Posted on 04/10/2008 6:18:12 PM PDT by snugs
Today the President met with General David Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker at the White House.
The President also delivered a speech on the Iraq War in the Cross Hall of the White House.
Fact Sheet: The Way Forward in Iraq
Later in the day the President departed from the White House to spend the weekend in Crawford.
Pray for President Bush -- Day 2765
Today Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill.
The First Lady was in Dallas today and attended the introduction of First Bloom, a conservation program that teaches kids about nature through planting and gardening projects.
Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island
QUOTE OF THE DAY
President Bush Discusses Iraq
Cross Hall
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Fifteen months ago, I announced the surge. And this week, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker gave Congress a detailed report on the results.
The immediate goal of the surge was to bring down the sectarian violence that threatened to overwhelm the government in Baghdad, restore basic security to Iraqi communities, and drive the terrorists out of their safe havens. As General Petraeus told Congress, American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress in all these areas. While there is more to be done, sectarian violence is down dramatically. Civilian deaths and military deaths are also down. Many neighborhoods once controlled by al Qaeda have been liberated. And cooperation from Iraqis is stronger than ever -- more tips from residents, more Iraqis joining their security forces, and a growing movement against al Qaeda called the "Sons of Iraq."
Improvements in security have helped clear the way for political and economic developments described by Ambassador Crocker. These gains receive less media coverage, but they are vital to Iraq's future. At the local level, businesses are re-opening and provincial councils are meeting. At the national level, there's much work ahead, but the Iraqi government has passed a budget and three major "benchmark" laws. The national government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. And many economic indicators in Iraq -- from oil production to inflation -- are now pointed in the right direction.
Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq, from the presence of al Qaeda to the destructive influence of Iran, to hard compromises needed for further political progress. Yet with the surge, a major strategic shift has occurred. Fifteen months ago, America and the Iraqi government were on the defensive; today, we have the initiative. Fifteen months ago, extremists were sowing sectarian violence; today, many mainstream Sunni and Shia are actively confronting the extremists. Fifteen months ago, al Qaeda had bases in Iraq that it was using to kill our troops and terrorize the Iraqi people; today, we have put al Qaeda on the defensive in Iraq, and we're now working to deliver a crippling blow. Fifteen months ago, Americans were worried about the prospect of failure in Iraq; today, thanks to the surge, we've renewed and revived the prospect of success.
With this goal in mind, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have submitted recommendations on the way forward. After detailed discussions with my national security team, including the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I've accepted these recommendations.
The recommendation likely to receive the most attention is on troop levels. General Petraeus has reported that security conditions have improved enough to withdraw all five surge brigades by the end of July. That means that by July 31st, the number of U.S. combat brigades in Iraq will be down by 25 percent from last year.
Beyond that, General Petraeus says he'll need time to consolidate his forces and assess how this reduced American presence will affect conditions on the ground before making measured recommendations on further reductions. And I've told him he'll have all the time he needs.
Some have suggested that this period of evaluation will be a "pause." That's misleading, because none of our operations in Iraq will be on hold. Instead, we will use the months ahead to take advantage of opportunities created by the surge -- and continue operations across the board.
All our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: a free Iraq that can protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its own political affairs. No one wants to achieve this goal more than the Iraqis themselves. Those who say that the way to encourage further progress is to back off and force the Iraqis to fend for themselves are simply wrong. The Iraqis are a proud people who understand the enormity of the challenges they face and are anxious to meet them. But they know that they still need our help until they can stand by themselves. Our job in the period ahead is to stand with the Iraqi government as it makes tough choices and makes the transition to responsibility for its own security and its own destiny.
So what will this transition look like? On the security front, thanks to the significant progress General Petraeus reported this week, it is clear that we're on the right track. In the period ahead, we will stay on the offense against the enemy. As we speak, U.S. Special Forces are launching multiple operations every night to capture or kill al Qaeda leaders in Iraq. Coalition and Iraqi forces are also stepping up conventional operations against al Qaeda in northern Iraq, where terrorists have concentrated after being largely pushed from central and western Iraq. And Prime Minister Maliki's government has launched operations in Basra that make clear a free Iraq will no longer tolerate the lawlessness by Iranian-backed militants.
