“In earlier operations, Iraqi and American forces cleared many neighborhoods of terrorists and insurgents, but when our forces moved on to other targets, the killers returned. This time, we will have the force levels we need to hold the areas that have been cleared.”
This problem was reasonably forseeable by anyone with a basic grasp of Iraq’s population and could have been preempted with the proper amount of troops. The words “war” and “cheap” should never appear in the same foreign policy. Does Bush really think 21,500 troops will be adequate to significantly affect these neighborhoods all over Iraq?
“In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter these neighborhoods, and Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.”
This is presuming that this troop surge will be effective enough to enable us to control the various sectarian factions throughout the region. Further, I would be very cautious about placing too much faith in Maliki. He is strongly backed by the the radical anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
“Most of Iraq’s Sunni and Shia want to live together in peace…”
This perfectly shows the President’s obliviousness to the entire sitatuation. Either he doesn’t understand the past 3 years or has not been paying enough attention to what has and continues to transpire. If so many people want peace, why is a civil war raging on and picking up more steam with each passing day?
“To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country’s economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis.”
More pie in the sky forecasts courtesy of the most optimistic Commander in Chief in American history. Not only do I doubt this will pass, but, in the sheer miracle that it does, there is no way it will be enforced effectively. The Shi’ites control the majority of the legislature and will control the nation’s revenues. What is their incentive to giving money to the Sunnis that literally held them hostage throughout Saddam’s rule?
“To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend 10 billion dollars of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs.”
This has to absolutely kill the neocons that dreamed up this exercise. After failing to plan, manage and exit Iraq successfully, the new approach will be to set up a New Deal for Iraq. That’s right – the epitome of liberalism delivered by a conservative administration to a Middle Eastern nation. You can’t make this stuff up.
“…to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation’s political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq’s constitution.”
It was our strategy to completely disband the Baath party forces in Iraq. Thank heavens it only took 3.5 years to realize this was a bad idea. Is that the same constitution that the President lauded because Iraqis were allowed to vote to pass it (remember the purple fingers that were reproduced at the State of the Union)? The same one that included clauses such as “No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam?” Now we want to amend it? I guess you have to start somewhere but claiming the constitution’s passage to be a success was pure spin, Rove style, at its finest.
“We will give our commanders and civilians greater flexibility to spend funds for economic assistance. “
With an $8 Trillion federal debt, I’d love to know where these funds are coming from, especially since Republicans oppose any type of tax increase. More borrowing from China and Saudi Arabia will do nothing more than continue to weaken the American dollar, initiate higher interest rates and saddle our children with debt for decades. All this for weapons that didn’t exist, a democracy that elected a fundamentalist Islam government and thousands of Americans dead. Of course, as the majority party, the Democrats will have to enable this act. Let’s see if they can put up (if not, shut up – Dick Durbin, I’m looking at you)…
“America’s men and women in uniform took away Al Qaeda’s safe haven in Afghanistan  and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq.”
See the previous post for the irony and absolute ridiculousness of this statement.
It’s almost as if the U.S. were providing security for Bin Laden in Afghanistan.
Msg. Jan. 18, 2006; “To Surge or Insurge? That is the question!�
Surge 20,000 or 100,000 troops? I say, no “out-posting,� no “street patrols� for American soldiers. Our only job should be, is to garrison our troops and suppress any gathering or consolidated attack formations presented by opponents and enemies of the elected Iraqi government.
Let the Iraqis slog it out or reconcile, and stop blaming us for their own ignorance and errors of judgment. We should just sit in our air conditioned Iraqi garrisons (The Green Zone) and hold our strategic beachhead in the war on middle east Fascist Islam and the evil Imperialists in Iran. We should use such a strategic and secure position in Iraq to gather good solid middle east inteligence and conduct special forces clandestine raids to harass and injure our enemy. Such a posture would, I believe, allow us time to prepare here at home to hear and fashion the “bipartisan� and international plan for victory; a unified movement forward against Islamic Fascisim.
