Michael Ware On Iraq Hearings: I Just See A Lot Of Oxygen Being Wasted Here

Speaking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday, the cable news outlet's Baghdad Bureau Chief Michael Ware expressed his disappointment with the way in which lawmakers were questioning General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. Ware said that it seemed like the hearings were more about political grandstanding than solving the Iraq crisis. "I just see a lot of oxygen being wasted here," Ware said. He also took the members of the committees to task for their lack of knowledge about the Iraq situation. Watch the exchanges below:

Click here for updated coverage of the Petraeus hearings.

Comments

[kozmik]

Ware himself isn't saying anything. He's just ranting. He sounds like a lot of trolls online who just want to rant and thinks it gives them the illusion of superiority. I thought several of the Senators asked as good questions as could be under the circumstances.

Until there is a new President and a larger Democratic majority it will be impossible for Congress to assert control of the situation because this President refuses any consent and oversight, and there aren;t the votes to break a filibuster. so, that's reality.

[igmond50]

Since the last election there has not been a need for more democrats anywhere. What is required is people with the courage of their convictions. There have been enough Democrats to defund the war but nothing has been done. The call for more democrats to be elected is a request for more power to an already impotent group that occupies the opposite end of a dysfunctionally short political spectrum. Democrats and Republicans statists all.

[Clinton]

Indeed. They are bought and sold. It's all about the war profits.

[eniobob]

I saw his response also and like you I thought there were some good questions asked,but there were no answers to those questions.

[ultrabop]

Ware is believable because he is not a liberal. Some of his past statements sounded as if he were all for the war on an idealogical basis. Being on the ground over there he has developed an affinity for the Iraqi people and wants them to be helped. He's just pissed because the congressmen don't share the same attitude(of doing the right thing). It was made obvious by their questions. So Ware is questioning their sincerity. He's not ranting.

[JeremyO]

Blitzer talking to anybody is a waste of oxygen. Ware is an Iraq reporter, so why does he always claim to be an expert on American public opinion? Okay Ware we get it, Iraq is a mess that the US caused (President Stupid) and thousands of Iraqis died and many more will die if we pull out. But does that give you carte blanche to tell Americans how we should feel about the War in general or how we should feel about our own priorites? What's Ware afraid of, that we pull out of Iraq and he doesn't have anywhere to be an expert on anymore? Just report the facts and let the American public decide how we feel about it.

[StillAmused]

Ware is one bad-ass, no-nonsense reporter. Since we seem to be outsourcing everything else, I propose Congress contract with this Australian jackhammer (also an attorney) to interrogate Junior's military flowergirls... on camera.

New rear exhaust ports WILL be torn.

[PhDiva]

I agree. I love him.

[Merin]

Ware always bothers me when he talks about Iraq.

The horrible reality that no one wants to utter is the following:

If we stay enforce in Iraq, we will keep the violence more in check and give the Iraqis another target for their hatred and frustration. This will save some Iraqi lives but cost American lives and large amounts of American money.

If we leave now, in a year, or in ten years, the result will be more or less the same - rival factions will escalate violence and many, many more innocent Iraqis will be killed. After we leave other groups will move in to fill the power void, the Iraqi government will fall to be replaced by a series of warlords, dictators and/or puppet leaders from surrounding countries (like Iran.) This will, however, save American lives, American money AND stabilize the country much faster.

There are no attractive solutions. The real question that needs to be answered is as follows:

Since we invaded the country and created the situation, are we beholden to waste our soldiers and wealth on a largely futile effort to force democracy on an area not yet ready for it-
or shall we pull out, accept that there will be a spike in violence and the civil war in Iraq will rage unchecked until it plays itself out, but save our own sons and daughters and treasure?

[4fgvsdf]

Well put Merin. I really appreciate Ware's views on Iraq because he talks about in fair terms - after all, aren't all lives, Iraqi or American, worth the same.
There isn't a good choice here. I was a vocal opponent of the war (in my office) when it started. But now I am equally for not withdrawing quickly/haphazardly. A change in strategy is called for...but I believe the moral responsibility of America is too great. to just pack up and leave. The fact is that the majority of Americans wanted the war back in 02 and congress with a huge majority approved the war. The US cannot play god and then run away from the things that have transpired since. The carnage that will ensue if the US withdraws now is great. We have to think of something or the other to change the dynamic in Iraq.

