Bush eating words on war's end

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-edt-sweet11.html

<snip>Here's some of the testy exchange:

Wolfowitz: You say we didn't plan for when the war was over. The problem is that the war isn't over. The problem is that the Baathist regime . . .

Kennedy: You mean, in spite of the president's statement out on that aircraft carrier, when he made his statement, you're saying now the war . . .

Wolfowitz: Go back and read the statement, senator . . .

Kennedy: I listened to it. I heard the statement.

Wolfowitz: He said . . .

Kennedy: I saw that banner that was there.

Wolfowitz: He said it was the end of major combat operations, which indeed it was.

Kennedy: OK. Now you distinguish between the end of major combat and the war isn't over. That's very interesting for service men and women that are out there, very interesting.''

more

[ComerPerro]

1. And they have the nerve to call us "revisionist historians"

Because we point out their lies.

Bush never said "major combat operations".

He said "Mission accomplished" and the White House celebrated the end of the war.

[Brian Sweat]

2. Did he say "major" combat.

I thought they added that after the fact.

[NNN0LHI]

3. It was added after the fact n/t

[ComerPerro]

4. No he never said it

It was added in, you are correct. But the past is always being rewritten by Republicans.

[papau]

6. He both did - and did not say it - Huge sign said "Mission Accomplished"

His/staff opening remarks include only "Mission Accomplished".

But prepared speech at 8 pm said major combat missions have ended and mission accomplished.

[Cha]

16. Still ....it still Major over there in a Big Way!

They can't control it and they haven't gotten any power back on as far as I know.

[papau]

5. Today Admin folks saying on TV that Saddam was a WMD - he was

so evil!

sigh.....

[birdy1969]

13. And they have not found him either.

incompetance ...

[grytpype]

17. Getting crazier and crazier all the time.

Bush is not going to last until 2004. He will resign. You read it here first.

[Warren Stuart]

7. I think I can help, we should color code combat

Run of the mill combat - yellow
Urban combat - orange
Guerilla combat - orange
kinda major combat - red orange (yes this is a color, it's in my crayon box)
Major Combat - Red
Thermonuclear War - Oops games over, who let N. Korea play anyway?

[ewagner]

9. Perfect!

You put it in terms dubya could understand....even told him what colors to look for in his crayon box!!!!!!

:) :P :9

[sistersofmercy]

8. I saw wolfowitz say that, here's the lowdown on why the change..

By declaring an end to only major combat operations it by no means they're declaring an end to combat operations otherwise they'd have to formally declare an occupation which has different Geneva conventions that apply to POW's. This way they do the texas two step around international law.

[myomy]

12. Why does the media let these crippled assholes do a two step of any kind?

.

[sistersofmercy]

14. I wish I knew! I wish they'd expose how this admin has total

disregard for international laws pertaining to humane treatment. My guess is this little two step their doing is why germany and france are in part scoffing at their UN resolution.

[gratuitous]

10. I saw a clip of that on the news

I just hope it means that there is now going to be some scrutiny and some well-earned skepticism out of the Senate and the House next time Chimpy sends one of his minions up Capitol Hill crying wolf. Because my fear is that after little low-grade grilling and making imps like Wolfowitz squirm, we'll be back to business as usual: "Another $87 billion George? On top of this year's $600 billion deficit? Sure! No problem. You sure $87 billion is enough? Well, don't worry, there's more if you need it."

[sistersofmercy]

11. The change controversy has to do with what was written on an

official website. Apparently on an official website of either bush or the DoD it was written that combat operations were over which equates to the war being over. Thus they would be forced to declare an occupation and abide by Genenva Conventions for POW's during an occupation. Some of the differences are UN access to POW facility and a charge or release clause.

[Resistance Is Futile]

15. War vs occupation

The bigger issue with declaring the war over is that due process must be granted to a population under occupation. Once a war is over, anyone, for instance, found to be carrying weapons must be treated as a criminal rather than simply be shot on sight. Needless to say this would severely crimp the style of the American occupation forces in Iraq.