President Bush, turning in circles on Iraq
President George W. Bush, yesterday, May 1, 2006:
A new Iraqi government represents a strategic opportunity for America — and the whole world, for that matter. . . . This is a — we believe this is a turning point for the Iraqi citizens, and it’s a new chapter in our partnership.
Vice President Dick Cheney, December 18, 2005:
It’s an Iraqi government elected by Iraqis under a constitution written by Iraqis. . . . I do believe that when we look back on this period of time, 2005 will have been the turning point . . .
President George W. Bush, December 12, 2005:
It’s a remarkable transformation for a country that has virtually no experience with democracy, and which is struggling to overcome the legacy of one of the worst tyrannies the world has known . . . . There’s still a lot of difficult work to be done in Iraq, but thanks to the courage of the Iraqi people, the year 2005 will be recorded as a turning point in the history of Iraq.
President Addresses Nation, Discusses Iraq, War on Terror, June 28, 2005:
When the history of this period is written. . . . the liberation of Iraq will be remembered as great turning points in the story of freedom.
Mrs. Bush’s Remarks at Conference of Women Leaders, March 8, 2005:
People in the Middle East and commentators around the world are beginning to wonder whether recent elections may mark a turning point as significant as the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan, January 31, 2005:
The election is a victory for the Iraqi people. It’s a significant step forward for freedom and it is a defeat for the terrorists and their ideology. It marks a turning point in Iraq’s history and a great advance toward a brighter future for all Iraqis
President George W. Bush, January 29, 2005:
Tomorrow the world will witness a turning point in the history of Iraq, a milestone in the advance of freedom, and a crucial advance in the war on terror. The Iraqi people will make their way to polling centers across their nation.
President’s Remarks in Grand Rapids, Michigan, July 30, 2004:
Saddam Hussein sits in a prison cell. America and the world are safer. . . . When it comes to fighting the threats of our world and spreading peace, we’re turning the corner and we’re not turning back.
President Bush, June 18, 2004:
A turning point will come in less than two weeks. On June the 30th, full sovereignty will be transferred to the interim government.
Remarks by the President to Military Personnel, June 16, 2004:
A turning point will come two weeks from today. On June the 30th, governing authority will be transferred to a fully sovereign interim government, the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist, an American embassy will open in Baghdad.
Remarks by the President on Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 19, 2004:
Today, as Iraqis join the free peoples of the world, we mark a turning point for the Middle East, and a crucial advance for human liberty.
President Bush Discusses Freedom in Iraq and Middle East, November 6, 2003:
We’ve reached another great turning point – and the resolve we show will shape the next stage of the world democratic movement.
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, June 12, 2003:
The events of the last few months make clear that the Middle East is living through a time of great change. And despite the tragic events of the past few days, it is also a time of great hope. President Bush believes that the region is at a true turning point.
There’s a name for it when you are continually turning. It’s called “spinning.”
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Iraqis Begin Duty With Refusal, Washington Post, May 2, 2006:
The graduation of nearly 1,000 new Iraqi army soldiers in restive Anbar province took a disorderly turn Sunday when dozens of the men declared that they would refuse to serve outside their home areas, according to U.S. and Iraqi military authorities.
The graduation ceremony at Camp Habbaniyah, a base about 45 miles west of Baghdad, had been going well. The 978 soldiers, most of them Sunni Muslims, had just finished nearly five weeks of military training and were parading before a review stand to the sounds of martial music. They took an oath of service while U.S. and Iraqi officials delivered speeches hailing the event as an important step toward the formation of a national army.
Then some soldiers started tearing their clothes off to demonstrate their rage.
The protest was triggered by an announcement that the new soldiers, all residents of Anbar province — widely considered the heartland of Iraq’s Sunni Arab insurgent movement — would be required to serve outside their home towns and outside the province as well.
Heckuva turning point, Bushie.
Update: from yesterday’s press briefing —
Q Could we go back to Iraq? In the last three years, should — don’t the American people — shouldn’t they be somewhat skeptical when they hear a word like, turning point? Hasn’t — haven’t other things been portrayed as turning points
Followed by Scottie responding, “Well, let’s look at the facts. . .” and going on for three paragraphs, all while dutifully not-answering the question.
