weapons ended. Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side in a two-state solution long advocated by President Bush. People do love to be free.
All this goes back to that fateful speech by our stalwart President. His bold vision, enacted at short notice, with only the slightest logistical thought, with merely a moment's logical reflection, has changed the world forever. It all started with Iraq. Indeed, Americans were able to wage war and go shopping at the same time. Iraqi oil revenues paid for it all.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Zedd
Ah wasn't that a great day. I still get misty eyed when I look back. Indeed Iraq is the example of liberty and democracy not only for the region, but for the world. Forget Truth and Reconciliation we stand firm on the "Mission Accomplished" process for nation building. Who knew that that is what it takes. What a man!!!
I think it was that moment that united our country, red states and blue states, all holding hands to support this great man, our leader, our President, we ALL ran to the polls supporting him in droves and anyone and anything that is associated with him!!
2 - RJ
I sometimes wonder why leftists crow so loudly and so often about their own country's hardships and struggles. And then I remember that they are leftists, and it all becomes clear.
3 - Leslie Bohn
Yet another content-free post from RJ. Why not just go back to mocking Democrats' physical appearance?
People are laughing at you and the rest of the right who still support a man who had a chance to put on the flight suit FOR REAL and fight in a war he supported but wouldn't risk his life for. But when he got a chance to play "pretend pilot," he couldn't wait. That performance would have been disgusting even if what he said that day was true, that the war was over.
It is more disgusting now that 3000 more seats at 3000 more dinner tables in the US will be empty tonight because of his war.
4 - MCH
"I sometimes wonder why leftists crow so loudly and so often about their own country's hardships and struggles."
And I sometimes wonder why rightists crow so loudly and so often when it comes to sending someone else in harm's way, instead of fighting their own battles.
5 - Arch Conservative
"It is more disgusting now that 3000 more seats at 3000 more dinner tables in the US will be empty tonight because of his war."
Yet liberals such as yourself have had no problem murdering millions of babies in the last 30 years Leslie.
Your lame "3000 dinner table" remark pales in comparison to the the number of cribs that will go empty this year thanks to leftist ideology that says it's ok to murder a baby if you call it "choice."
You have absolutely no moral authority to lecture to anyone who may have supported this or still supports this war when you can dismiss millions of dead babies without a second thought.
6 - Wild Bill Hiccup
Terminating unwanted pregnancies has nothing in common with sending young men and women overseas, under false pretences, to murder foreigners, including men, youths, girls, women, pregnant women and newborn babies.
7 - MBD
"Terminating unwanted pregnancies has nothing in common with sending young men and women overseas, under false pretences"
There is something in common.
Both are wrong.
However, abortions are premeditated murder and going into the Iraq war is a lot of things but it isn't overt murder.
8 - Dave Nalle
Bill, I'm curious if you can actually DEFINE the word 'murder'.
Dave
9 - Leslie Bohn
Mr. Conservative:
I know you can't produce any arguments actually supporting the war, so I don't blame you for changing the subject. Of course, I've never mentioned my position on abortion here, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.
I find your dismissal of my lamenting the 3000+ dead soldiers as "lame" reflects not only a pretty severely truncated vocabulary and poor command of the language, but also an amazingly callous lack of respect for the people who sacrificed for your war.
10 - Franco
#6 " Wild Bill Hiccup
Terminating unwanted pregnancies has nothing in common with sending young men and women overseas, under false pretences, to murder foreigners, including men, youths, girls, women, pregnant women and newborn babies.
You’re right about this WBH. Here is specifically where there is no connection.
Every last one of the 3351 killed US military personel over the post 4 years in Iraq all volinterred to be put in harms way. And not a single one of the 6,000,000 terminated babies in the US over these same 4 years volunteered to be put in harms way.
#9 " Leslie Bohn
I've never mentioned my position on abortion here, so I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Yes you do. AC is not changing the subject, he is making a correlation which you clearyly are trying to duck. Why? It could make one think you are amazingly callous about the terminated babies.
11 - Leslie Bohn
Mr. Franco:
Please do not endeavor to tell me what I know. This is rude. My position on abortion has no bearing on a discussion of Bush's war, which has killed 3000+ American military personnel. Your logic is faulty here.
You don't know me, and to suggest I am "callous" about "babies" is awful. What kind of a person would attack a stranger like that? What the fuck is the matter with you? You wouldn't say that to me in a bar or in a restaurant or in a classsroom or any other face-to-face forum. And of course, since I've never expressed an opinion on the topic, the suggestion is particularly stupid.
