Obama Calls Bush Fellow Patriot in Iraq Speech
President Obama hailed his predecessor, George W. Bush, in his remarks on the end of combat operations in Iraq Tuesday night, stating that even though "he and I disagreed about the war from its outset," "no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security."
"As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it," he said. "And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hopes for Iraqis' future."
That's not to say Mr. Obama cast the war in a positive light. In his other mention of Mr. Bush, he noted that the former president, who he has harshly criticized over starting a war he in 2002 referred to as "dumb," announced the beginning of combat operations in Iraq from the same Oval Office desk where he was delivering his remarks.
President Barack Obama reads his speech for photographers after delivering a primetime televised address marking the the end of combat mission in Iraq from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010.
/ AP"Much has changed since that night," he said. "A war to disarm a state became a fight against an insurgency. Terrorism and sectarian warfare threatened to tear Iraq apart. Thousands of Americans gave their lives; tens of thousands have been wounded. Our relations abroad were strained. Our unity at home was tested."
Before giving the speech, Mr. Obama called Mr. Bush to mark the end of combat operations; neither the White House nor Mr. Bush's camp would disclose what the two men discussed. Denis McDonough, chief of staff for Obama's National Security Council, would say only that the president felt it "important to reach out to President Bush."
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Not saying America is (most of us didn't want the war anyway) but that is how other countries must view us, just as we'd be viewing them had they done it.
and they keep their word and end them
when they say they will...
NOT a year and a half later!
How how presidents honor themselves so!
Perhaps. But Geo W never showed his togetherness with the troops. He never showed up when the soldiers came back in a casket. He never consoled the families of our fallen heroes. Love of country! What kind of love!
This situation is WORSE than Vietnam was, because the American public does not have the will to protest this. As a result, more damage has been done . . both to America itself and to the other countries involved. It is madness to attempt nation-building. Great Britian tried that on us, we tried it on Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. The historical record is against us on this issue. If the indigenous population of the country in question wants change bad enough, they will accomplish it. Us going in and attempting to make it happen is just stupidity.
Dumbya said the got NUKULAR WEOPANS!
Thank you President Obama for at least trying to bring an end to this SCREWING OF THE TAXPAYERS!
Americans -Never forget who brought the USA to the bring of a second GREAT DEPRESSION!
choose wisely or they will succeed in draining the entire treasury if you give them another chance...
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