President Bush is an Asshole

There's no way around this conclusion. Dan Froomkin

"Congress joined the Bush Administration for a nice little barbecue on the South Lawn [Tuesday] night. The theme was Mardi Gras, so everybody could enjoy memories of New Orleans being destroyed by the Bush Administration and then pretty much left in that same condition years later....

From the transcript:

"THE PRESIDENT: Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers, right out of New Orleans, Louisiana. (Applause.)

"MR. RUFFINS: Thank you. Thanks for having us. We're glad to be here.

"THE PRESIDENT: Proud you're here. Thanks for coming. You all enjoy yourself. Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over. (Laughter.)"

via Wonkette

A Review of Recent US Death Trends in Iraq

Most people know that more US soldiers are dying than at any previous time in the Iraq war/occupation. 2007 was the deadliest February, March and May, and the second deadliest January and April. June will surely be another grim record-setting month.

542 troops have already died in 2007. In 2006, the 542nd troop died in October. That's one surge no one wants - even the NeoCons. ICCC

This got me thinking about the causes of US deaths. My expectation was that, given the surge, we would see a lot more troops dying in combat operations as they take the fight directly to the enemies. This is what the military has had us expect.

Unfortunately, this presumption doesn't hold up to the facts on the ground. The Brookings Institute tracks the cause of US deaths into broad groups - IEDs, mortars/rockets, RPGs, helicopter losses, other hostile fire (which I presume be to mainly from enemy rifles and guns) and non-hostile causes.

Breaking this down, non-hostile deaths have generally numbered between 5 and 10 per month recently. Mortars/rockets, RPGs, and helicopter losses are very small contributors - one percent or less of total troop losses. (Note that deaths from each of these categories have come way down over time.)

This leaves two categories - IEDs and other hostile fire. Here's the breakdown for the entire war and for the time period from March 1 through June 10.

Percent of US troop fatalities from:

IEDs: Entire War = 39%; March-June 10, 2007: 63%
Other hostile fire: Entire War = 31%; March-June 10, 2007: 28% Brookings

Even through the percent of deaths from non hostile file is slightly down recently, more soldiers are dying from this cause because, well, more soldiers are dying, period. I presume these soldiers are mostly dying fighting the enemy - a point the military brass have been making. I never want to say any death is acceptable, but the point is merely made that these men and women are dying fighting.

On the other hand, the huge increase in IED fatalities is simply unacceptable to me. These soldiers are simply sitting ducks, dying as the drive the roads of Iraq. This is an incredibly tragic outgrowth of the occupation, and I presume, the surge. And it is yet another example of why the surge is failing.

Thinking Blogger Award

I Wish I were in Paris hit me with a Thinking Blogger Award. I am really amazed to have gotten this award since there are literally thousands of excellent sites out there. Even in my little blogging world there are literally dozens and dozens of great sites to choose from. Thanks Paris, I am really honored.

Thinking Blogger has a great idea that has proved to be very popular. Here are the rules that I blatantly copied:

1. If, and only if you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).

Okay, that was the easy part. Now on to the hard part. The five blogs that I have chosen that make me think are:


1. Informed Consent. Professor of Middle East History, Juan Cole is one of the first blogs I read every morning. If you really want insights on the war on Iraq, Sunnis, Shia, Palestinians, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, anything on the Middle East, then this is an absolute must-read. Dr. Cole also translates many Arabic newspaper articles - essential for understanding different points of view in this most volatile land.

2. Another Point of View is blog I highly recommend - just be sure to have had your morning coffee and be prepared to concentrate. Mentarch's posts have many relevant links and references to back up his assertions. He has a typically excellent post today on contrasting priorities of PTSD problems for state department officials in Iraq/Afghanistan and our troops on the ground.

3. Suzie-Q (and the Justice Blog Team) is a prodigious source of politicking punditry. Because there are multiple contributors, they cover a lot of territory. Whether its the mess in Iraq, Big Brother, or jut another rotten CEO, Suzie-Q is on it like stink on BushCo. The site is really well done with a great mix of graphics and pictures. Still, I just can't figure out if the pic of Suzie is real or not. That mystery only adds to the allure.

4. I would be remiss to exclude the newly remodeled Reconstitution 2.0 site. There's always something new and good there. Yesterday's post on the possible collapsing credit bubble still has me thinking. And worrying.

