Return of the Special Forces (In other words, no more sitting ducks)

Pittsburgh Tribune Review ^ | 12/21/03 | Ralph R. Reiland

[thesummerwind]

The real story in Saddam's capture is that the Bush administration has turned loose the Special Forces to fight a covert, no-holds-barred war in Iraq.

"A revitalized Special Forces mission is a policy victory for Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, who has struggled for two years to get the military leadership to accept the strategy of what he calls 'Manhunts' -- a phrase that he has used both publicly and in internal Pentagon communications," writes Seymour Hersh in The New Yorker's Dec. 15 issue. "According to American and Israeli military and intelligence officials, Israeli commandos and intelligence units have been working closely with their American counterparts at the Special Forces training base at Fort Bragg, N.C., and in Israel to help them prepare for operations in Iraq."

[mikegi]

"We did the American things -- and we've been the nice guy. Now we're going to be the bad guy, and being the bad guy works."

I don't know where this myth of Americans being the "nice guy" in wars came from. Until recently, we've always been an enemies worst nightmare in war. You only have to look at Dresden, Hiroshima, or Nagasaki to see that. It's after our wars that we are nice guys. We don't enslave the people we conquer.

[Gritty]

In other words, no more sitting ducks.

In other words, the Liberals have lost another round in their efforts to direct and shape this War!

[thesummerwind]

Dresden wasn't too pleasant, but as for the two Japaneses cities, the Japanese just didn't know when to say 'uncle'.

IMO, that had to be done, and the Japanese brought it all on themselves and carry all the responsibility. They just couldn't quit.

[thesummerwind]

With any luck, we'll be operating within Iran, if we aren't already.

I'm about as sure that we are operating in Iran as I am of the sun rising tomorrow morning in the east!

Let's hope we can begin to slow down these insurgents in Iraq, and also hope the weak-kneed segment of citizens of America and the evil Democrats don't punk out on the country, before good prevails.

[SauronOfMordor]

Do you guys think that our Special Forces guys may actually be the ones who are killing the Baathist who have been reported to have been killed by Iraqis? I know that A LOT of these Baathist have been killed in what some are calling "revenge killings", but I think it may be our special forces guys.

it may be that our SF guys are doing the intellegence correlation and planning, and have a group of Kurds whose families were gassed by the Ba'athists doing the actual wet work

[thesummerwind]

Bingo........a little dressing up and cleaning up operation.

[Incorrigible]

FR is a great place because of your added value to the article.

Thanks.

[thesummerwind]

I agree. Hersh seems to be trying to revive moral equivalence.

Just a reminder (although I'm sure you don't need it) - this article was written by Ralph R. Reiland.

[thesummerwind]

Not sure I would put a whole lot of stock in this article. See the bi-line of this writer, Ralph R. Reiland (bottom of the article): Ralph R. Reiland, the B. Kenneth Simon professor of free enterprise at Robert Morris University, is a local restaurateur (sic). The guy is a restauranteur

You really would be best served to learn a little more about Mr. Reiland! He is a brilliant Economics (Reaganomics) professor, and is a very wise man. He owns a (very fine) restaurant on the side. I'm sure he and the staff would not be terribly unwilling to allow you to visit some time.

[thesummerwind]

LOL!

[First_Salute]

This is a hit piece, and I yield to some few months to prove it.

[thesummerwind]

It's war, it's ugly, but if it's played right it can be over quickly with fewer deaths. That means fewer Iraqi deaths as well as fewer American deaths.

Can't be said any better than that. I hope Bonior, McDermott, Dean, and the rest of the lame-o's get it some day! Nah, that'll never happen.

[Knightsofswing]

God Bless, good luck & HAPPY HUNTING guys!

[thesummerwind]

I am appalled at the weakness of some of our tactical leaders, in their refusal to fight dirty.

I am appalled at the weakness of many of the American people. They are so easily influenced by the CNN's, ABC's, NBC's, and SeeBS's of the media. It sucks.

[thesummerwind]

He wants a raise. ;)

[thesummerwind]

it may be that our SF guys are doing the intellegence correlation and planning, and have a group of Kurds whose families were gassed by the Ba'athists doing the actual wet work

That works for me.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"CRY HAVOC, AND LET SLIP THE DOGS OF WAR."

[thesummerwind]

Thank you for your comment.

I'm relatively new posting here, but have been reading (lurking sounds so surreptitious) about 20 hours a week for over five years. (FreeRepublic kept me sane throughout the "Seven Weeks of Hell" after the 2000 election.) I respect this site nearly as much as anything in my life. There are more intelligent and witty people on this site than anywhere I have ever visited. So, it is nice to make a contribution.

[thesummerwind]

This is a hit piece

A hit piece on whom?

[thesummerwind]

Great pictire!

Rumsfeld - "Well, the president's policy is dead or alive. And, you know, I have my preference."