Stupid or Malicious?
The Washington Post distorts Palin on page one.
by William Kristol
09/12/2008 12:00:00 AM
Palin is evidently saying that American soldiers are going to Iraq to defend innocent Iraqis from al Qaeda in Iraq, a group that is related to al Qaeda, which did plan and carry out the Sept. 11 attacks. It makes no sense for Kornblut to claim that Palin is arguing here that Saddam Hussein's regime carried out 9/11--obviously Palin isn't saying that our soldiers are now going over to Iraq to fight Saddam's regime. Palin isn't linking Saddam to 9/11.
Here's the Post story that has him whining:
Palin Links Iraq to Sept. 11 In Talk to Troops in Alaska
By Anne E. Kornblut
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 12, 2008; Page A01
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska, Sept. 11 -- Gov. Sarah Palin linked the war in Iraq with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, telling an Iraq-bound brigade of soldiers that included her son that they would "defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans."
The idea that the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein helped al-Qaeda plan the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a view once promoted by Bush administration officials, has since been rejected even by the president himself. But it is widely agreed that militants allied with al-Qaeda have taken root in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion.
Most of "Al Qaeda in Iraq" is in Iraq simply because we invaded. They seem to have little or no interest in carrying out attacks on the U.S. directly, as Al Qaeda does, and as far as I know has never struck outside Iraq. The relation to Al Qaeda is pretty weak and as I noted below, there is plenty of reason to believe that Palin is just another talk radio dimwit.
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4 comments:
What WaPo said (about the meaning of Palin's comment) is just plain wrong. It seems the writer of it had his/her mind made up and failed to hear or think clearly about what Gov Palin really did say.
Palin is correct about the role/mission of putting al Qaeda out of business in Iraq. Why they (al Qaeda militants) are THERE is another matter altogether. Flypaper? Maybe. But the job needs to be done, we are there doing it, and it WILL keep getting done with support from the US military.
McCain has his position on this, his future Sec of State and Sec of Defense and Joint Chiefs will share that position, and Sarah Palin will as well. Even IF her opinion on this were an outlying one within the future McCain administration, does anyone really think it would be material in the big picture. She'll start out in office as an understudy of McCain, her new mentor, and will be a quick study.
I smiled at the comment about Palin allegedly holding a position "rejected" by Bush. She doesn't, of course, but there ARE many millions of us who hold all manner of positions that have been rejected by Bush. Among them would be various movers and shakers at the Washington Post, doncha think?
Bollocks. Palin didn't say the "role/mission of putting al Qaeda out of business in Iraq." She said that US soldiers are there to “defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the death of thousands of Americans.” She said this on 9/11. You can hem and haw and play "what she really MEANT was..." all you want. She's not stating an opinion she's mouthing a discreditied lie.
And saying, in effect, that she's utterly clueless by calling her an "understudy" of McCain who will you hope be a "quick study" isn't very reassuring, is it? What if McCain keels over on day two? Then who's her "mentor" going to be? Karl Rove?
I must admit, the right-wingers falling all over themsleves defending the indefensible would be hilariousif it weren't so bloody serious.
terry ott writes " But the job needs to be done, we are there doing it"
NO, we aren't "doing it" - Iraq is STILL a mess after the Surge.
terry ott -
As I noted in my post, almost all of the insurgents in Iraq are there because we invaded. Their goal and the goal of the vast majority of Iraqis is for us to LEAVE.
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