5. Finally, I'm going to give a shout-out to my buddy TomCat at Politics Plus. I first became aware of TomCat about the time we were in on an April Fool's gag with a number of other bloggers. Since then, I try to visit his site every time I'm blogging. TomCat's posts are always interesting and often provocative. He usually has multiple posts every day on a variety of topics near and dear to my heart - bashing BushCo and the vile NeoCons, helping me understand what it means to be a religious liberal (God-hating liberals would be advised to read his posts on this topic - they are real eye-openers), as well as a variety of domestics and international issues. Don't miss his twice-monthly poll.

There are so many other sites I really enjoy, and that's not just some smarmy BS. But the rules say five. Please click on any and all of the links I've blogrolled. I've reviewed each of them multiple times and they all share one thing in common - they are all great!

Hopes for a Political Solution in Iraq Continue to Fade

From the esteemed Juan Cole today:

There is also heavy fighting between Mahdi Army forces and Iraqi government troops in Nasiriya in the south, with British troops allegedly giving some support to the government side. Typically the 'Iraqi government' forces are actually drawn from the Badr Corps and so this is in a way two Shiite militias fighting one another. These clashes have reinforced the determination of the Sadr Movement MPs to suspend their participation in the parliament, which probably therefore lacks a quorum for the rest of the summer. The Sadrists say an agreement has been reached with the governor of Nasiriyah to end the fighing.

At what point do the warmongers say, enough? When does it get so bad to them that the current situation is worse than what the fear might happen?

Two Stories in The Battle for Iraq

Two articles on the battle for Iraq - one from Baquba, the other from the Emerald City. Both are troubling.

1. From the NYT on new tactics being deployed to stop the insurgents - AKA Operation No More Whack-a-Mole:

In more than four years in Iraq, American forces have been confounded by insurgents who have often slipped away only to fight another day. The war in Iraq has been likened to the arcade game of whack-a-mole, where as soon as you knock down one mole another pops up. ...

So the planners of this latest operation are attempting to plug the holes that have allowed the insurgents to escape in the past. The goal is not merely to reclaim western Baquba from insurgent control, but to capture or kill the estimated 300 fighters to 500 fighters who are believed to be based in that part of the city. ...

The problem of collaring the Qaeda fighters is challenging in several respects. Unlike Falluja, where most of the population fled in advance of the battle, thousands of civilians remain in the western section of the city.

I'm no military planner, but waging a pitched battle with civilians present seems to me a recipe for disaster. But I will say, the military is at least trying something different here.

2. The second is a report on the near-daily attacks on the Emerald City. The problem is these attacks are coming from mobile launchers from residential neighborhoods. Security forces are stymied in trying to stop these attacks.

The U.S. military acknowledged ``an increasing pattern of attacks'' against the Green Zone, a day after a mortar barrage against the heavily fortified area sent soldiers and contractors scrambling for cover. ...

Rear Adm. Mark Fox, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, declined to provide details on the number of attacks against the Green Zone, which is also known as the International Zone, but said they were increasing.

``It's clear that there is an attempt to get lucky shots, and there is unquestionably an increasing pattern of attacks here against the International Zone. There's no doubt about that,'' Fox said at a joint news conference with Iraqi military spokesman Qassim al-Moussawi.

Well, Admiral Fox, those "lucky" shots are occurring nearly every day, forcing everyone to run around with flack jackets and helmets. Doesn't seem like things are going particularly well at all

Play the BushCo Anti-Missle Defense Game

Enjoy the game

Here

My Small Thoughts on the English-Only Movement

Given the anti-immigrant hysteria sweeping the right wing, its no surprise the English-only canard is being played again - big time. Now at a certain level, I can understand why folks might want to declare English our national language. Fine, I have no real problem with that. My problem is the racists and bozos who want to declare war on Mexican Americans.

Its time for these dolts to get real and live with fact that lots of people haven't mastered English - particularly adults moving to the US for whom English isn't their primary language. Its really not a big deal to have ballots in Spanish, or health warnings in Vietnamese.

On the other hand, I do have a pet peeve in our schools. I want to say first that I think its fine to have public schools where the instruction is in another language (often Spanish) so long as that foreign language isn't also your primary language.

