Axis of Defeatists' Rhetoric Continues

Making America Safe: Remaining Vigilant Against Terror Threats

This is an article by John Boehner, House Minority Whip

The National Intelligence Estimate notes that al Qaeda has redoubled its efforts to hatch terrorist plots and kill Americans both in the U.S. and abroad as its leadership continues to plan high-impact plots and recruit others to its murderous cause. Among the findings of the estimate is that while al Qaeda’s intent to attack us is undiminished, they continue to adapt and improve on their tactics and capabilities. The report also notes that al Qaeda’s branch in Iraq (al Qaeda in Iraq, or AQI) is the terrorist network’s “most visible and capable affiliate and the only one known to have expressed a desire to attack us here,” underscoring the importance of completing our nation’s mission successfully in Iraq.

Retreat is not an option. al Qaeda remains our principle enemy in Iraq, and our military continues to evolve to meet this threat. There is no question that we’re making progress in securing Iraq, and we’re making progress taking in going on offense against al Qaeda. And every measure of progress we make in Iraq makes us safer here at home.

“Operation Phantom Thunder,” the new, multi-faceted offensive against al-Qaeda terrorists, insurgents, and illegal sectarian militias. Since this new offensive began, attacks, casualties and IEDs detonations have all decreased, while more than 175 high-value terrorists, insurgents, and militia fighters have either been killed or arrested since June 15. This is a key step toward success in Iraq and bringing our troops home.

Operation Arrowhead Ripper is having phenomenal successes as well.

The boots on the ground: Generals: Troops Need to Stay in Iraq

Reid: Pull Troops or We Won’t Pay Them

Wow. Now THERE is support for the troops, eh?

Amanda Carpenter

If Majority Leader Harry Reid can’t start pulling troops out of Iraq, he doesn’t want to start paying them any more either.

After an amendment to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq within 120 days failed to receive the 60 votes needed to proceed, Reid set the entire defense authorization bill aside. By doing so, he shelved a 3.5 percent pay raise for all uniformed service personnel, $4 billion in equipment upgrades and a new program to treat traumatic brain injuries.

And the Leftinistra; The Left Continues to Mischaracterize the War

Liberals who favor withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq believe the situation there is relatively straightforward: We are enmeshed in a civil war, a deeply-rooted sectarian conflict the outcome of which matters little to the U.S. Disengaging is the only way we can engage the real enemy -- al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations bent on our destruction -- in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The Cut & Run Defeatocrats either just don't get it or they are purposefully aiding and abetting the enemy. It is that simple.

Those are the choices.

Why Can't Democrats Take Responsibility?

Why do the Democrats ALWAYS fault someone else when they fail or are seen as ineffective or not held in high esteem? Why is it, as they plunge lower and lower into the abyss that they themselves have created, they MUST blame someone else? Isn't there a medical term for that?

Democrats Blame Republicans and Bush for Low Approval

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday blamed the Republican minority for sinking congressional approval ratings, calling recent poll results "a referendum on Republican obstructionism." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) blamed President Bush.

Now, isn't that quaint? Remember how when the Democrats were in the minority they whined that the Republicans were obstructionists? They seem to want everything their way no matter their stature. Remember when they were in the minority how they DEMANDED the 60-vote rule? Does anyone remember that besides me?

Schumer told reporters that Republicans - who earlier this week blocked a Democratic amendment that would have mandated a troop withdrawal from Iraq, and who in June blocked a comprehensive immigration reform bill - are frustrating Americans who are hungry for change.

Change, Mr Schumer? Change? How so? The American People want the CIC to be the CIC and for CONgress to be the CONgress and never the two shall become the same. Hello? The last time CONgress became the CIC, millions died in The Killing Fields. Remember? The Americans Mr Schumer is referring to are the far-left fruit loops that espouse communism for America and are a MINORITY in numbers. I guess they are the only Americans. The rest of us are something else?

