Bush tells basic grads Iraq returning to normal

[unhappycamper]

Bush tells basic grads Iraq returning to normal
By Jennifer Loven - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Nov 5, 2007 5:35:49 EST

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — President Bush said Friday that U.S. military deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in 19 months, and the Iraqi people are slowly “taking back their country” in the wake of the American troop buildup there.

“Slowly but surely, the people of Iraq are reclaiming a normal society,” Bush said.

The president addressed a ceremony for 1,300 soldiers graduating from basic training here, many of whom will end up in Iraq. It was his first major speech on the topic since he announced in September that progress from this year’s military buildup justifies keeping a large U.S. troop presence in Iraq at least until next summer.

He argued then that continued American sacrifice would create the space Iraqi leaders need to make gains on tamping down the sectarian fighting that leaves Iraq persistently fractured.

On Friday, he argued for continued patience because even though national leaders have made little more progress since, he said Iraq offers scattered signs of hope.

On the military side, Bush said U.S. deaths in Iraq have fallen to their lowest level since the beginning of 2006 and attacks from deadly improvised explosive devices have fallen by half.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/ap_bush_iraqoutlook_071103/



uhc comment: "key legislation" = oil PSA

[NC_Nurse]

1. Bush full of shit as usual.