Top Secret: World Media Descends On Iraq

The Left is ginning up a controversy - that McCain "leaked" Obama's purported visit to Iraq this weekend - though the McCain quote doesn't fully support that. Protocol aside, with who knows how many news anchors in tow, two Senators and a slew of other media types along ... if Al Qaeda can't figure out Obama is heading to Iraq, I guess 9/11 really was an inside job. It would mean they are too stupid to have pulled it off.

But seriously, now that the media will be in Iraq and things are much improved, will they genuinely report that ... the way they should have been doing all along? Or, will they simply deliver the profound wisdom emanating from Obama's teleprompter and talking points to their all too eager ears? Stay tuned.

At least the New York Times finally has some national security information they can justify holding back ... because they luvs him, oh yes they do.

"I believe that either today or tomorrow -- and I'm not privy to his schedule -- Sen. Obama will be landing in Iraq with some other senators" who make up a congressional delegation, McCain told a campaign fund-raising luncheon.

It's known that Obama is leaving on his foreign trip this weekend and the Journal OpEd page this morning said that Obama could arrive in Iraq "as early as this weekend." And with a slew of reporters in tow, it's not exactly highly classified information. But there is a reason definite information about these sorts of trips aren't released in advance.

Hypothetically, maybe McCain was just guessing. But even so it would still be a serious lapse of judgment on his part.

Comments

[GL]

"The Left is ginning up a controversy - that McCain "leaked" Obama's purported visit to Iraq this weekend"

What are they afraid of do you reckon? AQ in Iraq terrorists showing up at the airport with Obama 08 signs for the video cameras? lol

[Fred]

The right side cannot even campaign fairly. The only controversy being ginned up is the hope that your candidate will garner 6% of the vote come November. He'll probably just get to 4-5%, but lets jump the shark, ok? Your candidate stinks - just like you....

Pathetic losers, your children deserve better. Think about putting them up for adoption, please....

[DV]

ONE just flew a bunch of Congressmen to Rwanda where the PC just opened.

http://www.one.org/blog/2008/07/18/plane-taking-off-for-rwanda/

[Anne]

Did McCain tell these people too? I also saw it on Al Jazeerah (sp) that they know he is coming.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1417895.php/PREVIEW_Iraqis_unmoved_by_Obamas_anti-war_rhetoric

But in Iraq, which is preparing to receive Senator Barak Obama this weekend, a sense of realism prevails. etc. etc. etc.

[Scrapiron]

If AQ doesn't know his lord and master is coming to Iraq that would explain them getting their butts kicked by a young generation of fine Americans.
Fred, how much money you got that you are willing to give to me on a bet on McCains vote totals? I'll let you up your guess to 10% and still wipe you out. Come on big guy, put up or shut your pie hole. I'm willing to risk a 100K + or maybe mortage the home which is free and clear and make it a quarter million. Cash in a bankers ( Wachovia will cover me) hands with the winner take all. Either back up your stupidity or prove you really are as stupid as you write.

[Scrapiron]

By the way doesn't everyone know Hussein, being the good Islamist he is, would have already notified his family and friends he would be in the neighborhood and when. They're not going to hurt their boy.

[Anne]

So far, from Drudge, Obama will be in Israel 22nd and 23rd, Germany 24th, France 25th.

My last post should read Haaretz not Al Jazeerah

[SacTownMan]

Meanwhile on NBC news:

How can you folks possibly think we are in the tank for Barry?

"Tune in tommorow night to see how Barry plays hoops with the troops. Also, don't miss our exclusive interview with Barry's kindergarden teacher sharing his inspiring finger paintings. And don't miss our cookie baking tips from Michelle."

Are there that many stupid, clueless people in this country that they can't see through this total annointing of the "One" by the MSM? I mean besides Lame-o, Chris/Bob, President Carter and some of the other regular trolls that linger here.

Come on guys I can hardly wait for you to defend the "Barry Boy World Tour" complete with the MSM groupies in tow.

