MW: Mission Accomplished, Almost (Sort Of)
Posted by: chatblu on: August 31, 2010
- In: Class Warfare | Current Events | Democratic Values | Obama | Open Thread
- Comment!
Today, our peripatetic President, freshly back from (another) vacation, is off to Fort Bliss to visit the troops. He will then will return to deliver a prime time (8 pm Eastern) Oval Office speech on the end of the combat mission in Iraq. The Chicago Tribune’s “The Swamp” says:
Deputy press secretary Bill Burton said Tuesday that the president would “talk about the importance of the milepost that day is as we change missions in Iraq,” praise the “bravery and the courageousness” of those who have served in the conflict, and outline our policy there going forward.
and
“We are reducing our footprint in Iraq under our terms, and through a transition to over 600,000 Iraqi security forces who have proven up to the task,” John Brennan, the president’s homeland security adviser said. “Our efforts to draw down in Iraq are a critical part of our transition to full Iraqi responsibility, in line with the President’s goal of supporting an Iraq that is sovereign, stable and self-reliant.”
We watched the last (almost) combat troops leave Iraq last week under cover of darkness. They’re all gone except for 50,000 or so fully armed troops still within the Iraqi borders. Everything’s fine as long as the Iraqi army, police force and government rises to the occasion. In fact, should the Iraqi government pull themselves together, and begin the massive task of unifying the citizens and building a better country, things will be off to a good start. Should the Iraqi policy and military find themselves able to guarantee safety and security to the average citizen, things will be even better. Should these stabilizing events occur concomitantly, things may actually be pretty decent. However, there are still some huge issues in Iraq. Matters such as Kurdistan, the distribution of oil revenues, Suni vs. Shi’a conflict, and the possibility of problems at the next election are all atill very much in play. Most of the military experts seem to feel that this will take between five and ten years, so don’t take down those yellow ribbons just yet.
Like many who grew up around the military, it just isn’t for me. However, I have the greatest respect for those who followed their conscience and went off to war. Any number of my granddaughter’s graduating classmates enlisted, as there are no jobs and they had no money for school. This war, as most wars, will be fought by kids from the inner cities and the small towns and farms of the South, the Midwest, and the West. 4,734 of them did not come home. Countless thousands more came home injured, either in body, mind or spirit. Some of them will never recover, and may end up homeless and wandering like so many of the Vietnam Vets did. I hope that America will be kinder to them.
So let the President tell us that combat operations have ceased. In the immortal words of Yogi Berra “It ain’t over till it’s over.” We can at least console ourselves that our Fearless Leader will not be dressing up or using props.
This is an open thread.
52 Responses to "MW: Mission Accomplished, Almost (Sort Of)"
August 31, 2010 at 8:29 AM
What – no Greek columns for the speech?
It really is, pardon my French, fucked up to declare this mission over (again) while our soldiers remain there. In fact, I know someone who is shipping out to Iraq in a couple of weeks. And he’s not going going to sunbathe in the desert, that’s for sure. Does our Dear Leader consider him and thousands of soldiers like him to be less important? Because the “mission is over?” Nothing to see folks! Sickening.
August 31, 2010 at 9:37 AM
@1: There mustbe a Department of Operational Nomenclature. Also, that’s a neat song.
@2: Hopefully a minimum of props/
August 31, 2010 at 9:43 AM
I just find it so sad that Obama has fully inhabited Bush’s rhetoric and alleged goals for Iraq. No, the point was never a democracy, it was oil; but you wouldn’t know that by what Obama is saying. Success in Iraq, to us, means that we have control over the oil fields. Mission pretty much accomplished.
DYB, I am sorry to hear about your friend. I am quite sure Obama doesn’t care about him. He does not deserve the loyalty of our troops.
