INDC in Iraq: “[T]he positive change in Fallujah since my January visit is astounding”; Update: “We’re kicking ass,” says Bush
posted at 11:55 am on September 5, 2007 by Allahpundit
A little linkage here for my pal Ardolino, who’s now embedded and reeling from the changes he’s seeing eight short months after his first trip:
Apparently I look like a member of a tribe that lives northwest of the city, whose members sport full beards, lighter brown skin and light eyes. I always respond that there are plenty of Americans who look just like them, because America welcomes all races…
Towards the end of a long conversation with one group, I said, “Well, I wish you luck. And I want you to know, besides the marines and soldiers that you meet here in the city, there are many civilians back in America who hope for Fallujah’s success.”
The afternoon’s joking died down as the interpretor translated and each of them earnestly told me “shukran” (“thank you”). And one young guy blurted out in halting English, “We like you!”
More to come, he promises. Click.
Update: A new item for the list of tough-talk soundbites uttered by Bush and Cheney which they lived to regret ever saying: “bring it on,” “wanted: dead or alive,” “last throes,” etc etc.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
That says a lot about progress toward reconciliation right there. Looking forward to what else he has to say.
Spirit of 1776 on September 5, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Call Harry Reid’s cardiologist!
profitsbeard on September 5, 2007 at 12:04 PM
What a great article. I don’t doubt it was a misunderstanding. After 30 years of rule by terror, they were afraid America was going to do the same thing. Winning the hearts and minds on the ground takes time but is necessary. Once they realized that while we were a foreign force, we only fought to defend ourselves, they prefered peace to war.
We help their infrastructure, Al Qaeda destroys it. They see that. We want them to do well, Al Qaeda only wants to kill Americans. They see that.
We want them to succeed probably more than they do. They see that. If they stop fighting against us, our troops can come home tomorrow. That should be the only plan coming out of Washington publicly.
The world should get on their knees and thank whatever god they want that America is a superpower. The world is a better place because America is strong. God bless our troops, they are the finest men and women in the world.
ThackerAgency on September 5, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Um, I’m a little busy right now. :)
RushBaby on September 5, 2007 at 12:15 PM
SHOW ME THE ASS!
saint kansas on September 5, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Glad to see he’s so upbeat after a visit to Iraq.
I just wish there were more in the government who were as enthusiastic as Bush when it comes to praising the military.
Nethicus on September 5, 2007 at 12:18 PM
This is tremendous news, and President Bush is right.
RushBaby on September 5, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Let’s hope this is real, and we can make some progress, we better, or we’re out of there (whether its right to leave or not) and the whole thing could fall apart.
Bad Candy on September 5, 2007 at 12:28 PM
This is always great to read.
If it takes real hold….well, then let’s have another look at that legacy thing…
drjohn on September 5, 2007 at 1:05 PM
I totally misinterpreted that segue the first time I read it…
Tanya on September 5, 2007 at 1:25 PM
I like a president who likes a military that kicks some AQI tail. A perfect antidote to the politically correct.
Captain America on September 5, 2007 at 8:51 PM