READING BETWEEN THE LIES

NOTE: George W. Bush's words are followed by those of Mad Plato.

"Four years ago today coalition forces launched Operation Iraqi Freedom to remove Saddam Hussein from power. They did so to eliminate the threat his regime posed to the Middle East and to the world."
[Even though he had no WMD and a very powerless military after my Daddy smashed it in Gulf War I.]

"Today, the world is rid of Saddam Hussein. And a tyrant has been held to account -- for his crimes -- by his own people."
[I now await an account from my own people for my crimes.]

"At this point in the war, our most important mission is helping the Iraqis secure their capital."
[Although our presence in Iraq for four years hasn't done this yet, or turned on the water and electricity.]

"Prime Minister Maliki and Gen. Petraeus emphasized that the Baghdad security plan is still in its early stages and success will take months, not days or weeks."
[Of course by months we mean years.]

"I want to stress that this operation is still in the early stages; still in the beginning stages."

[And there will be many more stages in the next five, ten or twenty years.]

"And there will be good days and there will be bad days ahead as the security plan unfolds."
[Just as the sun comes up and the sun goes down.]

"It could be tempting to look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude our best option is to pack up and go home."
[But lead us not into temptation and deliver me from evil, this is what should be done.]

"The terrorists could emerge from the chaos with a safe haven in Iraq to replace the one they had in Afghanistan, which they used to plan the attacks of September 11, 2001. For the safety of the American people, we cannot allow this to happen."
[And if you believe this then you also believe that I can think and read.]

"Four years after this war began, the fight is difficult, but it can be won. It will be won if we have the courage and resolve to see it through."

[Even after thousands and thousands more soldiers and civilians have died, the same question will linger: What have we won?]