August 31, 2010 at 9:59 AM
Remember that Bill and Hillary Clinton were smeared as racists because Bill pointed out that Obama had the same position on Iraq as Bush. The idea that Obama was really against the war, as opposed to evil warmongering Hillary, was the main reason the fauxgressives gave to vote for him. Clinton started to destroy that illusion and called it a “fairy tale.” Quelle surprise – Bill was right and the fauxgressives were wrong.
August 31, 2010 at 1:29 PM
Yes, no one could have predicted!
OT – looks like Earl may be coming up the East Coast. Yikes!
August 31, 2010 at 1:36 PM
We can help with preparation/survival tips. Fredster, Fuzzy and I have been through this a time or three………..
August 31, 2010 at 1:47 PM
chat you are so right @8….I have found placing a can of SPAM with a lighted candle on it on your mantle or in a place of honor and prayer as a good method of preperation!
The Goddess of SPAM protects those with refrigeration from harm by storms!
August 31, 2010 at 2:19 PM
I don’t know what people in high-rise buildings do when a hurricane strikes. Any thoughts?
August 31, 2010 at 2:26 PM
Madamab – lots of candles, matches, bottled water and of course canned goods – and if you have a portable generator, so much the better – refrigeration and all that. And of course, Chat’s recommendations Peanut butter a must.
Personally, I haven’t lived in a high rise for 30 years – couldn’t stand the thought of having to walk down the stairs in total darkness again (had to do it when the big blackout of the eastern region happened).
August 31, 2010 at 2:27 PM
Peanut butter and jelly should be okay with milk, shouldn’t they??
August 31, 2010 at 2:43 PM
White bread and Spam? Not exactly Jewish staples! 
Just kidding – thanks for all the suggestions. I have walked down many flights of stairs in the pitch black, and it is not fun! We have candles and flashlights and peanut butter, but are low on bottled water. Definitely something we want to stock up on.
August 31, 2010 at 2:46 PM
MB @7 said:
OT – looks like Earl may be coming up the East Coast. Yikes!
Now Mad…your (not so) local wx nut friend here told you about this when Mr. Earl was still a tropical storm. I said I didn’t trust models that far out. Tsk, tsk.
I don’t know what people in high-rise buildings do when a hurricane strikes. Any thoughts?
Get what we call back home “squirt cheese” and crackers. It’s the canned cheese in a number of wonderful varieties. 
Oh and make sure you have t.p. Make sure you have batteries and a couple of flashlights in case power goes out and charge your cell phones. Also, winds aloft can be stronger than at the surface so that’s something to be wary of. You can’t board up obviously so maybe tape your windows so if something is flying around if it hits a window it won’t break inward. Although I got to say, getting the tape “off” the windows is a pain in the ass.
August 31, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Also, listen to your local weather forecasters, esp. this one.
August 31, 2010 at 3:05 PM
Fredster! Yup, you were very quick off the mark on Earl.
I was speaking to a Southern colleague of mine last night, and she said, “We won’t have a hurricane here! We never have before!”
I said, “Things change.”
Lord, can you imagine 6 million pissed-off New Yorkers without power or water in 95-degree heat? Talk about a circus!
August 31, 2010 at 3:13 PM
for your Southern friend, tell her to google long island hurricanes and get this result:
Couldn’t make it a tiny url, sorry ’bout that.
I don’t know how high your high-rise is, but if it is going to get close (and it doesn’t have to get that close to cause power outages) you might want to fill a bathtub with water in the event they use power or pressure to get water to you. That way you’ll have water to flush the terlet!
August 31, 2010 at 3:16 PM
Hurricane Gloria in the NE from 1985.
http://www.hurricanes-blizzards-noreasters.com/HURRICANE-GLORIA.html
August 31, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Yes, my other colleagues told her about the one in 1938. They knew about that one because Katharine Hepburn’s house was washed away in it.
As you can see from the articles you found, New York is pretty much screwed if a hurricane lands here. But, it doesn’t seem like it will. Looks like North Carolina will be bearing the brunt.