In the period ahead, we'll also continue to train, equip, and support the Iraqi security forces, continue to transfer security responsibilities to them as provinces become ready, and move over time into an overwatch role. The Iraqi army and police are increasingly capable, and leading the fight to secure their country. As Iraqis assume the primary role in providing security, American forces will increasingly focus on targeted raids against the terrorists and extremists, they will continue training Iraqi forces, and they will be available to help Iraq's security forces if required.
On the economic front, Iraq is moving forward. With Iraq's economy growing, oil revenues on the rise, and its capital investment expanding, our economic role in the country is changing. Iraqis in their recent budget would outspend us on reconstruction by more than ten to one. And American funding for large-scale reconstruction projects is approaching zero. Our share of Iraq's security costs will drop, as well, as Iraqis pay for the vast majority of their own army and police. And that's the way it should be. Ultimately, we expect Iraq to shoulder the full burden of these costs. In the period ahead, Iraq's economy will increasingly move away from American assistance, rely on private investment, and stand on its own.
On the political front, Iraq has seen bottom-up progress -- as tribes and other groups in the provinces who fought terror are now turning to rebuilding local political structures and taking charge of their own affairs. Progress in the provinces is leading to progress in Baghdad, as Iraqi leaders increasingly act together and they share power, and they forge compromises on behalf of the nation. Upcoming elections will consolidate this progress. They'll provide a way for Iraqis to settle disputes through the political process instead of through violence. Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year, and these elections will be followed by national elections in 2009.
On the diplomatic front, Iraq will increase its engagement in the world -- and the world must increase its engagement with Iraq. To help in this effort, I'm directing Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus to visit Saudi Arabia on their trip back to Iraq. I'm directing our nation's senior diplomats to meet with the leaders in Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar, and Kuwait and Egypt. In each capital, they will brief them on the situation in Iraq, and encourage these nations to reopen their embassies in Baghdad, and increase their overall support for Iraq. This will be followed by Secretary Rice's trip to the third Expanded Neighbors Conference in Kuwait City and the second International Compact with Iraq meeting in Stockholm.
A stable, successful, independent Iraq is in the strategic interests of Arab nations. And all who want peace in the Middle East should support a stable, democratic Iraq. And we will urge all nations to increase their support this year.
The regime in Tehran also has a choice to make. It can live in peace with its neighbor, enjoy strong economic and cultural and religious ties. Or it can continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups, which are terrorizing the Iraqi people and turning them against Iran. If Iran makes the right choice, America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests, and our troops, and our Iraqi partners.
On each of these fronts -- security, economic, political, and diplomatic -- Iraqis are stepping forward to assume more responsibility for the welfare of their people and the fate of their country. In all these fronts, America will continue to play an increasingly supporting role.
Our work in Iraq will still demand sacrifices from our whole nation, especially our military, for some time to come. To ease the burden on our troops and their families, I've directed the Secretary of Defense to reduce deployment lengths from 15 months to 12 months for all active Army soldiers deploying to the Central Command area of operations. These changes will be effective for those deploying after August 1st. We'll also ensure that our Army units will have at least a year home for every year in the field. Our nation owes a special thanks to the soldiers and families who've supported this extended deployment. We owe a special thanks to all who serve in the cause of freedom in Iraq.
The stress on our force is real, but the Joint Chiefs have assured me that an all-volunteer force -- our all-volunteer force is strong and resilient enough to fight and win this war on terror. The trends in Iraq are positive. Our troops want to win. Recruiting and retention have remained strong during the surge. And I believe this: I believe the surest way to depress morale and weaken the force would be to lose in Iraq.
