Mission accomplished 5 years later...

Ulter · 05-01-2008, 11:30 PM

Mission accomplished 5 years later...

Much has happened in the five years since President Bush flew aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in "Top Gun" style, stood under a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" and proudly declared: "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended."

Five years ago, 139 American troops had died in Iraq. Now that number is 4,064. Five years ago, 542 American troops had been wounded in Iraq. Now that number is 29,395.

Five years ago, the national debt was $6.5 trillion. Now it's $9.3 trillion. Five years ago, your average gallon of gas cost $1.44. Now it costs $3.57. Five years ago, Bush's job-approval rating was at 70 percent. Now it's at 28.

Five years ago, Bush's appearance on the carrier was widely hailed as a brilliant PR move, imbuing the president with the aura of a conquering hero. Now, it's possibly the single most potent image of Bush's hubris.

One thing that's not so different: Five years ago, there were about 150,000 American troops in Iraq. Now there are slightly more.

The Coverage

Richard Sisk and James Gordon Meek write in the New York Daily News: "Five years after President Bush's 'Mission Accomplished' speech about Iraq, America's twin wars are looking more like 'Mission: Impossible.'

"On May 1, 2003, Bush flew on a Navy jet to the carrier Lincoln, where he announced 'major combat operations in Iraq have ended' and the U.S. had 'prevailed.'

"Today, that same ship is sailing back to the Persian Gulf and 4,370 coalition troops and thousands more Iraqis are dead.

"The U.S. is no closer to Bush's pledge that 'we will leave.'"

And as Sisk and Meek point out, it wasn't just victory in Iraq that Bush was celebrating prematurely: "In his Lincoln speech, the President also boasted: 'In the battle of Afghanistan, we destroyed the Taliban, many terrorists, and the camps where they trained.'

"Yet in 2007, a record 232 coalition troops died in that country, where the Taliban insurgency has expanded to every corner and Al Qaeda has 'reconstituted some of its pre-9/11 operational capabilities,' a State Department report grimly stated Wednesday."

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I can see why McCain would say it's okay for this to go on another 100 years. Sure glad he's a lock for the White House.

Bjaarki · 05-01-2008, 11:35 PM

I've been aware all day of the significance of this anniversary.

I thought the most poignant line in the article you cited was: "Today, that same ship [The USS Abraham Lincoln] is sailing back to the Persian Gulf and 4,370 coalition troops and thousands more Iraqis are dead."

What a strange, strange chapter in the history books the last 8 years are going to make.

Bjaarki

Ulter · 05-01-2008, 11:39 PM

May Day, coinsidence?

DrewDog · 05-02-2008, 08:17 AM

still with the 100 year comments? geez.

its not like stayin in a war zone for a long time means that troops will be fighting and dying for all that time ie Germany, Korea and Japan

TheSuaveOne · 05-02-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulter

I can see why McCain would say it's okay for this to go on another 100 years.

So are you part of the Democrat Noise Machine?

Ulter · 05-02-2008, 10:25 AM

We are welcome in Europe and Asia. We are not welcome in the Middle East. We are targets and will remain targets as long as we are there. It's ridiculous to make McCain's argument that those countries are all the same circumstance. When are people on the Right going to stop comparing Iraq to WWII and the outcomes of Iraq and WWII. It's stupid.

ILIEKFUDE · 05-02-2008, 10:42 AM

You have to admit Ulter, turning the most dangerous anti-US spot into the middle east into a gigantic us military base has its benefits. Both real and perceived (by the hostile neighbors).

DrewDog · 05-02-2008, 10:57 AM

you are welcome there now, over 50 years later. but right after WWII, how welcome were American's, especially in Japan?

TheSuaveOne · 05-02-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulter

We are not welcome in the Middle East.

Really?

We have troops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Qatar...as well as Iraq and Afghanistan. Last time I checked, none of the governments of those countries has asked us to leave?

Ulter · 05-02-2008, 12:33 PM

Yes, Really.

So now should I list all the countries that are sending men to shoot at our soldiers. Maybe you can point out the countries in Europe that do that. Come on show me that real comparison of Europe and Middle East. There is no comparison, it's stupid.

After we declared Mission Accomplished in Germany and Japan did the death toll go up by 3000%?

TheSuaveOne · 05-02-2008, 01:20 PM

Just and fyi, since you seem to have missed it. Mission Accomplished was directed at the ship the president was on. They had been in the Gulf, and were returning. The president's staff didn't have the sign installed, that was installed by the DoD because the ship was rotating back to the states. I really wish you would stop making up a new version of history.

