The "Early Handover,"...was it because of F/911?

[Dinger]

Fahrenheit 9/11 opens, and then idiot boy uses this to try and stop the bleeding at the polls? Too bad, but the impact of F 9/11 is too powerful to be affected by this fake bullshit "handover". You stupid bastard bu$h, you didn't actually think this would work, did you?

[Soup Bean]

1. I don't think polls had much to do with the early handover.

I am surprised we did it, though. It's pretty surprising. There's no way the Administration could have used the ceremonies for political gain, since the possibilities of bombs going off during a to-do would be high.

They probably did the right thing by doing this today. However, it can't be spun as anything but a major embarassment for the neo-cons. I'm not sure Bush is listening to those guys as closely as he did, and he probably wishes he could get rid of them all. Of course, I'm giving him WAY too much credit for awareness, but whatever.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. I doubt it.

I heard it was at Brahimi's request, and for security reasons (feeling that attacks were planned for the 29th & 30th).

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. of course...

they'd much rather spin the attacks as being against the Iraqi people and not against US. Who would want to hurt us, after all... I mean, aren't we getting those flowers thrown at our feet??? :shrug:

[Joe Fields]

4. You're kidding, right?

[MaggieSwanson]

5. Sure took Michael Moore off the headlines, didn't it.

And I hope our troops can come home NOW.

[radfringe]

9. some troops will be coming home

but according to news reports in the past month -- more troops are being sent there

one report said that troops stationed in S. Korea are being sent to Iraq, and more are being activated and reactivated from the U.S.

Net result is an INCREASE in the number of troops in Iraq

I expect (for an October surprise) that bush* will announce a "start" of withdrawal from Iraq after the Iraqi election

[no name no slogan]

20. I was just thinking about that too,

It sure got people distracted from the fact that F911 had a $20mil openning weekend, and is now the most successful documentary in film history.

It may not be completely unintentional, but it sure smells bad, imho.

:hi:

[gulliver]

6. They wanted to reduce risk, IMO.

They "snuck it in" without fanfare to take the spotlight off of June 30. You can bet the insurgents have (or had) major plans for that date.

[MoonRiver]

7. I think *'s desperation is really showing.

He's trying to do whatever he can to get the heat off. Won't work though. There's too much heat coming from too many directions. :D

[radfringe]

8. if the handover was 2 weeks ago

BEFORE the film opened -- I'd put on my :tinfoilhat: and possibly agree

but 2 days before the "deadline" -- don't think so -- especially since the handover didn't have the big fanfare and 'mission accomplished' banners

this was done very quietly and amazingly subdued

bush* is backing Iraqi-puppets on martial law -- that tells me that more attacks and probably a civil war is anticipated. If there was some big fanfare and banners -- bush* will have even more egg on his face when/if Iraq erupts.

rove won't make the "mission accomplished" mistake twice

[spooky3]

10. The problems that existed Sunday still exist.

The Iraqis will not be assuming full responsibility for security, infrastructure rebuilding, etc., and our troops remain. Therefore, we can expect to see the same kinds of stories coming from Iraq indefinitely, that we have seen for months, IMHO.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. Someone posted in GD that Fineman said it was a factor...

on "Hardball" last night.

[TexasSissy]

12. I think it's because they think the marine would be beheaded on handover

day, stealing their thunder. And other security/news concerns.

[rasputin1952]

13. In all honesty, I think this is one of the few intelligent moves...

this admin has made. I don't think it had anything to do w/F911, and had everything to do with security. June 30th was/will be a day of attacks regardless, (everyday is a day of attacks over there anyway), and by jumping ahead 2 days, it sets the stage to have some pretense of responsibility of the Iraqi gov't for what happens.

Unbelievably, this administration seems to have done something right for once. This is precisely what I would have done.

[TexasSissy]

22. I agree. They finally did something right. Must've been the Iraqis' sugg

suggestion.

[shivaji]

23. You are exactly right........as usual, may I say?

and my guess is Bush will make many more desperation
moves before the november election to extricate himself
from the Iraq adventure. Just watch! And don't be
surprised if Osama is found 2 weeks before election.

[yellowcanine]

14. Main reason was Bremer wanted to get his sorry ass out of Dodge before

sundown on June 30. No doubt he knows the "freedom haters" have big plans for that day.

[Lefty Pragmatist]

15. No.

Fighting hard against these s.o.b.'s also means telling the truth when they do the right thing.

They did the right thing. Unfortunately, it won't mean any fewer people get killed over there -- the crazies are merrily blowijg themselves, their neighbors, and us up even as we type.

On Day 1 the Iraqis announced they are taking custody of Saddam and the other Big Ten; that will be interesting, because it should draw a very sharp distinction between the remaining pro-Baathists (who give a damn) and the al Quaeda/fellow travelers (who would just assume have Saddam's head on the next spike over from Rumsfeld and Brittany Spears).

[cletusvandamme]

16. wasn't about Fahrenheit

It was about controlling the media coverage of NATO and stopping the media from talking about US casualties up to the handoff. It was a great strategic move. I don't think the administration fears Moore at all. His movie is garbage propaganda. You should go to slate and read what chris hitchens had to say about it.

We should rally around the Iraqi people now though.

[JVS]

17. Welcome to DU Cletus.

I'm sure you'll have lots of fun on this board.

Edited: hahaha, you got banned.

[cletusvandamme]

18. Thanks

I hope so. This place seem to control the right-wing trolls that ruin all of the other forums I have posted in.

[Bridget Burke]

19. Why don't you rally around the Iraqi people?

I hear they're throwing flowers!

[Still_Loves_John]

21. If it was two weeks early instead of two days

you would have a case, but honestly, it was gonna happen two days later anyways. What kind of difference does that make? It makes a whole lot more sense to me that they did it to prevent an attack on June 30.