In the mean time, we can wait for the day when the fledgling Iraqi government (Al Malarki) can, if ever, exercise their “sovereignty� over the sectarian militias, terrorists, proxy fighters, and regional interventionist. Then, maybe, we’ll listen to their blustery edicts to the U.S.A. about what we can and cannot do in their country. We may as well use their lands to our advantage; we’ve certainly paid for the privilege. We did after all conquer them, twice!
I’ll take a stalemate in advancing a democratic regime in Iraq. It would be nice to see it succeed but it may not and it isn’t from a lack of our effort. It was worth a try. “You can lead a horse to water…�
The most devastating thing we could do is engineer cars that run on electricity. We should concentrate on sucking the blood of the snake dry (interrupt the flow of dollars funding their power and projection of power; petrol wealth) as opposed to attempting to chop its head off. In the American desert of thought on this subject I can’t think of a better source of metaphoric nourishing protein to fuel our survival. PUN intended….
I invite DM to take a spirit-restoring drink from the spring of life that flows in the oasis of rational thought.
Before he does this, however, he should spew the toxic residue of the bitter draught he has been imbibing at the fountain of hate lately frequented by the likes of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
It’s easy to fling weasel words like “Fascist Islam” and “evil Imperialists”, it takes a bit more effort to make a reasoned argument.
People in the United States forget, if they ever knew, that the U.S. and Britain have a long history of intervention in the internal affairs of Iran.
The CIA-orchestrated coup that overthrew Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953 is not ancient history to the Iranian people.
The U.S./Britain cabal never had an agenda of “advancing a democratic regime” in Iran, and their policies there have left a legacy of hatred for the western powers.
This will likely be their legacy in Iraq as well, because of the misguided military adventurism of the Bush/Blair partnership.
VW, please, allow me to “fling” a few more “weasel words”?: Radical ignorant Muslims want to murder you, your family, and all your countrymen today; as soon as possible? Animals, such as that, deserve to be crushed like a bug!
Maybe you want to apologize for and justify their homicidal suicides? Yea, I’m tak’n a big drink of hatred for that kind of behavior and buy’n drinks for the house! May I get you one?
Perhpas you’d like to justify and apologize for a communist government like Korea or a monarchy like Saudi Arabia, or a fascist regime of sharia law like the one we rescued the Afghannistan people from?
So, during the last 100 years, the British, the French, the Germans, the Russians, and numerous others have all historically meddeled in middle eastern affairs. What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? I suppose you’re also for paying repirations to Americans with African ancestry and giving the entire southwest (Astlan) back to Mexican Reconqistadora’s, and the entire east cost back to the Native American Indians? We’re done with all that; it’s history!
We have to figure a way to proceed from here; today. I will never kneal before contemporary expressions of ancient Muslim hatred and claims to religiosupremacy. I can only pray and hope that the American people will be reminded, with each passing day, exploding Iranian IED, and terrorist attack, of the blessings and benefits they ALL enjoy as a result of our judeo/christian history and heritage!
The fascist Muslim Mullas don’t need a pretext to hate Americans or any other non-Muslim Infidel society! Its very simple, its in the Quaran, its on their lips and in their daily prayers to Allah, “Islam will conquer the world!”
I didn’t say, U.S. and Britain had an agenda of advancing a democratic regime in Iran. So, why are you instructing me about it? And what’s wrong with democracy? More countries prosper and live in peace under democratic rules than any other form of government.
I don’t claim to know what will be the end result or our foreign policy in the middle east. But, I do know I’m standing for Victory, freedom, and the right to believe whatever I choose.
As for our legacy in Iraq and Iran, I really don’t give a rat’s if they hate us or not! The Germans hated us once, the Japenese hate us once, the Russians hated once…..and they paid the price. So, the legacy of foreign powers hating and arousing a democracy such as (ours?) the U.S.A. is at the very least perilous. I suggest to you, “they” are the party of shame and evil, not America!
We’re not done with Iraq and Iran. Just because the Democrats have a marginal majority in congress is not a mandate for defeat and retreat. I suggest we don’t get too excited about your implied justification for rightous indignation against historical U.S. Geo-Political power in the middle east.
I have to wonder if D.M. would be so exuberantly negative, with so little persuasive result, if he weren’t using a pseudonym.
