The war in Iraq should have been against Baathist not Saddam Hussein

[TheTwelvePack]

The main problem that I have with the way that the war in Iraq has been fought is that there was to much emphasis on Sadam and not enough on the Baathist party that was the real power behind his dictatorship and the dictatorship in Siria. While Hitler was our enemy we fought a war against Nazism and Fascism. If we did the same in Iraq I think it might have worked out better.

[endthematrix]

Chalabi is one cat that hasn't played his last hand. He's faded but he'll be back. I don't think we've exposed him due to embarrassment, and gave him some room. He wanted to be President, but since thats shot (for now) he's getting cozy with Iran.

[Allegra]

But I don't think that we dealt with the Baathist party in the proper way after we defeated the army. We should have went after them more aggressively.

How do you know "we're" not? (I say "they," meaning our troops and the Iraqi military, etc.)

I cannot go into detail, but Baathist members are still being sought, located and arrested. To this day.

[ApesForEvolution]

I don't recall a single 'politico' from that area of the world that was 'clean', ever...not one that could actually portend some 'plausible' pipedream of attaining power.

Do you?

[ApesForEvolution]

18

[TheTwelvePack]

If were are then good but it needs to be made a public issue. I think it will go along way towards us dealing with the the Syrian support of the insurgents.

[ApesForEvolution]

I hope we're targetting and start whacking Syrians, in Syria, very soon...

[TheTwelvePack]

WE were ready if Saddam was going to do it and we'll be ready if they going to do it too.

[endthematrix]

No. Maybe Westernized Karzai. I am surprised at the level of "tolerance" of the factions in Afghanistan to Karzai. I think there must be a level in human history of modern warfare that one has to say, "enough if this shit!"

[Allegra]

If were are then good but it needs to be made a public issue. I think it will go along way towards us dealing with the the Syrian support of the insurgents.

I have no control over what the media reports and what is made public. The media is not in the habit of reporting anything resembling positive news out of Iraq.

The Baathists are still being treated with suspicion here and are still being actively sought. Most of the very high-ranking have been captured, but other members are still being hunted.

[ApesForEvolution]

...are you listening to me?

[endthematrix]

Re: 8 days until I'm home!

I am so happy for you. Long showers, ice...ice cream!

[Allegra]

...and Tex-Mex food, supermarkets that have an overwhelming amount of stuff you can choose from and BATHTUBS where I can soak for two hours if I feel like it and, and, and...

WOW. ;-) (It's been about a year!)

[endthematrix]

Well thanks for for service! Now is someone going to take over the work, or is the contract done?

[endthematrix]

Well thanks for YOUR service!

[Allegra]

Well thanks for for service! Now is someone going to take over the work, or is the contract done?

Oh, no...I'm coming back in mid-January to start a second year. I need my head examined. LOL

It gets very difficult here sometimes, but it is actually so rewarding to be supporting the troops. It's wonderful to see them smiling about something I have played a small part in making happen.

And I well up when they personally thank me for something. That makes the separation from home, the loss of the comforts of the U.S. and all of the other trials worthwhile.

[endthematrix]

Have a wonderful Christmas break!

[larrye2001]

The main problem is this time we are not fighting a country we are fighting some people in the country. When war is with a country you can bomb and fight everyone, BUT this war is with 10% of the people and new people can join any time they chose.