Care to address the actual topic? It's up there at the top of the post: A draft-dodging President who dressed up like a real little pilot and declared the war over 4 years ago?
I repeat: 3000+ empty seats at 3000+ dinner tables.
I note your theory that if people volunteer for the military, they deserve to die. This is the clear logical implication of your statement comparing the "innocent" with the "volunteers." I urge you to reconsider this statement.
I look forward to hearing your opinions of the president's actions.
12 - Dr Dreadful
Arch:
Leslie is quite justified in calling you out for trying to introduce a red herring here. The abortion debate and the Iraq war are entirely separate issues, and trying to invalidate someone's position on one by assuming their converse position on the other is a logical fallacy.
I could just as easily ask why you are opposed to abortion but seem to have no problem with the death penalty (which I am 99% certain you support).
13 - Thirdeye
In response to the typical ridiculousness of pro-war folks ranting about abortion I will post a letter to the editor I wrote that pretty much sums up my feelings on so-called moral fallacies.
The sick priorities of the so called "pro-life" factions in this country are evidenced in a recent message popping up on bumper stickers and billboards. An ultrasound image displayed next to the words, "I am an American." Awwww...how touching. The image is clearly from a late-term pregnancy, and we are supposed to relate personally to the unborn child.
Problem is, 88% of abortions occur in the first trimester. Most ultrasound images from this period look nothing like the cutesy, nearly fully developed face and hand displayed along with this catchy slogan. Besides, why not "I am a human being"? Are Americans the only ones with a "right to life"?
It would seem so, since individuals supposedly so concerned about human life are encouraging wars and foreign policy decisions responsible for the deaths of millions of children who have already been born. So what's worth more? A partially developed American fetus or a fully grown 11-year-old in Iraq? What about the dead American soldiers, how much are they worth?
How about a picture of a pregnant teenager living in an inner-city with desperate eyes, who has no access to good health care or a stable living environment. Is she not an American? Will you force the course of her life by making her have an unwanted child? What about the women who are sure to die due to failed back-alley abortions or suicides if the process is mad illegal? Do they not have a "right to life"? For that matter, what about other species that every day face extinction due to the constant transformation of lands to solely support humans? Do that not have a "right to life"?
I am reclaiming the term "pro-life" for individuals able to consider the significance of life in its many forms, whether it be a woman in America facing a difficult decision, a family in foreign lands, or a tree older than any of us.
14 - Franco
#11 " Leslie Bohn
What people say is as important as what they don’t say in understanding them more clearly. From what you have written it has said a lot on both accounts.
If being honest and direct is being rude in your book, then I suggest you start reading some other books.
I never said you were callous. I never attacked you Leslie, never once. I carefully chose my words giving you full benefit of the doubt and fair opportunity to respond. Here is what I said.
"It could make one think you are amazingly callous about the terminated babies".
As far as saying those same words to you in a bar, your right, I wouldn’t, I don’t go to bars. As far as saying it to you in a restaurant or in a classroom or any other face to face forum, I would do it without hesitation.
You’re choice in how you responded to those words, what you said and what you didn’t say, shows you continue to choose to deny the hypocrisy in the anti-war effort. An overwhelming majority of the war protesters in Congress today and those on this blog are also pro abortion. It is from within this fact that lays the questions of real conscience and concern for human life instead of political grandstanding.
The political anti-war efforts of exalting 3,351 US military deaths that claim should not have had to occur, while at the same time sweeping aside any show of that same kind of heart and compassion for the 6,000,000 unborn infant deaths at the hands of a woman’s right to choose is not separable. This politically displaced conscience posistioning reveals hypocrisy for care and value of all human life. Politically separating it is conscience denial by choice. It is your choice and it has nothing to do with me.
You are right, the 3,351 empty seats at 3,351 dinner tables is an irreparable lifetime suffering loss for all of their family, friends, and this nation and I agree completely. But the hypocrisy of those who would deny the tragedy of the 6,000,000 empty cribs while they politically exalt their anti-war agenda at the expense of 3351 fallen brave individuals is why you have found this argument.
How utterly obtuse to suggest that I think that those who choose to volunteer for US military service deserve to die. Those thoughts came out of your mind, not mine. It shows how shallow your perspective truly is. Frankly, I think your throwing out the bull to sweep over your unexplainable indifference to the 6 million.