[Concerned Citizen]

The Obama has landed in Afghanistan. It occurred at 3:38 AM. At the precise moment, Greta van Sustern was contacted via Blackberry notification. This is no joke; the "urgent" message woke her up and this info was posted at her site. The Preen and Prance Tour has begun.

Check out the Onion's satire mocking the lame media coverage and puffery:

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/time_publishes_definitive_obama

Courtesy: The Onion/noquarterusa.NET

[Fred Beloit]

Anne's link provided this little jewel by Prof. Fadhil:

"'This issue is part of a very carefully studied US strategy. We should not forget that the decision to unseat the regime of Saddam Hussein and occupy Iraq was not a decision taken only by the Republican Party,' Fadhil said.

'In fact, the legislation on the liberation of Iraq had been issued under the administration of Bill Clinton, who was a Democratic president,' Fadhil added."

Bush's war, eh trolls? How come you mutts don't know something the rest of us know and even the Iraqis know? Hmmm, Fred?

[Anne]

When Obama visits Germany he will speak at the Victory Column

Here's a little history

At the centre of the Tiergarten, stands the Column of Victory (Siegess?ule), 67m high, surrounded by a large roundabout called "Gro?er Stern".

The column was completed in 1873 by Johann Heinrich Strack for the K?nigsplatz in front of the Reichstag. It was constructed to celebrate the military successes of Prussia over Denmark in 1864, Austria in 1866 and France in 1870 and 71, it was inaugurated in 1873 by the Emperor William 1.

The statue of Victoria, popularly called the Golden Elsa, was added some years later by F.Drake. She commemorates Prussian victories of war.

In 1938 Hitler moved it from its place in front of the Reichstag to the centre of Tiergarten where it stands today in preparation for his plans for Germania, the new capital of the ReichThere is a 285 steps upthere to see a wondeful view of the large park.

[Fred Beloit]

"When Obama visits Germany he will speak at the Victory Column"

Ah, another great judgment by campaign Obama:

"Now, ya know, this behind me is a statue celebrating, ya know, victory. That's what the world will have to celebrate in a few months, ya know, my victory. These Prussians kicked the butts all over Europe the way I will kick, ya know Bush's, I mean, ya know, McCain's butt all over our 58 states."

[Worst President Ever]

"Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supports US presidential candidate Barack Obama's plan to withdraw US troops from Iraq within 16 months. When asked in and interview with SPIEGEL when he thinks US troops should leave Iraq, Maliki responded "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." He then continued: "US presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,566841,00.html

[Fred Beloit]

Will this story offered by Worst below have to be redone too?

"The prime minister was widely quoted as saying that in the negotiations with the Americans on a Status of Forces Agreement to regulate the US troop presence from next year, "the direction is towards either a memorandum of understanding on their evacuation, or a memorandum of understanding on a timetable for their withdrawal".

That was the version of Mr Maliki's remarks put out in writing by his office in Baghdad.

It was widely circulated by the news media, and caught much attention, including that of Mr Obama.

There is only one problem. It is not what Mr Maliki actually said."

From the BBC.

[Fred Beloit]

BBC story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7504571.stm

[Fred Beloit]

One quickly learns there isn't much moderation at The Moderate Voice blog. They write:

"Whether the Bush administration, after years of vicious attacks on anyone who would dare to mention timetables for the U.S. disengagement in Iraq, is caving in to Maliki’s demands and is now itself discussing timetables, is debatable."

"...after years of vicious attacks on anyone..."

Anybody have a guess who one person who was viciously attacked might be? Perhaps they are confusing Bush with Pelosi,

[Fred Beloit]

Vermont's leftist government attempts to intimidate diminutive librarian defending civil rights.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9212J5G2&show_article=1&catnum=0

[Worst President Ever]

As usual, Fred gets his "facts" wrong. The two articles are talking about different things.

