Petraeus Speech ‘Gaffe’

Speaking today in a speech to the Senate Gen. David Petraeus termed the largely fictional gains in Afghanistan “fragile and reversible” and cited al-Qaeda as a reason to continue the war.

Though he may have remembered to change the nation to Afghanistan, there is ample evidence to suggest that the US commander hastily grabbed for his speech and actually took one from late 2007 by mistake.

That’s because apart from being about Iraq instead, the speech used all the same talking points right down to the “fragile and reversible” soundbite.

Of course we know that Petraeus couldn’t have really meant to use al-Qaeda as an excuse, as we all clearly remember Gen. Stanley McChrystal, his predecessor, reporting to us that there was no al-Qaeda presence left, a year and a half ago.

17 thoughts on “Petraeus Speech ‘Gaffe’”

  1. This is rich…

    ”Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he believes Afghanistan is more stable but the country’s success will ultimately require Afghanistan citizens to take the lead in their country.”

    Yes, certainly, after ten years of daily slaughter, bombings, mayhem, murder and who knows what else it is time for the slothful, stupid, lazy brown people in Afghanistan to take responsibility for their nation. Oh, if only they would. Then our White Man’s burden will be lifted from our weary but well meaning shoulders.

    This is the same garbage we heard people like Hillary Clinton repeat ad nauseum regarding Iraq, now they say same thing about Afghanistan. It’s like the last ten years of war never happened, truly amazing.

    1. Indeed. What I find even more disgusting is the way the Generals, be it Petraeus or McCrystal or even Abizaid and Odierno, have been used (willingly on some occasions) as political shields for the last two administrations.

      Although I do not think this will be changed overnight, I do think that a single stand by a single legislator in Congress, with some distinguished military service, would serve as the precursor for a more extended debate on this subject (not to mention our foreign policy more generally). For this debate to occur, and to succeed, it must emerge from within the American Right.
      http://politicalreviewonline.com/

  2. Rich indeed. If stupidity and hubris were marketable exports, Amerika would be the wealthiest nation in human history.

  3. The Afghans are ready today to take control, as they have been ready for the last ten years. Problem is, they're not the Afghans the US wants in charge, never having been inclined to learn to ask "How high?"

  4. Time for Davey Gravy to walk softly into that good night. Put down the big stick Mon Generale, you a ain't gonna needs it no mo.

  5. This guy reminds me of my 3 older brothers who used to enjoy scaring the hell out of me with tales of how the Boogeyman was going to get me. I saw through it when i was 6 or 7.
    If Petraeus is the best General that this country has, then we are in real serious trouble.

    1. Patraeus has adorned himself with so many medals he's forced to stoop forward when he walks. This is a goon who has never won a legitimate military victory. On the other hand, Eisenhower had two rows of military ribbons and he could stand straight up.

    2. I think I like the big dope throwing snowballs and funnin' with Elmer Fudd. The thought of the 'latter-day Wiedermeyer' leading a bayonet charge gives me the vapors.

  6. That is why they are called “conservatives”. Even when they are in shit up to their chins, they prefer that condition to anything “unknown”.

  7. If that would be the case by Iran invading or be invited by the Bahrain opposition.., then what.. what would US which has a military base in Bahrain do, what would the GCC do, what would the EU and China do, you see they all get their oil shipped from Persian Gulf, here the Arabs national trying to call it Arab Gulf and US started using the terms few months back. As they changed the Palestine to Israel gradually to divide nations and then start wars.., here they are determent to do the same protecting their interests whatever it is in the Gulf. The Iranian is as guilty as US when it comes to brutality.., no one wants to have anything to do with them not because there nationality but because one is a militarism regime the other a religious dictatorial Islamic regime no matter what you call it. People in Bahrain demanding to be recognized as people, people in Tunis and elsewhere asking the same, they are sick and tired of being ruled by dictators and growing militarism regime of the western democracy protecting these thugs, unless there is a democracy established by the people we will see the brutality of these militarism regime escalated killing its own people for the masters interests, slaving nations by destroying their land, making sure both at home and all over the world militarism is at work as mercenaries limiting peoples freedom, it already happening in US and EU, they telling peoples do as you are told no questions asked or you and you family be killed, they promise you money for education when you do your duty and join the army killing few people here and there.., this is how capitalism works no matter if is a religious regime or a king and queen in a Arab nations or in England or a falsified democracy by Tony Blair from England or George W. Bush or the present regime in USA; therefore, people need to continue demanding their freedom from these one sided , self serviced, arrogant and ignorant people as Hillary Clinton or Gates and many more, this women needs to close the doors on AIPC and Ex or black water for the good of the people, yet they encouraging the system by giving them new contracts here and there, so what is left of capitalism democracy.., truly nothing as capitalism is dying.

      1. Mr. John Muhammad or brother John I am double posting my writing to inform people where ever they are, I take the critic's and thank you.., but you changing your name to keep your medals given to you as points.., so keep it up brother.., the double language of brotherhood is always appreciated, is always welcome for people to know you better. The Iranian tried the same tactics didn't work.., you try and see what happens.

        1. And again, points mean absolutely nothing to me- as I said in an earlier reply, before you pointed them out I had no idea what that number represented. As for the name change, I do post on various accounts under the same- or a similar- name depending on where I am posting from due to various access restrictions.

          As for the 'double language of brotherhood'…? Please explain.

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