[batter]

BTTT.

I know that Americans can be an impatient bunch, but thinking the WOT in the short term is totally foolish. We need to think in terms of decades with multifaceted military and foreign policy aspects.

In terms of Iraq, yeah we've made mistakes. Welcome to war were mistakes cost lives rather than money. I don't like them, but the important thing is to learn from them and win. I'm fine with constructive criticism (Such as these) but am fed up with the 'woe is me' we're losing and need to get out attitude!

Look at history. In WWII we spent so much time preparing for DDay (and even it had many screw ups) that we failed to train for the hedgerows sitting right behind the beaches. I've been through that area. I took me about 2 hours (with many stops) driving from Omaha beach to St. Lo. It took the 29th ID almost two months. It was a terrible slog and cost many lives. Fortunately, our GIs did learn from their mistakes and adapted several effective tactics in the hedgerows, ultimately making significant advances against well trained German divisions. (this is just one example, there are plenty more)

We're adapting in Iraq - our troops need to be given the time to do so particularly given the fact they're dealing with a complex 'insurgency'. If we fail here, the consequences will be terrible. We must will AND WE WILL IF we have to fortitude to accept that we are at war and stop bitching and start looking for solutions!

To put it another way:

[batter]

FWIW: St. Lo is about 20 miles from Omaha. I didn't use any of the fast roads, but back roads (effectively followed the 29th's path) and stopped a bunch of times. Otherwise the drive would've taken much less time.

[OESY]

General Patton's "Speech to the Third Army" on June 5th, 1944
The eve of the Allied invasion of France, code-named "Overlord"

"Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight. When you, here, everyone of you, were kids, you all admired the champion marble player, the fastest runner, the toughest boxer, the big league ball players, and the All-American football players. Americans love a winner. Americans will not tolerate a loser. Americans despise cowards. Americans play to win all of the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American."

.

[jveritas]

I'm fine with constructive criticism (Such as these) but am fed up with the 'woe is me' we're losing and need to get out attitude!

Totally agree.

[tillacum]

Even after we "won" WWII, it took the Russians, Brits, French and Americans 10 years to get rid if the werewolves. (nazi "insurgents", for no other dexcription)