Iraq Hearings

Last week, Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Crocker were testifying before Congress about conditions in Iraq. There were a few of things that struck me about their testimony:

1) They both talked of the fragile gains that have been made in Iraq. These gains were spoken of in less glowing terms used by Bush. Bush talked about a new Iraq in 2006, while Crocker and Petraeus talked of a country on the verge of collapse. Bush again *shock and surprise* lied about the conditions on the ground.

2) Petraeus and Crocker have to toe the company line if they like their jobs. How many generals and appointees have been fired, retired and forced out for saying that Iraq was less than a paradise. To me, this means their testimony has to be discounted. Petraeus did come close by saying that victory is far off.

3) Even though Bush claims to listen to the Generals, he really only listens to the ones that say what he wants to hear.