I think that the country is lost when no matter what is reported; no matter what excuse is made, you know it’s not the truth.
Just reported was that another helicopter made a hard landing. The crew was rescued but the reason for the crash was mechanical malfunction.
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A U.S. Army helicopter made a "hard landing" in northern Iraq and preliminary reports indicated a mechanical problem, the military said Thursday. The two crew members were injured.
The OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, mostly used in surveillance and light attacks, came down south of Kirkuk, a military statement said.
The two pilots were rescued and taken for medical treatment, but the statement gave no details on their injuries.
"Preliminary reporting shows the cause of the hard landing was mechanical and not hostile fire," it said.
Apparently, a ‘hard landing’ is when a helicopter crashes and anybody (please somebody) survives.
More after the break.
The administration is so confident that it can sell it’s crap to 30 percent of the population all the time; and 50 percent of the population 30 % of the time that it just keeps on spinning.
For Cheney, it’s retreat is an admission of defeat to bring our troops home; but a success for the British to bring their troops home. But the real truth comes from the Seattle Times that reports:
The British are going! The British are going!
So are Danish troops and the Lithuanians.
Tony Blair knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. He gradually cut British troops from 46,000 in the beginning to fewer than 8,000 in southern Iraq.
Took him years to declare "Mission (Not Quite) Accomplished." At least he acknowledged that British forces are stretched too thin for this mission in Iraq.
The U.S. Army is maxed out, too. And the Guard and Reserve are running on empty. But you can never get enough shock and awe, folks.
One-Beer Dick ain't calling it quits, that's for sure. He spun the Blair pullout as a good thing while blasting Democrats for wanting the same.
It truly is amazing when the truest of spin comes from the Iraq Study Group who enshrined the newest of oxymoron’s "diplomatic offensive" . I mean, just what sign of the zodiac were you born under in 1984 to be able to read "diplomatic offensive" without you severely exercising your gag reflex. But in case you missed it here it comes ala Rice:
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Tuesday announced a "new diplomatic offensive" for Iraq during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing.
The Bush administration fully supports a regional diplomatic conference, which was one of the "key findings of the Iraq Study Group," Rice said.
Didn’t need much of a tongue depressor to get that one up did you? Has anybody really considered the phrase "diplomatic offensive"? What the opposite ... "cruelly defensive’"? How can one be diplomatic and offensive at the same time? I’ll tell you how? Watch this administration!
All they would have had to say is that they we’re going to be strident in attempting to negotiate and I’d still be asleep.
So apparently, the master of spin is now George W. Bush. As for the rest of the administration, they just out and out lie. Condi will go down as never being a very good liar and as for Cheney, he’s gotten sloppy.
We’ve got an administration who’s failed in Iraq; forfeiting the game to Iran. But the President, wanting one of his legendary do-overs, wants a war with Iran. But he’s ballsey enough to push Blair to home and house missile systems in the UK. And Blair returns the favor and pimps them to an unwilling but wise British public.
The VP went on a world tour bad mouthing everybody he could until a small explosion went off 3 miles from his 15 deep circle of SEAL team body guards and snipers. While this is happening, the mayor of Kabul smiles at the America press while brushing up on his French. Pakistan is the arsonist that we’re housing hoping they don’t set fire to our loft and Saudi Arabia holds our petro-balls in a vice.
A couple of British political cartoonist (Bell and Rowson form The Guardian) seem to have everything is perspective.
Here’s Blair humping Bush’s leg pimping Star War System and increased US Military presence in the UK:
And here’s our Preznit with his popular refrain ‘Wolf’ although this time maybe ... just maybe ...
And of course my favorite of the last week ... George W. Bush, our fearless and on-point leader leading us into battle:
So there are a lot of hard landings. Sorry, there are no cartoons for our vets; and no cartoons for those still being impacted by a hurricane a season+ removed. These are the most egregious hard landings. They are egregious because they have been pointed out and even a recalcitrant George Bush could have made amends, could be a hero to somebody.
George Bush thinks, he’s got history on his side. Sorry George, you’re batting zero for about 6 billion and one hard landing.