posted on November 22, 2004 08:41:21 AM new
Since the mainstream media just about refuses to report on anything positive going on in Iraq, it's always uplifting for me to read there ARE some good things happening.
In this article cars are mentioned....and I recently read, in another article, that either Ford of GMC sales were doing very well in Iraq. If I can find the article again, I'll post it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on November 22, 2004 08:57:56 AM new
It it wasn't so tragic, it would be laughable that you persist in posting this 'happy' crap. We are losing the war in Iraq...some call it already lost.
In the meantime, for the first time, there is an admission that troops are desperately needed.... 6,500 soldiers in Iraq have had their tours extended and using the 82nd Airborne Division on emergency standby in the United States — has emerged as increasingly likely.
posted on November 22, 2004 09:16:07 AM new
Yep more good news to report:
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The Iraqi capital, on edge for months because of unrelenting violence, has shed its business-as-usual veneer and become a city at war.
Last week's U.S.-Iraqi raid on the Abu Hanifa mosque -- one of the most revered shrines for Sunni Muslims -- sparked street battles, assassinations and a rash of bombings.
The chaos has fanned sectarian tension and deepened Sunni distrust of interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a Shiite installed by the Americans five months ago. It has also heightened the anxiety of the city's 6 million people -- already worn down by years of sanctions and tyranny, then war, military occupation, crime and deprivation.
''Baghdad is now a battlefield, and we are in the middle of it,'' said Qasim al-Sabti, an artist who kept his children home from school Saturday, which is a work day in Iraq. When he sent his children back to school Sunday, the teachers didn't show up.
In a sign of public unease, merchants in the outdoor markets, where most people buy their meat, vegetables and household supplies, say crowds are below normal. Many shops near sites of car bombings have closed.
Adding to the sense of unease, U.S. military helicopters have begun flying lower over the city. The distant roar of jets has become a fixture of Baghdad at night.
Tensions are likely to sharpen as the Jan. 30 election nears. Balloting is expected to confirm the domination of Iraq's Shiite community, estimated at 60 percent of the nearly 26 million population.
Q. What's the difference between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War?
A. George W. Bush had a plan to get out of the Vietnam War.
--------------------------------------
There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on November 22, 2004 10:01:13 AM new
And, as the U.S. becomes isolated and hated and the neocon's imperialistic fantasy of democratizing and controlling the middle east has become a dream bungled, our power and respect throughout the world has been lost by the Bush administration along with our security. No other administration in the history of the United States has been so destructive as the Bush administration.
posted on November 22, 2004 10:12:27 AM new
HA! Whenever linduh gets a butt kicking in other threads she starts a RAH ! RAH! war thread.
That's what this weak OP is about.
posted on November 22, 2004 10:29:05 AM new
And if left you you losing liperals, we would be fighting terrorism in the streets of America rather than in the streets of Iraq.
Americans again prove Pres Bush is the best man for the job
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." --John Stuart Mill
posted on November 22, 2004 11:53:16 AM new
More good news from Iraq is that by soldiers helped a little Iraqi girl, who wasn't expected to live past her first birthday, be brought to the US for much needed surgery of two problems she faced.
One was the removal of a huge hematoma on her neck and both cheeks and the other to repair a hole in her heart. Fox News showed a picture of her, resting comfortably from her heart surgery that Iraqi doctors told the parents couldn't be performed in their country.
Parents, soldiers and doctors were very happy, needless to say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on November 22, 2004 11:58:44 AM new
helen - We are NOT losing the war. Why don't you share with us what liberal says that we are. Not that we're not having some problems....war isn't easy...but just a couple of elected officials who say what you claim. Bet you can't.
-------------------
And on the possibility of more troops being needed....the commanders could have had them anytime they wanted/had asked for them. THEY didn't previous feel they needed more, mainly because the goal was to train and use for Iraqi soldiers rather than ours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four More Years....YES!!!
------------
Oh...and I almost forgot....my personal Thanksgiving song just for you helen.
posted on November 22, 2004 05:57:18 PM new
Linda, I really don't know how a woman who poses herself as a "christian" can find so many things "good" with a war. This war or any war. If you think that an article about a few Fords or Chevys makes up for over a 1,000 American dead, then you are more nutty than I ever thought.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on November 22, 2004 06:26:05 PM new
yeager - I have never given you any reason to believe that what YOU think of me...matters to me at all.