However, I strongly believe that children who have limited English skills should not be bundled off to classes taught in their native languages. Why? Because more often than not, these classes are taught by someone proficient in a particularly language, but not in the subject(s) being taught. Second, for someone to have real success in this country, you need to learn to speak English well.

The solution: English immersion. For the first six months to a year in American schools, these kids must be put in English immersion classes to master English first. Then they need to be mainstreamed into regular classes - as quickly as possible.

That's my small solution to a rather large problem. I'd be interested to hear other points of view.

Howard Kurtz on Media Critics

Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post and CNN writes today on media critics. I thought this might be an excellent opportunity for some introspection on the torrent of criticism buffeting the MSM today.

Nah, his examples of media critics were Tony Blair, OJ Simpson and Paris Hilton. The article is an introspection-free zone. Too bad; Kurtz has the bully pulpit, but apparently not the chops to take this topic head-on - without the snark.

Iraq: We Aren't Number One Failed State

That dubious honor belongs to the Sudan. Iraq is the number two failed state. FP

There's a Surge in Baghdad Plus a Curfew

But mortars still explode in the Emerald City. here

A most interesting GDP Map of the US

Compares the GDP of each state to a comparable nation. Check it out here

The Day in Sports

In Salt Lake City:

Several Real Salt Lake fans say their right to free speech was violated when stadium and team officials kicked out fans who had refused to stop waving Tibetan flags during Thursday's exhibition game against the Chinese National Team.......The controversy began shortly after halftime, when Chinese players complained about fans displaying Taiwanese and Tibetan flags and a sign that said "6-4," written in Chinese. That sign referred to June 4, 1989, the date of the Chinese government's attack on protesters in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

Members of the Chinese National Team stepped off the field and refused to continue playing unless the flags were put away.

Nice. So much for free speech in this country. And what's with the ultra-sensitive Chinese players? Accounts I've read say the protests were entirely respectful. After all, its not like the US National team playing in Mexico and having to put up with Osama! Osama! chants.

Time and again, baseball proves to be the biggest bunch of assholes in any sport. Of course, there is the insufferable Barry Bonds. Its amazing to me that people even care about home run records anymore.

But the story that irritates me the most in baseball these days is the Bug Selig gonna suspend Jason Giambi unless he talks to George Mitchell saga. Selig is understandably upset that major leaguers have put down the cone of silence around the Mitchell investigation, foiling attempts to understand just how pervasive doping is in baseball. Giambi basically fessed up to using steroids before MLB banned them. Yes, there is a problem, but Selig's solution is patently unfair.

Cycling, The Tour De France - I used to look forward to this event every year. However, this sport is more infested with doping than even baseball (if that's possible). Its a sad spectacle, and I just don't know what to think about Lance Armstrong anymore.

Michael Vick - if the allegations are true, he should be suspended from the NFL for years and thrown in jail. While giving him some benefit of the doubt, does he even begin to understand (or care) just how villainous he appears - especially with his comments in public? This is a guy who was recently considered the next big thing, the sports savior of the City of Atlanta.

But Clinton Portis, what were you thinking about? Me thinks you've taken way too many knocks to the head. He didn't quite stoop the level of Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, but he's certainly on the same staircase to hell.

I used to like sports as an entertaining break from every day troubles and politics. Now, the sports page all too often reads like the front page.

On the good news front, the college football season is only a few months away. Rutgers is my team. For years, Rutgers was an absolute joke, the worst of the worst, and a constant source of ribbing from my buddies. Now Rutgers is a beast in the East. While this makes for great Saturdays, I do worry about the problems that big-time college sports bring - particularly high-profile successful teams. So far, Coach Shiano has done a great job of recruiting kids who are equally good citizens as they are football players. I hope that recent tradition continues.

2008 Presidential Race: Who's Hot and Who's Not

Hot:

Fred Thompson. A pair of polls have the Fred Dalton Thompson campaign doing a Tennessee Waltz. A new Rasumssen poll has Thompson neck-and-neck with Giuliani at 24%. Normally, I might discount a single Ramussen polls (why? here here). However, the latest LAT/Bloomberg poll out also has Thompson over 20% and in second place. And he's not even officially in the race. Yet.

