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Tell truth about 'Mission Accomplished'
Tell truth about 'Mission Accomplished'
Jan. 16, 2007 12:00 AM
In the Jan. 10 Republic, cartoonist Steve Benson once again repeated the Big Lie concerning the "Mission Accomplished" banner unfurled when President Bush visited the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The banner signified the completion of the carrier's deployment, which was 290 days, longer than any other nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in history. The banner did not refer to our commitment in Iraq, nor did the White House demand its display. It was a Navy show, giving proper praise for a mission well done by the crew of the Abraham Lincoln.
True, the actual banner was fabricated in Washington but at the Navy's request. Isn't it time to stop perpetuating this lie?
As for proclaiming the "end of major combat operations," the statement was true but it's utterance was ill-advised since the public cares less about the manner of our troop casualties but rather more about stopping our losses altogether.
And so do I. - Joe Butterworth, Clarkdale
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