A Zogby telephone poll released Thursday showed approval of Congress "continues to plummet" and now sits at just 14 percent. Eighty-three percent of respondents gave Congress negative marks. The polling organization credited the low numbers to the "acrimonious scrimmage over immigration reform" in June.

"The American people are demanding change," Schumer said. "The one thing standing in the way is the Republicans in the Senate."

The only thing standing in the way of VICTORY in the GWOT are Democrats and their obstructionist BS by NOT listening to the troops on the ground, NOT listening to the Commanders in the field, and IGNORING the successes and abundantly clear progresses being made every day. 50+ days ago, the Democrats signed onto The Plan only to turn around and become the WORST Indian Givers in the known universe.

Reid echoed Schumer's frustration with Republicans but was also quick to blame Bush.

"When you have a president who is so unpopular ... it really reflects poorly on Congress," Reid said. "None of them [congressional approval ratings] are real high and we acknowledge that, but most of it relates to the unpopularity of the president."

And there we have it. BDS at its finest. We suck and it is all GWB's fault! Accept your own ineffectiveness bonehead. It isn't anyone else's fault but your own, Reid. And the country knows it. And so do you. You suck as a leader and so does your fellow nincompoop Pelosi.

Bush's job approval ratings in Zogby polls have been in the low and mid-30s since October 2006. This week it stood at 34 percent.

OVER TWICE THAT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LED CONGRESS.

Reid's contention, however, jarred with the view of the polling company, which described Bush's job approval rating as having "stabilized" while saying that "opinion of the work Congress is doing continues to plummet."

The current congressional rating is eight points lower today than it was for the Republican-controlled Congress just one week before Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress in the November 2006 elections.

So, if the approval ratings of the 110th CONgress is lower than when the Democrats won their vaunted majority and said it was a mandate and had PROMISED not to play politics with the troops (and they lied about that, didn't they?) and PROMISED not to call for a unilateral bailing from IRAQ (another LIE), what makes them think their current rating is anyone's fault but their own? Don't broken promises contribute to loss of confidence?

Schumer said that while overall congressional approval ratings are low, he believes Republicans are worse off than Democrats in public opinion. "They're not spreading the blame equally," he said of the American people.

Oh Good Lord, Schumer! Get a grip! Listen to what you just said! Please check in with your troll trainers. Not only are the Democrats blaming the Republicans in CONgress and GWB for their LOUSY promise-breaking policies, NOW they are blaming the American People. Way to go moron.

Some recent polls do seem to back up Schumer's claim, with Democratic approval ratings of 31 percent leading Republican approval ratings of 21 percent in a July 9 Harris poll. A June 27 Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll found a tighter margin with 36 percent approval for Democrats and 30 percent approval for Republicans.

Republican leaders blamed Democrats who control Congress for the low approval. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Americans "are still wondering whether the Democrats are going to deliver on their promises."

The only the Democrats can deliver is HAte Aamerica and Blame America First and Quit Iraq rhetoric.

"The polls show the American people are fed up with Congress and frankly they should be," Boehner said. "I think our families want solutions to their issues, not just more partisanship."

Boehner said Republicans "want to work with Democrats to address the solutions that the American people sent us here to deal with."

AMEN!!

97 - 0

From Wake Up Americans

Joe Lieberman along with McCain, Kyl, Graham, and Coleman, offered up an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, confronting the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran over its proxy attacks on American soldiers in Iraq, and it passed with a vote of 97-0.

Roll call can be found here.

Statement of purpose: To require a report on support provided by the Government of Iran for attacks against coalition forces in Iraq.

Liebermans statement from his site (linked above)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Lieberman, McCain, Kyl, Graham, and Coleman today introduced a bipartisan amendment to the Defense Authorization Act, confronting the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran over its proxy attacks on American soldiers in Iraq.

The amendment details the publicly available evidence put forward over the past year by General David Petraeus, commanding general of Multi-National Force Iraq, and others about Iran’s violent and destabilizing activities in Iraq.

