The Petraeus Report

[hm0504]

For those who missed it, here's the summary in four words: "Iraq good; Iran bad."

[NudeAl]

That sums it up nicley. I would say Iraq so so Iran very bad.

[usmc1]

Ask the Iraqis how's it going and the answer you get is, "not exactly sublime".

One very interesting stat in this very in-depth report and analysis: In March 50% of Iraqis condoned attacks on Americans...now the number has risen to 57%. Something is surging, alright!

There's more. All dismal and sad for our poor country.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/9/10/171447/114

[nacktman]

Originally posted by hm0504:
For those who missed it, here's the summary in four words: "Iraq good; Iran bad."

Concise and to the point.
I like that in a summary.
http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/applause.gif

Although, I tend to believe 'Iraq (not so)Good' is a wee tad more accurate

[S.M.A.]

It's somewhat encouraging news, but at least now we can gradually start pulling out.

-Stu http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif

[usmc1]

Originally posted by S.M.A.:
It's somewhat encouraging news, but at least now we can gradually start pulling out.

-Stu http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif

Well that is one perspective, and probably valid to a point. But, I wouldn't count on an significant force reduction in a long while to come, if ever--in our life time.

The fact that our hard-working, brave and dedicated military has made some advances is a testament to the quality of the troops, not much of anything else.

But, after all the lives, money, energy and work that has been pumped into Iraq since our preemptroy invasion and occupation one really wants a bit more than some neighborhoods have been pacified and some groups hate Al Quida more than they hate us. That is not encouraging progress.

And this persistant "surge" shell game of delaying rotation and extending service to make it appear as a force increase now followed by the implicit promise of a "force reduction" to pre-surge levels is some of the most cynical horse crap that I have ever witnessed. It's a screaming shame that there are still people out there buying it.

[hm0504]

Sure, we can have troop reductions because, for all intents and purposes, the insurgents have succeeded in completing most of their ethnic cleansing and becoming the de facto civil society ("civil" not being used in the sense of polite). The insurgents essentially own Iraq and America can do little than watch its little remaining influence trickle away. For more info on America's position in Iraq:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_an_Elephant

Thank goodness Iran is on the horizon (in both the geographical and temporal senses) to distract us.

[Naturist Mark]

While General Petraeus was lying about conditions in Iraq, Capitol police were arresting people who were waiting quietly in line to attend the hearing.

The arrest and assault of Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. was caught on video. Police apparently didn't like his button that read "I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ", so when he reached the front of the line they stopped him and began letting the people behind him enter. He told the officers blocking his ability to enter the room, that he was waiting in line with everyone else and had the right to enter as well. When they threatened him with arrest he responded with “I will not be arrested today.” According to witnesses, six capitol police, without warning, “football tackled” him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiradcejA6o

Rev. Yearwood has been charged with disorderly conduct and assaulting a police officer, even though the video clearly shows that it was the officers who were disorderly and who assaulted him without warning.

Rev. Yearwood was injured in the attack and has a broken leg.

h/t C&L (http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/09/11/rev-lennox-yearwood-arrested-at-petraeus-hearing/)

-Mark

[usmc1]

Mark, please be aware that activists and community organizers are often charged with AAPO, Aggravated Assault On A Police Officer, after being "roughed up" as a pre-emptive ploy to shift the burden of proof onto the person beaten down and away from the police use of excess force.

It is a very serious criminal charge requiring good lawyers to fight. Thankfully, in today's environments we are able to use small handheld video devises to record these confrontations.

The liklihood is that the "deal" will be a withdrawing of charges against the victim if he agrees not to seek punitve damages or "abuse" claims against the police and not to come on federal property in the future.

In such cases, even "winning" for the victim is a loss.

The cops and thugs win! They've muzzled a citizen. They've stiffled dissent. And they've frustrated the Constitution.

[usmc1]

Latest Update: Americans Still Want Out
Despite Petraeus Shuffle & Bush B.S.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20843299/print/1/displaymode/1098/

[Naturist Mark]

Originally posted by Naturist Mark:
While General Petraeus was lying about conditions in Iraq, Capitol police were arresting people who were waiting quietly in line to attend the hearing.

Well it happened again. An honors student at a John Kerry talk in Florida was the very last in line to ask a question, and was rather forceful in asking his 3 questions in the short time allotted him. What he was not was violent, off subject, or in any way inciting violence. Not good enough for the police who dragged him away while Kerry said it's OK, I'll answer his questions. The kid very understandably was asking what he did wrong, and tried several times to shake off the hands grabbing him.

He was apparently unaware that in the United States it is illegal to not do anything that a police officer tells you to do. I'm not kidding. For not shutting up and for not stopping his asking for a reason for his arrest, he was tasered while being held on the ground completely under the control of at least 5 officers.

The auditorium was full of cameras, cell phones, and news video. The events were covered from every angle.

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaiWCS10C5s&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ecrooksandliars%2Ecom%2F)

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NWukZhsiBw&mode=related&search=)

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJbh2MlNHug&mode=related&search=)

Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkjyKDtbCcI&NR=1)

John Kerry has released a statement (http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/09/students-rally-.html) condemning the arrest of Andrew Meyer. Unfortunately he didn't order the police to unhand the boy at the beginning - Kerry could have stopped it.

There was no reason for Meyer to be removed by the police. He was not out of order or breaking any law. Senator Kerry was not in peril and was trying to respond to the student. The only incitement to violence was by the police - who need to be charged for disorderly conduct and assault.

Andrew Meyer is only guilty of not immediately obeying the unlawful orders of a police officer.

The First Amendment is dead.

-Mark

[Naturist Mark]

<body>
<h3><a
href="http://www.gregpalast.com/bushs-fake-sheik-whacked-the-surge-and-the-al-qaeda-bunny/"
rel="bookmark"
title="Permanent Link to "Bush’s Fake Sheik Whacked: <br />The Surge and the Al Qaeda Bunny</br>"">Bush’s
Fake Sheik Whacked: The Surge and the Al Qaeda Bunny</a></h3>
September 17th, 2007 in Articles (http://www.gregpalast.com/section/articles/)
<div class="itemtext"> A special investigative report from inside Iraq
http://www.gregpalast.com/wp-content/uploads/aleqm5je71bwp-dxgjrhwkifa5o8-oum1q.jpegby Greg Palast




<div style="text-align: left;">Monday, September 17, 2007-
Did you see George all choked up? In his surreal TV talk on Thursday,
he got all emotional over the killing by Al Qaeda of Sheik Abu Risha,
the leader of the new Sunni alliance with the US against the insurgents
in Anbar Province, Iraq.
Bush shook Abu Risha’s hand two weeks ago for the cameras. Bush can
shake his hand again, but not the rest of him: Abu Risha was blown away
just hours before Bush was to go on the air to praise his new friend.
Here’s what you need to know that NPR won’t tell you.




1. Sheik Abu Risha wasn’t a sheik.


2. He wasn’t killed by Al Qaeda.


3. The new alliance with former insurgents in Anbar is as fake as the
sheik - and a murderous deceit.




How do I know this? You can see the film - of “Sheik” Abu Risha, of the
guys who likely whacked him and of their other victims.




Read the rest HERE (http://www.gregpalast.com/bushs-fake-sheik-whacked-the-surge-and-the-al-qaeda-bunny/)



Watch the Video Report:



Part One (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naJQc6vFlFY)<span
style="text-decoration: underline;">

</span>Part Two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsQ6twcWevY)

</div>
</div>
</body>