Not

John McCain. McCain's is down to the pre-teens in both polls. Ouch. He might be doing far better in a general election where his independence would be valued. But not in a Reep primary; McCain went after BushCo when it was the King, and then oddly supported BushCo as it become more and more radioactive.


Today's lessons in politics. Not having a recent track record certainly helps. This is especially true for Senators. Or so it seems. It also helps to appear to not be going senile.

The Bees are Back Plus Other Odds and Ends

The bees are back in my yard - big time. They seem a happy lot, too, buzzing all about and doing that pollinating voodoo they do. Its nice, except for the sting my boy got. Here's hoping the bees are back everywhere else, too.

Am I the only person really irritated by Drudge's continued use of the term 'global warming?' Can't he just say 'climate change?' No, that wouldn't be pejorative.

What's it with BushCo and their spokeshead Dubya? I mean, does everything they do automatically have to turn to a wet mushy turd wedged into the sole of your work boots? The latest huge loss for BushCo was on the immigration compromise. Instead of trying elevate the debate, BushCo went and swift-boated their own. The conservatives acted in a way I wish the Dems would do more often - they dug in and returned fusillade for fusillade. (Note to Dems: This is how you fight back. Take a note of it, and try it sometime after recovering from the spinal replacement surgery.)

If its Iraq, then its more mayhem and destruction. Aside from the grisly murders and horrific jihaddi bombers (I am so sick of these fucking nihilists), the insurgents continue their tactics of death to USA by a thousand cuts. Another bridge was taken out. Sadly, three US troops died in the attack. RIP. Anyone else ready to put down the kool-aid and admit the Surge ain't working?

Behind the charismatic veneer, I knew that Mike Huckabee was just another right wing wacko. His comment that most prisoners would prefer to be in Gitmo capped it. Yeah Mikey, I'll just bet these guys just can't wait for some more enhanced interrogation techniques. Plus, the great medical care. Makes their day.

Joe Klein: Nobody Loves Me But My Mother

Joe Klein is feeling a little mopey. The big bad lefty blogosphere has been attacking Joe and he's quite sad. The latest row started when he spoke with Congresswoman Jane Harman about the vote she would be casting on the Iraq War funding bill. Harman was going vote for the bill, but later decided to vote against. Klein spoke with her before she changed her mind and reported she was going to vote for the measure. For that, Klein caught some stick from lefty bloggers.

Klein:

[B]logging ... [is] a brilliant format for keeping readers up to date on the things I care about—and for exchanging information with them. ... But the smart stuff is being drowned out by a fierce, bullying, often witless tone of intolerance that has overtaken the left-wing sector of the blogosphere. ...

[Politicians like Jane Harmon, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama] allowed themselves to be bullied into a more simplistic, more extreme position. Why? Partly because they fear the power of the bloggers to set the debate and raise money against them. They may be right—in the short (primary election) term; Harman faced a challenge from the left in 2006. In the long term, however, kowtowing to extremists is exactly the opposite of what this country is looking for after the lethal radicalism of the Bush Administration.

Klein also equated left wing bloggers with Rush Limbaugh and right-wing hate-talk radio. One one hand, it's a reasonable admonishment; We surely don't want to debase ourselves to the level of our enemies. And Joe does have a point on his writing on Harmon; he probably didn't deserve to be intensely attacked.

For the most part however, the lefty blogs I visit are long on reason and facts - with large dollops of sarcasm and anger. There is an essential difference between the lefty blogs and dolts like Limbaugh - we are infuriated by the lies and manipulations of the Bush Administration and idiot neocons, theocons, paleocons, racists, money-grubbing rip-off artists and all-around protectors of the rich and powerful. Limbaugh, OTOH, asks what color toilet paper and wipes their asses.

Klein knows this difference, or he should know it. I will give Klein the point that we bloggers can be too angry at times (myself included). And with the power of the blogosphere, it may seem like an angry wasp attack.

The rest of Klein's sad story is one big glass of red whine; alas, poor Joe Klein. Klein's problem is his first instinct is to be a stenographer to power. That's okay, except when you are a key writer for a major news weekly. We want facts and investigative reporting, not cocktail party chatter.

Okay, that's maybe too hard on Klein. In some ways, his heart is in the right place. He has come out recently smoking on BushCo. But you know what? So has Limbaugh. So has Peggy Noonan. So has anyone with an IQ north of 50. Klein joined the Bush-bashing party at the same time as the rest of the MSM - and many right wingers, too.