The amendment states that “the murder of members of the United States Armed Forces by a foreign government or its agents is an intolerable act of hostility against the United States,” and demands the government of Iran “take immediate action” to end all forms of support it is providing to Iraqi militias and insurgents. The amendment also mandates a regular report on Iran’s anti-coalition activity in Iraq.

“For many months, our military commanders and diplomats have warned us that the Iranian government has been training, equipping, arming, and funding proxies in Iraq who are murdering our troops,” said Senator Lieberman. “This amendment is a common sense, common ground statement of the Senate to Tehran: we know what you are doing, and you must stop.”

“American officials attest that the government in Teheran seeks to bleed the United States and render unsuccessful our efforts to bring about a stable and self-governing in Iraq,” said Senator McCain. “This amendment will send a clear signal: Iran’s activities in Iraq are wrong, and they must end immediately.”

“The Iranians are attempting to thwart our policies in the Middle East by actively supporting terrorists who are killing our troops in Iraq,” said Senator Kyl. “It is time we acknowledge this hostility against us, and this amendment tells the Iranians we will not tolerate any actions which threaten our troops or allies.”

“The evidence is increasingly clear the Iranian government is working to destabilize the Iraqi government,” said Senator Graham. “It is long past time for Congress to speak out about this destructive behavior by Iran. We need one voice, and I expect it will be a unified bipartisan voice, speaking out and condemning these actions by the Iranian government.”

“The United States will not tolerate Iran’s hostile attempts to sabotage our efforts in the Middle East region,” said Senator Coleman. “On my last trip to Iraq, our Minnesota troops in Southern Iraq showed me Iranian-made explosives that were used against them on convoy missions. This crucial amendment makes it clear to the Iranian government, and any other government in the region that seeks to harm our soldiers, that providing any form of support to Iraqi insurgents will not be tolerated and must cease immediately.”

The text of the actual amendment should be here, when they actually get it up on the site. (That link will be changed if it ends up being put up at a different URL)

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Michael Goldfarb reports:

Iran Amendment Passes 97-0

The Lieberman amendment--confronting Iran on its proxy attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq--just passed the Senate unanimously, 97-0.

So let's look at the scorecard this week so far: The Webb amendment on trying to limit Iraq deployments went down to defeat. The Lieberman amendment confronting Iran passed unanimously. So much for the long-predicted collapse--at least so far. There will be some tough votes in the days ahead. Let's hope the Senate Republicans continue to hold the line.

Meanwhile, Senator Lieberman had this to say of the Senate's unanimous vote, confronting Iran:

"Today's unanimous vote sends a strong, clear message from the entire Senate to the Iranians that we know what they are doing in Iraq, and they must stop...This is a warning to the Iranians that whatever differences divide us politically here in Washington, we stand united against these outrageous attacks."

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What does it mean? For one thing, take a stroll to Spree's place and read some comments from the far-left moonbat blogs. They are upset. Good. Maybe they will just end it all and do the world a favor.

97 - 0. If 97 Senators are all on the same page when it comes to Iran killing our people, why then do they support AQI from killing our people? I don't get it. Oh. Wait. Politics. OK. Never mind.

The Hill

According to sources, Boehner and Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) were urging solidarity among House Republicans, explaining that they must distinguish themselves from their Senate colleagues.

A spokesman for Boehner said his comments were in no way meant to trivialize the war or the senators’ decisions. Rather, they were meant to emphasize the importance of allowing the troop surge to work and to urge GOP lawmakers to reserve their judgment on the situation until September, when Gen. David Petraeus is scheduled to brief Congress fully on the progress in Iraq.

CNS News

President Bush's Iraq "surge" strategy is not dead and should be given a chance to succeed, according to two security analysts who met at the American Enterprise Institute Monday to discuss military policy and politics.

AEI resident scholar Frederick Kagan and former acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Jack Keane spoke out with rare voices of approval for the president's policy as part of an AEI panel called "Assessing the Surge in Iraq."

Kagan was critical of the surge's detractors, saying they had jumped to attack a policy that had only recently begun. He expressed incredulity at the idea that the surge was somehow not working.

