Rare opp for kudos to Obama's acknowledgement of the US military's victory in Iraq. Hopefully it's a sign the man can admit to himself his previous attitude was a mistaken one towards the war on Islamic terrorists in Iraq:
'You Got the Job Done'
Editorial: Chicago Tribune, 2009-02-28
Feb. 28--Almost six years ago, bombs began to fall in Baghdad. Americans hoped for a quick end to Saddam Hussein's reign and a relatively quick and painless transition to a democratic Iraq.
It wasn't quick. And it wasn't painless. But on Friday, President Barack Obama signaled the end of the Iraq war. He praised America's armed forces for "succeeding beyond any expectation" in Iraq. He announced that combat troops would be out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, and that all American troops would leave by the end of 2011.
America will close the final chapter of the Iraq war and mark it down for the history books as a place where American political and military will was supremely tested. Where moments of inspiration were balanced by days of gruesome violence. Where American commanders found a way to win.
"I want to be very clear," Obama said in his speech before a military audience at Camp Lejeune on Friday. "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime -- and you got the job done. We kept our troops in Iraq to help establish a sovereign government -- and you got the job done. And we will leave the Iraqi people with a hard-earned opportunity to live a better life -- that is your achievement; that is the prospect that you have made possible."
You got the job done.
Obama's withdrawal plans have drawn criticism from some of his Democratic allies, who say the president will leave too many troops in Iraq for too long. He has stretched his own timetable.
That criticism suggests a lack of faith in their new president's ability to make sound decisions based on the advice of his military commanders. Obama's plan is smart, careful and above all, flexible. It will be guided by commanders on the ground and by the conditions they face. It allows for 35,000 to 50,000 troops to remain after combat troops depart. Those remaining troops will help to train, equip and advise Iraqi security forces and conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions, as well as protect civilian and military efforts in Iraq.
Iraq's government and security forces are gaining strength exponentially. Its political system is maturing with each peaceful, democratic election. Iraq will be ready to stand on its own.
Think back to the days when Iraq seemed certain to tilt into civil war, when suicide bombers struck at will, when "mission accomplished" sounded like a cruel joke. When there was no end in sight to a long, exhausting war.
"You got the job done," the president told U.S. troops on Friday. Yes, they did.
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