General Petraeus to Testify Before Congress on September 11. Mere Serendipity?

The White House revealed Monday that General David Petraeus' testimony before Congress re the Iraq War "surge" has now been set for September 11th.

Everything the General will talk about will naturally have the tragic deaths of 3,000 of our fellow citizens hanging in the air.

This may also work to temper the critical tone of questions.

And you can bet on this: His "opening statement" to the committee will reference 9/11. And the talking points given to the Republicans on the committee no doubt direct that their questions to the General should be prefaced by things like, "General Petraeus, as we look back on our military response to that tragic day in our nation's history...."

On and on it will go. What should be a tough and blunt exchange between the people's representatives in Congress and the General regarding the surge and the war and where we go from here, etc., will instead be in large measure a "memorial" to the victims of 9/11, and by not-so-subtle extension, a justification for continuing the war.

It is just more conflating of 9/11 and Saddam and Iraq, the White House modis operandi from day one.

9/11, Iraq, 9/11, Iraq, 9/11, Iraq, 9/11, Iraq, 9/11, Iraq........

Comments

[Dem02020]

05:34 PM on 08/22/2007

The Democratic majority of the Senate (and of the House too), upon their return from their recess, should immediately move that they clear all business from their Congressional Calendar on September 11, 2007, the sixth anniversary of the attacks, so that members may spend the day observing the memory of those Americans who lost their lives on September 11, 2001; and that they should re-schedule their Hearing, and hear the General's testimony on another day.

[BigTuna]

09:50 AM on 08/22/2007

9/11 should be a reminder to America that Osama is still alive and that we're less safe than we were then despite crushing the armed forces and the treasury.

Can the Democrats manage to reframe this publicity stunt and turn it on its head against the Republicans? Can they tell their asses from a hole in the ground? These are the burning questions I want answered before I'll vote for another Democrat for Congress.

[Purple Girl]

07:44 AM on 08/22/2007

Perhaps we should demand the date be changed for just that reason. It is now called "Patriots Day". The real Patriots do not want this attempt at propaganda spewed on that day of Memorial.
The Catholic Church has taught these guys a great trick- assimilate 'pagan' observances with the Church Doctrine. It works on so many levels.
Hear the Hooves coming up ??

[snaggster]

06:13 PM on 08/21/2007

Who runs the show on Capitol Hill? The Democrats, no? Seems like they could re-arrange the general's schedule to their liking. Instead, they let the GOP outmaneuver them as usual.

[Ben Dixon]

07:24 PM on 08/21/2007

So true. Last time I checked there were Democrats in congress, couldn't they ask some hard hitting questions of GEN Petraeus? Or would that be to much like work for them?

[accountability]

06:02 PM on 08/21/2007

Dear God, these people have no shame.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

05:47 PM on 08/21/2007

Right there, Bush pisses on what should be a national day of mourning. Thanks, Karl. Don't forget to pack your doormat -- the United States Constitution -- on yer way out.

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