[typoon]

Hillary: Iraq Combat Was 'The Easy Part'

Just hours after returning from her trip to Iraq, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton put her foot in her mouth once again, this time suggesting that U.S. troops who fought in Iraq during the most intense period of combat had it easy.

Speaking to reporters Monday afternoon about what she saw in Iraq, Mrs. Clinton contended, "The hard part started on May 1," referring to the date when President Bush declared an end to major combat operations there.

Then, with an ill-timed laugh, the former first lady added, "The easy part, if you look at it, was the military part."

Sen. Clinton's comment comes on the heels of a firestorm of protest prompted by her remarks on Friday, when she told GIs stationed on the front lines in Baghdad that Americans back home had "many questions" about President Bush's Iraq war policy.

Later, in a radio interview that was broadcast into the combat zone, Sen. Clinton suggested the U.S. might lose the war in Iraq, saying that its outcome "is not assured."

Sen. Clinton also urged President Bush on Monday to refocus the war on terrorism on apprehending Osama bin Laden, describing the al-Qaeda leader as "a mythic presence" and "a recruiting tool."

"He is a clear and present danger," she insisted.

[SimeyTheLimey]

I don't understand the outrage. It sounds like an accurate statement to me -- maybe not from the POV of individual soldiers, but certainly from a policy point of view.

[Spliffdaddy]

ok what did you do with Simey?

[Lerkfish]

actually, isn't she really just saying the same that Rumsfeld and everyone else is? that rebuilding and enforcing the peace is a tougher job than winning the war?

Perhaps not as eloquent, but I honestly think people are seeing gaffes where there aren't, to further their own prejudices against the woman.

[SimeyTheLimey]

No, Spliff, I'm serious. Winning the peace is always harder than winning the war. I think it is also important that we get Democratic leaders who recognize that reality and who aren't tempted by the "magic wand" theory of foreign policy. A democracy can't fight a war if half of the political spectrum isn't committed. Hillary is a lot more with it than most of the Democratic leadership. We should be grateful.

On the subject of winning the peace, here is some good news which must be true, 'cos it came from the BBC

According to what is described as the first truly representative survey of Iraqi opinion, people in Iraq believe that the best thing that happened in the past 12 months was the demise of Saddam Hussein's regime.

***

Asked to choose the form of government Iraq needed now, 90% of those interviewed - in their own homes - said an Iraqi democracy, and overwhelmingly rejected the idea that democracy was only for Westerners and would not work in Iraq.

***

In contrast with all other Iraqi institutions, religious leaders command the trust of the people - though when asked to suggest the best thing that could happen in the next year, fewer than 1% said an Islamic government.

***

Despite everything, though, most respondents felt they were in control of their lives, and the results indicated that in an international context Iraqis were not particularly dissatisfied.

Obviously, I have picked bits out. But read the whole thing.

[Developer]

November was the month with the most casualties. 75 soldiers died. Before that April was the month with the most deaths (73).

Insofar the major combat time or how it was called was indeed "easier".

[thunderous_funker]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
I don't understand the outrage. It sounds like an accurate statement to me -- maybe not from the POV of individual soldiers, but certainly from a policy point of view.

This has been the position of most of the administration as well.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:

"Despite everything, though, most respondents felt they were in control of their lives . . . "

Wow, that's more than most of us can say. Can I move to Iraq?

[AutoJC]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
actually, isn't she really just saying the same that Rumsfeld and everyone else is? that rebuilding and enforcing the peace is a tougher job than winning the war?

Perhaps not as eloquent, but I honestly think people are seeing gaffes where there aren't, to further their own prejudices against the woman.

There's no excuse for Hillary not being eloquent about what she says. She Graduated with high honors from Yale, for chrissake!

I was unaware that menopausal hormone imbalance caused her to be a foot-in-mouth liberal

[Nonsuch]

Read the Howler today. It talks about the very issue on display in this thread: Hilary Clinton being lambasted for saying essentially what conservatives are saying.

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by AutoJC:
There's no excuse for Hillary not being eloquent about what she says. She Graduated with high honors from Yale, for chrissake!

I was unaware that menopausal hormone imbalance caused her to be a foot-in-mouth liberal

aren't you guys always defending Bush's lack of eloquence?

at any rate, try not to inject misogyny into the already hate-filled invectives.

[AutoJC]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:

aren't you guys always defending Bush's lack of eloquence?

at any rate, try not to inject misogyny into the already hate-filled invectives.

What misogeny?

Lots of liberals in Congress insert foot in mouth so why not Hillary?

[Lerkfish]

Originally posted by AutoJC:
What misogeny?

Lots of liberals in Congress insert foot in mouth so why not Hillary?

um...do you even know what the word means?

[AutoJC]

Originally posted by Lerkfish:
um...do you even know what the word means?

Listen, assrack, I damn well know what it means.

And I don't hate women, piss-for-brains. **** off.

[sanity assassin]

Originally posted by AutoJC:
Listen, assrack, I damn well know what it means.

And I don't hate women, piss-for-brains. **** off.

Why are you back? Are you one of Zimphire's militant squad who come in here while he is sleeping to keep guard on any posts that people reply to?

And quit being abusive, you show your true colours, and lack of respect for others that way, way to go with your right-wing agenda.

[christ]

Originally posted by AutoJC:
Listen, assrack, I damn well know what it means.

(but can't spell it)

What does assrack mean?

[christ]

Originally posted by SimeyTheLimey:
I don't understand the outrage. It sounds like an accurate statement to me -- maybe not from the POV of individual soldiers, but certainly from a policy point of view.

I knew that the day would come - I agree with Simey.

Spliff next.

[voodoo]

Originally posted by christ:
I knew that the day would come - I agree with Simey.

Spliff next.

Heh I know what you mean but don't worry things will be back to normal when he posts again