The surge was so successful that Iraqi children are back in school and US troops are taking classes, too.
Elementary school students walk home from school at lunch time in the Radwaniyah area of Baghdad, Oct. 19, 2009. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edwin L. Wriston, Joint Combat Camera Center MNF-Iraq)
Try as they might, democrats were unsuccessful in persuading President George W. Bush to surrender to the terrorists in Iraq.
Today things are so calm that US troops are taking salsa and yoga classes to pass the time.
USA Today reported, via Drudge:
Pfc. Adrian Vesik heard that war could be hell.
He was happy to discover when he arrived in Iraq earlier this year that his war experience also would include salsa dancing, yoga and martial-arts classes.“When I signed up for the Army, I thought I was going to be a hero — go out and do some fighting,” says Vesik, 19, during a break at a Filipino-Okinawan jujitsu class. “I haven’t come close to doing anything that I was trained to do. I work, maybe, four to five hours a day. I have time to try all these new things. It’s not so bad.”
Because of new rules that require Iraqi approval for all U.S. missions, and a general decline in violence nationwide, many of the 117,000 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq say they now have more idle time than at any previous point in the six-year war.
No thanks to democrats.
October 21st, 2009 | 10:12 am | #1
Do you think that when the public reads this they will be able to believe it? What with all the talk about IED’s etc?
October 21st, 2009 | 10:34 am | #2
My nephew just got back from Iraq and there were no parties or classes where he was.
October 21st, 2009 | 11:11 am | #3
Maria,
Don’t mention that.. it ruins Jim’s talking points that because of Bush everything is perfect in Iraq. I do agree, however, with Jim that in the past 2 years there has been tremendous progress and we seem to be on the right track. I also agree with him that it appears that the surge was a success and Democrats who opposed it without warrent should be held accountable. But there were people who were weary of the strategy due to the failures in the early post-occupation of Iraq. Those who put country before party in discussing the War and strategy derserve the highest praise (including McCain, who most here consider a RINO). I was disgusted when the left was hysterical and it is also disgusting that the right is being hysterical when we need to find a clear strategy for Afganistan. Our choices are either a long generational commitment to stablizing Afghanistan and ridding the region of the posionous ideology or to bring our troops back home. I hope our president shows leadership and lays out the options truthfully. I will not hold my breath, but it is what i hope
October 21st, 2009 | 11:47 am | #4
From April: Iraqis Celebrate Second Anniversary of “Wonderful, Colossal” Erroneous Prediction of U.S. Senator Harry Reid http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/04/iraqis-celebrate-second-anniversary-of.html
October 21st, 2009 | 12:02 pm | #5
Melvin – you do know those pictures of Harry Reid were photoshopped…right?
October 21st, 2009 | 12:28 pm | #6
The Army Soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
‘Step forward now, Soldier,
How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said, ‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t. Because those of us who carry guns, Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I’ve been violent, Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny, That wasn’t mine to keep…. Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place, Among the people here. They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord, It needn’t be so grand. I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod.
As the Soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.
‘Step forward now, you Soldier, You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in Hell.’
October 21st, 2009 | 1:15 pm | #7
Ted
October 21st, 2009 | 12:28 pm
Thank you Ted that was beautiful. Almost brought tears to my eyes.
October 21st, 2009 | 1:27 pm | #8
Ted,
great!!!!
October 21st, 2009 | 1:48 pm | #9
*allergies*
October 21st, 2009 | 2:02 pm | #10
Matthew
October 21st, 2009 | 11:11 am 3
Maria,
Don’t mention that.. it ruins Jim’s talking points that because of Bush everything is perfect in Iraq.
Post a link to a direct quote by Jim Hoft saying everything is perfect in Iraq.
After you fail to do that, you can apologize for using the cherished straw-man debating technique, a tactic of the chronically dishonest.
October 21st, 2009 | 2:13 pm | #11
++
FABULOUS!! (thumbsup)
more about our Troop & Iraqi people’s success here..
eh, a bit more here and here as well..
meanwhile: Afpak Progress
Our allies move, even as Obama wavers.
[America's political class has developed a habit of talking itself into defeat. Yet the predictions of doom in Afghanistan and Pakistan are as misplaced there as they were in Iraq, as events in the last week show. Afghanistan yesterday demonstrated political maturity by moving to resolve a dispute over a fraudulent election. On Sunday, Pakistan's military launched an offensive against the Islamist sanctuary in the mountainous tribal region of South Waziristan.]
hah, keep up the death dirge DemO’s, you’re
going to be living it sooner than you think..
==
October 21st, 2009 | 3:14 pm | #12
Matthew
October 21st, 2009 | 12:02 pm 5
Melvin – you do know those pictures of Harry Reid were photoshopped…right?
