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by Clayton_Morris from Philadelphia

Last Post 519 days, 22 hours Ago


Happy Mission Accomplished Day
May 1, 2007 | 8:52 AM
Category: News
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It's hard to believe that 4 years ago today President Bush landed on that aircraft carrier announcing "Mission Accomplished."  The war is, of course, a long forgotten memory; but whatever happened to that fantastic banner?  Does someone have it?  Is it hidden in someone's closet?  Who knows?  What do you think should happen to that banner?

1.  Put it on display at the George W. Bush Presidential library?

2.  Sell it on Ebay?

3.  Ask for their money back?

4.  Not sure? 

12 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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stever2258 read my blog
May 1, 2007 | 3:20 PM

The mission was accomplished! Saddam was removed from power. How short your memory is. What has happened since then is an effort to have the Iraqis establish a legitimate government along with a military and police force that can protect that government and its citizens on its own once we leave. And how long do you think something like that should take? How long was it before this country had a Constitution once it declared its independence? Not months, years. If some of you were half as concerned about the murder rate in this city and other major cities as you are about Iraq, perhaps this nation could move forward in a positive way. But no, you can ignore this violence as well as the violence that Saddam inflicted upon his own people with WMD's that he had and be giddy for surrender and retreat. Talking points are wonderful, but at some point you will be forced to deal with reality. And I hope reality doesn't hit too soon to be honest. So go on bashing Bush. Someday you will thank him, or at least your children and grandchildren will.
radiogirl76
May 1, 2007 | 4:44 PM

Clayton - I was going to suggest my brother in the Air Force fighting over there could fly it above all the US base camps. Then maybe everyone will pack up and go home and we won't have to worry about the Dems plea to pull out in '08 being vetoed by Bush!

Lucky for me my brother returns next month from his second stint and hopefully for him it is Mission Accomplished and he won't have to go back.
Clayton_Morris read my blog view my photos
May 1, 2007 | 8:42 PM

Steve, I'm not bashing Bush... I'm bashing incompetence, which at this point is well documented. Rather than refuting your argument with the countless volumes of evidence now amassed against this administration, evidence most reasonable Republicans acknowledge; I'll instead post this very poignant letter written today by Bush's former General on the ground, Major General Paul D. Eaton:

"May 1, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Today, in your veto message regarding the bipartisan legislation just passed on Operation Iraqi Freedom, you asserted that you so decided because you listen to your commanders on the ground.

Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear -- most notably General Eric Shinseki, whose foresight regarding troop levels was advice you rejected, at our troops' peril.

As someone who served this nation for decades, I have the utmost respect for the office you hold. However, as a man of conscience, I could not sit idly by as you told the American people today that your veto was based on the recommendations of military men. Your administration ignored the advice of our military's finest minds before, and I see no evidence that you are listening to them now.

I urge you to reconsider your position, and work with Congress to pass a bill that achieves the goals laid out above.
electrons read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 7:40 AM

Steve,

Another example of how some people just want to cut and run when times are tough. BS! I served over there too so enough! While I was not in direct combat, I DID serve proudly and supported the president. Call him stubborn, but he feels strongly that Iraq will be a safe place someday. Whether you like the war or not, those people are fighting terrorists over there, so we do not have to fight them here!
Clayton_Morris read my blog view my photos
May 2, 2007 | 11:03 AM

Since you disagree with the Generals who led the war and said that there is no military solution, how then do define victory? Now that the Iraqi government is about to dissolve, who should lead it? Should our troops continue to absorb bullets from enemies they can't identify? Should our troops, who are trained to fight, be asked to build a nation? Since you disagree with the Generals who say a political solution is the only way, how do you define a military victory? The stage is yours!
electrons read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 12:39 PM