And I appreciate people who focus on the positives in life, rather than dwelling on all the negative all the time. No wonder so many get complain about being depressed and needing to take mood-altering drugs. It's a shame if they can't see anything good in even in hard situations.
What's that old saying?
If life gives you lemons....make lemonade.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on November 22, 2004 07:47:26 PM new
So, in you mind would a positive be having good cars sales in a war torn country, regardless of the 1,000 plus that have been killed. And let's not forget the 6,000 or so that have been wounded too. Many will return with arms, legs and eyes missing. How is it they will "make lemonade"?
As for your thought on mood altering drugs, many of these service people WILL NEED THEM when they return. Some will suffer post traumatic stress syndrome and depression. I suppose you think that they should just vote republican and get happy.
If that doesn't work, just put a ce-ment statue of some religious figure on a public property, and they should be OK!
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on November 22, 2004 08:26:59 PM new
Linda, get over it. The majority of the posters in here do not want to hear good news.
_________________
To Quote John Kerry in his concession speech. "But in an american election, there are no losers, because whether or not our candidates are successful, the next morning we all wake up as Americans
posted on November 22, 2004 08:43:36 PM new
yeager - My LINK does NOT address the car sales in Iraq.
And out of a country of over 25 million people, those numbers are not that bad. Maybe you'd like to share with all of us a ground war where fewer soldiers were killed.
To us, of course, each death or injury is a concern...because we treasure life. But if you'd ever read any of the interviews of injured soldiers and actually LISTEN to what THEY are saying....like IF they can go back...they want to go back. They're not like people like you...they believe they have a mission and want to help their buddies and country accomplish it.
-------------
Yes, Libra, you are, of course correct. But then we're left with nothing but people complaining about everything all the time. It's depressing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Four More Years....YES!!!
posted on November 23, 2004 09:04:36 PM new
linda,
I wasn't referring to your link. I was referring to this comment of yours.
"In this article cars are mentioned....and I recently read, in another article, that either Ford of GMC sales were doing very well in Iraq. If I can find the article again, I'll post it."
In addition to the ones who have lost arms, legs, and eyes, there will be ones who have been severely burnt over great portions of their bodies. This will include their faces. Of course, many people will stare at them and wonder how this came about. Some of these former service people will become discouraged about their lives and as I point out, need mood altering drugs as you call them. I think they will very likely be using anti-depressants to combat the depression and stress of their new lives as civilians.
Mood altering drugs?? Take a look at how many former service men are HOMELESS right now. Many of them suffer from PTSD and depression. They could benefit from some anti-depressants. Where is their help?? Why is it that they could function in a military environment and when released, are homeless. Without food, shelter and even a clean pair of socks? Where is their help?
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on November 27, 2004 01:40:19 PM new
BAGHDAD -- A group of 17 leading Iraqi political organizations, including some of America's closest allies, on Friday called for postponement of the elections scheduled for January, citing the violence raging in much of the country and a lack of adequate preparations.
In a statement issued after a gathering at the Baghdad home of respected elder statesman Adnan Pachachi, the parties requested a six-month delay to improve security so it is "safe enough for every citizen to vote freely."
Among those endorsing the proposal were the Kurdish Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, two of America's strongest supporters in Iraq. They had expressed concerns that heavy snowfall, expected in January in Iraq's mountainous Kurdish region, will deter Kurds from turning out to vote.
Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqi National Accord Party, a grouping of individuals and smaller political parties, also attended the meeting, and its name appeared on a list of parties attached to the statement. But it was not clear whether Allawi had endorsed the effort to delay an election he has frequently insisted must be held on schedule.
President Bush, who has repeatedly promised that the elections will be held in January, appeared to soften his insistence Friday. "I would hope they'd go forward in January," he said when asked about the requested delay at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
There have been calls in the past for the January balloting to be postponed, mostly from the smaller Sunni groups signing this latest statement. Their influence would suffer most if voters do not dare turn out in the insurgent-infested Sunni Triangle.
The main Sunni grouping, the Association of Muslim Scholars, and several other smaller blocs have said they will boycott the election, leaving open the possibility that hardly any Sunnis will get to vote in their country's first democratic election, either because they oppose the process or because they are too scared.
