RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,163334,00.html

RE: The former number two military official in Iraq said March 3 that Al Qaeda's capacity has been degraded significantly to operate inside Iraq.

Ya-da-ya-da-ya-da

“Promote me. I’m great.”

Looks great on an OER. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.” (Except that it may be an oncoming train.)

Jim
LTC USAR Ret.

He is credited with taking the surge forces added in January 2007 and using them to wipe al Qaeda from Anbar province, and push them out of Baghdad and Diyala province to their final stand in northern Ninevah province and the city of Mosul.

Since, the general knows where the rest of them have been pushed too, then why not go after them - "mission is not complete".

Isn't this where John Balushi yelled:
"FOOOOD FIGHT!"

Good morning Gents,


Give the man =credit, he has done a great job. And he is humble.

"But Odierno is humble about his contribution to the Iraq success.

'No single person does any of this. It is a team effort,' Odierno said."

Many branches but one brotherhood!

quote:

Originally posted by MTCRetired:
Good morning Gents,


Give the man =credit, he has done a great job. And he is humble.

"But Odierno is humble about his contribution to the Iraq success.

'No single person does any of this. It is a team effort,' Odierno said."

Many branches but one brotherhood!

Morning Chief...relocated to Va...How are things in your world?

quote:

Originally posted by TheOnlyTink:

quote:

Originally posted by MTCRetired:
Good morning Gents,


Give the man =credit, he has done a great job. And he is humble.

"But Odierno is humble about his contribution to the Iraq success.

'No single person does any of this. It is a team effort,' Odierno said."

Many branches but one brotherhood!

Morning Chief...relocated to Va...How are things in your world?

Mornin' Tink, Tidewater or Northern?

Many branches but one brotherhood!

The key is that Al Qadea already has a media bias. So long as a Republican is in office, the left wing media will promote every step they take.

Left wing media such as Olberman, Mathews, the rest of MSNBC, and several others at the reputable CNN, NY Times, Washington Post. Need I go on?

Now if a Democrat becomes CIC, whether or not we pull out, after some time of course, there will be a positive up swing in reporting to the war, and even the minor progress we make will be reported. It will be even on all ends, not just anti war work.

Morning Ralph . .. Think the answer to your question above might lie in Washington . . . As the answers to so many other questions do. But anything that reduces the level of violence has got to be good news, and half a cake is better than none at all.

quote:

Now if a Democrat becomes CIC, whether or not we pull out, after some time of course, there will be a positive up swing in reporting to the war, and even the minor progress we make will be reported. It will be even on all ends, not just anti war work.

Could that just be because the situation is improving? And under different leadership might improve significantly. I think we have to discount anything the present Administration does between now and November. They're are on their way out, and a new Administration, whether Republican or Democratic will bring a different approach.

quote:

Originally posted by MGYSGTPenn:
He is credited with taking the surge forces added in January 2007 and using them to wipe al Qaeda from Anbar province, and push them out of Baghdad and Diyala province to their final stand in northern Ninevah province and the city of Mosul.

Since, the general knows where the rest of them have been pushed too, then why not go after them - "mission is not complete".

YES as always when enough US troops are put into an area things improve (the reason why the recommeneded 300,000 should have been used from the beginning). The PROBLEM is that the surge was just one aspect of what was SUPPOSED to happen and the Iraqi government's part, which was NOT done, was the most important part.

quote:

The PROBLEM is that the surge was just one aspect of what was SUPPOSED to happen and the Iraqi government's part, which was NOT done, was the most important part.

Absolutely . . . and when if ever can we expect the Iraqi government to do their part? I'm not holding my breath. As long as we go on doing it for them, they will never step up to the plate.

Col. MaCgregor!

Sir, I would phrase the situation in Iraq somewhat differentlty from the General quoted in this "news" article.

The question that must be answered is why in the world would this enemy want a real fight with us now? Our political "leadership" running for office has already announced we are leaving! Just a matter of time and politics.

All thats required now is that he show resistance, blow a few things up occasionally, kill a few people, so when we cut and run, he can claim the victory in the Islamic world.

