A Major Victory (Iraq)

NRO ^ | April 24, 2006 | Masthead Editorial

[Recovering_Democrat]

The selection of a compromise prime minister in Iraq is a major victory for that country’s fledgling political class, and for the Bush administration.

Yes, that is why the LameStream Media has all but ignored that development.

[SlowBoat407]

Bringing Saddam down was prologue. Keeping Iraq from going the way of Afghanistan in the 90's and becoming a haven for terrorists is the real struggle. We just moved up the timetable so we could deal with it on our terms and not be caught by surprise after a palace coup, sudden death at the top or insurrection by Shiites that would depose Saddam when we weren't expecting it.

[trubluolyguy]

Sorry for asking a simple question. Go ahead and enjoy. I have actually been quite polite in my questions and yours is typical of the response.

I get it. I'll leave you to your good news. One last question before I go, do you get all happy everytime another "number two" to Zarqawi is taken out, and if so at what time do you begin to ask yourself, "How many number two's does this guy have?"

[trubluolyguy]

Bringing Saddam down was prologue. Keeping Iraq from going the way of Afghanistan in the 90's and becoming a haven for terrorists is the real struggle.

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Thank you. This makes sense and is about the most polite response to any question I've had on this thread. I only wish this had been articulated by the white house since before the war began.

[LS]

Notice that the "Iraq civil war" story now has disappeared, with no followup about how wrong the media was. They are utterly disgusting.

[jmc1969]

That won't happen for years, unless they are forced out early.

That said we don't need more then 30,000 troops for logistics and advising.

[SlowBoat407]

This makes sense and is about the most polite response to any question I've had on this thread.

My apologies. It won't happen again. ;^)

[Calpernia]

The selection of a compromise prime minister in Iraq is a major victory for that country’s fledgling political class, and for the Bush administration. Purveyors of doom on Iraq now have some explaining to do: If the country is in the midst of a full-scale civil war fatal to our project there, how is it that elected representatives of the major factions were able to sit down and hammer out an agreement on the top positions in a national unity government? Iraq pessimists act like they have a special immunity from ever having to recalibrate their view of the conflict, as they instead move on to the latest iteration of their metaphysical despair.

[trubluolyguy]

That said we don't need more then 30,000 troops for logistics and advising.

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This would make sense. More sense than some that want to use Iraq as a jumping off point into Iran.

[trubluolyguy]

LOL!

[SlowBoat407]

at what time do you begin to ask yourself, "How many number two's does this guy have?"

Depends on how often he eats.

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

[trubluolyguy]

ROFLMAO, hopefully not too many more meals.

[Tallguy]

Iraq will now have a government. While not the 'final' victory, it qualifies as a 'major' victory.

[trubluolyguy]

Iraq will now have a government. While not the 'final' victory, it qualifies as a 'major' victory.

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I thought they already had a government, I remember all the excitement over the vote, purple thumbs and everything. I am really trying to NOT sound like a friggin' moonbat when I say this, please understand that this next question is sincere, not political crap; what exactly is the point at which our troops (the bulk of them anyway) can come home? Or do we just build permanent bases and stay there?

[jec41]

Simple, if we leave Iraq too soon and it is conquered by a unfriendly regime, as Iran or Al Queda they could then take many small ME countries like Kuwait, and the UAE that are friendly to the US. These countries are very rich because of their oil reserves and we are dependent on some. We import more than 60% of our oil supply. A oil supply disruption world wide would probably start a world war. We have 3% of the worlds oil but use 25% of the worlds supply. How many countries do you think we should fight at one time.

[SFC Chromey]

"How many number two's does this guy have?"

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Beyond the typical potty jokes this invites, I have a thought or two on this:

1- How many #2's does any CEO of any company have?
The head guy doesn't do everything, CEO's don't do everything either, they just run the show.

2- Every time one of these guys that are not Bin Laden or Zarqawi gets taken out it makes it that much harder for them to recruit more bullet catchers for Allah.

They (Muzzie mercs) have begun to realize this fight is a long, tough slog on their end of the fight too. They have been increasingly looking to other parts of the world to fight, so they can find softer targets, friendlier locals, etc.

This is why we hear of Al Queda looking to the PA area and Bin Laden talking about Sudan now. He hasn't mentioned the Sudan in a decade. Their operational space is shrinking, otherwise they wouldn't try to recruit for fights in other parts of the world.

[trubluolyguy]

Simple, if we leave Iraq too soon

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That's just it. What is "too soon?" My daughter will be 17 this year. She is considering enlisting in the Army (yes I am very proud of her) but I want to know if in 2 to 3 years when she is out of basic and advanced training, can I expect her to be going to the desert to continue to fight the "war" that has been over since shortly after Saddam fell?

[Tallguy]

Iraq has a parlimentary system of government. Getting a government is a 3-step process. First, the Iraqi people vote for their representatives for a slate of candidates put forth by the party. Second, the party that gets the most votes designates its leader as Prime Minister, but he must be able to form a coalition if that party does not have an absolute majority -- this was the sticking point in Iraq. The Shia party that got the most votes failed to form a coalition, and the Prime Minister designate would not step aside. Now he has. Once the cabinet is formed, Parliment can meet (Step 3).

[trubluolyguy]

2- Every time one of these guys that are not Bin Laden or Zarqawi gets taken out

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I must admit, I start yawning about the time they say "Major Victory in Iraq" or "Big Name Captured in Iraq" and it's NOT Al Zarqawi. It's just NOT big news. It means nothing to me.

BTW, thanks for your service "SFC Chromey."

[samadams2000]

and then we should dump our garbage there for 1000 years. The "good people" of Iran have had enough time to enter the civilized world. They have the government they deserve.