Panetta appears to link al-Qaeda presence with Iraq invasion

Source: Washington Post

Panetta appears to link al-Qaeda presence with Iraq invasion

By Craig Whitlock, Monday, July 11, 5:41 AM

BAGHDAD — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Monday appeared to justify the U.S. invasion of Iraq as part of the war against al-Qaeda, an argument controversially made by the Bush administration but refuted by President Obama and many Democrats.


Panetta made his remarks during his his inaugural visit to Iraq as Pentagon chief. Speaking to about 100 soldiers at Camp Victory, the largest U.S. military installation in Baghdad, he said his primary goal as defense secretary was to defeat al-Qaeda worldwide.

“The reason you guys are here is because on 9/11 the United States got attacked,” Panetta told the troops. “And 3,000 Americans — 3,000 not just Americans, 3,000 human beings, innocent human beings — got killed because of al-Qaeda. And we’ve been fighting as a result of that.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/panetta-echoes-bush-comments-linking-iraq-invasion-to-war-on-al-qaeda/2011/07/11/gIQA3m3h8H_story.html?hpid=z2

Al-Q couldn't have existed in Iraq when Saddam was in charge.

Afghanistan to Iraq, in which Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, these troops ended up in Iraq because of that diversion, not because Iraq had anything to do with 9/11

as an excuse to go into Iraq

"“The reason you guys are here is because on 9/11 the United States got attacked,” Panetta told the troops. “And 3,000 Americans — 3,000 not just Americans, 3,000 human beings, innocent human beings — got killed because of al-Qaeda. And we’ve been fighting as a result of that.”

Did he say that the reason for the invasion was an "excuse"? No, not at all. I guarantee the troops and media took a different interpretation as evidence of the article itself.

...to build rapport with the troops. I've heard Panetta speak on this topic before. He did not support the Iraq invasion. Unfortunately, many of our troops did. Many of our troops lost friends and/or family in Iraq...and so this topic is pretty sensitive (the 'Did they die in vain?' question).

I think Panetta was trying...inartfully, yes...to let the troops know he understands their sacrifice. JMHO.

along with "tax cuts create jobs".

How do we fix the condition of stupid?

IF I had the means to get a small piece of property in the woods and live out my years in total silence to the din of TPTB, I would.

I mean that with some affection. :patriot:

Nothing is going to change.

There's no room for such incredible incompetence at the highest levels of government. If he truly believes that, then he's not deserving of the job just like any of a million Bush cronies aren't. We need reasonable, rational, logical thinkers to wade us OUT of war not constantly defend the lies made out of wholecloth to get us INTO the wars. Panetta is a stooge. GET HIM OUT.

Rp

In-fucking-credible. Each time I think I've reached my disgusted limit, someone from the administration reaches a whole new low.


:puke:

Not quite 3000, not all Americans, and 9/11 is totally unconnected to Iraq. :wow: Leon, you ignorant slut. STFU and stop perpetuating lies.

to rewrite history. Read all about this slow process, within a generation it will all have been about invading Iraq because of AQ.
The most evil of humans are the ones who know right from wrong but choose the latter.

I'd believe a snake first. This guy is a GOPer at heart. Sames as Gates.

election.

Source: AFP

Newly appointed US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told American troops in Baghdad on Monday that 9/11 was the reason they were in Iraq, before he was quickly corrected by his spokesman.
"The reason you guys are here is because of 9/11. The US got attacked and 3,000 human beings got killed because of Al-Qaeda," Panetta told about 150 soldiers at the Camp Victory US base.
"We've been fighting as a result of that," he said.

SNIP

Doug Wilson, Panetta's spokesman, quickly jumped in after his boss, who just took office on July 1, made the statement.
"I don't think he's getting into the argument of 2002-2003," as the reason for the Iraq invasion, Wilson he told reporters, adding that his boss was "a plain-spoken secretary."

SNIP..

The new defence secretary also committed a faux pas in Afghanistan on Saturday, telling reporters the United States intends to keep 70,000 troops there until 2014.

Read more: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/panetta-makes-9-11-gaffe-iraq-153134925.html

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Good Grief!........He's senile.

that's disconcerting.

:crazy:

"But you know I can't really say that, nudge nudge - wink wink. Smirk."

- PaNeTTa

That is not just a gaffe, that is plain ignorance. I like Leon Panetta but even the republicans do not use that talking point any more.

Does Mr. O believe this nonsense. And if not, way did he pick him to be Sec of Defense?

rewrite history.

Sounds as if the Military Oligarchs,
and the No Bid Government Contractors
are getting desperate. With the end
of their Iraq War gravy train coming
in just a few months, is it any
surprise the same Bush Bullshit would
be invoked? No surprise at all.

Only the Iraqi's on NATO's payroll want
you to stay.

Edit to add: already missing Gates.

"Well, see.... there was this guy in Iraq that wasn't doing what we wanted.... and well.... he had a lot of oil.... and well... the Israeli's didn't like him much.... and well, there you go, that's why you are sitting in the desert 7000 miles from your friends and family."