But the clout of these parties, many of which are allied with the United States, will increase pressure on the government to consider a delay, throwing into doubt the timing of Iraq's promised first democratic election just three days after the Bush administration won international backing for the date at a summit in Egypt.
Pachachi, a former foreign minister who was a leading contender for the job of interim prime minister, told The Associated Press he suspected Allawi would welcome the pressure.
"The government is waiting for an initiative from the political parties to deal with the existing problems related to the timing of the elections," said Pachachi, who was a member of the now-defunct Iraqi Governing Council.
Mired in violence
None of the parties attending the gathering was Shiite, and the call for a delay is likely to meet with fierce opposition from top Shiite leaders, notably Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most senior religious figure among Shiites in Iraq, who has pushed hard for the elections to be held on time.
The proposal for postponement came less than a week after the official announcement of the date and underscores the deep concern of many of those contesting the election that any balloting held while parts of the country are mired in violence will lack legitimacy and perhaps plunge the country deeper into conflict.
The U.S. military is pressing ahead with plans to crush the insurgency in time for the elections, but already the difficulty of that is becoming clear. Marines who claimed victory over insurgents in Fallujah 10 days ago still are encountering pockets of resistance in the city.
In the latest encounter, two Marines were killed Thursday and three were wounded when they came under attack from insurgents hiding out in an abandoned home during house-to-house searches, the military said Friday.
For the first time since the assault began Nov. 8, the military permitted a Red Cross convoy to enter the devastated city, bringing blankets and food to the small number of civilians who remained behind during the offensive. But Fallujah is not considered safe enough for the tens of thousands of civilians who fled their homes to return, the military said.
Elsewhere, the military said six more bodies had been found in the northern city of Mosul, where insurgents have embarked on a campaign of targeted assassinations of Iraqi security forces. At least 41 bodies, many of them badly mutilated, have been deposited across the city in the past week, according to AP.
Green Zone attack
In Baghdad's Green Zone, British officials said four Nepalese guards working for a private security company were killed Thursday and 12 were wounded in a rocket attack on the heavily guarded area that houses the U.S. Embassy and the offices of the interim Iraqi government.
Security is not the only concern of those seeking the election delay. In calling for a postponement, the parties cited "the lack of adequate political and logistical preparations."
Because of the ongoing violence in mainly Sunni areas, the Independent Electoral Commission has extended by another week the registration deadline for parties wishing to compete in four Sunni areas, including the volatile western province of Anbar, where Fallujah is. No parties signed up from these areas in time for the original deadline earlier this week.
The commission is also considering a request from several parties to extend the deadline for candidate submissions, which are due Tuesday, said its chairman, Abdul Hussein Hindawi.
Building coalitions
With so many parties contesting the election--many of them newly created for Iraq's first experiment in democracy--frantic attempts are under way to build broader coalitions that will be able to garner more seats.
Of those, the largest is expected to be the Shiite list being promoted by al-Sistani, who is trying to gather all Shiite parties into a coalition that can be expected to attract the greatest block of votes.
The list is expected to include the two biggest Shiite parties--the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the Dawa Party--as well as representatives of the former rebel cleric Moqtada Sadr.
However, there is still intense wrangling between the major parties over how to divide their representation in the coalition, according to Shiite officials familiar with the talks.
Q. What's the difference between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War?
A. George W. Bush had a plan to get out of the Vietnam War.
--------------------------------------
There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on November 27, 2004 03:04:59 PM new
Linda,
Thanks for the "good news" post.
I think there are many good things going on there we are not aware of. For instance yeager, you mentioned a father didn't take his daughters to school because of the violence. Well, at least and thanks to us they have a school to attend and it's not full of shells and bombs. At least those little girls don't have to walk down the street and maybe be noticed by Udeah or Huseah (sp) and be grabbed up to be their sexual toys for a time.
As for the wounded soldiers from the interviews I have seen (on major networks, too and much to their chagrin) the majority of the wounded still support the effort and are making "lemonade out of lemons." I also think that the government is responding more quickly the their special needs as in the flak jacket injuries which protect the torso but unfortunately involve brain injuries.