One man’s negative is another man’s positive, VW. If all you’ve got is more of that pseudointellectual screed, I suggest you start using a pseudonym in the future and save yourself from further embarrasment.
If you enjoy critque so much I suggest you write for the DNC or The National Enquirer or some other rag. However, just some friendly advice, if you want to excercise good blogging skills, stay focused on the issue(s).
Talk’n ’bout “weasel words”, “negative?!” That’s got to be one of the all-time worst! People who use that word are very often incomplete in their logic and lack substantive facts to back up their opinons. They typically resort to name calling rather than debate the facts. Why? The answer is, they only like to hear and debate the facts that support their position.
As has been said by, I forgot who, and I’m paraphrasing “…you’re entitled to your own opnion but not you’re own facts.”
I have to confess, DM, I’ve never made it to the end of one of your hateful diatribes, because you write garbage.
The only one doing any name-calling here is you.
VW, save your confessions for someone who has the jurisdiction to forgive you. If what I write is so inconsequential in your opinion, why waste your time commenting on it? Are you just trying to be hateful? What kind of garbage is that?
It’s nothing personal, DM. Just look at the words you use to talk about Muslims.
I have Muslim friends, and I thought somebody ought to put in a word for those human beings, too.
“No man can find the war…”
VW, I can appreciate your sensitivity and love for your fellow man. That’s what we all want. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but I always preface my text, when referring to Muslim terrorists, with words that defferntiates them as a radical, extremist, fascist, etc..
I realize there are peaceful moderate practioners of Islam, the majority in fact, I am not referring to them. But peaceful moderate Muslims have an obligation and responsibilty to stand up to terrorist intimidation and transform their religion from the fundamental and barbaric origin of past generations.
This day they must internalize their concept of “jihad” and insist, anyone claiming to follow the higher principals expoused by Muhammed and his wish that they establish a personal realtionship with Allah, that they must insist no one of their faith should commit or teach hate and murder to their children.
I was listening to the radio talk show host Jerry Doyle the other day. During his show, he quoted some fraction that someone had estimated to compute and determine how many active violent estremist fundamental Muslims there are on the planet. I believe his computation was approximately thrity-five million. That’s alot of potential lethal mischief.
Setting aside our political differences VW I think we can both agree that dialogue and education is sorely needed. If Muslims want to practice Islam, so be it. But, they are going to have to do it next to Jews and Chrisitans and all the other world’s religions. God is no respector of persons and they are no more important than anyone else living here.
I for one, dream about the day when we can all accept that there is but one God that cares for us all. And, HE expects that in return we should care for and serve one another; a true and worthy basis for a world religion and civilization living in peace.
That day, seems to me, to be in the distant future. The day, when every man can find the war, within his own mind.
I think your arguments are more effective, and easier to read, when you’re not using loaded words like “fascist” and “animals” to talk about Muslims, even if you are talking specifically about Muslim terrorists.
It’s difficult to find common ground with Muslims, and to have dialogue with them, when you use such inflammatory speech.
I believe in God, but I would hope there’s room in your dream for people who don’t. There are lots of people on this planet whose circumstances make it difficult for them to believe in God, at least a benevolent one.
Well VW, we come full circle. I don’t believe I can accomadate you or radical Islam. I call a spade a spade. Until Islamic fascists abandon their dream, ideology, and visicious jihad to establish a world wide caliphate, I will continue to appropriately refer to them as such.
Here in the U.S.A. Muslims appear content to let the likes of a terrorist front, C.A.I.R., represent them. I don’t see dialogue from the leaders of C.A.I.R. as anything other than insincere and deceitful. They are projecting a dual loyalty strategy into our culture and society in an attempt to advance their fascist sponsor’s war efforts. Propaganda is a form of warfare.
I call your attention to the threat of lawful Islamism.
http://www.meforum.org/islamist.php
“…Introduction: The Threat of Lawful Islamism
Islamists ultimately seek hegemonic control via a worldwide caliphate that applies the Islamic law in full. Afghanistan under the Taliban offers one model of what they would establish globally.
