Bush on Iraq: 'We're kicking ass'
President Bush will give his progress report on Iraq next week, based on information from Gen. David Petraeus.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - When President Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq last weekend, he made clear he was pleased with what he saw.
"The security situation is changing," Bush told reporters during the visit. "There's more work to be done. But reconciliation is taking place."
But according to the Sydney Morning Herald of Australia, the president gave a more-to-the-point assessment to Australia Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile.
"We're kicking ass," Bush said to Vaile Tuesday, according the Herald, after the deputy prime minister inquired about his trip to Iraq.
On Thursday, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino would not confirm or deny the reported comment. (Related Video: Jack Cafferty reads your e-mails on Bush's blunt talk)
This isn't the first blunt comment Bush was overheard making to a world leader. At last year's G8 summit, a live microphone picked up the president telling then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair that the United Nations needs to "get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s**t."
- CNN's Elaine Quijano contributed to this report
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15 dead American troops in the last two days and that's kicking ass?
The only chance of any kicking ass over there would be if he was left wandering naked on the streets of Baghdad – then there would be a real ass that deserved kicking.
This man is insane. Absolutely insane.
Boy, is this going to start a mouth-foaming, spittle-flying liberal fire-storm...
I did some quick online searches (sources: Defense Link, Global Security, and yes, even Wikipedia) to get some rough numbers to add further perspective to Bush's comment. And Bush is right. We are indeed kicking *ss.
• Okinawa – roughly 90 days, approx 12,000 KIA/MIA = average 133 service members killed/missing per day
• Iwo Jima – 36 days, 6,140 KIA = average 170 killed per day
• EXERCISE: Tiger (AKA “Operation Tiger”) – 1 night (battle could actually be measured in minutes), 750 killed = average 750 killed per day
• Battle of Ardennes Forest (“Battle of the Bulge”) – 41 days, 42,275 (19,276 killed and 23,000 MIA/POW) = average 1,031 KIA/MIA/POW per day
• Battle of Leyte Gulf – 3 days, 3,500 killed = average 1,167 killed per day
• GWOT – 2,185 days (9-12-01 through 9-7-07), 3,321 total service members killed due to hostile action, (not including non-hostile deaths, mishaps, accidents, etc.) (3,071 OIF hostile deaths, 250 OEF hostile deaths) = 1.5 service members killed per day
Granted, I took the liberty of doing some simple rounding, but I doubt it will impact the daily averages very significantly.
The numbers don’t lie. Looking at the KIA/MIA/POW statistics proves we are NOT losing the War on Terror, and we ARE kicking *ss, despite what the media states. Their nearly-successful attempt to extract the Iraqi Front from the greater War on Terror is akin to attempting to extract the D-Day Landings or the entire European Front from WWII (Imagine if you will, “Why are we in Germany or France? They didn’t bomb us at Pearl Harbor! This is just Roosevelt’s attempt to distract the public from the fact that he still hasn’t gotten Hirohito.”).
The point is, the liberals, the defeatists and the media (all one in the same) are really pulling a snow job on the American public. What’s even sadder is the fact that our public education system and what passes for the teaching of history today, actually allows the media to get away with it, because the public is too ill-informed to question otherwise. But boy, can we use an iPod!
Today, we (not just the US, but the entire Western World) face the greatest challenge that Western Civilization has ever faced, worse than plagues, worse than socialism/communism/fascism, worse than the rise of Nazi Germany, worse than Imperial Japan, and even worse than the rise of the Cold-War era Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China. This is an enemy that wears no identifiable uniform. It holds no allegiance to the identifiable boundaries of a home nation, therefore no real physical infrastructure to target. This is an enemy hell-bent on dominating the world’s peoples (and has publicly stated so on too many occasions to count). This is an enemy that has laid all its cards on the table decades ago and announced what its true intentions are. The enemy does not mince words. Are we so daft we choose not to pay attention?
When I hear Democrats and others speak of the “Iraq War” or the “War in Iraq,” it tells me how clueless and dangerous those people truly are. There is no such thing as an isolated “War in Iraq.” There is only the Iraqi Front of the Global War on Terrorism.
To look at this any other way is to delude ourselves from reality… from the unspeakable evil in this world and the seemingly insurmountable challenge in front of us. This is a challenge, a responsibility which we must not shirk.