The lead paragraph from the Spiegel link says they did an INTERVIEW with Maliki. The BBC article is about an audio recording. And since Spiegal published July 19th, five days more recent than the BBC link.

Reading comprehension Fred, it's not just for elementary kids.

[Fred Beloit]

Worst, please reread: "Will this story offered by Worst below have to be redone too?"

Try to focus on the word "too". Notice it? Comprehend it? No. Guess not. If I were talking about your story, I wouldn't have added that "too", now would I?

[Anne]

Der Speigel is a weekly magazine, like the New Yorker. The New Yorker cartoon cover is dated 7/21 just like der Speigel ev en though they were written ahead of time. I think the two articles refer to the same statement

[Worst President Ever]

No, they're not the same thing.

1. The Spiegel link says: "IN AN INTERVIEW with SPIEGEL, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Barack Obama's 16 month time frame for a withdrawal from Iraq is the right one."

2. The BBC links says; "The key statement cited by Mr Obama and others was made by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki last Monday IN HIS ADDRESS to Arab ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates."

[Worst President Ever]

SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?

Maliki: As soon as possible, as far as we're concerned. U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.

SPIEGEL: Is this an endorsement for the US presidential election in November? Does Obama, who has no military background, ultimately have a better understanding of Iraq than war hero John McCain?

Maliki: Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems. Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business. But it's the business of Iraqis to say what they want. And that's where the people and the government are in general agreement: The tenure of the coalition troops in Iraq should be limited.

[Anne]

Der Speigel changed the quote from Maliki

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/07/19/maliki-obamas-16-month-timetable-sounds-good/

[Anne]

Fred,
I gather that the BBC correction was to an erroneous AP article/mistranslation (on Purpose?)

but what about this?

U.S., Iraq Agree To 'Time Horizon'
Bush and Maliki Discuss Troop Pullout
SLIDESHOW
Previous Next

In this Sunday, April 8, 2007 file photo, a U.S. marine watches children play in Ramadi, in Iraq's Anbar province, 70 miles west of Baghdad.
In this Sunday, April 8, 2007 file photo, a U.S. marine watches children play in Ramadi, in Iraq's Anbar province, 70 miles west of Baghdad. (Todd Pitman - AP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has opposed the idea of an open-ended U.S. troop presence.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has opposed the idea of an open-ended U.S. troop presence. (Getty Images)

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Who's Blogging
» Links to this article
By Dan Eggen and Michael Abramowitz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, July 19, 2008; Page A01

President Bush and Iraq's prime minister have agreed to set a "time horizon" for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq as part of a long-term security accord they are trying to negotiate by the end of the month, White House officials said yesterday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071801308.html

[seekeronos]

Folks, try to remember that the only politicos more slimy and shady than American politicos are Arab politicos.

Al-Maliki is likely speaking along the lines of withdrawal for the consumption of the people who keep him in office.

Meanwhile, the sheiks and tribal chieftains (largely Sunni) in the hinterlands of Anbar and else where are probably not looking forward as much to said withdrawal.

What he actually thinks about a rapid withdrawal (or even a staged and careful withdrawal) are not necessarily what you may be reading in today's fish-wrappers.

Of course, I think that a withdrawal would be in our best interests at this point, and such a withdrawal would prove once and for all whether or not the Surge was as much a success as we have hoped it to be, and has been.

It is now time to see if the Iraqis can stand on their own feet.

[Old Trooper]

The usual punk assed comments from punks that never have first hand experience that is relevent.

[Terrance]

That's right. Them there I-raqis don't know what they want for their country. Heroes like OLD Trooper do. He's a hero, you know. Hero.