Joe, you are going to continue to take the slings and arrows from the left. You should have been doing gumshoe journalism not cocktail party stenography all along. And I don't give a rat's ass if that offends you. Feel free to hit the ignore button on me and my ilk all the time. The fact of the matter is the elephant in the living room is the MSM's stenography to power.

The elites of MSM are shocked and chagrined to get heaps of criticism from the wasps of the blogosphere. Y''all are simply going to have to get used to it. There's a new sheriff in town and his name is Accountability.

See my post two months ago on Klein.

2008 Presidential contender mojo ratings: June 6, 2007 edition

After three Reep and two Dem debates, its time again to rate the contenders.

Democrats:

Barack Obama 6.6
Hillary Clinton 6.1

According to the latest USA Today/Gallup polling, Hillary and Barack are in a dead-heat. However, the mojo is clearly with Barack.

John Edwards 3.2

I don't see how Edwards is going to close the gap. The right-wing slime machine has jumped all over Edwards (the big house, the haircut, etc), forcing him into playing some defense - and that's always deadly in a political race. The good news for Edwards is there is still a lot of time for him to rebound.

Bill Richardson 0.9

Two chances to elevate himself into the top tier, but didn't do it. He's campaigning for a another cabinet position. Again, there is still time, but the clock is ticking loudly.

Dennis Kucinich 0.8

The darling of many liberals, and understandably so. However, he suffers from something similar that afflicted Howard Dean - his demeanor. It isn't the lack of gravitas, its not even his height or anything like that. I'm having trouble putting my finger on it exactly. Dean was kind of irritating to watch in debate, Kucinch isn't irritating. Maybe its the sense that a Kucinch presidency wouldn't get anything done because he's too idealistic to actually compromise. Maybe its the realization he isn't really trying to win.

Mike Gravel 0.7

Strong on Iraq, but has no base, no way, no shot, no how, never.

Joe Biden 0.4

One word - why? I just don't get the Biden bid at all. Joe, you want secretary of defense in the next administration, you got it. Now, shut up and go away.

Chris Dodd 0.2

His bid is meaningless. I know he's ticked about not getting enough air time in the debate, but no one really cares.

Wild Card - Al Gore 4.9

There's the Tennessee Two that aren't in the race - at least not yet. Tennessee Thompson is all but in, but Big Al Gore is playing coy. Maybe he's in, maybe not. The intrigue is interesting and attractive (what do you mean you might not want to be president?) The difference to me between Al and Fred is that Gore can still manage a big pop if he enters, whereas Fred Dalton (I believe) is at his apex.

I think a Clinton-Obama-Gore-Edwards tussle would be a dream for the dems. I'd like Richardson to still be in the mix due to his resume. Kick the rest out, and let these five barnstorm the country in debate of the issues.


Republicans:

Rudy Giuliani 5.2

Rudy G. continues to hold a strong double digit lead over McCain and Romney. However, he generally tops out around 33% in the polls (McCain and Romney are in the high teens and low teens, respectively). My question is - where does Rudy pick up support when other contenders drop out? Rudy is so far to the left of the other candidates on most social issues, its like he's in another room altogether. The base is getting antsy in a big way over Rudy. I just don't see much more upside for him.

John McCain 3.6

Dead man walking. Disses BushCo when BushCo was at the height of popularity, and latches onto BushCo's butt cheeks as BushCo is circling the toilet. McCain is not only married to BushCo, but to Iraq and the immigration bill. Now, he's cussing a lot. Cue Don Merideth, The party's over.

Mitt Romney 3.1

It would interesting if Romney and Edwards both won the nomination. The could have a coiffe-off debate - winner gets to give a haircut to the loser. Romney is telegenic and bright and has a strong resume (except for foreign policy expertise).

Mike Huckabee 0.9

Mike has a folksy down-to-Earth demeanor that might elevate him past the top three (or four or five (more on Tennessee Jed, er Fred and Newt below). The base is clamoring for something different - a second coming of Dubya without the baggage and hubris. Huckabee could fit the bill.

Ron Paul 0.9

Vive la difference! One has to like Paul because he sets himself so far apart from the rest of the pack. Unfortunately, he suffers from a similar problem that befuddles Kucinch - its that electability thing. Its hard to finger, but there it is. Paul has no hope, we know and he knows it.