[mengwise36]

I too was a vocal opponent of the war in my office. As a matter of fact I was the only one opposed the war out of my office of ten people. My reasoning was as such:
1. The War was not justified because Iraq did not invade us AND the UN Security Counsel did not vote FOR it.
2. Occupying a foreign country rarely works out for the occupier. And the more different the culture, the more difficult the occupation.
3. We started a war knowing that we could not loose.

That the US will defeat the Iraqi army was never in doubt. It is like the heavy weight champion of the world fighting a first grader. However, everything went wrong after the fight was over. Our lack of understanding of the people and culture of Iraq was our downfall. Our arrogance only compounded our error.

You and I might think that an Iraqi life SHOULD worth the same as an American life. But to believe so will be naive. To hold other people, especially the military, to the same belief will be futile. An American life has always, through out history and justified by religion or patriotism/nationalism, been valued more than any other life. If not, how can anyone ever justify the A-bombs we dropped on the Japanese, or the hundreds of thousands we killed in Vietnam, or the hundreds of thousands we killed in Iraq PRIOR to this war?

[lacitepq]

I would vote for the latter and just get the hell out, albeit in a responsible way. The current administration however has too much ego wrapped up in this. The invasion and subsequent occupation is their baby. To start withdrawl and let the place fall into utter chaos would be an admission that they kind of f*'d up. They would rather risk further American lives to save face. Not exactly profiles in courage or leadership.

[landmine]

lacotepq,
You mean it's not utter chaos and all f--ked up, now? If you don't think so, you must be a fox news junky....where they "tell you what to think, so you don't have too".

Ware is correct. Most people haven't the basic understanding of the situation.

[metalpipe]

Well said, Merin, we should pull ont NOW. I would add that it might be worth pulling out if only to give Iran a distraction from developing a war based nuclear program. It would really put the surrounding Arab nations on the defensive. Something to spend their money on other than American industries. I think we would survive the likely interruption in oil production.

[greatjumpingjosephat]

Leaving would confirm their guilt to the lies told for going over there.Although in the past we left RVN and it was taken over by the North,so I don't see anything wrong with leaving Iraq for terrorist.Americans aren't warriors,they are more into warning their children about stranger dangers,searching for pedaphiles around the world than keeping the education system on level playing field with the global community.Face it,we're history.The government credit card abuse has come out of the closet so it's like waht can go wrong next?Thievery is at all levels of this government,from trying to steal Iraq's oil at the top of the administration to lying to get government funding.Something bigger is on the way now I am sure.

[ultrabop]

you mean like martial law declared before the election(our election). Or an invasion of Iran? The Senators seemed to be hot on the idea that Iran is our mortal enemy in Iraq. Of course it doesn't occur to them that we have occupied a foreign country for no reason......and Iran has a border with Iraq.

What if Russia invaded Canada. Would we get involved?

[chendri887]

God, this country's leadership is so retarded and conservative. I feel like I am being held hostage by a bunch of old men worshipping 18th and 19th century ideas about "proper interaction" whenever I see these Congressional hearings. They are so depressingly "polite." Does it really take the whole American middle class collapsing for these idiots to wake up and smell the coffee? Or, will they die worshipping their conservative patriarchal vision of reality and their ethnic tribal view of the world?

[madkey]

Thats not true. The problem is Gen. Petraeus and the Ambassador are eluding and evasive. The current policy for the surge doesn't make sense. Gen. Petraeus stated that the goal is to maintain Iketa and Iranian influence in Irag amongst other groups. In order to maintain this stability we have to stay there, which is Mcsames argument. The Democrates argue, we can't afford to stay there and spend billions of dollars a month while our troops are dying. The Democrates wants to expedite the process faster than Mcsames 100 year occupation in Iraq. Obama stated lets speak with Iran to eliminate attacks on Iraq and take out Iqeta. Stabilizing Iran and taking out Iqeta will enable the Iraqi's to take control of their government faster than another 5 or 30 years.

[chendri887]

I guess I tire of the polite game that is the US Congress. It's an eternal round-about-speak that never resolves anything. This might have worked fine when the country was relativity homogenous, "Christian," and without electronic media. However, in today's world, where information travels more freely, and people are less afraid to speak their mind, I feel that we need a different paradigm for getting things done. Case in point: The last 7 years.

[livesimply]

Amen. Though I am an Obama supporter, I wish even he could raise the level of conversation from this BS instead of all this political posturing.

