The Difference a Year Makes ....

A year ago, Democrats (including Dick Durbin, from the great corrupt state of Illinois, called our soldiers and marines, little more than gestapo agents of a Nazi regime) had every name to call the war in Iraq, but anything positive. Our men and women in the armed forces were regularly attacked, and General Petraeus was attacked by the left as UNPATRIOTIC and a traitor (funny, from a party that attacked Republicans for questioning their patriotism - it was fine to attack a man they are unworthy of shining his boots. Perhaps they are on better ground calling a drop out from High School unpatriotic).

Suddenly the men and women of our Armed Serves have done great jobs, heroic, and we have done a great deed for the Iraqis.


What a difference a year makes ....



In full: President Obama's remarks before troops at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as prepared for delivery
guardian.co.uk, Friday 27 February 2009 17.36 GMT


Good morning Marines. Good morning Camp Lejeune. Good morning Jacksonville. Thank you for that outstanding welcome. I want to thank Lieutenant General Hejlik for hosting me here today.

I also want to acknowledge all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. That includes the Camp Lejeune marines now serving with – or soon joining – the second marine expeditionary force in Iraq; those with special purpose marine air ground task force in Afghanistan; and those among the 8,000 marines who are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. We have you in our prayers. We pay tribute to your service. We thank you and your families for all that you do for America. And I want all of you to know that there is no higher honor or greater responsibility than serving as your commander-in-chief.

I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Ryan Crocker, who recently completed his service as our ambassador to Iraq. Throughout his career, Ryan always took on the toughest assignments. He is an example of the very best that this nation has to offer, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude. He carried on his work with an extraordinary degree of cooperation with two of our finest generals – General David Petraeus, and General Ray Odierno – who will be critical in carrying forward the strategy that I will outline today.

Next month will mark the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq. By any measure, this has already been a long war. For the men and women of America's armed forces – and for your families – this war has been one of the most extraordinary chapters of service in the history of our nation. You have endured tour after tour after tour of duty. You have known the dangers of combat and the lonely distance of loved ones. You have fought against tyranny and disorder. You have bled for your best friends and for unknown Iraqis. And you have borne an enormous burden for your fellow citizens, while extending a precious opportunity to the people of Iraq. Under tough circumstances, the men and women of the United States military have served with honour, and succeeded beyond any expectation.


[To read the rest of the lecture, click on the title link]






Iraq