Sam Brownback 0.4

Brownback proves true why Senators should not run for president. I believe he's been lapped by Huckabee in the race to vault from second tier to first tier.

Duncan Hunter 0.3

Hunter has no chance and he knows it. The question remains: What is driving this guy. Ego?

Jim Gilmore 0.2

This guy is not impressive. The Reeps would be well-serve to eliminate Gilmore from future debates, if only to give the other candidates some more time.

Tom Tancredo 0.2

Its just too hard to out-hate your opponents in a Republican battle for president. Tancredo is not quite ready for prime-time.

Tommy Thompson 0.1

Simply terrible. He's had three debate opportunities and hasn't shown presidential timber. This guy is meat.

Wild Card - Fred Thompson 3.5

Fred will enter the race slightly ahead of Mitt Romney. He adds some flair to the race, as I expect him to be strong in debate due to his long acting career (I don't mean that in a cynical way; its just that he's had lots of opportunity to hone his speaking skills.) Thompson will run as a limited government Reaganite, a pretty good place to land. He has some potential upside - maybe a lot of upside. We just won't know until until after a few debates and policy speeches as an official candidate.

Wild Card - Newt Gingrich 2.8

Newt may join the race, or maybe he won't. Newt claims he wants to elevate the debate. That's all fine, but Gingrich carries some heavy political baggage. His recent row with Tom DeLay certainly doesn't tag Gingrich as the great uniter of the party. I would be interested to have Gingrich on the stage with six other Reeps - Giuliani, McCain, Romney, Fred Thompson, Huckabee and Paul (I only add Paul because he brings such a different point of view than all of the other candidates). That might be a bit crowded.

Revolt's Crystal Ball - Looking to January 1, 2008

I anticipate some candidates dropping out due to a combination of fatigue, realization they can't win, lack of funds and being excluded from debates. By the end of the year, the top three dems will still be in. Kucinich is in because he's running on issues, not to win. I would love to see Al Gore enter the race, if only to energize the debates.

On the Reep side, things are more complicated. Giuliani will be in for a long time because he can compete in the big states. I think either McCain or Romney drops out. From there it gets messy. Does Gingrich stay in all the way to the convention with his five to ten percent support? Can the minor candidates stick around? Will Fred Thompson blast off like a rocket. My crystal ball says that Giuliani, Romney, Fred Thompson, Newt, Huckabee, Paul and Tancredo are still standing January 1st, and the rest are with the dead armadillos.

Maybe the Polls Might Help the Dems Grow a Spine

From a recent WaPo/ABC national survey, as reported by Mystery Pollster on Pollster.com:

35% approve of the way President Bush is handling his job; 62% disapprove.

39% approve of the way Congress is doing its job; 53% disapprove.

Approval of the Democrats in Congress has dropped from 54% to 44% since April -- "with the decline occurring almost exclusively among strong opponents of the Iraq War."

From the poll results (formatted for readability):

[Do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not?

Worth Fighting
Strongly - 24
Somewhat - 12

Not Worth Fighting
Somewhat - 12
Strongly - 50

Do you think the number of U.S. military forces in Iraq should be (increased), (decreased), or kept about the same?

Increased - 19
Decreased - All/Immediately - 15
Decreased - Not All/Not Immediately - 40
Kept About the Same - 23

Do you think the United States is or is not making significant progress toward restoring civil order in Iraq?

Is - 32
Is Not - 64

Do you think [the recent] increase of U.S. forces [to Iraq] will or will not improve the security situation there over the next few months?

Will - 39
Will not - 58

Do you think (the United States must win the war in Iraq in order for the broader war on terrorism to be a success), or do you think (the war on terrorism can be a success without the United States winning the war in Iraq?)

US must win war in Iraq - 37
Can be a success without US winning war in Iraq - 56

Overall, do you feel that you can or cannot trust the Bush administration to honestly and accurately report intelligence about security threats facing the United States?

Can - 38
Cannot - 60

How is the Baghdad Surge Doing - Three Months In?

Not well. IHT

[An internal] American [military] assessment, completed in late May, found that American and Iraqi forces were able to "protect the population" and "maintain physical influence over" only 146 of the 457 Baghdad neighborhoods.