[Fred Beloit]

Without using any lens of mine. Nutroots, this dud's for you:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/07/major-gaffe-media-mistranslates-maliki.html

[Fred Beloit]

Gallup has Obie and Mac pretty close in recent polls, sometimes within the margin of error. This should come as a shock to the moonbats who troll here; however, others will not find this surprising. The two are very close on their positions. As for hoping for change, well go ahead and hope. But prepare to be very disappointed, no matter which of these guys wins.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/108946/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Maintains-Slight-Edge-Over-McCain.aspx

[Fred Beloit]

From the Daily News:
"For weeks now, Barack Obama has closely guarded the details of his planned fact-finding trips to Afghanistan and Iraq, citing security concerns.

But Friday, the Democratic presidential hopeful's Republican rival, John McCain, may have let the secret out of the bag - infuriating some Obama supporters and putting Camp McCain on the defensive."

If the Obie campaign closely guarded the details of Obie's stumping overseas, how did Mac find out about the details? Another MSM story that makes zero sense. Full moon for journalism.

[Fred Beloit]

By Ken McCracken at Say Anything blog:

"Poor Josh [Marshall of TPM] has been suckered, taken by wishful thinking into believing the implausible idea that Maliki is a 'surrender you can believe in' Democrat at heart. Once again Maliki's comments were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately by the MSM. How do we know this? Because Maliki's spokesman said his comments were "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately."

[Fred Beloit]

By Wolfram Weimer at PJM this and more on Obama's campaigning in Germany:

"Berlin’s socialist mayor Klaus Wowereit welcomed the idea: he found it amazing. And amazing, it is. It would not occur to anyone in France to let Oskar Lafontaine, the co-Chair of the German Left Party, hold a campaign speech at the Arc de Triomphe. No one in England would think of helping one of the Kaczynski brothers stump for Polish votes in front of Buckingham Palace. No Russian could imagine a Ségolène Royal campaigning in front of the Kremlin. Why not? Because there is such a thing as a feeling of reverence toward national symbols. And this feeling forbids one from allowing such places to be misused for the politicking of foreign nations. It shows a lack of respect to want to degrade the historical monuments of friendly countries into electoral campaign scenery.

[Fred Beloit]

Roger Kimball at PJM on Obie's idea for an American KGB:

"Today, Powerline recaps some of Obama’s proposals on that score:
I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems…
…I will not weaponize space…
…I will slow development of future combat systems…
…and I will institute a “Defense Priorities Board” to ensure the quadrennial defense review is not used to justify unnecessary spending…
…I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons…
…and to seek that goal, I will not develop nuclear weapons…
…I will seek a global ban on the development of fissile material…
…and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert…
…and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals…

But even as Obama is racing to diminish the capabilities of the United States military–the institution that protects us from foreign aggressors–he seeks to establish A “civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as the United States military.

Whom or what would such a security force police? Whom would they protect? Whom would they intimidate?"

[Fred Beloit]

From Reuters:
"By Khaled al-Ansary and Mohammed Abbas

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is popular among Iraqis.
In two dozen interviews across the country, many told Reuters a black man would understand their plight.
Obama arrived in Baghdad on Sunday on only his second trip to Iraq. He wants to bolster his foreign policy credentials and counter accusations from Republican presidential rival John McCain that he has not seen conditions in Iraq for himself.
"I support Obama. I think he is the best for Iraq and for the world ... if McCain wins I will be devastated," said Mustafa Salah, an office worker in the southern city of Basra.

Reuters has since pulled this story because it was sent out "in error", so NEVERMIND.

[Anne]

Fred, you asked about this future socialist agenda -

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_07_13-2008_07_19.shtml#1216451854

Funding Barack Obama's "civilian national security force."--

A. Obama on National Service.

In Barack Obama’s July 2, 2008 speech calling America to national service, Obama proposed “a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as our military.

read more .....

[Worst President Ever]

Gee, the statement came from the US military's Central Command press office - that's CENTCOM. Some mighty big fingerprints there. And the new release doesn't say what was misunderstood or mistranslated in the original interview.

And from Der Spiegel: "SPIEGEL sticks to its version of the conversation."

