Shocking.

It's spelled "CENTCOM" and not "Centcom" or "CentCom."

/Pet peeve.

But... that's unpossible! This is clearly some gross distortion of the truth by those darned "win at all costs" dirty socialist Obamamaniacs.

I'm getting mixed messages between all these roadside bombs and the good news from CENTCOM.

CENTCOM also released a statement "clarifying" the utter bloody fiasco that has been the Iraq campaign. They said the common perception of Iraq as being an unprecedented strategic mistake were "based on a faulty translation" and added "No, it isn't".

I hope that clears things up.

Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

Isn't he? I mean, Malaki isn't really the Prime Minister, it's the army.

adamgreeney: Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

Isn't he? I mean, Malaki isn't really the Prime Minister, it's the army.

I'm a little concerned when our military start 'clarifying' remarks made by local officals and handing press releases to news agencies.

Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

Well... I'm thinking that when Bush heard that he agreed that Obama's plan was the one he liked, he called up someone and said something to the effect of, "That isn't going to help me and my Republican buddies." That person ended up turning to someone at CENTCOM who decided they would just make some shiat up to try and say that he didn't agree with Obama's plan. Or something retarded and politically motivated like that.

/just a theory

JohnnyC: Well... I'm thinking that when Bush heard that he agreed that Obama's plan was the one he liked, he called up someone and said something to the effect of, "That isn't going to help me and my Republican buddies." That person ended up turning to someone at CENTCOM who decided they would just make some shiat up to try and say that he didn't agree with Obama's plan. Or something retarded and politically motivated like that.

/just a theory

This does not make me feel any better.

I seem to recall a thread yesterday where people were insisting that Maliki's comments would not be covered extensively or prominently by the media. I grabbed my LA Times from the driveway this morning and this was the front page story:

Link (new window)

SO much for that theory. This was a huge win for Obama.

Howie Spankowitz: SO much for that theory. This was a huge win for Obama.

After some schlub in the white house press office emailed the story to the entire western world, it was going to get national attention. What nobody knew was how the white house (and the McCain camp) were going to respond. Looks like the story is going to be 'make shiat up' and just change the subject.

Weaver95: After some schlub in the white house press office emailed the story to the entire western world, it was going to get national attention. What nobody knew was how the white house (and the McCain camp) were going to respond. Looks like the story is going to be 'make shiat up' and just change the subject.

I know the White House likes to fight with journalists; let's see if they pick a fight with Der Spiegel who is standing by their story. That would amuse me greatly after this initial turn of events.

Poor McCain...

Weaver95: Howie Spankowitz: SO much for that theory. This was a huge win for Obama.

After some schlub in the white house press office emailed the story to the entire western world, it was going to get national attention. What nobody knew was how the white house (and the McCain camp) were going to respond. Looks like the story is going to be 'make shiat up' and just change the subject.

They've certainly given the voracious 24 hour news peddlers fodder for continuous coverage now. They'll be able to stretch this out into stories and panel discussions from multiple angles (What is CENTCOM? Why are they involved? How difficult is Arabic to translate? What did Maliki really mean? Does he hope Obama wins? etc. etc.).

I haven't heard much of any response from McCain's campaign. Not sure really what they can hang their hat on right now that would make their candidate look good or even relevant to the discussion.

Weaver95: I'm a little concerned when our military start 'clarifying' remarks made by local officals and handing press releases to news agencies.

It's because CENTCOM is senior to Maliki. Aren't you familiar with how the chain of command works?

Weaver95: adamgreeney: Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

Isn't he? I mean, Malaki isn't really the Prime Minister, it's the army.

I'm a little concerned when our military start 'clarifying' remarks made by local officals and handing press releases to news agencies.

Exactly. Malaki is the head of a puppet government and anything "clarified" is highly suspect. Hell, anything he says is.

"Bad translation" won't work. Maliki is crystal clear in der spiegel's interview transcript.

Howie Spankowitz: I haven't heard much of any response from McCain's campaign. Not sure really what they can hang their hat on right now that would make their candidate look good or even relevant to the discussion.

Oh, they've made a response. (new window) It just isn't a very hopeful response.

flaEsq: "Bad translation" won't work. Maliki is crystal clear in der spiegel's interview transcript.

Yeah, but which story will the US news agencies choose to play on the evening news? Decisions, decisions....

Weaver95: Yeah, but which story will the US news agencies choose to play on the evening news? Decisions, decisions....

There is no news on weekends.

doyner: Weaver95: Yeah, but which story will the US news agencies choose to play on the evening news? Decisions, decisions....

There is no news on weekends.

I meant this week. Do try to keep up.

mcwebe0: Howie Spankowitz: I haven't heard much of any response from McCain's campaign. Not sure really what they can hang their hat on right now that would make their candidate look good or even relevant to the discussion.

Oh, they've made a response. (new window) It just isn't a very hopeful response.

Yeah. I saw that. At least it's truthful.