[GeoLee]

I was not impressed with his political posturing either. I find Michael Ware who has spent a huge amount o ftime there with any of the three rpesidential candidates. Too bad some of the news corp like Ware and the New York Times Reporter who spent years there are not being asked to congressional hearings. And it is also too bad that those who seem to know more have accents revealing their ancestry is from the British Commonwealth. I suppose they know more about Iraq because the Brits byuilt the county in the first place!

[totalliberal]

Why aren't we at least talking with Iran. Could it be the Israeli lobby? Hmmmm.

This whole thing is getting a little crazy.

[jpshotwheels]

There was a report out yesterday on Democracy now, that Israel is secretly buying oil supplies from Iran. Israel purchases the oil, its brought in through Europeon Countries then into Israel. If Israel is so concerned about Iran, then why are they are buying oil from them.

I hear the drumbeat of Iran now, from Petreaus and Crocker both in these hearings, all the Republicans questioning, including Liebermann, brought up Iran. These idiots want to attack Iran, including Cheney. There was a report out in a Saudi newspaper, they are starting a program for Nuclear protection in their Country, right after Cheney left. There were two Nuclear ships sent to the Gulf recently by the U.S. It just makes you wonder what they are up to. GWB, chimpy, Dumbya, would be the only idiot thats would attempt this.

Then this agreement to stay in Iraq by Executive order, without going through Congress is another attempt for this.

Folks if they go after Iran, look out America, we are in enough shit right now, God help us all if they go after Iran.

[ultrabop]

Bush wants the Apocalypse before he leaves office. He figures it's the least he can do since he's fucked everything else up.

[argeec]

Congress should not be questioning Petraeus and Crocker, they should be questioning Gates and Rice.
The important issues do not concern happenings on the ground in Iraq. They concern the reasons for our presence in the middle east and what our objectives are there.
We need a debate about why we are there and what we hope to achieve by being there.
IMO, the Israel lobby does not want that debate to occur and, because of their influence with congress, we get Petraeus and Crocker instead.

[madkey]

They are and been questioning them for several years. I'ts the president that these generals are taking orders. President Bush is the problem and Mcsame wants to take up were he left off.

[ultrabop]

Bush already said it was because if we left, it woud effect the "economy." He basically admitted that it's about the oil.

The bigger question is why is he still in office?

or Why do Presidents have carte blanche to do whatever the fuck they want including murder and mayhem?

[argeec]

Gee, it looks like if we stay in Iraq much longer we will be dragged into a war with Iran!
IIRC, that was the neocon's original objective.

[madkey]

Thats exactly what Mcsame is going to do that's why he was singing Bom, Bom, Bom Bom Iran. Think people think. Mcsame is a war president like Bush.

[ultrabop]

They have oil....right?

[DallasNE]

It is 3 weeks short of 5 years ago that Bush declared that major combat operations in Iraq were over. Now, nearly 5 years later, we are told that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. (That is 5 years worth of oxygen being wasted).

Going from one extreme to the other is not a plan. It is ducking the question. A year ago 18 benchmarks were put forward as the measuring stick for success. Those were the light at the end of the tunnel. Apparently that light has retreated from sight. Should not somebody be held accountable for the failure to meet the stated objectives?

For the last four years the answer has always been the same. Just give us six more months. When a team that is expected to win starts out the season 0-8 the manager/coach is gone. It is time for this management group to be gone as well. And that means Petraeus as well.

[madkey]

Mcsame is old, and loosing his memory. I have an Idea lets just change the names so he doesn't have to work so hard trying to remember the Iraqi groups he wants our American troops dying for a 100 years. The truth is Mcsame is a war president. If you want to continue this war I bet we will be in a war with Iran within the next year if Mcsame is the president.

[livesimply]

Yes, I agree. McCain is losing (not loosing) his memory and let's (not lets) change the names. I agree with your post 100%. Sorry, but your message is way important and I don't want it to be lost to those who are sticklers for the written word like me.

[KOisGod]

The enablers and criminals acting concerned about the cluster FUCK in IraK don't really care if my brothers and sisters are getting KILLED for their corporate masters. NOTHING will change unless WE THE PEOPLE gather by the hundreds of thousands in WASHINGTON DC, and paralyze that city with shoulder to shoulder marches to the CAPITAL, to the WHITE HOUSE, and to every GOD DAMN Govt building in this nation UNTIL THEY GET IT.

WHERE ARE OUR LEADERS? WHO WILL LEAD US?????

[AjicNYC]

I am with you!!