You’re not familiar with Optoons, are you? Or do you have trouble discerning satire?
October 21st, 2009 | 5:03 pm | #13
Hypo,
First, I have been reading gateway since around 2003 and his democracy promotion and push for greater Human Rights is to be admired. Infact if you look at Jim’s archives, I agree with almost everything he says. He was also right on to point out all the hypocricy from the left during their almost traitorous days of the “Bush lied” meme. But during wars, our troops, generals and decsion makers need support. The first sign of difficulty in Iraq, was whne the coward Dems like Kerry and Pelosi started to attack Bush. This I find utterly despicable and inexcusable. But why is Obama also not supported for his policies in Iraq (which are basically a continuation of Bush/Petreus post 2006)? If you search “gateway pundit archives Iraq 2005 cache” (with the new site I am having trouble linking to it.), you will see absoluetly no crticism of Bush’s decision making (at the height of the insurgency). Infact you’ll find the naive view that the Bush Doctrine is succeding in bring reform to the Middle East. Below is a quote of accomplishments from a Gateway Post from Nov. 13 (or some day between 10-14th).
“Regardless on how the Western media wants to color the Mideast, never has this region seen such an amazing shift towards democracy and human rights in such a very short period of time. To put things in perspective, here is a partial list of the remarkable moves towards democracy and human rights in the region from just this last year:
* Successful elections twice in Iraq
* Successful elections twice in Afghanistan
* Violence free (for the most part) change of government in Lebanon
* Democratic Elections in Palestine
* Pardons for jailed democracy reformists in Saudi Arabia
* Women rights guarantees in Kuwait
* Movement in Egypt towards reform
* Reform in Libya
* Historic talks between Israel and Pakistan
* Israel pullout from Gaza
* Massive Protests against Al Qaida in Morocco
* Protests against Al Qaida in Jordan
* Saudi Arabia lifts economic boycott on Israel
* Saudi Arabia open to talks on allowing women to drive
And, as the moves towards freedom and democracy take place in one country, it puts pressure on the next. The region is in some sort of psychic shift and it is doubtful that it will stop
Now Democracy and Human Rights is a noble cause to support, but it is impossible to remake these countries over-night. We live in the greatest country in the world and it took us years to grant full rights to everyone. Also, again notice how in the 200+ articles that were posted just in that search, not 1 crticism of Bush. Really? There was nothing to crticize the Bush administration for? No concern for wasteful spending with the $100s of millions of dollars that went unaccounted for during the occupation and rebuilding of Iraq.
October 21st, 2009 | 5:30 pm | #14
Where’s the link to Jim Hoft’s quote that everything is perfect in Iraq?
October 21st, 2009 | 7:06 pm | #15
Was he or was he not painting a rosy picture of Iraq during the middle of the worst of the insurgancy? Unemployment at 18%? in Iraq? in 2005? Anyways, look my point is that I cannot stand partisanship during war or about US troops. Gateway pundit has always engaged in that. I support Jim’s views on many many other issues, when pundits (including the left) use cheap talking points instead of trying add inteligence to the subject, is where I part ways. I told you.. I can’t link to Gateway’s archives…. but search…..see if this blog didn’t ignore the situation.
October 21st, 2009 | 9:49 pm | #16
++
Melvin Winter @ 11:47 am #4
funny, thanks for sharing..
Matthew @ 12:02 pm #5
duh..
==
October 21st, 2009 | 10:12 pm | #17
++
Matthew @ 5:03 pm #13
i can tell you one thing, not that i believe in polls, but Bush was more favorable than Congress during the Iraq War, he also managed to keep US safe, so he must have been doing something right..
something tells me you don’t want to discuss the here, now, or the future with Obama as CIC..
something also tells me you’re whole sense of being is to harp on Bush under the guise of being a supporter lest whatever GP posted or not wouldn’t be so obviously stuck in your craw..
btw, Bush never painted a “rosey” picture of anything, the man merely didn’t display “weakeness”.. hence, i think you’re confusing you’re own issue..
btw, Bush was criticized plenty by many, just so happens most of it was a LIE..
if GP’s leanings tended to defend Bush from the wolf cries, so be it, there’s no need to make a mountain out of a mole hill..
however, i’m almost certain you’re going to try anyways..
==
October 22nd, 2009 | 7:06 am | #18
[...] now have more idle time than at any previous point in the six-year war. No thanks to democrats. http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com…of-bush-surge/ __________________ I AM THE [...]
October 22nd, 2009 | 7:19 am | #19
Wow . . . . Okinawan-Filipino Jujitsu, huh? Sounds like fun.
Reporters say the darnedest things.
Links
Blogs
Find Us
Contact