UPDATED: The source for the shockingly anti-American quotes involving the War in Kosovo is from the following blog: http://republicofdogs.blogspot.com/2005/06/on-supporting-our-troops.html. I was in a rush this morning to get out to a deposition and posted this without attribution, and for that I apologize to the blogger and to Kossacks. It would appear that Res Publica also does not have sources for the quotes, but I do not doubt the veracity of them, as you will see in BlogDog’s comment, here: http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2005/6/30/9428/80215/66#66, there are plenty of similar quotes to make these credible.
Further, I remember the Republican opposition to the War in Kosovo and their concerns over a clear mission and a planned in advance exit strategy. The dishonorable and traitorous Republicans also like to impugn the motives of President Clinton for the Kosovo War, saying he was wagging the dog to avoid public scruntiny of his so-called “scandals.” Indeed, when President Clinton bombed Iraq in the late fall of 1998 and early winter of 1999 in response to Saddam Hussein banishing the weapons inspectors, the Republicans were furious as their precious Impeachments proceedings were ongoing, and they complained loudly that President Clinton was only going to war then to distract the American People from the impeachment. How traitorous. How un-American. How fucking disloyal. They should be hung.
Finally, the Bush quotes concerning our oh so clear mission, or should that be missions, in Iraq are sourced here: http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2005/6/30/9428/80215/28#28.
"You can support the troops but not the president" --Tom Delay
"[The] President...is once again releasing American military might on a foreign country with an ill-defined objective and no exit strategy. He has yet to tell the Congress how much this operation will cost. And he has not informed our nation's armed forces about how long they will be away from home. These strikes do not make for a sound foreign policy." -- Rick Santorum
"American foreign policy is now one huge big mystery. Simply put, the administration is trying to lead the world with a feel-good foreign policy." -- Tom Delay
"If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy." -- Karen Hughes
"Explain to the mothers and fathers of American servicemen that may come home in body bags why their son or daughter have to give up their life?" -- Sean Hannity
"Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is." -- Governor George W. Bush
I dare any so called journalist worth their salt to ask the hypocrites listed above what has changed since 1999. And so help me God, if their answer is "September 11th," punch them directly in the face in honor of the 3,000 dead Americans they are exploiting for political gain.
And while you are at it, and while the President is cleaning up his bloody nose, please ask him if our mission is so clear, then why have our objectives and goals constantly changed over the last three years.
"Our mission is clear in Iraq. Should we have to go in, our mission is very clear: disarmament."
- Bush, March 6, 2003
"In Iraq today, our military is focused and unwavering. We have an effective plan of battle and the flexibility to meet every challenge. Nothing--nothing--will divert us from our clear mission."
- Bush, March 26, 2003
"Our forces have been given a clear mission--to end a regime that threatened its neighbors and the world with weapons of mass destruction, and to free a people that had suffered far too long."
- Bush, April 14, 2003
"Our coalition has a clear goal, understood by all--to see the Iraqi people in charge for the first time in generations."
- Bush, May 24, 2004
"Well, as I stated earlier, the clear mission of the multinational force, and in particular, the United States military is to help the new Iraqi government stabilize a country, deal with the security threat, and help improve the lives of the Iraqi people."
- "Senior Administration Official", June 28, 2004
"The United States military and our coalition partners have made a clear, specific and continuing mission in Iraq. As we train Iraqi security forces, we'll help those forces to find and destroy the killers."
- Bush, June 28, 2004
"Some of tomorrow's veterans are in combat in Iraq at this hour. They have a clear mission: to defeat the terrorists and aid the rise of a free government that can defend itself."
- Bush, November 11, 2004
"And our mission is clear there, as well, and that is to train the Iraqis so they can do the fighting; make sure they can stand up to defend their freedoms, which they want to do."
- Bush, June 2, 2005
"Our goal is clear: a democratic and peaceful Iraq that represents all Iraqis."
- Bush, June 24, 2005
"Our military strategy is clear: We will train Iraqi security forces so they can defend their freedom and protect their people, and then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned."
- Bush, June 25, 2005
"Our mission in Iraq is clear: We're hunting down the terrorists. We're helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We're advancing freedom in the broader Middle East. We are removing a source of violence and instability and laying the foundation of peace for our children and our grandchildren."
- Bush, June 28, 2005
Is it clear?
Crystal?
Good.