As I said yesterday, if Obama begins chipping away at the perception among voters that McCain is better suited to deal with Iraq, and other foreign policy matters, I believe he will widen his lead because I think many of the independents are in the group suspicious about Obama's inexperience in these matters.

Also, what happens now can set up sound bites (I hate that politics plays out this way, but that's reality) that can be used by Obama in upcoming debates and in campaign ads and by surrogates on the interview circuit.

Weaver95: I meant this week. Do try to keep up.

This "news" will be more than 48 hours old by the time the evening news comes on. It'll never see the light of day.

Brangelina's twins, OTOH...

If it gets play, this story basically turns this:



into this:

doyner: Weaver95: I meant this week. Do try to keep up.

This "news" will be more than 48 hours old by the time the evening news comes on. It'll never see the light of day.

Brangelina's twins, OTOH...

I doubt that will happen. But we'll see what happens. i'm at work so I don't know if this cropped up on the sunday talk shows.

doyner: Weaver95: I meant this week. Do try to keep up.

This "news" will be more than 48 hours old by the time the evening news comes on. It'll never see the light of day.

Brangelina's twins, OTOH...

I think you are wrong. The press has a context from which to report on this in the coming week: Obama's trip. You might be correct if Maliki's comments (along with our talks with Iran and Bush's embrace of a time "horizon") had happened a month ago, but with Obama meeting with military and world leaders on Iraq and Afghanistan right now, it provides a fitting excuse for the press to cover this.

Weaver95: I doubt that will happen. But we'll see what happens. i'm at work so I don't know if this cropped up on the sunday talk shows.

Right now on Fox: "The cost of freedom" Steve Forbes on the Indymac bank thing.

On Headline News (CNN Lite): Tropical storm Dolly, friendly fire in Afghanistan, Steve Fosset, inmate loses weight to escape prison.

On CNN: "CNN Money" Gas is expensive.

On MSNBC: "Doc Block"

So there you have it. Not a peep. Hasn't been one all morning. Nothing like this gets one second of air time without having been vetted and spun by the bigwigs at these "news" agencies.

cousin-merle: I know the White House likes to fight with journalists; let's see if they pick a fight with Der Spiegel who is standing by their story.

I would have to agree. I don't claim to be an expert in international journalism, but that paper's pretty well-regarded and influential IIRC. If they do get into a fight, I predict much usage of the german "Oh snap!" guy.

This may turn into a battle between Malaki's pride and survival instinct, which would be interesting...

Howie Spankowitz: I think you are wrong. The press has a context from which to report on this in the coming week: Obama's trip. You might be correct if Maliki's comments (along with our talks with Iran and Bush's embrace of a time "horizon") had happened a month ago, but with Obama meeting with military and world leaders on Iraq and Afghanistan right now, it provides a fitting excuse for the press to cover this.

They'll be too busy dissecting his every word to report something that happened over the weekend.

doyner: Weaver95: I doubt that will happen. But we'll see what happens. i'm at work so I don't know if this cropped up on the sunday talk shows.

Right now on Fox: "The cost of freedom" Steve Forbes on the Indymac bank thing.

On Headline News (CNN Lite): Tropical storm Dolly, friendly fire in Afghanistan, Steve Fosset, inmate loses weight to escape prison.

On CNN: "CNN Money" Gas is expensive.

On MSNBC: "Doc Block"

So there you have it. Not a peep. Hasn't been one all morning. Nothing like this gets one second of air time without having been vetted and spun by the bigwigs at these "news" agencies.

that's just wonderful.

The Iraqi PM endorsing Obama's withdrawal plan and CENTCOM saying, "Uh, uh, no he didn't, really" getting coverage?



Surely ye jest.

Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

that is the $64,000 question. especially given adm. mullen's recent admonition to stay out of domestic politics.

flavor of the month: that is the $64,000 question. especially given adm. mullen's recent admonition to stay out of domestic politics.

Mullen is CJCS--technically not in the chain of command between the White House and CENTCOM.

Howie Spankowitz: I seem to recall a thread yesterday where people were insisting that Maliki's comments would not be covered extensively or prominently by the media. I grabbed my LA Times from the driveway this morning and this was the front page story:

What bothers me is people take that Iranian hack Maliki seriously. That guy has been nothing but a gibbering sphincter since he got in there several years ago. Not not mention his frequent trips to Iran. What's really going on is anyones guess, but it's not a campaign issue.

I'm to the point now to saying WTH, let's pull out and let the genocide begin. I just wonder how long Saudi Arabia will sit still while their Sunni brothers get slaughtered.

Near as I can tell, the story so far goes something like this:

1. Maliki goes on record saying Obama's plan is pretty rockin. story makes the news in europe.

2. white house press office intern sees the story, flags it for his bosses attention and then hits 'send' on the wrong distribution list.

3. intern frantically hits 'recall message' waaaaay too late.