Lets clear up one thing right now!!! PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER FOR THE MILITAY DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE.
The following points being made are clear. There are two simple facts that I would like to see you address. (1) The overwhelming majority of US military service personal on the ground in Iraq, who intimately knew those who 3351 fallen and share with them the desire to bring order to one of the most disordered regions of the world. They put themselves in harms way yesterday and today for this end, they volunteered for it, they were trained for it, they are about that business and they want our support, appreciation and respect. You are making a case for them that they are not asking you to make. Who do you think you are? (2) The 6 million who have died back here at home have no choice, are utterly defencless and need someone to speak for them. Your completely ignoring these two facts and this is exactly why you have found this argument.
I will address your request to discuss the subject of the satire pieces written above. Lets see some additional facts in holding on to perspective.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft carrier where President Buch gave his speech had finished its major combat objective and it was going home. During its major combat role in the opening stages of the war it flew 16,500 air sorties over Iraq. Let me spell that out for your...sixteen thousand five hundred. Its mission and its objectives were successful and its mission was accomplished and it was and did go home following Bush's speech. I challenge you to disprove these facts I just stated!
War is hideous and you will not find an argument about this from me. War has been part of this world since the dawn of time. This fact speaks louder then anything said so far. War will always be in this world. How to deal with wars of yesterday and tomorrow in an ever-shrinking world is where our county and our leaders must deal. Howver to politiclly position oneself to deny that war is a world reality and that the US is part of that world is not political leadership I can trust nor place the safety of my children in.
I support our troops over in Iraq and other troubled regions in the world. I respect their decision to serve and place themselves in harms way to protect and defend our way of life and I am proud of them for it. I respect their desire for me to support them in their difficult mission. I stand in aw of them. I support President Bush in his support of them and in his efforts to defend the United States or America and its way of life. If you have been paying any attention at all the past few decades, you see Islamic Imperialism on the rise, most recently Turkey in the past week. This is not due to President Bush. Need you be reminded that the ongoing 400,000 - Darfur Genocide in Sudan started before Bush was president and this on going butchery is at the hands of Islamic Imperialists. This wave in radical Islamic butchery is not ending when our troops come home from Iraq. This butchery has a life and legs of its own and it is networked both around the world and inside the US. We fight them on their soil or we fight them on ours. Where would you have the blood spilled Leslie?
In closing I present the following facts and reality for perspectives sake. Setting aside all the worlds countless historical wars, and setting aside even the current Iraq war, within just the last 10 years alone the world has witnessed the following wars ending and beginning, and the toll it has taken on the people involved.
3,800,000 - Second Congo War (1998"2004)
1,000,000 - Second Sudanese Civil War (1983"2002)
500,000 - Angolan Civil War (1975"2002)
200,000 - Sierra Leone Civil War (1991"2000)
125,000 - Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998"2000)
66,000 - Second Chechen War (1999 - )
7,000 - Kosovo War (1996"1999)
4,000 - Waziristan War (2004-2006)
3,900 - Kargil War (May-July 1999)
3,700 - Northern Ireland (1969 - 1998)
3,000 - Civil war in Côte d'Ivoire (2002 - )
3,000 - Israeli-Palestinian conflict (2000 -)
1,800 - Israel-Lebanon conflict 2006 -)
Out of all these deaths totals in these conflicts, how utterly strange that the only ones still making today’s headlines or found in BC debates are the last two listed at the bottom which represents less then 1% of the total casuistries. Can you explain this?
Additionally the grand total falls far less then 6 million.
15 - Franco
#11 " Leslie Bohn
What people say is as important as what they don’t say in understanding them more clearly. From what you have written it has said a lot on both accounts.
If being honest and direct is being rude in your book, then I suggest you start reading some other books.
I never said you were callous. I never attacked you Leslie, never once. I carefully chose my words giving you full benefit of the doubt and fair opportunity to respond. Here is what I said.
It could make one think you are amazingly callous about the terminated babies.
As far as saying those same words to you in a bar, your right, I wouldn’t, I don’t go to bars. As far as saying it to you in a restaurant or in a classroom or any other face to face forum, I would do it without hesitation.
You’re choice in how you responded to those words, what you said and what you didn’t say, shows you continue to choose to deny the hypocrisy in the anti-war effort. An overwhelming majority of the war protesters in Congress today and those on this blog are also pro abortion. It is from within this fact that lays the questions of real conscience and concern for human life instead of political grandstanding.
