Letter from Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) on WH white wash

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/24621

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA): Another White Wash from the White House
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-07-12 23:10. Activism

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Remarks
House of Representatives
Iraq
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Mr. Speaker:

The President intends to stay the course in Iraq. His latest quote is we might be able to bring soldiers home "in a while" and the White House is circulating a memo claiming they see progress.

This is another white wash from the White House.

When they talk about progress in Iraq, remember, they've misled us before.

CNN, Larry King Live, May 30, 2005: The Vice President said: I think they're in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency.

By then, 1,000 U.S. soldiers had died in Iraq.

USA Today, Nov. 24, 2005: The headline is: Officials more hopeful on Iraq draw down. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Fox News on Tuesday that the U.S. would probably not need to maintain its current troop levels in Iraq "very much longer."

By then, 2,000 U.S. soldiers had died.

USA Today, Jan. 4, 2006: The headline is: Bush, Cheney stump seeking public support. Bush met with military leaders at the Pentagon, and reiterated previously announced plans to cut U.S. troop strength in Iraq...

"The adjustment is underway," he said, suggesting further cuts could come if Iraq security forces improve.

By then, 2,200 U.S. soldiers had died.

USA Today, March 26, 2006: The headline is: Rice speaks of possible troop drawdown.

Quote: "I think it's entirely probable that we will see a significant drawdown of American forces over the next year. ... It's all dependent on events on the ground," the chief American diplomat said.

By then, over 2,300 U.S. soldiers had died in Iraq.

The Washington Post, June 15, 2006: The headline is: Bush Sees Progress in Iraq.

In a Rose Garden news conference just over six hours after his surprise whirlwind visit to Baghdad, Bush said that "I sense something different happening in Iraq" and predicted that "progress will be steady" toward achieving the U.S. mission there.

By then, 2,500 U.S. soldiers had died.

USA Today, October 1, 2006: The headline is: Bush sees progress in Iraq war effort. President Bush said Saturday he is encouraged by the increasing size and capability of the Iraqi security forces, touting progress on a key measure for when U.S. troops can come home.

By then, 2,800 U.S. soldiers had died in Iraq.

Fox News Sunday, January 11, 2007: Chris Wallace interviewing the Vice President.

WALLACE: Mr. Vice President, why should we believe that, this time, you've got it right?

CHENEY: Well, I think if you look at what's transpired in Iraq, Chris, we have, in fact, made enormous progress.

By then, 3,000 U.S. soldiers had died in Iraq.

In the months since the Vice President saw enormous progress, another 600 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq.

Over 3,600 U.S. soldiers are dead. Over 26,000 U.S. soldiers have wounded.

Over 40,000 U.S. soldiers will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

And the White House keeps telling the American people that we are making progress.

There is no credibility left in this Administration. None.

This White House cannot white wash the truth any longer.

The American people are exasperated by a commander-in-chief who is blind to what's happening in Iraq.

U.S. soldiers have not failed, but this President has.

U.S. commanders have not failed, but this Administration has.

The American people know it and they want only one new order given- get U.S. soldiers out of Iraq. That means by early spring of next year.

It will be a travesty of justice if it takes getting to the 2008 general election for the American people to throw out every Republican in order to stop this war. We are 17 months away from a new President being sworn into office. That's another 2,000 U.S. casualties if we follow this President.

10 U.S. soldiers are dying every day. 90 U.S. soldiers are gravely wounded every day.

100 Iraqi civilians are dying every day.

How many more must die before we stand up for our soldiers, stand up for our national interests, and get our soldiers out of Iraq? Bring 'em home.

Thank you.

[DKRC]

1. K&R! Well said.

Wish he was our Rep.