4. McCain craps his diapers.

5. [miracle happens]

6. CENTCOM says that Maliki was 'misquoted'. Buries the story.

7. Mainstream media contemplates their bellybutton.

doyner: flavor of the month: that is the $64,000 question. especially given adm. mullen's recent admonition to stay out of domestic politics.

Mullen is CJCS--technically not in the chain of command between the White House and CENTCOM.

i could have sworn he was in charge of centcom. turns out its petraeus. that explains everything.

Weaver95: Near as I can tell, the story so far goes something like this:

1. Maliki goes on record saying Obama's plan is pretty rockin. story makes the news in europe.

2. white house press office intern sees the story, flags it for his bosses attention and then hits 'send' on the wrong distribution list.

3. intern frantically hits 'recall message' waaaaay too late.

4. McCain craps his diapers.

5. [miracle happens]

6. CENTCOM says that Maliki was 'misquoted'. Buries the story.

7. Mainstream media contemplates their bellybutton.

That about sums it up. Sadly. I still think that the events of the week, depending on whether or not the rest of Obama's trip is successful, will provide content for later debates and campaign ads.

In the interim, I can't wait (massive, headache-inducing eyeroll) to hear more about how the fat guy escaped from prison.

GaryPDX: Howie Spankowitz: I seem to recall a thread yesterday where people were insisting that Maliki's comments would not be covered extensively or prominently by the media. I grabbed my LA Times from the driveway this morning and this was the front page story:

What bothers me is people take that Iranian hack Maliki seriously. That guy has been nothing but a gibbering sphincter since he got in there several years ago. Not not mention his frequent trips to Iran. What's really going on is anyones guess, but it's not a campaign issue.

I'm to the point now to saying WTH, let's pull out and let the genocide begin. I just wonder how long Saudi Arabia will sit still while their Sunni brothers get slaughtered.

I don't always agree with you, but when you're right, you sir, are RIGHT.

GaryPDX:

I'm to the point now to saying WTH, let's pull out and let the genocide begin. I just wonder how long Saudi Arabia will sit still while their Sunni brothers get slaughtered.


Cool with me -- let them have a war with Iran instead of us doing it. Bonus goodness (strange bedfellows^{head exploding + 1} dept.): Saudi Arabia and Israel fighting on the same side.

Howie Spankowitz: I seem to recall a thread yesterday where people were insisting that Maliki's comments would not be covered extensively or prominently by the media. I grabbed my LA Times from the driveway this morning and this was the front page story:

Link (new window)

SO much for that theory. This was a huge win for Obama.

Yeah, that would be me. I don't see this being covered by the big 3, CNN, or Fox yet. And I would most certainly would like to be wrong about that, but I don't see it happening. This story is on CNN actually, now that I look. It still says that his translation was wrong though, and it is most of the way down the page as a video story. Nothing on the BBC International front page. I still don't see this being covered.

GAT_00: Howie Spankowitz: I seem to recall a thread yesterday where people were insisting that Maliki's comments would not be covered extensively or prominently by the media. I grabbed my LA Times from the driveway this morning and this was the front page story:

Link (new window)

SO much for that theory. This was a huge win for Obama.

Yeah, that would be me. I don't see this being covered by the big 3, CNN, or Fox yet. And I would most certainly would like to be wrong about that, but I don't see it happening. This story is on CNN actually, now that I look. It still says that his translation was wrong though, and it is most of the way down the page as a video story. Nothing on the BBC International front page. I still don't see this being covered.

It is being covered in the print and internet press, but you are correct in that it appears that the TV tards have their heads up their collective asses yet again.

The audience always loves it when the dummy sasses the ventriloquist.

robsul82

What's the back story on that pic of McCain holding that box of donuts?

Sorry for the threadjack.

Man, I'm still spent from the last thread we had on this thing.

/when will the madness end

A spokesman for al-Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately."

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the possibility of troop withdrawal was based on the continuance of security improvements, echoing statements that the White House made Friday after a meeting between al-Maliki and U.S. President Bush.


ALi al-Dabbagh works for CENTCOM?

Biological Ali: Man, I'm still spent from the last thread we had on this thing.

/when will the madness end

Ditto. Let's get the debates started already. (Not like that will change many people's minds, merely add thread fodder).

Weaver95: Near as I can tell, the story so far goes something like this:

1. Maliki goes on record saying Obama's plan is pretty rockin. story makes the news in europe.

2. white house press office intern sees the story, flags it for his bosses attention and then hits 'send' on the wrong distribution list.

3. intern frantically hits 'recall message' waaaaay too late.

4. McCain craps his diapers.

5. [miracle happens]

6. CENTCOM says that Maliki was 'misquoted'. Buries the story.

7. Mainstream media contemplates their bellybutton.

8. WH intern "disappears."

9. Profit??

flavor of the month: Weaver95: Why is CENTCOM involved in this? Can't the Prime Minister speak for himself?

that is the $64,000 question. especially given adm. mullen's recent admonition to stay out of domestic politics.

more like admiral mullet am i rite