The politically anti-war efforts by exalting of 3,351 US military deaths, while at the same time sweeping aside any show of that same kind of heart and compassion for the 6,000,000 unborn infant deaths at the hands of a woman’s right to choose is not separable. This politically displaced conscience reveals hypocrisy for care and value of all human life. Politically separating it is denial by choice. It is your choice and it has nothing to do with me.
You are right, the 3,351 empty seats at 3,351 dinner tables is an irreparable lifetime suffering loss for all of their family, friends, and this nation. I agree completely with you. But the hypocrisy of those who would deny the tragedy of the 6,000,000 empty cribs while politically exalting their anti-war agenda at he expense of 3351 brave individuals is why you have found this argument.
How utterly obtuse to suggest that I think that those who choose to volunteer for US military service deserve to die. Those thoughts came out of your mind, not mine. It shows how shallow your perspective truly is. Frankly, I think your throwing out the bull to sweep over your unexplainable indifference to the 6 million.
Lets clear up one thing right now!!! PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER FOR THE MILITAY DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE.
The following points being made are clear. There are two simple facts that I would like to see you address. (1) The overwhelming majority of US military service personal on the ground in Iraq, who intimately knew those who 3351 fallen and share with them the desire to bring order to one of the most disordered regions of the world. They put themselves in harms way yesterday and today for this end, they volunteered for it, they were trained for it, they are about that business and they want our support, appreciation and respect. You are making a case for them that they are not asking you to make. Who do you think you are? (2) The 6 million who have died back here at home have no choice, are utterly defencless and need someone to speak for them. Your completely ignoring these two facts and this is exactly why you have found this argument.
I will address your request to discuss the subject of the satire pieces written above. Lets see some additional facts in holding on to perspective.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, the aircraft carrier where President Buch gave his speech had finished its major combat objective and it was going home. During its major combat role in the opening stages of the war it flew 16,500 air sorties over Iraq. Let me spell that out for your...sixteen thousand five hundred. Its mission and its objectives were successful and its mission was accomplished and it was and did go home following Bush's speech. I challenge you to disprove these facts I just stated!
War is hideous and you will not find an argument about this from me. War has been part of this world since the dawn of time. This fact speaks louder then anything said so far. War will always be in this world. How to deal with wars of yesterday and tomorrow in an ever-shrinking world is where our county and our leaders must deal. Howver to politiclly position oneself to deny that war is a world reality and that the US is part of that world is not political leadership I can trust nor place the safety of my children in.
I support our troops over in Iraq and other troubled regions in the world. I respect their decision to serve and place themselves in harms way to protect and defend our way of life and I am proud of them for it. I respect their desire for me to support them in their difficult mission. I stand in aw of them. I support President Bush in his support of them and in his efforts to defend the United States or America and its way of life. If you have been paying any attention at all the past few decades, you see Islamic Imperialism on the rise, most recently Turkey in the past week. This is not due to President Bush. Need you be reminded that the ongoing 400,000 - Darfur Genocide in Sudan started before Bush was president and this on going butchery is at the hands of Islamic Imperialists. This wave in radical Islamic butchery is not ending when our troops come home from Iraq. This butchery has a life and legs of its own and it is networked both around the world and inside the US. We fight them on their soil or we fight them on ours. Where would you have the blood spilled Leslie?
In closing I present the following facts and reality for perspectives sake. Setting aside all the worlds countless historical wars, and setting aside even the current Iraq war, within just the last 10 years alone the world has witnessed the following wars ending and beginning, and the toll it has taken on the people involved.
3,800,000 - Second Congo War (1998"2004)
1,000,000 - Second Sudanese Civil War (1983"2002)
500,000 - Angolan Civil War (1975"2002)
200,000 - Sierra Leone Civil War (1991"2000)
125,000 - Eritrean-Ethiopian War (1998"2000)
66,000 - Second Chechen War (1999 - )
7,000 - Kosovo War (1996"1999)
4,000 - Waziristan War (2004-2006)
3,900 - Kargil War (May-July 1999)
3,700 - Northern Ireland (1969 - 1998)
3,000 - Civil war in Côte d'Ivoire (2002 - )
3,000 - Israeli-Palestinian conflict (2000 -)
1,800 - Israel-Lebanon conflict 2006 -)
Out of all these deaths totals in these conflicts, how utterly strange that the only ones still making today’s headlines or found in BC debates are the last two listed at the bottom which represents less then 1% of the total casuistries. Can you explain this?