August 31, 2010 at 3:28 PM
@15 Kosher emergency supplies:
http://www.aaoobfoods.com/KosherMREshelfstable.htm#top
August 31, 2010 at 3:49 PM
Suweeet, Beata!
I just listened to that song – it was beautiful.
August 31, 2010 at 4:01 PM
Off to rehearsal again. Are people going to watch The Big Speech tonight on Iraq? Maybe we should liveblog it? I won’t be around till probably 9 or so.
August 31, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Oh, that would be the speech by the speechifyier and Totus? fortunately, I don’t have cable. I’ll be watching some Dracula movies – seems appropriate – Bloodsuckers anonymous. I can look for a really good Dracula movie for liveblogging – Dracula Dead and Loving it strikes a chord. I really like Peter McNichol, and Leslie Nielson and to be honest, they are far more interesting.
August 31, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Regarding the speech: I’m sure there’s something I have to do during that time. 
August 31, 2010 at 6:02 PM
@12: Ok, so do p.b. and a bagel.
@27: There must be some rerun of something on, but just for the hell of it, I may just watch the speech. Hmmmm……maybe another game?
@21: You may be lucky and just get the edge winds, but they can be pretty fierce when the gust.
August 31, 2010 at 6:59 PM
I think the speach will be titled “NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED” but thats just me I am feeling a little cynical tonight….
August 31, 2010 at 7:10 PM
<~~lived thru the 3-day power-outage in the midwest, in 90+ heat and humidity, some years back. Some hints: WATER, WATER,WATER.
Fill every available container, teapot, tub, and sink, and buy bottled water like crazy (I became the mistress of small-bowl baths, just fill a small bowl with water, use minimal soap, soap up, then rinse). Make sure you're reasonably caught up on laundry. Have paper plates and plastic glasses ready. Also..Have cash! As much as you can muster up. No cards work during power outages. Have a really good ice chest (Igloo is the bomb, they have one guaranteed to stay cold for 5 days-it did!), and pack your freezer with ice, and ice packs, to store perishables. Cell phones are unreliable, if you're lucky enough to have a "land-line", let people know, they may need to use it for emergencies. If you have a gas stove, it can be used to heat foods, and liquids, but you'll have to light it (instead of usng the elctric ignition). Have extra medications avalable, just in case. As far as avoiding danger during high winds and storms, get thee into a basement, or, failing all else, into your bathroom, the tub, plumbing and walls tend to protect better than anything else. And, don't forget your 'traveling towel' LOL.
August 31, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Regarding high rises in hurricanes, here’s a picture of the nola Hyatt Regency after Katrina.
Now this was an *extreme* situation. I’ve never see window damage this bad before, but flying debris does occur.
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/gallery/hurricane_katrina?pg=7
The good thing is that as it stands now, you all are just gonna get a glancing blow from the weaker side of the storm. Still Mad, you could get some heavy, flooding rains.
August 31, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Some of the high rises here had window damage, as wind speed can increase with elevation, plus there seems to be a wind tunnel effect between buildings. So, stay in the hall, and keep the doors closed.
August 31, 2010 at 7:50 PM
From weatherunderground:
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at201007_5day.html#a_topad
August 31, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Oh, and go pick up a cheap plug in phone, as portables don’t work when the power’s out.
August 31, 2010 at 7:52 PM
chat@34: That’s good news, but looks like NC is gonna get a kiss from Earl.
August 31, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Certainly not good news for the outer banks and Cape Fear. Even the cousins in Raleigh are provisioning.
August 31, 2010 at 8:59 PM
Well, I listened to the speech. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
August 31, 2010 at 10:08 PM
The “War is a Crime” folks were not impressed. Here is a link to a great commentary by David Swanson.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/54633
August 31, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Madamab I would never suggest anyone actually eat spam LOL its mearly a jesture to the Goddess of SPAM (Pele) who protects those from the storm she would probably be offended if you ate the SPAM you had placed on the alter in her honor…
August 31, 2010 at 10:46 PM
madamab I have kept an old rotary phone in my house toplug in when the power is out. I can tell you CON ED has the same Triage Restoration plan we do.