The meat of the new statement - see if you can find what they say is wrong with the original interview:

"Al-Dabbagh explained that Mr. al-Maliki confirmed the existence of an
Iraqi vision stems from the reality with regard to Iraq security needs,
as the positive developments of the security situation and the
improvement witnessed in Iraqi cities makes the subject of U.S. forces’
withdrawal within prospects, horizons and timetables agreed upon and in
the light of the continuing positive developments on the ground, and
security that came within the Strategic Plan for Cooperation which was
laid and developed by Mr. Maliki and President George Bush. The Iraqi
government appreciates and values the efforts of all the friends who
continue to support and supporting Iraqi security forces."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,566914,00.html

[Fred Beloit]

Fine Worst: "...in the light of the continuing positive developments on the ground, and
security that came within the Strategic Plan for Cooperation which was
laid and developed by Mr. Maliki and President George Bush...

In other words when the victory is secured the Amis can leave. There are two kinds of victories though, Worst, tactical victories and the strategic victories, one of which is mentioned, and capitalized (why, because it is a formal agreement?). However which one is it. The security of Iraq or the security of the Middle East. It would be foolish and expensive to leave and have go right back again because of Iran, etc., don't you think?

I could not find this Plan on Goog(???). Perhaps it is classified.

[Fred Beloit]

Thanks for the link, Anne.

[seekeronos]

"--- Gallup has Obie and Mac pretty close in recent polls, sometimes within the margin of error. This should come as a shock to the moonbats who troll here; however, others will not find this surprising. The two are very close on their positions. ---"

Not at all surprising.

One is an open socialist, the other cloaks his big-government statism and his "diet socialism" as "reaching accross the aisle" and "being a wacky, acerbic 'maverick' who just does what he wants regardless of what his constituents might have to say on it".

Both are hungry for power, and will mercilessly crush underfoot anyone or any institution that is remotely in their way. To the both of them, as much as it was to Bush, the US Constitution is but an accursed, outdated, troublesome "scrap of paper" that they would just as soon use as toilet paper.

Restore the Republic!
http://www.Baldwin2008.com

[bobInStamford]

Heavens, it would appear that Fred Beloit/Anne took a double dose of Centrum Silver this morning!! Such anger, so many links. It's nearly dinner time for you 'two'. A grateful nation thanks you for your service. Semper Fi!!

[seekeronos]

"--- But even as Obama is racing to diminish the capabilities of the United States military–the institution that protects us from foreign aggressors–he seeks to establish A “civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as the United States military.

Whom or what would such a security force police? Whom would they protect? Whom would they intimidate? ---"

Ah, the so-called "Department of Peace".

Well, that is about a perfect picture for someone with plans to dismantle our ability to defend ourselves from foreign or UN aggression, and for someone intent upon (forcibly) merging the USA or the parts of the dissolved Republic into the North American Union or some other similar global government construct.

A new Sturmabteilung staffed with fresh-faced leftists, environmentalist radicals, ex-convicts and radical sodomites to take away our guns and kill off those pesky Christians who would rather us turn back to Jesus for forgiveness.

I know I am reaching a bit with this, but these are possibilities that one must consider when looking at such a radical realignment of our military force.

The only constitutionally correct move we can make with our troops is to redeploy them back to the CONUS for their proper roll as CONTINENTAL DEFENSE, with a defense-only role, and a very limited mutual defense role as defined with our treaties with Japan and the Republic of Korea, until such time as an acceptable replacement treaty be renegotiated with those powers so as to allow for the strategic withdrawal of thos forces as well.

There is no need for a "civilian defense corps", unless you really want to toss posse comitatus completely out the window; this is what state and local police forces are for.

[Worst President Ever]

Define victory Fred - cause there's no official government to surrender or sign a peace treaty.

"But even as Obama is racing to diminish the capabilities of the United States military"

Care to give some concrete examples of this?

And the Iraqi statement on the Spiegle interview was issued after a call from the US government.