Oh, so you listen to 1 general? First, I define victory as a "stable Iraq". Without question, mistakes were made in Iraq. However, that is no excuse to pull out before the job is done, which can only lead to further unrest and instability in the region, and, ultimately, a higher cost to the United States down the road. Our NEW commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, has formulated a comprehensive, inventive new strategy to bring stability there. Our troops have set about implementing it, and early indications are that they are meeting with success.
Undoubtedly, the war in Iraq will continue to carry a hefty price tag, both in American lives and dollars, but a stable Iraq is the only acceptable outcome. Those who advocate prompt withdrawal or downsizing of our combat forces there are disappointingly shortsighted. They think only in terms of immediate gratification, not the long-term security of our nation. Clearly, our job in Iraq is not yet done. If we withdraw our military forces prematurely, we may save American lives and dollars in the short run, but the long-term consequences could be disastrous for our nation.
If we leave Iraq in a state of instability and disarray, the situation will likely devolve into utter chaos. You think it is bad now? The resulting power vacuum would probably be filled by any one of a number of familiar enemies of the United States: Syria, Iran or Islamic extremists from Saudi Arabia of the same fanatical Wahhabi sect that produced Osama bin Laden. Just as Afghanistan served as a fertile breeding ground and safe haven for al Qaeda during th
stever2258 read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 12:41 PM

Do you have any idea what it must be like to make decisions in a time of war when you are getting advice of all kinds, not just from generals in the field, generals who were in the field and generals who will be going to the field, but also from politicians who think they know best how to wage war. And not only that, to see the media only report all negative news day after day while just flat out ignoring any progress that is being made. It is no secret that mistakes have been made. There have been mistakes and problems in every war. The biggest mistake is to leave the battlefield in defeat when it is not necessary and when the consequences of this action would be horrific to the future of this nation. We haven't lost, we just have a nation of impatient people who would rather run in defeat from an enemy who has not defeated them than to see the battle finished and victory won because the going is tough. And they have no clue what this enemy would like to do to us here if they could.

You can show me letters all day from generals who don't agree. It proves nothing. There has to be a Commander in Chief to make decisions and he has generals in the field to give him advice. Generals were moved in and out all the time in WWII depending on whether or not President Roosevelt approved of their strategies or not, so this is nothing new. Do you think all the generals would always agree? I wouldn't want a bunch of generals in the field who just all agree with me. Then why would I need them all? I expect them to disagree and give me the facts as they see them. But t
stever2258 read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 12:43 PM

I expect them to disagree and give me the facts as they see them. But then as commander, I would have to talk all the input I am given and come up with a decision. Not every one will be right and it will be easy for those generals who disagreed to stand up and play Monday morning quarterback and then write books critizing the strategy by pulling an "I told you so" and earn huge sums of money from the book companies for it. Cheap shots if you ask me. Dissension sells, both in the media and in books. So are you willing to parade all the generals in front of us who gave President Bush advice that he did follow that may not have always produced the results he was promised or had hoped for? You don't give up at that point, you modify and try to find something that works better. He has been doing this, but does a terrible job of defending himself and communicating his strategy to the public, which has hurt him. But how effective do you think you would be in fighting a war where the media and politicians have been demanding you announce your strategy to the world since day one of the conflict? That is a sure recipe for disaster. No wonder the progress has been so slow. If your enemy thinks they can wear you down and convince you to give up, you are in for the fight of your life and gaining victory will be that much more difficult. And in this case, a true loss would be a disaster for both you and me and our entire nation.
Clayton_Morris read my blog view my photos
May 2, 2007 | 2:08 PM

I absolutely agree that we shouldn't pull out of Iraq suddenly. I don't support immediate withdrawal. I'm with Colin Powell, and the other generals on this one, I believe strategic redeployment out of the middle of a civil war is the best strategy. Instead of standing in the middle of the roads absorbing bullets.

