12 U.S. Military Bases in Iraq

[peaches2003]

Has any of the press ever asked the King at one of his so-called press conferences about the 12 bases we are building in Iraq? And how and why he can talk of our forces leaving Iraq when obviously thousands and thousand will have to be in Iraq to man these facilities?

Just once I would like to hear at least one member of the press corps ask him about this point blank and then another brave member follow up when he doesn't give a straight answer. He gets away with murder, figuratively and literally. :grr:

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. The stock answer to that one is that they aren't permanent

in the sense that nothing, including the sun, is permanent.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Helen Thomas tried to get Tony Snow to answer

and he went into full bullshit mode.

Helen.

Q Would you like to reaffirm what you said earlier today, that the U.S. wants no permanent bases in Iraq?

MR. SNOW: Well, I think -- let me -- because -- can you define what a permanent base is?

Q No, I can't.

MR. SNOW: Well, then how can I get a question --

Q Except into infinity -- no, no, no, you're dancing around already.

MR. SNOW: No, I'm not dancing around. I'm actually trying to get a specific question answered.

Q Okay, say flatly, does the United States want bases in Iraq?

MR. SNOW: It has bases in Iraq, and the United States will have bases -- look, the United States, Secretary Rice has said -- well, number one, it's premature to talk about how long they're going to be there. Number two, Ambassador Khalilzad has said we have no desire for permanent bases. Number three, when it comes to a permanent base, that is not the call of the United States. As you know, Iraq has a sovereign government. So the issue of --

Q It's about as sovereign as the President being able to go into Iraq and not even tell the President.

MR. SNOW: Okay, well, obviously, Helen, you're preaching and not asking. Let's go to you.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060615-4.html

[Roland99]

3. Oh, Iraq is sovereign. Is that right, Snowjob? Then why is * in charge of

determining whether or not to accept a negotiation between that SOVEREIGN Iraq and the insurgency?


The Propagandist prefers to stay and pay and die and bleed.

[peaches2003]

4. Pitiful Press

Helen is about the only one left who is a journalist and doing the job the White House Press Corps is SUPPOSED to do- get the answer to tough questions that the American people have the right to know. Sam Donaldson, Dan Rather and others used to fill that role while now the press rolls over and plays dead as long as the Decider will pat them on the head and invite them to the White House Christmas Party.