"The current strategy has not failed. It just began June 15th," Kagan said.

Keane agreed, adding that the strategy needed more time. He also stressed that the situation was generally improving in Iraq and that coalition forces were gaining momentum in their efforts.

"All the Iraqis that I spoke to, numbering in the hundreds, believed the security situation was getting better," he said.

WSJ

The "surge" is working. Will Washington allow the current progress to continue?

In Washington perception is often mistaken for reality. And as Congress prepares for a fresh debate on Iraq, the perception many members have is that the new strategy has already failed.

This isn't an accurate reflection of what is happening on the ground, as I saw during my visit to Iraq in May. Reports from the field show that remarkable progress is being made. Violence in Baghdad and Anbar Province is down dramatically, grassroots political movements have begun in the Sunni Arab community, and American and Iraqi forces are clearing al Qaeda fighters and Shiite militias out of long-established bases around the country.

This is remarkable because the military operation that is making these changes possible only began in full strength on June 15. To say that the surge is failing is absurd. Instead Congress should be asking this question: Can the current progress continue?

One should be wondering why it is that the folks with the lowest approval ratings in history want to once again get shown the door. Reid and Pelosi cannot scrape enough votes together to override GWB's veto pen and those of us in the New Media won't allow them to win this round either. We trounced the ILLEGAL Alien Shamnesty bill into the dirt and we will do the same this time around as well.

We are strongly united in defeating the Leftinistra.

Be fair warned. We are watching.

John Boehner Slams Losers

An Emotional Chastisement

An Emotional Chastisement

Monday, May 28, 2007 9:08 PM

House Minority Leader ‘Cries’ for Iraq

May 25th, 2007

GoE

(Excerpt from transcript of House Minority Leader John Boehner addressing the House)

“Today, we begin an extended debate on the resolution criticizing the latest effort by American forces to win in Iraq. There’s no question that the war in Iraq has been difficult. All Americans are frustrated that we haven’t seen more success and that we haven’t seen it more quickly. But war is never easy and almost never goes according to plan.

Al Qaeda and their supporters in the region have been steadfast in their efforts to slow us down and frustrate our efforts to succeed. But because they cannot defeat Americans on the battlefield, al Qaeda and terrorist sympathizers around the world are trying to divide us here at home. Over the next few days, we have an opportunity to show our enemies that we will not take the bait.”

Click here for Think Progress full story

Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) broke down on the House floor today, sobbing uncontrollably as he urged his colleagues to vote in favor of the $100 billion Iraq war spending bill.

“Members on both sides of the aisle feel differently about our mission in Iraq and our chances of success there,?? Boehner said, pausing to compose himself. As he continued, Boehner began to weep openly, crying out: “After 3,000 of our fellow citizens died at the hands of these terrorists, when are we going to stand up and take them on? When are we going to defeat them???

Boehner went on to say, ” I know that there’s this — I know there are differences in this chamber. Members on both sides of the aisle who feel differently about our mission in Iraq and our chances of success there. I know when I came here and every two years since I’ve been here on the opening day we all stand here, we raise our right hands and swear to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States. There are a lot of my colleagues have heard me make this statement that I didn’t come here to be a congressman. I came here to do something. And I think at the top of our list is providing for the safety and security of the American people. That’s at the top of our list. After 3,000 of our fellow citizens died at the hands of these terrorists, when are we going to stand up and take them on? When are we going to defeat them? Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, if we don’t do it now, and we don’t have the courage to defeat this enemy, we will long, long regret it. So thank you for the commitment to get the job done today.”

Posted in Media For You, Media

War Talk

Spree Says To Pass This Along

Spree Says To Pass This Along

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 3:26 PM

From Spree’s place with permissions granted:

I received an email this morning from SSG Dave Thulm in Al Asad, Iraq, from Appeal for Courage, letting me know that Appeal for Courage will be formally presented to several members of congress today.

