In reply to a statement by John Edwards that "we‘ve taken 90 percent of the coalition causalities" (emphasis added by me).
"CHENEY: Well, Gwen, the 90 percent figure is just dead wrong. When you include the Iraqi security forces that have suffered casualties, as well as the allies, they‘ve taken almost 50 percent of the casualties in operations in Iraq, which leaves the U.S. with 50 percent, not 90 percent." From: 'Read the transcript of the Oct. 5 Cheney-Edwards debate'
Let me get this straight, Iraq is now a member of the coalition formed to attack Iraq? I don't recall seeing Iraq on the coalition roster as we crossed the border into Iraq, do you? Do the women and children killed as collateral damage ALSO count as members of our "coalition" as well?
Dick Cheney is stating it’s no longer the "coalition of the willing" it's the "coalition of the willing and of the conquered".
Okay, I think I got it, it's just so hard to keep up with this continually "revised history" from the Bush Administration.
Article comments
1 - Voxxy
Yes, the free Iraqis are part of the coalition fighting terrorists in Iraq. What is so difficult to understand about that?
2 - joed
It's amazing how the Bushies are able to spin anything to there advantage. You gotta give them credit. Especially when Kerry or Edwards never seem to respond.
3 - Big Time Patriot
"the free Iraqis are part of the coalition fighting terrorists in Iraq."
Whooaa! I missed the big news, when did Iraq become free? I thought Iraq was still being governed by a non-elected official kept in place by over-whelming military force, did I miss the big Iraqi free elections?
I guess maybe there is a difference in assumptions and I should have elucidated that in my post. My assumption is that when you have conquered a country and maintain a large army with no accountability to the occuppied country, the actions of that country do not really count as separate from your own actions.
In other words, since we are responsible for Iraq, to count any troops they contribute as an independent coalition contribution is to have a "soft bigotry of low expectations" when it comes to the meaning of a free and independent country.
4 - Dawn
That whole dialog between Cheney and Edwards last night was baffling. Thanks for clarifying it for me. When you put it that way, the Iraqi really don't need us, sounds like they got this thing covered on their own.
Cheney is one smooth talker.