It's been a loooong time since I've posted a diary. No time. Too much day job work to do. No time. But, I thought this was too important not to pass on, so I'm taking the time to post this diary.
I do not claim to be an expert or an analyst. I received this information from the Center for American Progress, didn't see a diary about it, so...
Everybody hold hands. One. Two. Three. JUMP!
Yesterday, the "Initial Benchmark Assessment Report" was released. My own local evening news cheerfully reported that 8 out of 18 benchmarks were "satisfactory." I was not impressed, but this administration has continually failed to impress me, so that was nothing new. However, the Center for American Progress emailed me to say that the administration's definition of "satisfactory" and the generally accepted definition of that word seem to be miles apart. In other words: the administration is lying spinning as usual.
The National Security Network has published a Benchmark Report Fact Check on their site. It gives a blow-by-blow of the items deemed SATISFACTORY, and what was the actual opinion on the item. For example:
Benchmark (i)
Assessment: The Government of Iraq has made satisfactory progress toward forming a Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) and then completing the constitutional review.
Response: The committee reviewing the constitution has experienced numerous delays. Most of the highly contested issues have been put off. Even if the government managed to pass the constitution, there would still need to be a national referendum.
Got that? The administration deems Benchmark (i) as "satisfactory." What about that response suggests that the progress on this benchmark is anything close to satisfactory?? "Numerous delay" are satisfactory" Putting off "highly contested issues" is satisfactory?
Please read the entire report and determine for yourself if there was actually progress made on the ANY 8 of 18 benchmarks that the administration is touting as signs of success.
Stay strong!!