If you are on part of the grid with a Hospital, Grocery store or vital service you have priority for resteration. The good thing about New york is that most of your transmission lines are underground so you dont have to wait for infrastructure to be rebuilt.
Going underground might not be a good idea as if the power goes and the emergency back ups fail underground could flood remember the same pumping stations used to drain NOLA are used to keep the subway lines from flooding as well as other undergound locations.storm surge through lower Manhattan would fill up the subways quickly drowning many trappend in them.
Be careful….stay put have 7 days worth food and water in your high rise surely if the worst happens then in 7 days you can be rescued.
Remember next garage sale day go get an old rotary phone or maybe borrow Nancy Pelosi’s pink princess phone!
August 31, 2010 at 10:48 PM
Also have a can of spray paint and a white sheet if things get real bad and youfind yourself trapped in your highrise hand a sheet out the window with the words “Alive Inside” to attract attention.
August 31, 2010 at 11:22 PM
fuzzy said:
remember the same pumping stations used to drain NOLA
And they have some weird ancient power scheme. Somehow or another those pumps can’t be tied into the regular grid or something.
Also, if you are close to a substation you’ve got better chances of getting your power on sooner.
August 31, 2010 at 11:26 PM
Okay, you know people in AL are certifiably nuts when the lead story on the 10:00 news is that Mark Ingram cannot play for Al for the first game.
I mean, to hell with the story about one of the guys arrested over possibly doing a dry run for a terrorist attack flew out of B’ham and lives and works in Tuscaloosa.
September 1, 2010 at 12:05 AM
You guys are awesome. Thanks to all of you for the great advice! I will be sure to pick up some supplies tomorrow.
Thank goodness I did my birthday travel last weekend instead of on my actual birthday. Looks like the rain and flooding could be extensive.
And yes, I will stay away from the subways! They are problematic even when it just rains hard.
September 1, 2010 at 12:10 AM
You’re welcome. Looks like NC and Massachusetts will get the brunt.
September 1, 2010 at 12:13 AM
I didn’t care for this part (and others) of Mr. Swanson’s diatribe:
U.S. participants in this crime are heroes, always and everywhere. That’s sacred. The troops’ mission has involved protecting the Iraqi people, and by golly they’ve done a superb job, as long as we don’t mention the complete devastation of Iraq, the million dead, the millions of refugees, and the intense resentment of those remaining toward our country for what we’ve done to theirs.
I see from his c.v. http://www.davidswanson.org/about that he has no military experience. I highly doubt that many, if any, of our troops were that enthused about being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. However, they were given orders to go. If Swanson wants to blame Bush and Obama that’s more than fine with me. However leave the troops alone unless they have been charged with a criminal act.
He states that Al Qaeda will little known prior to the Iraqi war. Mr. Swanson must be delusional. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/al-qaeda-terrorism.html
Also, I see you have to register to be able to comment and I’m sure anything I put up there would be soon removed.
I’m definitely to the left politically, but I don’t need to read the pontifications of someone who seems to be a professional leftist for a living.
September 1, 2010 at 12:19 AM
Well, wordpress didn’t like my comment about a checklist for you MB. It ate it.
September 1, 2010 at 12:20 AM
Okay Mad:
Cheese whiz check
crackers check
Water check
cell phones charge check
Corded land line phone check
Extra t.p. B I G C H E C K!!!
September 1, 2010 at 12:33 AM
Wow! Earl is a big sucker. From the NHC:
EARL IS A LARGE HURRICANE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 90 MILES…150 KM…FROM THE CENTER…AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE
WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 200 MILES
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August 31, 2010 at 7:42 AM
So now it will be “Operation Change Missions” or “Operation Reduce Footprint”. What a farce.
A haunting song about “the war to end war” ( WWI ).