Make no mistake about it. The enemy has clearly stated that Iraq is the central front of their war against the West. Pulling out of Iraq prematurely will not end the war in which we fight… it will merely tell the enemy that they were correct in thinking Americans are indeed paper tigers who lack the will, the fortitude and the stomach to endure deep losses in a long protracted war. It will give the enemy a victory. And even worse, it will move the front closer to us.
This enemy has been targeting America, Americans, or American interests for nearly 30 years now, long before January 2001. They'll continue to target us long after Bush is out of office, just as they did long before he took office in 2001 (Bush wasn't in office when terrorists held U.S. hostages for 444 days in Iran 28 years ago). The question is, will we choose to stay in this fight against 6th Century Barbarians who intend to have us ALL bow toward Mecca, or will we roll back over, hit the snooze button and pretend it's Sept 10 again?
If we lose this greater GWOT, it will be a defeat of choice due to national passivity and a general lack of fortitude, not a defeat due to capability. In fact, I'm afraid that at what other nations and their militaries have attempted and failed, the media and the modern American Democrat party will succeed; defeating the American military in a time of war... and to make it even sadder, they will have done so without ever firing a shot.
Have any of you Bush haters ever wondered whether the war would already be over if you would stand up for your country and it's leader and present a unified front to our enemies? A nation united is unstoppable. A nation divided will indeed fail. Or is that what you all are praying for. Sorry, forgot…most of you don't understand what praying is.
Posted By Michael W, Orlando FL : September 7, 2007 10:51 am
Actually, Michael, I understand exactly what praying is...superstitious wishful thinking. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence and understanding of history could have predicted what would happen if we invaded Iraq; however, those are characteristics that our president sorely lacks. Do you honestly think that praying to a mystical (non-existent) sky fairy is going to help our soldiers? If so, you are deluded to the point where reality no longer has a bearing on your world view. Ironically enough, reality has never had a place at the table in the Bush Administration, which is precisely why we're knee-deep in this quagmire to begin with. To insinuate that supporting a corrupt administration and adopting the "god is on our side" mentality (worked great for the Confederacy, didn't it?) would resolve this conflict is easily one of the most ignorant things I've read in years. However, I'm sure another "Bushie" will pop up and trump your inanity with sheerly mindblowing nescience.
Another in the long line of idiotic comments by a fake cowboy who lives at a fake ranch.
Just when I think he can't say anything more stupid and damaging to his reputation...
I have heard from reliable sources that Hillary Clinton was overheard telling Osama Obama that she plans on baking cookies for the terrorists in the hopes that it will make them nice people.
Posted By Bob Bobbin, Fairbanks, Alaska : September 7, 2007 10:26 am
Oh, yeah? Well, I think that Hillary can probably kick more ass with her dainty little foot than Bush will ever do with his sophomoric comments and lack of intellectual prowess.
I really cant wait until the next election so we can kick his ass out of office!
Doah!
I think this is all intentional, either one or two things will happen:
1> We will all sit aside while this maniac invades IRAN, SYRIA, (maybe Cuba & Venuezuala hey why not?)
2> He will step down in a weird Nixonis type of move. (Dems are too soft to impeach)
The war is an atrocity. I don't personally care if Bush uses TV language or not.
First re-read the post from SSg Pickens. Thank you Sir, for your service! War is never pleasant!
Second, Since 9-11 Can anyone tell me when we were attacked at home? Could it be The President is doing something right? Third, The name calling needs to stop. How about praying instead??
George Bush assessment of the situation in Iraq: “We’re kicking ass.” Well, that does it. I can say unequivocally that I am so glad that I did not vote for this guy.
Just read the posted names of the hate spewers above if you want to know who are the biggest enemies of freedom for all. Oh, and don't forget our agenda minded media..
You liberals can rip Bush all you want but YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT HIM!! If Bush is really as horrible as you make him out to be, then it shows how pathetic the democrats have been that ran against him- AND LOST!
The "kicking ass" comment makes more sense to me than John Kerry's famous quotes of "getting stuck in Iraq" and "I voted for it after a voted against it"
And by the way- the approval rating of the DEMOCRAT CONTROLED congress is about 16%. They dont seem to be keeping their promise of "providing a new direction in Iraq."
