How's That (Surge) Working Out?

[ProSense]

How's That Working Out?

Back in January, President Bush gave a nationally-televised speech laying out his "new" Iraq strategy, known as The Surge (or, alternately: The Same ... Only More Of It). We're now 6 months on, an appropriate time to look back on his words. Remember, he did this against the advice of the large majority of the uniformed military and with the support of Congressional Republicans. In his speech he said:

Our troops will have a well-defined mission: to help Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs.

In an article headlined Iraq outposts plan may be flawed, the LATimes reports:

The neighborhood outposts that the U.S. military launched with great fanfare in Baghdad early this year were supposed to put more American patrols on the streets and make residents feel safer. But some soldiers stationed at the posts and Iraqis who live nearby say they are doing the opposite. <...>

"I just know it's not much different than it was seven months ago," said one junior officer in east Baghdad. "We are retaking the same ground every day."

more

Violent weekend in Iraq kills over 220 (more)

Cost of war: $12 billion dollars a month (nearly $3 billion per week)

Soldiers are dying for real so Congress needs to pass an Iraq bill with real consequences

The path to Kerry-Feingold, the withdrawal debate began nearly two years ago.

[Redstone]

1. Excellent question. Recommended.

Redstone

[Buzz Clik]

2. "We are retaking the same ground every day."

Gee... what does that remind me of?

Lots of folks on Kos recognize this...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/7/8/13554/42010

[Jacobin]

3. Hey, the surge just started

give it some time.

That's what Tony Snow said today.


:hi:

Just ONE more Friedman Unit and I PROMISE, things will be ALL better. REally, trust me.

[fedupinBushcountry]

4. He must of been talking to

LIEberman. :hi:

[ProSense]

5. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

6. U.S. lawmakers prevented from leaving Green Zone.

U.S. lawmakers prevented from leaving Green Zone. A six-member congressional delegation recently returned from a seven-day trip that included stops in Ireland, Germany, Pakistan, Kuwait and Iraq. While in Iraq, security conditions prevented them “from meeting any Iraqis, leaving the Green Zone or staying in Iraq overnight.” Additionally, the “congressional members were required to wear full body armor, including Kevlar helmets, during the entire trip.”

[ProSense]

7. Kick! n/t