Spree-
just a heads up that the Appeal For Courage will be formally presented to several members of Congress this afternoon. Quite a situation when soldiers have to ask to be allowed to stay in the combat zone to finish the job, but we have over 2800 signatures so far asking for just that. Our website is appealforcouarge.org, and we will be rounding up the (sure to be underwhelming) media coverage.

Thanks for your time and your great blog, I read it every day.

SSG Dave Thul
Al Asad, Iraq

Remember these are active military members asking the Congress to show courage in a time of war.

To remind everyone what their message is that they are delivering to members of congress:

It is a sad day when our active members of the military are fighting for us overseas and they feel forced to fight our Democratic Congress and Senate also here in our country, just so they will not have defeat forced down their throats when they can see the success and progress they are making in Iraq. (updated)

Pass this around to anybody and everybody because it is not like our media will be reporting much on it.

To the above messages from David In Iraq and Spree, I add the following from The Patriot Post.

THE FOUNDATION: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Close to home — Fort Dix, New Jersey was a jihadi target

“War, like most other things, is a science to be acquired and perfected by diligence, by perserverance, by time, and by practice.” —Alexander Hamilton

UPRIGHT

“Listening to the messages of al-Qa’ida’s leaders, you understand that they see their old defeats in very personal and contemporary terms. They are in a ‘long war’ against us, even if we don’t know it. And they’re committed to winning it.” —former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson ++ “The hard truth is that progress in Iraq (and there has been some since the surge began) is painstakingly slow. It will require patience and grit to prevail. But to suggest that diplomacy can solve this problem now is pure fantasy.” —Mona Charen

The Leftinistra have been eerily silent. Any guesses as to why?

Latest updates from Spree and a host of others!!

Patrick Ruffini, also from the We Win They Lose effort, ( see petition at the top of the page) has also picked up on this issue over at Townhall!!!!!!

Others are talking about the Appeal for Courage being formally presented to members of Congress today:

Army Times, Michelle Malkin, Power Line, Political Punch, Foriegn and Domestic (Thanks for the mention!!!!)

Thanks to Foreign and Domestic we have the official release on this:

Here is the official press release:To Reporters/Editors, please note the following item from the Daybook:

2:30 p.m. GOP-IRAQ SUPPORT _ Senators Lindsey Graham and Saxby Chambliss , House Republican Leader John Boehner, Republican Whip Roy Blunt and Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor will accept a petition - the Appeal for Courage - signed by more than 2,700 U.S. service members urging Congress to support the mission in Iraq .

Location: Lobby Entrance, Veterans of Foreign Wars Headquarters, 200 Maryland Ave. NE.

Our active military members should not have to do this, but they are, just like they don’t have to fight for our freedoms and to protect us, yet they do.

Bless them and THANKS!!!!

From the Army Times article:“

No one knows the stakes in this war better than the men and women who face, and have faced, our enemies on the front lines,” Boehner said. “They understand that the security of current and future generations of Americans may be dictated by the actions Congress takes today, and I commend them both for their service and for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their mission is given chance to succeed.”

Boehner said he is “honored to accept these petitions and share the story of the Appeal for Courage with my colleagues. This could not have come at a more important time.”

Many view Appeal for Courage as a response to a group calling itself Appeal for Redress, which in January turned over a petition signed by about 1,000 service members calling for Congress to cut off funding for the Iraq combat mission. The number of signatures on that petition has grown to about 1,900.

About 60 percent of the 2,700 signatures on the Appeal For Courage petition come from service members who are serving or have served in Iraq, with about two-thirds enlisted members and one-third officers. The signatures were gathered over about a month.

The petition states: “As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.”

On Tuesday, Boehner, who has called the withdrawal timetable for Iraq a plan for surrender, said he was no more pleased with a new Democratic plan that would provide only a couple of months of funding for Iraq combat operations while lawmakers continue to debate strategy.

Boehner said Democratic leaders “should not treat our men and women in uniform like they are children who are getting a monthly allowance. Republicans will not support rationing funds for our troops in harm’s way and neither will the American people.”

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Boehner!!!!!!!!!!