One key to ensuring that our military remains ready is to provide the resources they need promptly. Congress will soon consider a vital emergency war funding request. Members of Congress must pass a bill that provides our troops the resources they need -- and does not tie the hands of our commanders or impose artificial timelines for withdrawal. This bill must also be fiscally responsible. It must not exceed the reasonable $108 billion request I sent to Congress months ago. If the bill meets all these requirements, it will be a strong show of support for our troops. If it doesn't, I'll veto it.
Some in Washington argue that the war costs too much money. There's no doubt that the costs of this war have been high. But during other major conflicts in our history, the relative cost has been even higher. Think about the Cold War. During the Truman and Eisenhower administrations, our defense budget rose as high as 13 percent of our total economy. Even during the Reagan administration, when our economy expanded significantly, the defense budget still accounted for about 6 percent of GDP. Our citizens recognized that the imperative of stopping Soviet expansion justified this expense. Today, we face an enemy that is not only expansionist in its aims, but has actually attacked our homeland -- and intends to do so again. Yet our defense budget accounts for just over 4 percent of our economy -- less than our commitment at any point during the four decades of the Cold War. This is still a large amount of money, but it is modest -- a modest fraction of our nation's wealth -- and it pales when compared to the cost of another terrorist attack on our people.
We should be able to agree that this is a burden worth bearing. And we should be able to agree that our national interest require the success of our mission in Iraq.
Iraq is the convergence point for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century -- al Qaeda and Iran. If we fail there, al Qaeda would claim a propaganda victory of colossal proportions, and they could gain safe havens in Iraq from which to attack the United States, our friends and our allies. Iran would work to fill the vacuum in Iraq, and our failure would embolden its radical leaders and fuel their ambitions to dominate the region. The Taliban in Afghanistan and al Qaeda in Pakistan would grow in confidence and boldness. And violent extremists around the world would draw the same dangerous lesson that they did from our retreats in Somalia and Vietnam. This would diminish our nation's standing in the world, and lead to massive humanitarian casualties, and increase the threat of another terrorist attack on our homeland.
On the other hand, if we succeed in Iraq after all that al Qaeda and Iran have invested there, it would be a historic blow to the global terrorist movement and a severe setback for Iran. It would demonstrate to a watching world that mainstream Arabs reject the ideology of al Qaeda, and mainstream Shia reject the ideology of Iran's radical regime. It would give America a new partner with a growing economy and a democratic political system in which Sunnis and Shia and Kurds all work together for the good of their country. And in all these ways, it would bring us closer to our most important goal -- making the American people safer here at home.
I want to say a word to our troops and civilians in Iraq. You've performed with incredible skill under demanding circumstances. The turnaround you have made possible in Iraq is a brilliant achievement in American history. And while this war is difficult, it is not endless. And we expect that, as conditions on the ground continue to improve, they will permit us to continue the policy of return on success. The day will come when Iraq is a capable partner of the United States. The day will come when Iraq is a stable democracy that helps fight our common enemies and promote our common interests in the Middle East. And when that day arrives, you'll come home with pride in your success, and the gratitude of your whole nation. God bless you. (Applause.)
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Marine One, with President George W. Bush aboard, departs from the South Lawn of the White House Thursday, April 10, 2008, en route to Andrews Air Force Base. White House photo by Grant Miller
Hi.
Hi
That is absolutely beautiful.
Commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq Gen. David Petraeus, second from left, arrives at the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2008, to meet with President Bush over breakfast in the private dinning room at the White House in Washington.
Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, right, arrives at the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2008, to meet with President Bush over breakfast in the private dinning room at the White House in Washington with an unidentified naval officer.
President George W. Bush meets with General David Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker Thursday, April 10, 2008, at the White House. White House photo by Eric Draper
President George W. Bush (C) meets with General David Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker (R) at the White House, April 10, 2008
Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, left, leaves the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, after he and Commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq Gen. David Petraeus met with President Bush over breakfast in the private dinning room at the White House in Washington.
