Peace on earth, just as soon as we win this war. [View All]

U.S. Forces Gather for Fallujah, Najaf Assaults
12:36 pm PST, 14 April 2004
http://7am.com/cgi-bin/catwire.cgi?USA_1000_2004041404.htm

As U.S. warplanes and helicopters firing heavy machine guns engaged Iraqi insurgents in the embattled city of Fallujah, Marine commanders were warning the fragile cease-fire there would not last much longer.

In sporadic but fierce action since the ceasefire took hold on Monday, four more U.S. Marines have been killed, bringing the total for April to 87--the most in any month since the U.S.-led invasion a little more than a year ago.

An envoy from the United Nations was continuing to make attempts to move the political process forward, hoping to resolve the conflict without more fighting.

But even as negotiations continued, the United States moved more troops and military hardware into place, perhaps in anticipation of diplomatic failure.

___________________


BUSH at PC: Well, first of all, that's up to General Abizaid, and he's clearly indicating that he may want more troops. It's coming up through the chain of command. And if that's what he wants, that's what he gets.

Generally, we've had about a 115,000 troops in Iraq. There's 135,000 now as a result of the changeover from one division to the next.

If he wants to keep troops there to help, I'm more than willing to say, yes, General Abizaid.

I talk to General Abizaid quite frequently. I'm constantly asking him does he have what he needs, whether it be in troop strength or in equipment. He and General Sanchez talk all the time. And if he makes the recommendation, he'll get it.

In terms of how long we'll be there, as long as necessary, and not one day more. The Iraqi people need us there to help with security. They need us there to fight off these, you know, violent few, who are doing everything they can to resist the advance of freedom. And I mentioned who they are.

And as I mentioned in my opening remarks, our commanders on the ground have got the authorities necessary to deal with violence, and will -- will in firm fashion.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/gate/archive/2004/04/13/bush13.DTL



Bonnie Raitt - Everybody’s Cryin Mercy

I don’t believe the things I’m seein’
I’ve been wonderin’ ’bout some things I’ve heard
Everybody’s crying mercy
When they don’t know the meaning of the word

A bad enough situation
Is sure enough getting worse
Everybody’s crying justice
Just as soon as there’s business first

Toe to toe, touch and go
Give a cheer and get your own souvenir

Well you know the people running round in circles
Don’t know what they’re headed for
Everybody’s crying peace on earth
Just as soon as we win this war

Straight ahead, gotta knock em dead
So pack your kit, choose your own hypocrite

You don’t have to go to off-broadway
To see something plain absurd
Everybody’s crying mercy
When they don’t know the meaning of the word

Nobody knows the meaning of the word