ILIEKFUDE · 05-02-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulter

Yes, Really.

So now should I list all the countries that are sending men to shoot at our soldiers. Maybe you can point out the countries in Europe that do that. Come on show me that real comparison of Europe and Middle East. There is no comparison, it's stupid.

After we declared Mission Accomplished in Germany and Japan did the death toll go up by 3000%?

Atom bomb is a helluva deterrent. Funny thing tho, our incendiary attacks on civilian cities including tokyo were more devastating overall than both a-bombs. Crazy huh?
But ya, we were much more brutal and less caring then in waging war (or perhaps just less media covered, therefore more brutal?) so we committed fairly substantial atrocities to civilian populations.
We're prolly the safest country to go to war with right now, even though we have the strongest weapons at our disposal. The media coverage and attention paid to our conflicts hamstrings us to the point of absurdity. Remember when we put seals into somalia (not blackhawk down conflict, the other one) and when they came ashore there were camera crews waiting for them that followed them along to their objectives until we stopped them? Fucking rediculous.
Ranting, ill leave now!

Ulter · 05-02-2008, 02:00 PM

That's your story and you're sticking to huh? Okay.
No, I didn't miss the spin control. Sorry to see you bought into it. But I'm not surprised. Bush didn't go there to congratulate the ships crew. He went there to declare victory and an "end of major combat operations in Iraq".
It seems you missed it. Major combat operations are still ongoing 5 years later.

TheSuaveOne · 05-02-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ulter

It seems you missed it. Major combat operations are still ongoing 5 years later.

When was the last major engagement we had against the Iraqi Army?

trivial · 05-02-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuaveOne

Mission Accomplished was directed at the ship the president was on. They had been in the Gulf, and were returning. The president's staff didn't have the sign installed, that was installed by the DoD because the ship was rotating back to the states.

Even if that were true, strange that the president was situated so that the banner was in every camera view and no "explaination" was given for it until it no longer served his purposes.

TheSuaveOne · 05-02-2008, 03:25 PM

Why would it be strange for the bridge of the ship to be visable in the camera shots? The reason he went to the ship was to congratulate the ship on their return to the states. If you recall, he even donned a flight suit for that trip. It is called a photo op for a reason.

trivial · 05-02-2008, 03:35 PM

Even a child could see the intended impression. The new announcement about "why" the banner was there simply draws more attention to the complete failure this war with Iraq was and is.

By the way, I voted for the man twice. I regret my ignorance. Never again will I vote along party lines instead of using my God given brain.

05-01-2008, 11:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ulter Chairman of the board Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Orlando Posts: 27,388 Rep Power: 271173	Mission accomplished 5 years later... Mission accomplished 5 years later... Much has happened in the five years since President Bush flew aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in "Top Gun" style, stood under a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" and proudly declared: "Major combat operations in Iraq have ended." Five years ago, 139 American troops had died in Iraq. Now that number is 4,064. Five years ago, 542 American troops had been wounded in Iraq. Now that number is 29,395. Five years ago, the national debt was $6.5 trillion. Now it's $9.3 trillion. Five years ago, your average gallon of gas cost $1.44. Now it costs $3.57. Five years ago, Bush's job-approval rating was at 70 percent. Now it's at 28. Five years ago, Bush's appearance on the carrier was widely hailed as a brilliant PR move, imbuing the president with the aura of a conquering hero. Now, it's possibly the single most potent image of Bush's hubris. One thing that's not so different: Five years ago, there were about 150,000 American troops in Iraq. Now there are slightly more. The Coverage Richard Sisk and James Gordon Meek write in the New York Daily News: "Five years after President Bush's 'Mission Accomplished' speech about Iraq, America's twin wars are looking more like 'Mission: Impossible.' "On May 1, 2003, Bush flew on a Navy jet to the carrier Lincoln, where he announced 'major combat operations in Iraq have ended' and the U.S. had 'prevailed.' "Today, that same ship is sailing back to the Persian Gulf and 4,370 coalition troops and thousands more Iraqis are dead. "The U.S. is no closer to Bush's pledge that 'we will leave.'" And as Sisk and Meek point out, it wasn't just victory in Iraq that Bush was celebrating prematurely: "In his Lincoln speech, the President also boasted: 'In the battle of Afghanistan, we destroyed the Taliban, many terrorists, and the camps where they trained.' "Yet in 2007, a record 232 coalition troops died in that country, where the Taliban insurgency has expanded to every corner and Al Qaeda has 'reconstituted some of its pre-9/11 operational capabilities,' a State Department report grimly stated Wednesday." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I can see why McCain would say it's okay for this to go on another 100 years. Sure glad he's a lock for the White House. __________________ > . . When you register at www.theafstore.com make sure you register as an AF Board Member to get the discounted pricing.