[mig991]

I really like what Dr. Paul had to say as well. My secret hope is that Sean Insannity is correct and Sen. Obama is as liberal as his record indicates. Then if elected he can bring about REAL change. Get us the heck out of Iraq. Get Supreme Court Justices who actually believe in Evolution and that the Earth is round. Present an image of competance to the rest of the world.

Dare to dream!

[AjicNYC]

Ron Paul is the only one that made sense, and media and the other candidates just laughed at him

[livesimply]

I am with you too. I hope our candidate is listening.

[Boringat]

Watched the Ozzie Ware for ages. Sometimes he can be quite un-American, The world needs more of that.

[pepenero]

Face it. This guy represents and is the forerunner of the TV reporters of the future, which is, of course, upon us. From here on out you will see more and more of this obnoxious type.

[peacepenguin]

Thank god for Ware! We need less "balanced" a.k.a. "insipid" reporters which is pretty much 99 percent of what we're given on TV.

Is Michael Ware more offensive to you than say, Bill O'Reilly?

That difference is that Ware is boots on the ground in Iraq while Bill O and the rest of the cowardly lot sit at home and "interpret" the war for us. Make that, spin the war for the Administration, which is their sole font of information about the war.

The press is supposed to consist of gadflies --- not official stenographers.

[Sheeez --- guess this one doesn't think much of Freedom of the Press! Another Right tossed on the trash heap in the name of what? being fed pablum news? ]

[laborgrunt]

Ware is still a tool, the guy is trying to change the subject over to Iran. He wants war, war and more war.

[julieeiluj]

I would be interested in knowing what Mr. Ware's thoughts are on the inevitable war with Iran.

[plainsman]

That seems to be the angle he is sensationalizing. If he ever gets the boot from CNN, I'm sure Faux News would be there to scoop him up.

[rebeccaj]

As someone who lived in Beirut in the early 80s and knows what it is like to be caught up with "what is going on -- on the ground" I would say that Ware needs some R&R. He has gotten too close to the story and too close to the people there. His heart breaks for them, I know exactly how he feels...

But, sometimes, Michael, you have to step back from a story -- and a situation -- and view it from different angles.

And, our Congress needed to start viewing the the disaster of Iraq from the standpoint of:

What is in the national interest of the United States of America?

And, what will help the long-term interests of the region.

Michael, our Congress is RIGHT and YOU are WRONG. It is time for you to leave Iraq and for CNN to find someone less involved and less caught up in the emotions of the situation.

[livesimply]

What about; What is in the interests of the people of their nations? We(Americans) are not the only humans on the planet who's interests matter.

[vernonbc]

livesimply, you said it all. All the americans on this blog should asked the Iraqi people how they feel about having their country blown up around them. Their opinions would likely surprise the posters. They want the Americans out of there yesterday.

[rebeccaj]

Hey guys -- I wasn't being arrogant! If we had gone by our own national interests -- we never would have invaded Iraq to begin with!

Or, we would have helped to get rid of Saddam with a strong international coalition.

There is nothing wrong a country following its own national interest.

Unfortunately, after 7 years of Bush -- the American people have forgotten that what is good for our country is often good for the world too!

That is why we need an intelligent, honest president who follows the Constitution and care about the ideals of our country and the "best angels" of its citizenry!

[thinkb4uleap]

As a reporter, Michael Ware seems a little too shifty for my taste. His reports seem to often have a "Crocodile Hunter" tone - maybe it's the accent. His seeming pro-war bias and constant sly and wry smirk also detracts from his credibility to me.

What happened to Christiane Amanpour? She was the most trusted reporter on "the most trusted news network" in my book.

[Jonni Rae]

I agree. His job is to report the news not opnionize about American politics. I liked him at the beginning, but lately, he is always saying that we cannot get out. This war is bankrupting us, decimating our military. Most of the Iraquis are Shia, so what if Iran comes in when we leave? The "free elections" elected a Shia government. Most of the Sunnis have fled or been ethnically cleansed. It' really too late to fix that now. Let them have Iraq. They will have it eventually anyway. It's not worth another war. The Iraqui Shia can deal with the Iranian Shia. It is really none of our business; it never was. It truly is not worth one more American life or casuality. It is a catastrophic blunder by the US that will haunt us, but there is no way we can "fix" it now. Give Iraq back to the Iraquis and let them figure it out. Anyway Crocker is such an idiot, he is an embarrassment, and he would not answer any questions anyway. Ware should have said what questions he would have asked.