Also explain to me again why we left Afghanistan to ruins? I'm confused why Afghanistan is now completely re-run by the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11... military analysts tell me that Afghanistan is now worse than it was before 9/11. By worse they mean the Taliban have more of a foothold there than ever before. The roads leading between Jalalabad and Kandahar have been completely regrown with Poppy plants (Heroin). I guess when you take your eye off the ball and go into Iraq, that's what happens.
stever2258 read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 3:14 PM

If you speak to those in Afghanistan who were there before 9/11, it is quite clear that despite all the challenges there are, Afghanistan is now a much better place than it was then. Al Qaida is on the run and of course, the Taliban are going to try to get their power back. It was the Taliban who left the country in ruins by harboring terrorists and terrizing their own people. Not one American would survive or be willing to live under Taliban rule for one month, so why they have sympathy for these thugs is beyond me. Where the Taliban has risen up, they have been crushed by Afghan troops backed by our military. And our purpose was never to rid the country of Poppy plants, are you nuts? I think your memory is failing just a bit. If you go back and actually read the stories and watch the video coverage after 9/11, you will see that it was never about just Afghanistan, so it was not taking the eye off the ball. And there was no concern that Afghanistan had WMD's that they might use against us. What was clear to both Republicans and Dems alike was that it appeared at the time based on the evidence that Saddam had WMD's. Based on some books I have read by people who served under Saddam, I still believe the WMD's were moved before we got there and they are in the hands of terrorists who are just waiting to use them at the right opportunity. I hope I am wrong. These radical Islamic terrorists are a patient bunch. They have no problem waiting until just the right time and place and then unleashing horrific terror. We also knew (it's in Tenet's book) that Al Qaida was ha
stever2258 read my blog
May 2, 2007 | 3:15 PM

We also knew (it's in Tenet's book) that Al Qaida was harbored in many countries all over the world, including Iraq. I remember quite vividly President Bush saying we were coming after the terrorists who did this and any country that harbored these terrorists. Saddam gave Al Qaida a safe refuge even though they did not run the country or control his government. Heavens, we know Al Qaida was in the Phillippines. But at least that government fought against them and did not give them safe harbor. President Bush also made it clear that this was not going to be an easy struggle and it was going to take years, perhaps even generations in order to squash and eliminate this enemy. How soon we forget. Microwaves are great to quickly heat food, but the same speed does not always apply to warfare and ridding the world of terrorists whose sole pledged goal is to destroy our country and Israel. I hope this country has the stomach to do the job. Right now, I'm not so convinced. And the consequences would be unimaginable.
AlexR read my blog
May 4, 2007 | 5:38 PM

Whats Vistory for the AMERICAN people? I, first off, dont call tax dollars of our citizens to go to an unknown country. And thats 500 BILLION tax dollars. Theres not even that many tooth picks in Wal Mart!!!

We have to stop the "well the war is coming good and President Bush had every right to"

Just because you have the right to does not mean you do it?? I have the right to say whatever I want, but guess what? Im mature enough to limit my vocabulary to responcible things that are honest and true. Just because the President had the right to delcare war on Iraq does not mean we need soldiers to die everyday.

and yeah, Afganistan is doing better? But theres always our murder rates, our poverty, and our homeless?

but.. we made Afganistan better....TELL THAT TOO THE MILLIONS OF HOMELESS, POOR, DISABLED AMERICANS THAT NEED HELP TOO.

Its not our job to make Afganistan some undefined Utopia.
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Clayton_Morris

Clayton Morris comes to FOX 29 from the The Daily Buzz morning show in Orlando. Before a stop in sunny Florida Clayton spent two years in Bluefield, West Virginia, where he was the main anchor at WVVA-TV. Prior to that, Clayton worked as a Political Reporter for Montana's News Station (which is a conglomerate of CBS affiliates throughout the state of Montana). Clayton started in news in Los Angeles, producing for KTTV Fox 11 News "Good Day LA." It was there he discovered his love for live television, politics, and ridiculous fun that can be had during morning news. Clayton can be seen each morning on Good Day Philadelphia.

Member Since: 12/13/2006


 

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