In my opinion, as I have repeated hew on these board hundreds of times now over these years, is that the model of "war" our politics require these days, is fighting in some insignificant country, with absolutely no strategic, war winning targets, no possible realistic measurements of success beyound one's "will" to continue an endless, fruitless fight with an enemy who really lives elsewhere, supported from accorss a border forbidden to our military
in a land we cannot touch, until the time comes when our politics indicate some bum will lose an election, and we withdraw.

Our enemies have also studied war, and learned from our many past performances. They have learned from our failures, we have not.

My opinion.

Well said!
But the time has come when Hilary wins we will pull out in 60 days!

Al Qadea knows it and is waiting it out, 90 days after that they will reclaim IRAQ. They will destroy the government placed by the US and setup training camps. IRAN will play a big role here as it is in their best interest and may claim part of IRAQ belonging to IRAN. Al Qadea will allow it because of the IRAN backing.
The US will not be able to do anything simply because the American people have had enough of this war.

"Top General Warns of TV Attacks"

Is that like TVC15?

Al qaeda, free air time? Better get the ad execs in NYC on this and get some sponsors to pay for the upgrading of Iraq TV.

I hear Exxon has some extra bucks pumped out of our pockets. Where else can you get some air time than sponsor Al qaeda documentaries advertising their nefarious exploits. Talk about reality shock TV. Probably using our programming for ideas.

Where else but the ad agencies in NYC to jump on the bandwagon and sell the country down river hand in hand with the oil companies.

Money and power. What a lovely thing to show our children as to what this country is all about and then send our young troops into the maelstrom of a part of the world we live in as hell. Not that I don't believe in what we are doing and that being wiping out extremism before it takes root like what happened with the Nazi's and the Japanese Empire did (anyone remember the rape of Nanking?)

We need to work together as a country like we did in WWII. We cannot allow big business to sell out to China for cheap labor and then raise our costs to stay alive for th sake of egregious profits. Holy Christmas has anymore read Major Barbara?

I think LTG O's conclusion is correct. When the power/influence of terrorist groups begins to wane, they typically try to reassert their relevance by staging high-profile attacks. Kind of like a candle burning brightest just before it runs out of oxygen.

Knock off the scuttlebutt you mugs. This guy has his feet on the ground over there and deserves to be promoted on the merit of his actions, not his words. If leadership at the pentagon and congress will listen to the leadership on site instead of armchair quarter backing from the cheap seats we might be able to leave Iraq as a strong regional ally rather than a third world country run by strong-arm thugs.

AQ's as good as done. So what evil doer's next?

Gen Odierno isn't calling a parade day.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed594:
The question that must be answered is why in the world would this enemy want a real fight with us now? Our political "leadership" running for office has already announced we are leaving! Just a matter of time and politics.

All thats required now is that he show resistance, blow a few things up occasionally, kill a few people, so when we cut and run, he can claim the victory in the Islamic world.

In my opinion, as I have repeated hew on these board hundreds of times now over these years, is that the model of "war" our politics require these days, is fighting in some insignificant country, with absolutely no strategic, war winning targets, no possible realistic measurements of success beyound one's "will" to continue an endless, fruitless fight with an enemy who really lives elsewhere, supported from accorss a border forbidden to our military
in a land we cannot touch, until the time comes when our politics indicate some bum will lose an election, and we withdraw.

Our enemies have also studied war, and learned from our many past performances. They have learned from our failures, we have not.

My opinion.

If you are using the phrase "cut and run" in its current politically distorted context, I take issue. If you are using it in its original meaning, a wise captain taking drastic and urgent measures to try to avoid disaster and save his crew and his ship, then you've hit a bullseye. My opinion.

quote:

But the time has come when Hilary wins we will pull out in 60 days!

Somehow, 619, I tend to doubt that. Mrs. Clinton hasn't signalled that there will be an immediate change in the policy, though I think we could expect a move toward some kind of a settlement and moves to make the country a safer place for our troops to rotate to. What I would expect to happen during the next 7-8 years of a Clinton or Obama Administration would be a move toward a peaceful occupation on the South Korea model. Thoughts?