The insurgents have fled from Falujah and have scattered to other towns. They say because of the brainwashing Saddam did to the country no one is turning them in but I believe when the citizens get over the shock and fear of having them in their neighborhoods they will get their bearings and will start turning them in.
The Z guy is panicking and pleading for more insurgents from around the world. We have them on the run and don't have Arafat to pay for suicide/homicide bombers anymore.
I think we really have them on the run but really hope that they didn't get any chemical weapons made in the house discovered the other day.
I agree with Bear. Better that we fight this there than here.
posted on November 27, 2004 04:31:05 PM new
Calamity, I don't understand your statement, """Better that we fight this there than here"""
What led you to believe it was an either/or situation. Not going to war in Iraq did NOT mean we had to fight a war here.
Besides what's wrong with fighting it here? According to the neocons Iraq is just lovely and everything is wonderful! They support(and so do I) fighting and dying for your country...don't you?
OR, like them and their president , do you prefer someone else do your killing? Someone else's country be ravaged in the name of freedom and democracy?
Some else get blown to bits while you sit here thinking, "Iraq...my next vacation destination!"
posted on November 28, 2004 03:31:50 AM new
Calamity,
I wonder if these Iraqi woman will be allowed to vote, when and if an election is ever held. Also, will they be required to wear bee keeper suits after their freedom?
I am also wondering why you or linda haven't commented on the homeless veterans. Some are in their early 30's and served in the first Iraq war. Again, I wonder how they could function in the military environment and not function in society when discharged? Do you think it might be post traumatic stress syndrome and depression? I think it might be. I think it might be that the government they served has now cast them aside.
As far as the wounded wanting to go back and "finish the mission", many people are like that. When something is drummed into a person's head enough, they feel the effort is worthwhile. When is some cases, it's not!
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
posted on November 28, 2004 06:14:07 AM new "I agree with Bear. Better that we fight this there than here."
When all else fails to justify the preemtive invasion of Iraq, the right wing turns the fear factor toward Americans by saying "better that we fight this there than here". Fight WHAT here? Iraq is not responsible for the 9/11 attacks or any other terrorism perpetrated on our country. They were not a danger to our country or to their neighbors.
So, we have taken the war on terrorism to a country not responsible for terrorism. We have killed over 100,000 innocent citizens in that country, destroyed their economy, eliminated their army and their security and demolished their homes and the infrastructure of their cities and towns. What right do we have to go there and destroy so much and kill their people and then say, "better on their soil than ours???" Of all the excuses that have been offered for this war, THAT is the most unrighteous.
posted on November 28, 2004 12:41:01 PM new
Oh dear. Where do I start?
First, Crow, I would love to put Iraq on a vacation destination list when it is stabilized. It's the birthplace of so much.
I have had plenty of ancestors, relatives give their lives and bodies for this country here and abroad and I believe that each of them would tell me if they could to quote Gen. Sherman "War is Hell" and if it must be fought better to be fought in another country.
Actually, and you all are going to have a fit over this one, I think the war in Iraq was strategic genius by pulling the terrorists from Afghanistan where they could hide in the mountains down into Iraq where we have better battlefield situations. That's just my opinion.
I believe that had we not taken the war there we would be constantly be involved in their version of insidious warfare and yes, if they came here and approached my area I would fight back and probably be killed because I can't hit the side of a barn with a gun unless it's a shotgun which sprays. Not that they would conventionally march through the countryside.
I think I answered everything and I can't wait to go to Tunica this year. Read your Thanksgiving posts and enjoyed them.
Yeager,
If I'm not mistaken, Iraq is one of the most permissive Muslim countries as to a women's dress code. If women were allowed to vote in Afghanistan I'm sure they will be allowed to in Iraq. historically women in America have only had the right to vote for (if my subtraction is correct) 84 years which means that almost all of us know a woman who was born before we had the right to vote.
I agree with you about the homeless Vet. problem. They have been forgotten and sadly so. Just recently England finally officially recognized the problem of the of the 1st Iraq War Vet. Hopefully we will, too. They do need help and I personally think that chemical weapons were used on them. My point was in my post was that I believe the most recent Veterans are being treated much differently and cognitively than their predecessors.
Yes, there is a certain degree of mind manipulation in the military, I believe, and a deep amount of caring for one's unit. That's why after every war there are reunions until everyone has passed away. To quote from the play "Member of the Wedding" your unit becomes the "we of me." As human beings we all long to be a part of something.
