Note : This was designed by a committee
Posted on 12/06/2006 8:02:58 AM PST by Howlin
Live on cable now...
And I still want to know why he and Kasich left DC in such a hurry.
It was an attempt at trying to remove divisiveness in America...and it failed, badly.
However, it's mission was to find out a way to WIN in Iraq, using "fresh eyes" to figure out a way...and in that...they didn't even try.
Thanks Lucky9teen.
My imagination is running wild....I hope Im not reading too much into that comment
Well, one thing people forget is that they both were good friends with and partied hard with Gary Condit.
Note : This was designed by a committee
You will now see them try to gracefully reverse some of their political election positions on the war, and this report will help them do this.
It is unfortunate that just because a Democrat supports a particular position, that Republicans should distrust it. That is not the case here.
We have two or three more reports to come, and by the time they are all out, a new consensus view will form. Or at least that is what is supposed to happen.
If we find that the far left hates it, and the far right despises it, then I would say that we have it about right.
I think that this is the intent of all of this, and the end result will look pretty much exactly like the current Bush policy, but most people will not think about it this way. They will claim it as their own, and that it is a new policy and Bush will let them do it.
I kind of lean your way, but steadfastness and perseverance alone may not be sufficient if the method is inadequate. I am against "unlimited destruction" but I do think that substantially more military power needs to be applied. It is my understanding of the culture of our enemies as well as the nature of war that leads to that view: Culturally, the arab world believes in force and only yields to force or an credible threat of force. Until and unless they see it applied, they will judge us beatable.
It is in the nature of war, especially with such an opponent, that the opponent will not surrender as long as he believes he has a chance to prevail or even survive (ie: live to fight another day). Of course, there are no absolutes and a lot depends on the rationality of the enemy. The Japanese "needed" to see the devastation of 2 A-Bombs before their irrational belief in the Divine right of the Empire crumbled. Hitler "needed" to see Berlin crumbling over his very head and even then, would not surrender.
What am I saying? Respectfully, I yield to the military FReepers, but I offer this with all due humility: All of the following would have to be preceded by a major policy announcement outlining these changes:
1. The U.S. Military will no longer defer to Iraqi government control, nor consult with same. The U.S. Military is their to serve American interests first and foremost, while trying to help the Iraqi people secure their freedom.
2. U.S. Military operations and facilities will now be under absolute media blackout. Media violating the security guidelines under the blackout are subject to immediate arrest and imprisonment. Media personell observed interfering with or compromising U.S. combat or intelligence operations are subject to being shot on sight.
3. Any structure found to be housing terrorists (formerly known as insurgents), terrorist equipment, terrorist infrastructure or communications will be destroyed. Any structure found to be housing those providing any aid and comfort to terrorists will be destroyed.
4. (This is from another poster) Border checkpoints shall be the only places of transit over Iraqi national borders. Any vehicle or individual observed crossing outside the checkpoints will be destroyed on sight. No compensation will be paid to any party from such operations.
5. This may not be part of announcement and may require more troops. Cities, towns and villages known to be major centers of terrorism and terrorist sympathy will be placed under strict curfew. The city will be placed under full military cordon. Only food and medical supplies will travel through the cordon. U.S. forces (and any Iraqi forces worthwhile) will conduct house to house operations, neighborhood by neighborhood. Any weapons, explosives, bomb-making materials or other terrorist related material will be deemed contraband and subject to immediate seizure. Of course, any terrorist suspects will be subject to immediate arrest. If fired upon from any structure, American forces are authorized to destroy that structure immediately. I propose starting with Fallujah. After completion of the sweep, U.S. forces will withdraw but maintain curfew rules and cordon. The city will then be notified that, upon determination that any further terrorist attack originated in that city/town/village or any American forces were fired upon from that place, the city/town/village will be destroyed on 48 hours' evacuation notice.
6. All mosques or other religious facilities are to be treated like any other structure. See, paragraph 3.
7. Militias, such as the Mahdi Army are outlawed. Any armed force or persons observed anywhere who are not authorized by American authorities will be destroyed on sight.
8. Demonstrations shall be by permit only with time, place and manner strictly controlled by U.S. Military authorities. There shall be an absolute ban on any display of weapons at any demonstration.
9. Providing aid, comfort or information to any terrorist is punishable by death. Accepting or agreeing to accept a bribe in exchange for any information regarding U.S. Military or civilian operations or for compromising any security function or facility is punishable by death.
10. Iran and Syria should be notified that commencing immediately, upon determination of any assistance rendered to terrorists operating in Iraq, the U.S. will destroy a major Iranian or Syrian facility or infrastructure, military or civilian.
11. The policies established today will remain in effect until there is a cessation of all terrorist activity for a period of no less than 180 days and the Iraqi military assumes complete responsibility for all security measures.
I know all the objections about unrealism, worldwide condemnation, lack of political will, etc.
A true American leader, (think Reagan and even Roosevelt) would make the announcement himself on global broadcast and would say: not one more American serviceman will die unnecessarily on my watch. America is a great, generous and patient nation and we have tried every means possible to avoid these steps: diplomacy, reconstruction, technical assistance, educational, medical and all forms of social support but to no avail. Let this be unmistakably clear: Today, I am renewing the declaration of the War on Terror. The time for the niceties of diplomacy and understanding are over. We will destroy our enemies, whoever and wherever they may be.
Ahhh, I feel better now.
Yes, it is and the fact that people are more curious about Britney Spears lack of underwear than the War in Iraq or the polticians making the decisions for our future speaks volumns.
This from a man that hangs out at Hyde (in Hollywood) with Will Ferrell and Leonardo.....
A committee of old has-beens at that... oh, and only one of whom even left the Green Zone on their one trip to Iraq.
I don't blame you.
What you propose makes perfect sense, but it ain't gonna happen. It wouldn't be "nice", and might irritate the terrorists. That seems to be our "leaders" primary concern these days when dealing with the psychopaths in the Middle East and elsewhere.
If the perception of the couch-potato American voters is that the WOT is over, then Bush needs to spend the last two years really cleaning out the sewer in the Middle East, because whomever gets elected in '08 isn't going to do it.
That is what I am saying.
Yes he has. Since his reelection.
If this is such a serious situation (as the study group said) then why were they all up there joking and laughing (which they were). It was totally inappropriate.
And to find out that Baker and Hamilton did a Libowitz photo spread for Vogue is just absolutely appalling.
CH, you and I usually agree on stuff, and as far as your assessment of most of the report, I will probably agree once I read it.
But the damage this commission did by the way they presented the report, and themselves, was just simply inexcusable.
Most nations, from France to Russia to China, and certainly most Muslim countries, are happy to see the U.S. bogged-down in Iraq. It's become our tar-baby. The Great Hyperpower neutered by its involvement in Iraq. There will be no renewed interest within the international community to help us resolve our little problem.
This diplomatic effort should include every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq's neighbors.”
Heck, most of Iraq's neighbors have been fueling the chaos in Iraq.
This study group report isn't worth spit. But I don't think Bush is politically able to ignore the report's recommendations.
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