Thank you President Bush for a great victory in Iraq!

President George W Bush has delivered a speech to mark the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Bush said "removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision." And he went on to say that the recent "surge" of US troops to Iraq has brought about "a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror".

Bush speech hails Iraq 'victory'

The speech comes amid criticism in the US of the war, with some critics pointing to its high cost.

In his speech, Mr Bush dismissed what he called "exaggerated estimates".

He said: "The costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq."

New allies

Mr Bush argued that fighting Islamic militants in Iraq helped to prevent attacks on targets in the US.

"The terrorists who murder the innocent in the streets of Baghdad want to murder the innocent in the streets of American cities," he said.

"Defeating this enemy in Iraq will make it less likely we will face this enemy here at home."

He also made the case that by working with Sunni Arabs from the Awakening Councils to defeat al-Qaeda, the US was successfully driving a wedge between militants and the Arab mainstream.

"In Iraq," he said, "we are witnessing the first large-scale Arab uprising against Osama Bin Laden. And the significance of this development cannot be overstated."

The Democrats worst nightmare, a defeat over terrorism!

So if iraq is such a success why are we still there? Why does our government say we need to be there for 15 more years?

Why are we still in Japan, Germany, Korea, the Philippines? There probably will be "permanent" bases in Iraq for years to come, if history offers any example. BD

If the "mission" was to spend billions with nothing to show for it, you are correct.

We've got nothing to show for the billions we've spent, except a body count and huge debt.

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"If you're going to tell people the truth, be funny or they'll kill you." -- Billy Wilder

"Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied." -- Otto Von Bismark

$600 billion= Two new democracies in the heart of the middle east. A financial and military foothold in this vital region. Real life training for our military that will be studied for decades. Most of all, the demoralization of Al Qaeda, which is the only way to defeat them. I'd say that it was a bargain.

As far as the 4,000 lives, you don't give a shit about that in reallity, so why waste my time.

what democracies? are you nuts! generally a military foothold means a base where soldiers don't die everyday, you gotta be another chickenhawk, probably no service let alone combat

Are the current governments in Iraq and Afghanistan put in place by the will of its citizens. Elections matter, and these two countries are democratic, like it or not. In some ways, they are more democratic than our own.

Democracy? Jury is out on that, big time. Guess you don't bother paying attention to the news.

Fuck the financial & military foothold, that's the fucking problem, not the solution.

How the fuck would you know what I give a shit about?

See, you assume all kinds of shit that has no basis in reality.

Tell you what. Since it's a fucking huge success, I think you, wow, and the rest of the Bush sycophants should move there. Immediately. Don't let the door hit you on the ass!!!!!

__________________
"If you're going to tell people the truth, be funny or they'll kill you." -- Billy Wilder

"Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied." -- Otto Von Bismark

While you continue floundering in your historical cubical, I'll flourish in the new world that is unfolding. The middle east is a changin'. I figure someone like you will take another 10 - 15 years to realize it. That's ok though.