Bull! Not bull

In the video, Rove says that Democrats have ignored 15 years of history, and repeats the refrain, "We weren't in Iraq when..." And he reels off the years:

1993

June 26, 1993 - According to the United States Operation Southern Watch: "Retaliating for Iraqi complicity in an attempt to assassinate former President Bush, the US fired 23 cruise missiles at the headquarters of the Iraqi secret police in Baghdad."

In 1993, there were at least 11 documented US military actions in Iraq. See here for the list. Yes, Mr. Rove, we were in Iraq in 1993, and so were our bombs and our missiles.

1996

U.S. Navy Fires 17 Missiles on Southern Iraq

September 4, 1996 - According to the United States Operation Southern Watch: "A US F-16 patrolling the extended Southern Watch no-fly zone fired a HARM at an Iraqi SA-8 air defense radar after the radar locked onto it. Four Navy ships launched 17 more cruise missiles against targets in southern Iraq."

In 1996, there were at least 11 documented US military actions in Iraq. See here for the list. Yes, Mr. Rove, we were in Iraq in 1996, and so were our bombs and our missiles.

1998

Massive Four-Day Bombing of Baghdad during Ramadan

17 December 1998 - The timing of the attack, on the eve of the impeachment debate and vote in the House of Representatives, is clearly bound up with the political crisis of the Clinton White House. As he has throughout this political crisis, at every point when his presidency has been threatened, Clinton has sought to appease his right-wing opponents with the threat or use of military force.

In 1998, there were at least 4 documented US military actions in Iraq, in addition to the huge operation cited above. Yes, Mr. Rove, we were in Iraq in 1998, and so were our bombs and our missiles.

2000

Students, Teachers Injured in School Bombing

11-11-00 Southern Iraq - The Ali Al-Hayaini school in Hmaidi village in Basrah Province was hit injuring 4 children and 3 teachers. The school, several houses and a car were damaged. Reuters and AFP

In 2000, there were at least 56 documented US military actions in Iraq. Yes, Mr. Rove, we were in Iraq in 1998, and so were our bombs and our missiles.

Yes Mr. Rove, we were in Iraq practically non-stop since the "end" of the first Gulf War, enforcing no-fly restrictions and engaging in military actions throughout the 1990's.

2001

And Yes, Mr. Rove, in 2001 we were in Iraq. Take special note of the date:

Eight Killed in Iraq Raids

September 10, 2001 - BBC - Eight people were killed and three others injured in a Western missile strike south-east of Baghdad on Sunday, the official Iraqi news agency (INA) has reported. It said a number of farms had been hit in an attack by US and British planes patrolling the southern no-fly zone.

"America and Britain committed yet another savage aggression that targeted Iraqi civilians when their planes attacked the al-Salihiya area in Wasit province, killing eight and wounding three," INA said.

The Pentagon has said that US Air Force F-16, Navy F-18 and British Tornado GR-4 aircraft struck missile sites near al-Numinayah, al-Kut and Tallil, all south-east of Baghdad. It said all the planes returned safely to base.

Lies

At the beginning of the clip, Rove says that Democrats have ignored 15 years of history. You can read the complete US bombing history of Iraq here, covering those 15 years in question and decide for yourself.

Who is ignoring history - and who is lying?