Violence in Iraq Rages as President Bush hails the surge - Amanda Lindhout & Afshin Rattansi

Afshin Rattansi in Tehran in Iran interviews Press TV's Amanda Lindhout in Baghdad.

Spinning the Bloodshed in Basra
Washington Post
By Dan Froomkin
Special to washingtonpost.com
Thursday, March 27, 2008; 1:43 PM

As fighting rages in Basra, the White House is unleashing a forceful spin campaign to frame the Iraqi government's offensive there as a positive outcome of the U.S. troop surge and a symbol of better days to come.

Speaking to an invitation-only audience at an Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio, this morning, President Bush argued that the Basra incursion "shows the progress the Iraqi security forces have made during the surge" and "demonstrates to the Iraqi people that their government is committed to protecting them. . . .

"The enemy, you know, will try to fill the TV screens with violence," he scoffed. "But the ultimate result will be this: Terrorists and extremists in Iraq will know they have no place in a free and democratic society."

But is the bloodshed in Basra an example of a unified central government asserting itself and the Iraqi army standing up? Or is it further evidence of the internecine strife ravaging the country? Will Basra become a symbol of the restoration of the rule of law? Or will it turn out to be a step toward heightened violence?

There is plenty of reason to doubt the White House spin.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• tehran
• iran
• iraq
• basra
• mosul
• baghdad
• rattansi
• lindhout
• press
• tv
• bush
• surge
• sadr
• moqtada
• qom
• mailiki
• wmd
• violence
• amanda

[gardiloo]

My wishes are with Amanda and for the safety of her and the other hostages in Somalia

[bigdinkdonkey]

Why should the government and taxpayers pay a ransom for a woman who knows what she was getting into? Please, if i signed up for this deal i wouldn't whine about it when it goes bad. Same with the support our troops bit....its bullshit. Let these Warmongers learn the folley of their ways. They aren't fighting for our country they are working for the corporations that run our so called democracies. I'm sure she's a nice girl, but she'd be right back into some warzone after getting bailed out

[towely]

This is what happens when you decide to spend time in such a wonderful place like Africa. Africa will ALWAYS win...

[majosoccer]

'I don't know how much longer I can bear this'

AMANDA LINDHOUT, Canadian journalist being held captive in Somalia

[Anne83d]

There is an online petition (just type in her name and google it - you should find it). They are trying to get 5 000 people to sign it. I hope she and Mr. Brennan can get home to their respective countries safely and soon.

[lhajiali]

This women is reported she had baby from her somali kidnapers.

[lifterlegandpoker]

Wow, i hate both liberals and conservatives but you guys are just plain fucking idiots. She's a human being you morons, you are no better than those rag head suicide bombers.

[LaurenJustinKisa]

Please. You can help, wear a white T-Shirt that and encourage others, tell them about her story. Keep her in the news!

PLEASE HELP HER!

[Jivanya]

This is SUCH a tragedy.. Hopefully her family can get $1million together

[13sambuca13]

bring her and nigel home! write your government and tell them to bring then home!!!

[littleenglish]

Whats with all these horrible comments..