Terrorism is one method to advance these projects but it is not the only one. Indeed, the activities of nonviolent Islamists arguably will prove a more effective tactic in the long term. For while the public intuitively understands the threat of terrorism and is mobilized by it, and while states have well-developed institutions (law enforcement, intelligence agencies, the military, the justice system) to protect and fight against it, the activities of nonviolent extremists are not alarming and institutions do not exist to deal with this problem. And how can terrorists impose their will on whole societies?
The Progress of Lawful Islamism
Quietly, lawfully, peacefully, Islamists do their work throughout the West to impose aspects of Islamic law, win special privileges for themselves, shut down criticism of Islam, create Muslim-only zones, and deprive women and non-Muslims of their full civil rights.
Lawful Islamists advance their cause through lobbying politicians, intimidating the media, threatening international boycotts, making predatory use of the legal system, advancing novel legislation, influencing the contents of school textbooks, and in other ways exploiting the freedoms of an open society. They advance their agenda in incremental steps, each of which in itself is minor but in the aggregate point to fundamental changes in society. Here is a sampling of such steps taken by non-Muslims to accommodate Islamists:…”
I invite you to see my blog about the results of such tactics in England. “Living on a Thin Line….There’s no England now…”
http://deadmessenger.wordpress.com/2007/01/02/msg-jan-1-2007-living-on-a-thing-line/
The moderate Imams and leaders of Islam in England are afraid to come out of their mosques and speak out against the self-appointed radicals claiming to share their faith. Who will speak for them, while they helplessly standby and watch their youth corrupted and abused by such vile jihadist instuction? You?
I am on guard. I will not stand by silently while those dogs try to use our own laws of freedom, free speech, and nondiscrimination, against us. Thier allegiance is to their sharia style of Islam, not the U.S.A. Thier religion isn’t anymore special than mine. Therefore, they don’t derserve special treatment or deference to their demands.
God save the Athiests, only his mercy and power of resurrection can change their minds. But their beliefs and ACLU litigous demands don’t give them freedom from religion; only a freedom of religion. Our government and our people have the history and the right to honor GOD. They aren’t gonna impose their beliefs on us and neither are the Muslims. Peace be with you VW.
Salaam.
‘…..’
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.”
- Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Title: No Man Can Find The War
Artist: Tim Buckley
Album: Goodbye And Hello
Year: 1967
“Photographs of guns and flame
Scarlet skull and distant game
Bayonet and jungle grin
Nightmares dreamed by bleeding men
Lookouts tremble on the shore
But no man can find the war
Tape recorders echo scream
Orders fly like bullet stream
Drums and cannons laugh aloud
Whistles come from ashen shroud
Leaders damn the world and roar
But no man can find the war
Is the war across the sea?
Is the war behind the sky?
Have you each and all gone blind:
Is the war inside your mind?
Humans weep at human death
All the talkers lose their breath
Movies paint a chaos tale
Singers see and poets wail
All the world knows the score
But no man can find the war”
[…] In the video below: “Reformist Ms. Wafa Sultan accompanies MuslimWorldToday.com publisher, Tashbih Sayyed. He professes Muslim PR agents, like C.A.I.R. and M.P.A.C., mask pro-Islamist, political agenda seeking to change democracy to Sharia. Encourages lazy Press to expose, and diversify to “true� moderate muslim voices. (Recipent of “Profile In Courage Award� from American Jewish congress.)�
Tashbih Sayyed states “… what is this Muslim American identity? … You are either an American or not an American …This is the bottom line I want to see established in the Media in this society [American]. Otherwise, we are doomed.”
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7736878201517462306&q=cair&hl=en
I like what Norman Mailer said in 1962, in a debate with William F. Buckley, Jr.:
“So let the true war begin. It is not a war between West and East, between capitalism and communism, or democracy or totalitarianism; it is rather the deep war which has gone on for six centuries in the nature of Western man, it is the war between the conservative and the rebel, between authority and instinct…it is the war that will teach us our meaning.”
Ultimately, the Bush/Cheney cabal is waging war on the values expressed in the United States Constitution, which was written and affirmed by a bunch of long-hairs who rebelled against the tyranny of King George III.
“…or democracy and totalitarianism…”
*Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read much more, thanks for that info.