05-01-2008, 11:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ulter Chairman of the board Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Orlando Posts: 27,388 Rep Power: 271173	May Day, coinsidence? __________________ > . . When you register at www.theafstore.com make sure you register as an AF Board Member to get the discounted pricing.

05-02-2008, 08:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
DrewDog Resident Lax-ologist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Scarberia, ON Posts: 1,207 Rep Power: 27506	still with the 100 year comments? geez. its not like stayin in a war zone for a long time means that troops will be fighting and dying for all that time ie Germany, Korea and Japan __________________ Lacrosse, its like hockey, but with balls Anybody can play hockey, it takes a special kind of fucked up to play lacrosse.

05-02-2008, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ulter Chairman of the board Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Orlando Posts: 27,388 Rep Power: 271173	We are welcome in Europe and Asia. We are not welcome in the Middle East. We are targets and will remain targets as long as we are there. It's ridiculous to make McCain's argument that those countries are all the same circumstance. When are people on the Right going to stop comparing Iraq to WWII and the outcomes of Iraq and WWII. It's stupid. __________________ > . . When you register at www.theafstore.com make sure you register as an AF Board Member to get the discounted pricing.

05-02-2008, 10:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
ILIEKFUDE Indeed You Are Powerful.. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Death Star Posts: 2,665 Rep Power: 109224	You have to admit Ulter, turning the most dangerous anti-US spot into the middle east into a gigantic us military base has its benefits. Both real and perceived (by the hostile neighbors). __________________ "Consider the Predator. Let your soul be armoured with Faith, driven on the tracks of obedience which overcomes all obstacles, and armed with the three great guns of Zeal, Duty and Purity." My Training Log

05-01-2008, 11:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bjaarki We the People - Get it ?? Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,007 Rep Power: 46441	I've been aware all day of the significance of this anniversary. I thought the most poignant line in the article you cited was: "Today, that same ship [The USS Abraham Lincoln] is sailing back to the Persian Gulf and 4,370 coalition troops and thousands more Iraqis are dead." What a strange, strange chapter in the history books the last 8 years are going to make. Bjaarki

05-02-2008, 10:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
DrewDog Resident Lax-ologist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Scarberia, ON Posts: 1,207 Rep Power: 27506	you are welcome there now, over 50 years later. but right after WWII, how welcome were American's, especially in Japan? __________________ Lacrosse, its like hockey, but with balls Anybody can play hockey, it takes a special kind of fucked up to play lacrosse.

05-02-2008, 12:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ulter Chairman of the board Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Orlando Posts: 27,388 Rep Power: 271173	Yes, Really. So now should I list all the countries that are sending men to shoot at our soldiers. Maybe you can point out the countries in Europe that do that. Come on show me that real comparison of Europe and Middle East. There is no comparison, it's stupid. After we declared Mission Accomplished in Germany and Japan did the death toll go up by 3000%? __________________ > . . When you register at www.theafstore.com make sure you register as an AF Board Member to get the discounted pricing.

05-02-2008, 01:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
TheSuaveOne Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,100 Rep Power: 9465	Just and fyi, since you seem to have missed it. Mission Accomplished was directed at the ship the president was on. They had been in the Gulf, and were returning. The president's staff didn't have the sign installed, that was installed by the DoD because the ship was rotating back to the states. I really wish you would stop making up a new version of history.

05-02-2008, 02:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ulter Chairman of the board Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Orlando Posts: 27,388 Rep Power: 271173	That's your story and you're sticking to huh? Okay. No, I didn't miss the spin control. Sorry to see you bought into it. But I'm not surprised. Bush didn't go there to congratulate the ships crew. He went there to declare victory and an "end of major combat operations in Iraq". It seems you missed it. Major combat operations are still ongoing 5 years later. __________________ > . . When you register at www.theafstore.com make sure you register as an AF Board Member to get the discounted pricing.

05-02-2008, 03:25 PM	#16 (permalink)
TheSuaveOne Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,100 Rep Power: 9465	Why would it be strange for the bridge of the ship to be visable in the camera shots? The reason he went to the ship was to congratulate the ship on their return to the states. If you recall, he even donned a flight suit for that trip. It is called a photo op for a reason.