VIDEO: Bush Speaks To Troops In Iraq
Looking emotional at times, President Bush spoke to U.S. troops during his surprise trip to Iraq today. The President thanked them for their sacrifice, spoke of the progress being made, and reaffirmed that the role of U.S. troops is to support the developing government in Iraq. And from the looks of it, despite his low approval rating at home, he definitely still has the support of the troops fighting abroad. Here’s Breitbart/AP coverage of the trip, including the speech:
President Bush assured Iraqis in a surprise visit to Baghdad on Tuesday that the United States stands with them and their new government. “It’s in our interest that Iraq succeed,” he said, seated alongside newly named Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
But he also emphasized, both in his meeting with al-Maliki and in an address to U.S. troops, that the wartorn country’s future is in the hands of the new Iraqi unity government.
“And our job is to help them succeed and we will,” Bush told American forces as he wrapped up his unannounced visit .
The dramatic trip came as Bush sought to bolster support for Iraq’s fledgling government and U.S. war policy at home.
“I’ve come to not only look you in the eye. I’ve also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word,” Bush told al- Maliki.
“I’ve come today to personally show our nation’s commitment to a free Iraq,” Bush told cheering American troops assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the Green Zone, the heavily fortified Green Zone is where Iraq’s government meets and the U.S. and British embassies are based and a frequent target of insurgent attacks.
“My message to the Iraqi people is this: seize the moment, seize the opportunity to develop a government of and by and for the people,” he said. “I come away from here believing that the will is strong.”
And from the looks of it, despite his low approval rating at home, he definitely still has the support of the troops fighting abroad.
Those with tinfoil hats will be worried.
Is Mr. Tinti developing a portfolio for his application to FoxNews?
Remind me again what the UCMJ would prescribe for any soldier who booed the C-in-C?
Bush’s favorite kind of audience: one that has no choice but to shut up, listen, and clap. “Why can’t the *rest* of the country be like this?”
Promoting democracy in Iraq while undermining it in America. Mr. Orwell was indeed a visionary…
Blah, blah, blah…Tell us something new, Chief.
Soldiers may in fact be forbidden from booing the President but enthusiastic applause and cheering is not required from them. Think about it, they do like this President and people who deny it are fooling themselves.
As for democracy at home, I still hear the dire warnings of losing our civil liberties, of the silencing of dissent and jailing of political opponents but I have yet to see it happen. The Chicken Little’s of today are losing credibility very, very quickly.
As for something new, how about a new democratically elected Iraqi government? That’s pretty good news that should encourage Iraqis and Americans who want to see the troops come home. Slow steady progress is just that, slow and steady.
Look at the re-enlistment rates for those who have served a tour in Iraq and think (really, all I am asking is for you to honestly think) about if Iraq is a hopeless quagmire. Just perhaps things are just a bit different in Iraq than the MSM have been spoon feeding you to believe. And maybe those who are putting their lives on the line to defend America really do appreciate a president who stands firm in adversity.
Steven,
Did you use your phone today? Guess what, your call has been logged by the government. Say hello to chicken little next time you call.
Did you use a search engine? Big brother is watching. This is all documented news. But hey, if you dont mind government keeping an eye on you guess its cool.
As for the government in Iraq, how long do you think they will hold power without US troops? A month, a week. Are they even in power? If so, why are we sending 75k troops to secure Baghdad?
Anjin-san: have you ever filed a federal income tax return? Guess what, your personal financial details have been scrutinized by the government all your life — and not for the purpose of protecting your finances from getting killed.
Anji-san said: “If so, why are we sending 75k troops to secure Baghdad? ”
Have you read the actual news article? It’s Iraqi & Coalition forces (so presumably mostly Iraqi w/ American+others making up the differance). The US would be hardpressed to get 75K into the capital from all over Iraq.
“Iraq’s prime minister set in motion the biggest security crackdown in Baghdad since the U.S.-led invasion, with 75,000 Iraqi and U.S. troops to deploy across the strife-prone capital starting Wednesday”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060613/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
Anjin:
Considering that I have plenty of relatives still in NSA, plus some retired, plus some in the FBI, plus one possible working for the “company”, and we both comment on the same website, you are probably anal-probed on a nightly basis by the DHS.
Anjin-san,
I didn’t use my phone for international calls so my calls were not logged. I used a search engine and expect many private companies retained that information, not the government. My business was subject to random searches last month (trucking, which has been regulated for many decades. My offices are subject to searches without warrants being necessary). I also am subject to red light cameras and radar photo vans in my city. So the President is responsible for none of the real threats to liberty as I see it.
As for the troops in Iraq let’s remember how many troops were in Japan or Germany in the years after WWII.
McGhee,
Please tell me you are kidding. Since we have a financial relationship with the government as taxpayers, we should not mind being spied on?
The founding fathers knew that governments ALWAYS abuse power. Since government is a necessary evil, they wisely sought to limit the power of government.
If the administration want to protect us from terrorists, how about creating a homeland security department that is not a bad, expensive joke?
I don’t feel safer having my calls logged when you can enter a homeland security building with a fake Mexican ID.
If you want to bend over for big brother I guess that’s your choice, but something tells me Benjamin Franklin and Tom Paine would puke if they heard your defense of government spying on innocent citizens.
Steven,
Why then did the government strong arm search engines into giving up search records?
And, for the record, Japan attacked this country and Germany declared war on it. What did Iraq do besides having an asshole as it’s leader and possessing WMD? Oh wait, they did not have WMD after all…
The only quagmire is the liberals propaganda war against the U.S. Guess what? People will remember all your nasty comments and deluded fantasies come election time. You just can’t stand to see the President do something positive, and actually have the troops support him in it. Look around, you’re way way out in left field. Time to start jumping like rats from a sinking ship.