A classic example of the is how they are trying to spin the recent revelations of the current level of Iraqi army readiness.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said yesterday that Iraqi security forces are steadily improving, and he dismissed news of a drop in the number of highest-rated units as having minimal relevance.
snip
Military commanders revealed the drop during congressional testimony Thursday, saying the number of "Level 1" Iraqi units had declined from three to one over the summer.
There is some positive news, but this is where the verbal confusion really comes into play.
the number of Level 2 units -- that is, those considered able to lead operations with U.S. support -- had doubled since May (up to 36 battalions out of a total 116 army and special police battalions, according to other officials).
The verbal shell game is important here, because in the testimony to congress the defense officials were talking about a total of 83 Iraqi battalions. They are now adding 33 more battalions into the conversation. How many of the 36 level 2 units are in this new group 33 battalions. Are these police battalions that they are including into the mix, and do police battalions who are considered level 2 have the same combat capacity as a level 2 army unit.
Questions that are never asked, and never made clear. Clarity appears to be the enemy of the Bush administration. Thus going from 3 to 1 level one Iraq Army unit is "irrelevant", and the total number of units is changed when it may help make a better impression.
Just like a good shell game, you can guess, but when you look under the shell odd are you will find nothing but hot air.
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