Everything is good: Remember June 28? Here is how PBS' News Hour
reported what happened that day: (emp add)
The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq transferred sovereignty to the interim Iraqi government two days ahead of schedule, in an effort to avert possible insurgent attacks.
The unexpected handover ceremony came at mid-morning Baghdad time, the middle of the night in the U.S. The event was convened hastily and secretly inside Baghdad's heavily guarded green zone.
Sounds grim, doesn't it? But here is what Bush had to say about it in today's
radio address: (emp add)
We're making steady progress in implementing our five-step plan toward the goal we all want: completing the mission so that Iraq is stable and self-governing, and American troops can come home with the honor they have earned.
The first step was achieved on June 28th, not only on time, but ahead of schedule, when the coalition transferred full sovereignty to a government of Iraqi citizens.
Not only was it "ahead of schedule" but it was done in such a manner that the people in Baghdad were not inconvenienced. Since the handover was performed "secretly", that meant no traffic jams or other problems that a public event would have caused. But somehow Bush failed to mention that this morning.
posted by Quiddity at 9/25/2004 01:13:00 PM
Thanks for that reminder. It's so timely. Can I say how much I enjoy your efforts with this wonderful blog... Thanks for what you do.
aloha,
eyesopen
He also failed to mention (but then, why would he?) that you can't "transfer" a status like sovereignty. As has been pointed out before by better-informed people than me, sovereignty in an innate quality that cannot be given or conferred, but only recognized and respected. As usual, per Mark Crispin Miller, the language reveals the real sentiment behind the facade.
It never ceases to amaze me, how unflailingly cheery Baghdad Bush is. I pray that Fox never has to show the tanks passing behind Our Dear Leader.
I keep thinking that the mainstreamers are on the verge of pulling the curtain back on this gang of murderous incompetents. Scrutiny Hooligans assert, "George W. Bush and his brazenly militant administration seek not an end to the war, but an expansion of it."