President Bush arrives in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, to deliver a speech on the Iraq War.
Hi Snugs! Beautiful spring pictures today.
When I saw that photo earlier today I thought that would make a great photo of the day
War veterans listen as U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about the war in Iraq from the White House in Washington April 10, 2008.
President George W. Bush delivers a statement on Iraq Thursday, April 10, 2008, from Cross Hall in the White House. Said the President, "All our efforts are aimed at a clear goal: A free Iraq that can protect its people, support itself economically, and take charge of its own political affairs." White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Standing in Cross Hall at the White House, President George W. Bush delivers a statement Thursday, April 10, 2008, on Iraq after meeting with General David Petraeus, Commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center, and Vice President Dick Cheney listen as President Bush delivers a speech on the Iraq War, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington.
President Bush leaves the after the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, after delivering a speech on the war in Iraq
A Secret Service agent stands watch as President Bush departs the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, aboard Marine One for Andrews Air Force Base before leaving for his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
President Bush is greeted by Col. Eric A. Snadecki, Vice Commander, 316th Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Thursday, April. 10, 2008, prior to boarding Air Force One for a trip to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
President George W. Bush walks towards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force base near Washington, April 10, 2008
President George W. Bush steps aboard Air Force One at Andrews Air Force base near Washington, April 10, 2008
President Bush waves from atop the steps of Air Force One, Thursday, April 10, 2008, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. President Bush prior to departing to his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
President Bush waves from Air Force One as he arrives at the Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco, Texas, Thursday April 10, 2008. The president will spend the weekend at his nearby Crawford, Texas ranch.
President Bush waves as he boards Marine One after arriving at the Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco, Texas, Thursday April 10, 2008. The president will spend the weekend at his nearby Crawford, Texas ranch.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, right, wait to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the future of Iraq.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the future of Iraq
Defense Secretary Robert Gates talks with Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, April 10, 2008, prior to the start of the committee's hearing on the future of Iraq.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates greets committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) before he takes his seat to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 10, 2008
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 10, 2008
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington April 10, 2008.
First Lady Laura Bush looks at a Firewheel flower with sixth-graders from Williams Preparatory School Thursday morning, April 10, 2008, in Dallas, during the introduction of First Bloom, a conservation program that teaches kids about nature through planting and gardening projects. U.S. Park Ranger Gus Sanchez, left, looks on.
snugs: AWESOME DOSE — thank you for posting it!!
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“MY ANSWER IS NO”
A conversation with President Bush.
by William Kristol
I SPENT ABOUT 40 minutes with President Bush in the Oval Office late yesterday afternoon, in a meeting whose purpose was to allow the president to preview the Iraq speech he’s giving today.
. . . The president was forthcoming-—and impressive—in discussing these sensitive topics. Unfortunately, he—sometimes prodded by his attentive press secretary, Dana Perino—put these parts of the session off the record.
So you’ll have to take my word for it: The president is an interesting man with whom to have an off-the-record conversation about foreign affairs and American politics.
. . . he mentioned in particular Tuesday’s Medal of Honor ceremony for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, the Navy SEAL who threw himself on a grenade to save his comrades in Ramadi in September 2006.
I told the president that I had choked up watching the ceremony on television. I’ll violate the off-the-record rules in order to convey the tenor of the president’s lengthy response. He explained how difficult it had been for him to keep his composure. This was especially the case, he said, when he was congratulating and comforting Petty Officer Mansoor’s parents (this was evident on television). What wasn’t evident on the telecast was that when the president was reading his remarks and looked up at the audience, he saw the Navy SEALs assembled in the East Room, to a man, weeping. That’s when, the president said, he really had to steel himself to retain his composure. The president had a catch in his voice yesterday, 24 hours later, talking about the ceremony.
And he had a certain amount of steel in his voice when he then reiterated his determination not to allow the sacrifices of our fighting men and women to have been made in vain.
