If you believed in any way that Iraqi forces were ready to take control

[bigtree]

". . . we're striking terrorist targets, and at the same time, training Iraqis which are becoming increasingly capable of carrying the fight to the enemy. Our strategy in Iraq is, as the Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down.' -Bush addresses American Legion February 24

Breaking News Sat. February 25, 2006

Iraqi Force Downgraded, Needs U.S. Help

Feb 25, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- There are no Iraqi military battalions operating without U.S. help after the sole capable battalion was downgraded after a Pentagon review.

The battalion was touted as an example of progress in training Iraqi troops by U.S. officials, including President Bush.

But CNN reports the 800-member battalion has been downgraded from "level 1" which means operating alone, to "level 2" which requires U.S. support.

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/breakingnews/article_2128165.shtml

[Maraya1969]

1. This is such a frigging shame. I feel bad for the Iraq people and for

our soldiers over there. It was all so unavoidable.

[babylonsister]

2. Or avoidable, by not invading in the

first place. :grr:

[slor]

3. You mean "avoidable" right?

I am sure you do, just wanted to mention it.

[Maraya1969]

8. Yea Unavoidable. I get tired of my word mistakes.

:argh: I seem to always put the wrong words in so the spell checker doesn't catch them. I think it is ADD.

[mdmc]

4. sure

bath ruled iraq for a long time:kick:

[bigtree]

5. It make a lie of the image of a sovereign Iraq that Bush wants to sell

with our soldiers serving as muscle for one side (the Shiite-dominated authority) of their civil war. The Batthists were kicked out by Rumsfeld after the invasion and brought back to serve in the militias and run for office.

It's hard to see Bush's goal In Iraq and the region as anything other than spreading chaos, not democracy.

[salin]

6. Does bush even know?

this idiot frat boy with the temperament of a python, and the ego of a megalomaniac is so cloistered from reality - do we think he even has an inkling of the unfolding events in Iraq of the past couple of days? Has there even been a so unconcerned Commander in Chief? Esp such a malevolent one who took on a war of choice and then paid no attention?

[bigtree]

7. Rove feeds him his lines and he (barely) delivers them

The only concern they have is how to spin it to maintain their imagined roles as protagonists in all of this. No matter what the outcome we can count on a flowery litany of how much Bush has done for us and Iraq, and how safe he's keeping us by continuing his wars.