The troops and vets confront Bush

Operation Truth, an organization of troops and veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, released a statement on Tuesday in anticipation of Bush's speech scheduled for later that evening.

An excerpt:
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"What is success? Tonight you will tell us Iraq is on the path to freedom and stability, but what does right look like? The CIA tells us Iraq is now a top breeding ground for terrorists. Are we killing more enemies than we're making?

"Last week, Vice President Cheney said the insurgency is in its last throes, but this week we're told to dig in for a 12-year battle. Have you asked your Secretary of Defense and Vice President to offer the Troops a straight answer?

"We don't need to be told about the political successes in Iraq, because we were there to safeguard an election one-year ago that you will certainly cite as progress. And we know that now is not a time for cheerleading.

"Mr. President, we don't need to be told that the insurgents intend to shake our will, because we've sifted through the havoc wreaked by even the crudest weapons, then watched our friends sent home, changed forever. We don't need to be told that your administration is committed to taking care of the Troops, because we've already gotten the bill you sent us for the meals we ate while recovering at Walter Reed.

"We don't need to be told that flak jackets and safer Humvees are on the way, because we've already learned that a phone-call home and a few hundred bucks is probably the quickest way to get body armor. Hundreds of Troops have been wounded or killed because of faulty vehicles or missing armor, but who has been held accountable?

"Each day we fulfill our commitment to this country, but we are still waiting for a Veteran's Administration that is properly funded and prepared to handle the consequences of this war. This past week it was revealed the VA was one billion dollars short of its health care need. Whose fault is that, and have you punished them for their failure to serve America's heroes?
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[Read the complete statement.]

Will the Bushies dismiss these concerns, as always, by shooting the messenger? Will they shrug and call this statement absurd, and maybe accuse these vets of "hating America"? Or perhaps be kind and just dismiss it as battle stress?

The Bush administration started a war based on lies, and -- as this statement by Operation Truth points out so eloquently -- they don't even support the troops.

Talk is cheap.