Yahoo News Photos: Plastic Action Figure Bush lissnin' to the Generals on the GROUND, Stretch...

[Amerigo Vespucci]

President George W. Bush meets General David Petraeus, the top U.S. Commander in Iraq, upon his arrival at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, September 3, 2007. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Monday, just a week before his top officials in Baghdad present pivotal testimony to Congress that could influence future policy on the war. (Jason Reed/Reuters)



President George W. Bush looks at a map of Iraq during a briefing upon his arrival at Al-Asad air base in Anbar Province, Iraq, September 3, 2007. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Monday in a bid to seize the upper hand in a looming showdown with congressional war critics pressing him to begin a troop withdrawal. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

"I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO f**ked...'greet us as liberators' my ASS..."



President George W. Bush speaks with a marine during is visit to the Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, September 3, 2007. (Reuters)



President George W. Bush meets with General David Petraeus, the top U.S. Commander in Iraq, upon Bush's arrival at Al-Asad air force base in Anbar Province, Iraq, September 3, 2007. Bush made a surprise visit to Iraq on Monday, just a week before his top officials in Baghdad present pivotal testimony to Congress that could influence future policy on the war. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

Petraeus: And you see that foxhole over there, Mr. President? That's where I buried the last of my self-respect.

Bush: Yer doin' a heck of a job, Petty...



Also along for the ride: Plastic Action Figure Condi.

[acmavm]

1. Of course bush** looks like the ridiculous opportunist that he is but

WHY THE HELL does Rice drag her purse everywhere she goes? Does she have some secret weapon in there in case they're attacked? Some of Colon's anthrax and a sling shot maybe?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. I've got the answer to that question...

...please take a look at this DU thread I posted yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3492521&mesg_id=3492521

Rice is trying to "salvage her legacy," which she feels has been "tainted" by Iraq. So it makes perfect sense in light of the NYT article quoted in the thread that she'd be wherever the cameras are.

:toast:

[flpoljunkie]

2. Remember Petraeus wrote this op-ed touting progress in Iraq right before the election in '04

General Petraeus is Bush's "next Colin Powell" as Paul Krugman wrote in his column today--a useful tool to sell more death and destruction in Iraq.

Battling for Iraq
By David H. Petraeus

Sunday, September 26, 2004

BAGHDAD -- Helping organize, train and equip nearly a quarter-million of Iraq's security forces is a daunting task. Doing so in the middle of a tough insurgency increases the challenge enormously, making the mission akin to repairing an aircraft while in flight -- and while being shot at. Now, however, 18 months after entering Iraq, I see tangible progress. Iraqi security elements are being rebuilt from the ground up.

The institutions that oversee them are being reestablished from the top down. And Iraqi leaders are stepping forward, leading their country and their security forces courageously in the face of an enemy that has shown a willingness to do anything to disrupt the establishment of the new Iraq.

In recent months, I have observed thousands of Iraqis in training and then watched as they have conducted numerous operations. Although there have been reverses -- not to mention horrific terrorist attacks -- there has been progress in the effort to enable Iraqis to shoulder more of the load for their own security, something they are keen to do. The future undoubtedly will be full of difficulties, especially in places such as Fallujah. We must expect setbacks and recognize that not every soldier or policeman we help train will be equal to the challenges ahead.

Nonetheless, there are reasons for optimism. Today approximately 164,000 Iraqi police and soldiers (of which about 100,000 are trained and equipped) and an additional 74,000 facility protection forces are performing a wide variety of security missions. Equipment is being delivered. Training is on track and increasing in capacity. Infrastructure is being repaired. Command and control structures and institutions are being reestablished.

Most important, Iraqi security forces are in the fight -- so much so that they are suffering substantial casualties as they take on more and more of the burdens to achieve security in their country. Since Jan. 1 more than 700 Iraqi security force members have been killed, and hundreds of Iraqis seeking to volunteer for the police and military have been killed as well.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49283-2004Sep25.html

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. 2nd pic: Is this the US? I think I see Crawford on this here map.

(It's hard work tryin' to look presidential-like and all learned like 'naw-legible 'bout stuff and all)

[HowHasItComeToThis]

4. I notice that NO SOLDIERS EXCEPT OFFICERS ARE SMILING

I DON'T THINK THEY LIKE GEORGIE

[sarge43]

6. They're window dressing and they know it.

They may/may not like George; they definitely don't like being there.

[seasat]

7. The "Danger Stay Back" sign is classic

The surge is working but we still have to keep the appreciative Iraqis away from our military vehicles? Probably afraid our military personnel will get smothered by all the flowers thrown at them. Maybe it was just put there for * so a soldier wouldn't "accidentally" back over him.

[dipsydoodle]

8. See pic.2 ....that same look of of

I wonder if they've hit the second tower yet.

[Phrogman]

9. I used to have a belt like chimpys wearing, it came with a pair of cap guns..

and a cowboy hat with a string.

[TomInTib]

10. The asshat is in theater and yucking it up like a clown, except...

in the pic where he cannot recognize the country on the map.

Well, guess what, mofo?

I am having a tough time recognizing mine, too.