Additionally the grand total falls far less then 6 million.
16 - troll
*The political anti-war efforts of exalting 3,351 US military deaths that claim should not have had to occur, while at the same time sweeping aside any show of that same kind of heart and compassion for the 6,000,000 unborn infant deaths at the hands of a woman's right to choose is not separable.*
while it is an arguable point of usage whether there is such a thing as an 'unborn infant' the dead soldiers don't face this ambiguity
this turn of phrase is on a par with 'death tax' and other tidbits of emotional manipulation
17 - Leslie Bohn
Mr. Franco:
The topics are not linked in any way, except that you put them in the same sentence.
On what other issues must I conform to your opinions before I have "moral standing" to lament the deaths of 3300 people? Or to point out that our President and his policies are directly the cause of those deaths?
Repeat: You don't know my position on abortion, making your argument even stupider. Arranging a whole moral argument around something you don't know is pretty much a waste of time, no?
As for the "Mission Accomplished" business, you seem to have bought the Bush party line here, that "MA" referred to JUST THAT BATTLESHIP. Of course, here's "Sky King" Bush's lede that day:
"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed."
18 - MBD
Troll:
"while it is an arguable point of usage whether there is such a thing as an 'unborn infant' the dead soldiers don't face this ambiguity"
Is it also arguable that a "dead soldier" isn't a soldier, since technically speaking, he's a corpse?
19 - troll
true MBD - if he's dead then he's probably a corpse...though he might be an empty beer bottle
20 - Franco
#17 " Leslie Bohn
"The topics are not linked in any way, except that you put them in the same sentence."
Death links them. Death at the hands of others.
"On what other issues must I conform to your opinions before I have "moral standing" to lament the deaths of 3300 people?"
Politically separating it is denial by choice. It is your choice and it has nothing to do with me.
"Or to point out that our President and his policies are directly the cause of those deaths?"
Islamic Imperialism is directly the cause of those deaths. Just exactly like the 2,973 Americans put to death by Islamic Imperialism on 9-11-2001.
As I said before. This wave in radical Islamic butchery is not ending when our troops come home from Iraq. This butchery has a life and legs of its own and it is networked both around the world and inside the US. We fight them on their soil or we fight them on ours. So I ask you again....Where would you have the blood spilled Leslie?
21 - bliffle
"Bush Won Iraq War Four Years Ago - Freedom Reigns"
You're right.
22 - Leslie Bohn
Mr. Franco:
Wow, I didn't realize I was conversing with an actual member of the Bush administration, since it seems to me those are the only ones left who still buy the widely discredited "fight them over there... " theory of terrorism you espouse.
When the President and his apologists trumpet this slogan, we must ask ourselves if it's true, or if it just sounds good. Is there actual evidence for it? Does it make sense? Does a war there actually prevent terrorism here? How?
I'd say the opposite is true. Each of the 100,000 or so (perhaps many more) Iraqis our military has killed in that country has sons, brothers, fathers, cousins and friends who now have more reason to hate the United States. Plus, resources, especially financial, that could be put into better domestric security are instead being sunk further and further into a morass.
23 - Dave Nalle
Have I mentioned that trying to connect the deaths of soldiers in Iraq to abortion is about the stupidest damned thing I've ever heard?
Dave
24 - Clavos
Leslie writes:
Does it make sense? Does a war there actually prevent terrorism here? How?
I'd say the opposite is true. Each of the 100,000 or so (perhaps many more) Iraqis our military has killed in that country has sons, brothers, fathers, cousins and friends who now have more reason to hate the United States. Plus, resources, especially financial, that could be put into better domestric security are instead being sunk further and further into a morass.
You say that the "opposite is true," yet I don't see where you prove that in what you write here.
The point being to keep the fighting out of the USA, how have you shown that we've failed to do that?
In point of fact, when and where has there been a terrorist attack on US soil since 9/11?
25 - Leslie Bohn
True that we haven't had another 9/11. Is there proof that this has anything to do with the war? Or even any indication that it is? Is this really a logical either/or proposition, either we fight here or there? Why not both?
I offered support for my theory (the dead have relatives with new reason to hate us, we are diverting money that could be spent on security), but obviously no "proof," as it's a prediction: The hatred we spread over there will come back to haunt us for years.