Marking the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war, President Bush will deliver a speech today at the Pentagon defending his decision to wage war. According to excerpts,
Bush said the war’s “high cost in lives and treasure” have been “necessary” and that the war’s successes are “undeniable.” http://video1.washingtontimes.com/fishwrap/2008/03/excerpts_from_bush_speech_tomo.html March 18, 2008 4:58 p.m. PT
Iraq War: A colossal failure
We could think of a million words to describe the war but it takes a twisted mind to see it as a "successful endeavor."SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
Nearly five years into a war that might drag on for decades, Vice President Dick Cheney visited Iraq and declared, "If you look back on those five years, it has been a difficult, challenging but nonetheless successful endeavor." Really, Mr. Vice President? How so?
About 4,000 American troops have died since our baseless invasion of Iraq, and the Department of Veterans Affairs is overwhelmed by the sheer volume and dire condition of wounded soldiers who manage to return alive.
Conservative estimates hold that nearly 80,000 Iraqi civilians have died, but a study published in 2006, which included those who have died of disease and other issues related to the war, indicated that 650,000 Iraqis had perished. About 2 million of the country's population has been internally displaced while 2.5 million have left Iraq.
Our presence in Iraq has hindered our ability to fight the good fight in Afghanistan and the $12 billion-per-month costs of remaining in Iraq have no doubt left our government in a tough spot in dealing with our current economic woes.
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