Even Hillary Clinton noted that progress in being made there
I find it comically stupid that no one commenting here has been to Iraq, yet everyone thinks they have much better knowledge on it than someone who deals with inside information of it daily and has been there multiple times. And at the same time you all chastise Bush for saying something as uncouth as "ass", yet applaud Obama's wife for talking about smelling bad because it makes the Obamas seem "real". I guess I should expect nothing less.
01.20.2009
Can't come soon enough.
We kicked ass in almost every battle in Vietnam as well. Yet still lost the war.
Why? Because it was a strategic blunder to invade Vietnam in the first place.
The modern conservative movement has allowed itself to be taken over by a radical, fringe element in the neocons. These coddled, sheltered, well-fed, think-tank philosophers cooked up the Iraq invasion without a shred of logic or reality involved.
They're pushing full throttle to invade Iran next. It was always part of their "strategy" (granting their delusions more legitimacy than they deserve by using that word).
The conservative movement needs to reconnect to its roots. It has turned into the anti-constitution, pro-empire, pro-invasion party. With a healthy dose of religious fundamentalism thrown in. This faction is going to age, and only draw in the weak and cowardly youth who argue for invasion but aren't prepared to actually fight in it (this phenomenon goes from today's young republicans through people like Jonah Goldberg and Bill Kristol, back to people like Dick Cheney ("I had other priorities") and George W. Bush (who faithfully guarded the borders of Texas from Vietcong invasion.
As it ages it will become more desperate to prove its strategies, even as the failures of those strategies mount.
Iran is next. And will throw forces into play that will utterly and completely destroy any chance of ever building the one thing that can truly grant Israel a lasting and secure peace. A self-governing Palestinian state.
I never voted for him so I don't feel bad, its actually funny.
Oh, YES! The one that is getting kicked is the American taxpayer!!!
He is quite simply, a moron and a fool. I believe the drugs he took while AWOL from the guard, simply fried portions of his brain. His ass should be kicked back to Texas ASAP.
" would also like to kick some ass, several asses, actually. Would the self-appointed snitch please include me in their report to the FBI? Thank you."
Posted by Mrs America
Mrs America,
I will forward any statement of yours or anyone else specifically threatening a violent act against the President of the United States. Free speech is a fine. Threats are not.
If you or anyone else would like to post a threat against the President – go right ahead. I'll be watching.
I wonder how many GIs will die because of that foolish and childish statement. His "Bring them on" earlier statement caused the deaths of thousands of Americans and countless innocent Iraqis. What a fool this man is.
Wow, such hatred from the party of acceptance and tolerance. Typical hypocrisy from the left. Get some nads wussies, this is war not a pillow fight. Is what we are doing anything worse than what Clinton did to the alleged VX poison gas plant in Khartoum, Sudan that was only a pharmaceutical plant, and the Administration had provided no proof to back its claims that the plant was connected to Saudi exile Osama bin Laden. Oh yeah, I forgot that you were dangling the shiny keys in front of our faces to forget that the left is no better than the right. "Ohhh look at the shiny objects", what was I talking about?
http://edgruberman.wordpress.com
Now, I'm sure Alberto Gonzales and his boys will probably be at my front door in an hour, but I must write this: Bush is an idiot and an embarrassment. He is crass and unschooled in acceptable behavior. Worst of all, he can't speak English!
Hey South Carolina Steve – If your answer is "prayer," you probably qualify for a Cabinet position in this Administration. The detachment from reality is so ridiculous I almost can't get angry anymore.
As for when the last time we were attacked here... 9/11/01. Who was president? Whose White House received an intellignece estimate months prior titled: "Bin Laden Determined to Attack U.S..?"
About 3000 people lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. Almost 4000 troops have been killed in Iraq. Just because they get killed many miles away, does not mean they are any less American.
But hey, if your prayers + the Bush hyperbole make you feel safe at night, keep drinking the kool-aid. Ignorance is bliss.
Support the troops, bring them home.
American voters are the real morons in this story. After the 2004 election, it isn't W's fault any longer the United States is so disrespected around the globe. How'd you like to be head of state of another country knowing you MUST deal with him? Now that's something to complain about.