2003 Mission Accomplished Speech - in Culture

In Culture

Iraq War opponents have used the phrase "mission accomplished" in an ironic sense, while others have non-politically cited it as an example of a general public relations failure. In addition, some mainstream outlets questioned the state of the war with derivatives of this statement. For example, the October 6, 2003 cover of Time featured the headline "Mission Not Accomplished." On April 30, 2008, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said "President Bush is well aware that the banner should have been much more specific and said 'mission accomplished for these sailors who are on this ship on their mission.' And we have certainly paid a price for not being more specific on that banner." On May 5, 2008, The Daily Show mocked her statement by producing a graphic of what such a sign might have looked like.

• In March 2008 a book entitled Mission Accomplished! (or How We Won the War in Iraq) was released. A continuation of the "Experts Speak" series from the Institute of Expertology, this book by Christopher Cerf and Victor Navasky, with illustrations by Robert Grossman, is a compilation of hundreds of quotations from prominent figures in the media and government concerning military operations in Iraq.
• The May 10, 2009 episode of The Simpsons, entitled "Four Great Women and a Manicure", depicted Queen Elizabeth I (as played by Patty Bouvier) standing under a "Miſſion Accompliſhed" banner on the shores of England, prior to a battle between the heavily outnumbered British Navy and the Spanish Armada.