[cindi]

A. Obama on National Service.

In Barack Obama’s July 2, 2008 speech calling America to national service, Obama proposed “a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as our military.

read more .....

Posted by:Anne | Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 11:50 AM

ohhh be jezzussssssssss....the Jehovas have been predicting this for the past 20 years! They will be happy to see an event finally come true. LMAO. But maybe, just maybe Obama can take some of those welfare folks and make them honest bread winners instead of dependents on the purse of America.

Line em up. Then we can hear folks screaming how the welfare to National Service is against blacks/hispanics and the mom's just trying to raise their chill'ern.

[Anne]

Poor Ohio family forced to scrimp on food

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/07/poor-ohio-family-forced-to-scrimp-on.html

These two women are so fat they could probably go a year without eating.

[Anne]

OK, now there are 3 versions of what Maliki said to Der Spiegel

http://patterico.com/2008/07/20/a-third-version-of-malikis-remarks/

[Fred Beloit]

The Dems had better choose their VP candidate very carefully. If this report turns out to be true, an unconstitutionally elected Obama may have to be replaced if he cannot prove he is a natural born American citizen. I understand some feel the same could happen to McCain.

"Barack Obama may be on a world tour surrounded by a fawning media, but Sunday an expert in electronic document forensics released a detailed report on the purported birth certificate -- actually a "Certification of Live Birth" or COLB -- claimed as genuine by his campaign. The expert concludes with 100% certainty that it is a crudely forged fake: "a horribly[sic] forgery," according to the analysis published on the popular right-wing Atlas Shrugs blog."

[Fred Beloit]

"Define victory Fred - cause there's no official government to surrender or sign a peace treaty."

Pretty lame, Worst, but I will do so. But first, you please define official, government, surrender, and peace. Thanks in advance.

[Fred Beloit]

Tell you what, Worst, let's let Obama define it for you. From Power Line blog:

"Obama Signals He Will Endorse An Iraq ‘Victory’
sarasara

Posted: 21 July 2008 07:13 AM [ Ignore ]
E. Burke
Total Posts: 908
Joined 2008-03-03

I just heard a clip from Obamas[sic] foreign policy speech in which he said that once the Iraqis had taken control then that would be a victory for the US and Iraq.

This is a relief because the pressure is on him from the liberals to never concede victory in Iraq.

It is vital that not only have we a declaration of victory, but that a one-off Victory day holiday should be called by the President; this or next, to allow for tickertape parades and memorial dedications."

[IslamoLlama]

Hey, once again, if declaring "victory" is all it takes to make the wingnuts shut up long enough to get our troops home, then God Bless Barack Obama for having the courage to pander to the we-coulda-won-Vietnam crowd. :-p

At this point, the argument is moot. Either the Surge! worked or it didn't. If it worked, we've got the stabilization needed to bring our troops home. If it didn't, we don't have the money or manpower to keep at this endless, so we might as well cut our loses sooner than later. No matter how you look at it, Iraq was a massive clusterfuck from the get-go. We managed to replace a secular dictator with a collection of warring factions and a new Prime Minister more friendly with Iran than the US. We've found exactly zero WMDs, thus making the US not one more lick safer than it was on September 10th. We've managed to starve military support to Afghanistan in such a way that we'll be fighting the Taliban (you remember them - the government that sponsored the 9/11 hijackers) for what could be years to come. And we've wasted hundreds of billions of dollars to do it.

So, sure. Light off the fireworks, raise the flag, throw a parade. We won, we won, we won. Go Team America. Pander, pander, pander. Sleep better knowing that President Obama will be redeploying 1-2 brigades a month until Iraq is clear of US troops. Because of victory. Or whatever.

[IslamoLlama]

"-- These two women are so fat they could probably go a year without eating.

Posted by:Anne | Monday, July 21, 2008 at 12:32 AM --"

Pot to kettle, "Hey! Darkie!"