In the remaining 311 neighborhoods, troops have either not begun operations aimed at rooting out insurgents or still face "resistance," according to the one-page assessment, which was provided to The New York Times and summarized reports from brigade and battalion commanders in Baghdad.

At what point does accountability get factored into the occupation equation?

Iraq Today: Over Four Million Displaced

This is an amazingly depressing statistic - the UN estimates that over four million Iraqis have been displaced since the US invasion - two million within Iraq, and an even greater number to neighboring states. Even despicable and depraved Saddam Hussein could only bring about a fraction of this carnage. At what point does BushCo finally give in to their pride and admit the cure is worse than the disease? United Nations

According to government figures, some 1.4 million Iraqis are now displaced in Syria, up to 750,000 in Jordan, 80,000 in Egypt and some 200,000 in the Gulf region. Syria alone receives a minimum of 30,000 Iraqis a month.

If you are wondering how many displaced Iraqis the US is bringing in, the answer is not much (around 7,000).

WaPo

Peggy Noonan - Where's All the Love Gone?

Peggy Noonan ripped into BushCo and Dubya big time on the Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal recently. I was really shocked as the WSJOJ has consistently fellated BushCo for the last six years (oops, that's a bud pun - the kind that might get a guy impeached). She wrote June 1, 2007:

What political conservatives and on-the-ground Republicans must understand at this point is that they are not breaking with the White House on immigration. They are not resisting, fighting and thereby setting down a historical marker--"At this point the break became final." That's not what's happening. What conservatives and Republicans must recognize is that the White House has broken with them. ...

For almost three years, arguably longer, conservative Bush supporters have felt like sufferers of battered wife syndrome. You don't like endless gushing spending, the kind that assumes a high and unstoppable affluence will always exist, and the tax receipts will always flow in? Too bad! You don't like expanding governmental authority and power? Too bad. You think the war was wrong or is wrong? Too bad.

But on immigration it has changed from "Too bad" to "You're bad."

Wow, them's some harsh words. Let's play the way back machine to see what Peggy's been saying over the years. January 31, 2002:

In the old days elite opinion held that Mr. Bush was a scripted trust-fund dullard whose rise was greased by luck and birth. Those were the days. Those of us who stood with Mr. Bush then were a small and hardy band of criticized contrarians. It was fun. We had secret handshakes and everything. Now everyone's in on the act. ...

[T]hose who once dismissed Mr. Bush and now praise him are demonstrating an honesty and high mindedness that is wonderful to behold after the sapping, sour 1990s. It really is refreshing--literally refreshing--to have a president people admire and can follow cleanly again.

January 30, 2003 (Commenting on the SOTU):

Mr. Bush seems uniquely resolved to be as courageous as the times require and as helpful as they allow. There is a profound authenticity to him, and a fearlessness too.

A steady hand on the helm in high seas, a knowledge of where we must go and why, a resolve to achieve safe harbor. More and more this presidency is feeling like a gift.

November 4, 2004 (Commenting on Dubya's re-election; I would have substituted
'millionaires' for 'than a million', but what the heck):

The leaders of the Bush effort see it this way: A ragtag band of more than a million Republican volunteers who fought like Washington's troops at Valley Forge beat the paid Hessians of King George III's army. Savor.

By 2006, the strains had become more obvious February 2, 2006:

The president's State of the Union Address will be little noted and not long remembered. There was a sense that he was talking at, not to, the country. ... [The speech wasn't] precisely a pudding without a theme, but a thin porridge.

You can see the wheels start to come off in the Spring of last year May 18, 2006:

I continue to believe the administration's problem is not that the base lately doesn't like it, but that the White House has decided it actually doesn't like the base. That's a worse problem. It's hard to fire a base. Hard to get a new one.

Thus, we see the full evolution of Peggy Noonan's views. By the way, don't cry for her; she's gone back to fellating the corpse of the Gipper. But I would ask her, Peggy, how could you be so fucking wrong?

The Way Back Quote Machine Goes to .... November 2006

Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki:

I can say that Iraqi forces will be ready, fully ready to receive this command and to command its own forces, and I can tell you that by next June [2007] our forces will be ready[.]

Right out of the BushCo playbook. Make a statement, and figure no one is going to look back and hold your to it.