Helen,
I'm getting really slow in my typing and my bifocals aren't working right (I have to tuck my chin to see the keys) but here goes. It is my belief that the War on terrorism is being fought there. I believe that Saddam secretly had much to do with at least egging it along. There is other proof but I can't remember it right now. Sorry.
As for the other countries remember him attacking Iran and all of the Iranian bodies we found when we first entered the country? Remember Kuwait? The man was a loose cannon over there. I consider his moves on those countries terrorism. What other reasoning can be attributed to his attacks, wars?
I believe that there is more electricity, water and other essentials there now than when we arrived. We will rebuild the infrastructure and have already begun to do so. The army people who came to our side are more highly paid than before and they don't have to worry about having a hand cut off or their tongue cut out for a mistake. No one does now. Let's wait a couple of years and see how their economy is doing.
Helen, I believe WAR is unrighteous but sometimes necessary for the good not only of our country but for the world. Every life is precious and I am sorry for the loss of one innocent but let me ask you this. How many of the 100,000 have been killed by us and how many by the terrorists?
I don't mean to argue with any of you. I enjoy your posts because sometimes they entertain me and sometimes they make me think but I do have my opinions and I guess sometimes we are just going to have to agree to disagree. And before I post this let me say please excuse my spelling.
posted on November 28, 2004 01:06:26 PM new
Calamity, if getting rid of a tyrant like Saddam was the goal, then why make up all the stories to justify an invasion? Why go to war with Iraq? Why isn't the U.S. going after worse leaders like in Africa or North Korea of that's the goal? Do you think it's possible that the "good" stories coming out of Iraq are just propaganda aimed at more justification for being there?
posted on November 28, 2004 08:12:20 PM new
Well Kraft, to be honest. It's probably because men made the decision. As for Africa I don't know. I've wondered that myself. I heard today that the head of the UN was in charge of taking care of Africa and has screwed it up royally.
UHHH N. Korea, that leader really scares me. I think if we went in there California really would receive a nuclear bomb. It best to leave him alone in his little back corner and let China take the lead.
There's no doubt about it there is a lot of cruelty in this world.
I don't think that there is good news propaganda coming out of Iraq. There are too many journalists there for that to happen.
posted on November 30, 2004 09:07:24 AM new
Shoreview, Minn. -- Whenever I pull up behind a car with a "Support Our Troops" ribbon, I wonder, is there any American who does not support our troops? Even if someone is totally against the idea of war, surely he or she can understand that our troops are just fulfilling their duty to serve their country. Then my train of thought changes to the one who is putting our troops in harm's way in the first place, George W. Bush. I wish that he would support our troops by:
- Doing adequate research and planning prior to sending our young men and women to war.
- Exhausting all diplomatic resolutions prior to resorting to war.
- Sustaining adequate pay and benefits for our veterans.
I encourage sending these support ribbons to Bush urging him to support and respect our enlisted men and women.
Q. What's the difference between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War?
A. George W. Bush had a plan to get out of the Vietnam War.
--------------------------------------
There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." —George W. Bush, Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002
---------------------------------- "Give it up for George W. Bush, the best friend international jihad ever had."
posted on December 1, 2004 03:51:38 PM new
" wonder just WHO is making money on these overpriced pieces of plastic?
Made in China?
Taiwan? Made by them for 25 cents an hour and profits going to a company that has an off-shore address and pays no income taxes?
Anybody know?"
Yea, it was the same company putting out those trashy Kerry bumper stickers..complete waste of plastic...they should have used them for kitchen garbage bags instead-more useful,same trash.
[ edited by classicrock000 on Dec 1, 2004 03:52 PM ]
posted on December 1, 2004 05:25:56 PM new
"So, we have taken the war on terrorism to a country not responsible for terrorism. We have killed over 100,000 innocent citizens in that country, destroyed their economy, eliminated their army and their security and demolished their homes and the infrastructure of their cities and towns. What right do we have to go there and destroy so much and kill their people and then say, "better on their soil than ours???" Of all the excuses that have been offered for this war, THAT is the most unrighteous. "
Yeah, I bet they miss Saddam. So, he had mass graves with thousands, gassed his own people, had camps set up to rape, etc. etc. etc. Personally, I want us out of Iraq as soon as possible, I don't agree with the strategy of the Bush administration, so you can't accuse me of being a right wing kool-aid drinker, but some of the things I hear from the left really amaze me. Do you really think we destroyed their economy and security? Do you really believe that? I want us out of Iraq, but I think Saddam being gone is actually a good thing.
posted on December 2, 2004 09:20:22 AM new
U.S. to Send 12,000 More Troops to Iraq
Updated 11:53 AM ET December 2, 2004
With the insurgency still a threat to Iraq's planned elections, the U.S. force is about to expand to its highest level of the war even higher than the initial invading force in March 2003.
