Saved From The Skip

It’s official: The Skip has finally seen the error of its ways, and now understands that the war in Iraq was utterly justified, and will help to make the world a better, safer place for all. And guess what? It’s all down to George's great speech yesterday. But here are the exact words of wisdom which convinced us:


“Our strategy in Iraq is clear. Our tactics are flexible and dynamic. We have changed them as conditions required…”

At last, the truth. Flexible tactics? Changing conditions? No kidding! The rules of engagement have become so flexible they can be bent to justify any action, so long as it's taken against "insurgents". And even the reason for going to war in the first place has time and again been changed according to circumstance. First it was "WMD". When it became obvious that none existed, it became "toppling a brutal dictator". Then it became "part of the global fight against terror". Then a plan to "democratise the Middle East". Then a "mission from God"...

“…and they are bringing us victory against a brutal enemy.”

Make no mistake: Saddam was brutal. He used chemical weapons. He had no respect for human rights. He allowed torture in Iraqi prisons. And he even went so far as to actively suppress the free press. So roll on, victory…


“…the terrorists have made it clear that Iraq is the central front in their war against humanity. And so we must recognise Iraq as the central front in the war on terror.”

Quite right. Iraq is today the central front in the war on terror. George made sure of that himself, by dismantling its internal security infrastructure after the war, thereby allowing terrorists to infiltrate the country left, right and centre.
Naturally, the fact that Iraq was not the central front in the war on terror before the invasion - and had no known direct link with Al Qaeda, either - is completely irrelevant.

“As the Iraqi forces grow in number, they're helping to keep a better hold on the cities taken from the enemy. And as Iraqi forces grow more capable, they're increasingly taking the lead in the fight against the terrorists.”

Absolutely. Not only are Iraqi forces taking the lead in the fight against terrorists, but it seems they’re taking the lead in the insurgency, too. So hadn’t you better tell it to the Marines?

“Iraqi forces are earning the trust of their countrymen who are willing to help them in the fight against the enemy.”

Spot on again. Trouble is: which enemy? You see, according to a recent UK Ministry of Defence survey, 65 per cent of Iraqis in the Maysan province – 45 per cent across the entire country – believe “attacks on British troops are justified”; 82 per cent are “strongly opposed” to the presence of Coalition forces; 67 per cent feel less secure because of the occupation, and less than one per cent believe that the occupying forces have improved security in the country.
Just imagine what those statistics would be if the Coalition hadn’t won their hearts and minds…

"These decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgment of our commanders, not by artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington."

You tell them, George. You show those reprehensible, dishonest, irresponsible, cowardly and opportunistic Democrats who’s boss.
What a pity, though, that you didn’t listen to your own advice three years ago. What a pity that your own decision to invade Iraq was driven by “artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington and London”… instead of “by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgment of commanders”, as you seem to be suggesting now.

Ah well, better late than never.