Pentagon voices optimism on Iraq situation

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3416465a12,00.html

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said on Monday there was reason for optimism in Iraq despite what it called the "tough reality" of a war in which insurgent violence rages unabated and the US military death toll approaches 2000.

Two-and-a-half years after American-led forces invaded Iraq to oust President Saddam Hussein, US officials tout political progress - saying every important milestone has been achieved including a draft constitution - and the steady building of Iraqi security forces.

But some defence experts, saying insurgencies like this one can take years to unfold, argued the conflict had become a military stalemate and expressed concern about civil war. They also said an erosion in US public support for the war should be a worrisome development for President George W Bush.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita urged people not to gauge the war based on the volume of rebel bombings. "That's not a good way to determine how good or bad things are going - by (counting) how many things are exploding," Di Rita said.

Yea boys things are really shaping up over there

[jimshoes]

1. All things considered Lawrence,

I'd say the number of bombings is a fair indicator of how things are going.

[MadisonProgressive]

2. Apologies to the Byrds

To everything
(Spin, spin, spin)
There is a season
(Spin, spin, spin)
And a time to every purpose
Under Heaven

A time to lie, a time to hate
A time to face Katrina too late
A time lie some more on Iraq
A time for more treasonous lies out of Bushco

[Supersedeas]

3. will DiRita ever face reality--Victoria Clark should be proud--no red flag