The force will grow from 138,000 today to about 150,000 by mid-January, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Extra troops are needed to bolster security before the national elections scheduled for Jan. 30. The increase in troop strength also underscores the fact that, despite enormous effort and cost, American commanders have yet to train and equip enough Iraqis for security duty.
Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy commander of Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations throughout the Middle East, told reporters at the Pentagon last month that the insurgents have managed to intimidate many Iraqis into not cooperating with the Americans.
The expansion of the U.S. force also recalls assertions made by some Bush administration officials when the invasion was launched that although stabilizing the country would not be easy or cheap, it certainly would not require more U.S. troops than it took to topple Baghdad.
As it turns out, the post-invasion period has been far costlier in blood and treasure than almost anyone predicted. When President Bush declared major combat operations were over May 1, 2003, the United States had about 148,000 troops in Iraq slightly more than when the war began two months earlier and more than were there when Baghdad fell in early April.
The Pentagon said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld approved a plan to send 1,500 soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, N.C., to Iraq this month and to extend by 60 days the combat tours of about 10,400 soldiers and Marines in Iraq who were to come home in January.
Most of those whose tours are being extended will serve two months longer than the 12-month tours the Army set as a standard limit to avoid putting too much stress on troops and their families.
The 12,000-troop increase is to last only until March, but it says much about the strength and resiliency of an insurgency that U.S. military planners did not foresee even a year ago, when they were focused on capturing deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Pentagon officials said they preferred to expand the force in Iraq mainly by keeping some troops there longer rather than sending thousands of fresh troops from the United States.
"They are the most experienced and best-qualified forces to sustain the momentum of post-Fallujah operations and to provide for additional security for the upcoming elections," a Pentagon statement said.
The military normally is reluctant to extend soldiers' combat tours because of the potential negative effect it could have on their families, and thus on their willingness to remain in uniform. In this case, Gen. George Casey, the most senior U.S. commander in Iraq, decided it was necessary to keep up pressure on the insurgents while providing security for the elections.
One unit, the 2nd Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division, is being extended for the second time. Its soldiers originally were told they would be going home in November at the end of a 10-month assignment, but in October they got the news they would remain until mid-January. Now they are being extended until mid-March.
Rumsfeld's decision also applies to:
About 4,400 troops of the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, which is operating in north-central Iraq. They will stay until mid-March, instead of departing in early January. Those soldiers' home bases are mostly in Hawaii.
About 2,300 members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, based in Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii and California, who will stay until mid-March instead of leaving in January.
About 160 soldiers of the 66th Transportation Company, based in Germany. They were due to depart Iraq in early January but instead will stay until early March.
The Army generally relies upon the 82nd Airborne to keep one of its three brigades on short-notice alert year-round to deploy abroad if there is a crisis. Shortly before the October elections in Afghanistan, about 600 members of the 82nd Airborne were sent there to strengthen security.
Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a critic of the administration's handling of the war, said the Pentagon's announcement confirmed that the effort to stabilize Iraq would take years, with no certainty of success.
"This announcement makes it clear that commanders in Iraq need more troops and that this will be a long and very expensive process for the United States," Reed said. "It is still not clear whether Iraq will emerge from this chronic violence as a viable and stable country."
AND, of course, from linduh, hearing this news, we get .....
"""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four More Years....YES!!!""""
I supposed when I posted, "November: One of the deadliest months.""
I'm sure linduh felt the same.
[ edited by crowfarm on Dec 2, 2004 12:43 PM ]
[ edited by crowfarm on Dec 2, 2004 12:45 PM ]
Prevent Bigotry through Education.
The majority of the posters in here do not want to hear good news.