You can read the entire article here:
http://www.theweeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/966wnclh.asp?pg=2
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EWTN TO AIR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT BUSH ON EVE OF HOLY FATHER’S HISTORIC US VISIT
Irondale, AL (EWTN) – Raymond Arroyo, lead anchor for EWTN Global Catholic Network, has obtained an exclusive interview with U.S. President George Bush. The interview will air on the eve of Pope Benedict’s April 15th – 20th visit to the U.S. and is expected to cover U.S. relations with the Holy See, the papal visit, Iraq, and much more.
The special, which will be televised from EWTN’s new studio at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., will air 8 p.m. Friday, April 11, on “The World Over.”
http://www.ewtn.com/general/press/pr_detail.asp?id=182
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BUSH TO SPEAK AT GHS GRADUATION; PRESIDENT TO RETURN TO GREENSBURG ON ANNIVERSARY OF MAY 4 TORNADO
[The graduation was originally scheduled for May 10 — gee, I wonder why the President couldn’t attend on the 10th?!]
By Mark Anderson, editor@kiowacountysignal.com
Greensburg City Administrator Steve Hewitt confirmed this morning that the White House has finalized plans for President George W. Bush to give the keynote address at the Greensburg High School commencement the afternoon of Sunday, May 4.
You can read the entire article here:
http://www.pratttribune.com/articles/2008/04/10/news/01.txt
How's your Dad doing?
That toaster for Shiva is GORGEOUS!!!
It is
It certainly look as if spring has well and truly arrived in Washington DC
Sanity Island is always a welcome sight :)
Great minds think alike :o)
THANK YOU for all your work, snugs, lots of great pictures....I’d like the 2nd picture in post 7, with the President, the General, and the Ambassador.
Dad is a bit better today yesterday after his monthly hospital appointment he was very tired next day we will revert to the 5.00pm appointment 7.15 was too late especially as it is an hour car journey.
“How jazzed would you or I be to have President Bush give the address at our HIGH SCHOOL graduation!?????”
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Too much for words!! . . . But isn’t just like our President to follow through with a promise he made to the students he met last year (after the tornado)!!
Terrific photos as usual snugs!
I’m posting from sunny beautiful Ft Myers FL. I escaped Wisconsin for a week to visit my sister down here. The weather is such a nice change from what we’ve had this winter. I missed the dose though, so had to get online.
They did not pick up again when the reapplied due to the husband still not working due to a bad shoulder but the wife having gone back to work full time so had to reapply for reduced rebate. The error was not picked up then or a third time when they advised that the wife had in fact now got a permanent full time job. However a few months later they received a letter stating the error had been found and now they want the money back.
My friend is going along and will be using the case as bad quality control and whilst admitting that they may need to pay some money back certainly after the reapply the council should have checked and therefore from this date the error is theres.
This couple obviously are struggling and due to an honest error are now facing several years of paying money back so prayers are asked that a reasonable time period and amount maybe awarded as of course they accept that some of it will have to be paid back.
Also prayers for my friend who is very worried and stressed about this because at present there is only his daughter's salary coming in as the son in law cannot not go back to his former employment due to a shoulder injury and is having to look at alternative work which he is finding difficult as unfortunately he does not have any formal qualifications.
Prayers here.
Thanks
I hope these men get combat pay for this!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prayers for your friend, and his daughter and son-in-law.
Johnny Carson gave my graduation speech!
Thanks
Yah, I completely understand. Your Dad needs time to wind down and then sleep. Heck, I can’t work beyond a certain time in the day for the same reason. If I don’t...it’s very hard to get to sleep and sleep well.
McGiever (sp?) and Loni Anderson graduated from my high school, but no special people gave the address.
Thanks for the dose!
Prayers going up!
Prayers to help your friends, snugs. That kind of stress is very difficult to go through. May their honesty show through and help the situation greatly.
Yup, he did and it was great! At least I’ll never forget who gave the speech!
Thank you, Snugs! I love it!!! :)
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