"Until it's announced, the government's decision hasn't been announced."

[Roland99]

Gotta love ol' Rummy!

Rumsfeld Hints at Cutting Forces in Iraq
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/12/22/D8ELE9MO0.html

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld hinted Thursday that the U.S. military will soon begin reducing its troop strength in Iraq below 138,000, the level it has considered its core force in the country for most of this year. On an unannounced holiday visit to the Iraqi capital, Rumsfeld hinted a preliminary decision had been made to achieve the modest reduction by canceling the scheduled deployment of two Army brigades.

The cancellation of the deployments would gradually decrease the number of troops in Iraq by 6,000 to 7,000, said a Defense Department official who spoke on condition of anonymity because an announcement was not yet final. The official said that would bring the troop level in the country to a little above 130,000 sometime next spring,

...

Asked whether he'd made the decision to hold back those two brigades, Rumsfeld made a distinction between his decisions as defense secretary and final announcements by the U.S. government.

"Until it's announced, the government's decision hasn't been announced. Therefore it's not final," he said.

Now the administration will go full-steam ahead in reframing that victory has been achieved in Iraq and start bringing troops home. What's disgusting about this is the training of Iraqi security forces hasn't magically created 30,000 combat-ready troops. The training of Iraqis will slowly ooze into the background noise as VICTORY is hailed from the White House.

[swag]

1. Q.E.D.

[shenmue]

2. It's not over 'til it's over!

G*d, the rot in that man's head...

:scared:

:grr:

:puke:

[pfcpittman]

3. i hope its true and we can start ending this nightmare

and have and "honorable" peace

[Roland99]

4. I hope so, too, but we need to be careful of the framing of the withdrawal

It will be crucial for the '06 elections.

[caligirl]

5. 2006 pre election lie's. surprised?

[rucky]

6. He's like a cross between Yogi Berra and Lou Costello

except he's not trying to be funny.