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The 'surge' is working
LA Times ^ | 8 September 2007 | Max Boot

Posted on 09/08/2007 5:20:05 AM PDT by shrinkermd

As recently as a month ago, it appeared that Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker would be running into a withering fusillade of rhetorical fire when they appeared on Capitol Hill to report on the progress of the "surge" in Iraq. Now that their testimony is upon us, the political environment has become, in military argot, considerably more "permissive."

A sign of how much things have changed: In July, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was pressing for a "date certain" for troop withdrawal; he derided those who wanted to pass a nonbinding drawdown resolution "that has no teeth in it" just so "you can circle and sing 'Kumbaya.' " Today, he's trying to reach accommodation with Republicans on just such a "Kumbaya" bill.

It's obvious what accounts for the more cooperative mood. Notwithstanding all the political hype and hyperbole, events on the ground do matter, and there is no denying that events in Iraq have been moving in the right direction since the surge started. Not even the Democrats deny it. Sens. Jack Reed, Hillary Clinton and Dick Durbin, among others, have acknowledged that, as Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin put it, "The military aspects of President Bush's new strategy in Iraq . . . appear to have produced some credible and positive results."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; petraeus; progress; ryancrocker; surge; wot

1 posted on 09/08/2007 5:20:06 AM PDT by shrinkermd
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To: shrinkermd

“But, everyone knows that the General is a Bushbot lackey, who will say anything the (p)resident tells him to say, to continue this illegal, immoral and probably fattening war...”

(predicting the comment from the Olber-moron)


2 posted on 09/08/2007 5:27:58 AM PDT by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., how many girls did you drown today?" TERM LIMITS, NOW!)
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To: shrinkermd

Wow. If America can keep it’s pansy-ass’d wallflowers out of the way, great things are possible.


3 posted on 09/08/2007 5:28:38 AM PDT by Republic Rocker
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To: Republic Rocker

Now comes the weeping, wiling and gnashing of teeth from the lilly-livered left.


4 posted on 09/08/2007 5:38:15 AM PDT by Turret Gunner A20 (If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, thank a soldier.)
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To: shrinkermd
While the long-run consequences for national-level political reconciliation remain speculative, in the short term American and Iraqi troops working with tens of thousands of newfound Sunni allies have Al Qaeda on the run. This is the biggest blow that group has suffered since American troops entered its Afghan lair in October 2001. Ending the surge prematurely would allow the terrorists to regroup and get back on their feet.
...
Far from being already lost, as Reid said in April, the war is being won.


This is a very nice summary on the success of the surge. It’s a good one to share at the office, etc.

I think President Nixon and the military did achieve peace with honor in Vietnam. They achieved victory. Then the Democratic Congress cheerfully abandoned South East Asia to the communists and millions of innocent men, women, and children were murdered. Kennedy, Kerry, Durbin, Reid, Pelosi are capable of doing it again.

5 posted on 09/08/2007 5:48:31 AM PDT by ChessExpert (Reagan dismantled the Russian empire of 21 conquered nations)
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To: shrinkermd

With liberal publications like the LA Times, Washington Post, and NY Times reporting on the great success of the “surge”, I can’t help but wonder if they all have ulterior motives.

Are they building up the success of the “surge” so they can tear it down again as we approach November 2008? Will they chant “Remember the surge” in the same way our forefathers remembered the alamo?

Notice this LA Times piece mentions President Bush by name only once in the whole article by saying there were “positive results”. They will never say Bush was right! When the time comes to criticize the post-surge period, Bush’s name will be thrown around much more frequently.


6 posted on 09/08/2007 6:03:19 AM PDT by Tai_Chung
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To: shrinkermd
Far from being already lost, as Reid said in April, the war is being won. But if our troops are to build on the momentum of the last few months, they will need more time and greater patience on the home front.

Of all places to read this in the LA Times, but I like it.

I have to tell you though, I was mowing the lawn yesterday, had the headset radio on, and heard a report at the top of the hour that someone has seen the report and leaked that it is not working as well as planned. It was probably much BS, but the lame stream media has no trouble putting crap out on the table, but never cleaning up the mess after they find out they are wrong. It's irresponsible, but so are the lefty journalists, so I guess I have come to expect no less of them.

Pray for out troops, pray for their success, and pray the democrats never regain the WH.

7 posted on 09/08/2007 6:15:17 AM PDT by b4its2late (FOOTBALL REFEREES: It's tough playing with us, but you can't play the game without us.)
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To: shrinkermd

I’m SHOCKED! This is in the LA Times? Pigs Are Flying.


8 posted on 09/08/2007 6:38:34 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: shrinkermd

In the Wake of the Surge, By Michael J. Totten, July 24, 2007
http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/001497.html

Iraq Report: Tribes in Khalis Pledge to Fight al Qaeda, By Bill Roggio,July 24, 2007
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/07/iraq_report_tribes_in_khalis_p.asp

The Surge Succeeds, By J.R. Dunn, July 24, 2007
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/07/the_surge_succeeds.html

Interview, Keane Assessment, A general’s impression July 25, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZjI1YzNjN2YyM2YzZWRmYjFmYjA1NTAwN2NjNDhkZDk=

Oh, Boyda: Kansas Congresswoman Walks out on General’s Positive IraqTestimony By Tom Blumer, July 30, 2007
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2007/07/30/oh-bodya-kansas-congresswoman-walks-out-generas-positive-iraq-testimony

WINNING IN IRAQ AND LOSING IN WASHINGTON, by Ralph Peters, July 26, 2007
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07262007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/winning_in_iraq_opedcolumnists_ralph_peters.htm?page=1

US gains against Al Qaeda in Iraq July 30, 2007
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C07%5C30%5Cstory_30-7-2007_pg4_1

The New York Times’ John Burns: “The Possibility Of As Many As A MillionIraqis Dying” (If we leave). Interview by Hugh Hewitt, Monday, July 30, 2007
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/ede5e271-ea71-4513-9071-34571f229847

A War We Just Might Win By MICHAEL E. O’HANLON and KENNETH M. POLLACKJuly 20, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/opinion/30pollack.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Turning Point? 31 July 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YWQ5NDkwMDNiMzZhODNlNjdhN2JiM2EyMjQ1N2ZmMWQ=

Defeatism Defeated? by Thomas Sowell 1 Aug 2007
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2007/08/01/defeatism_defeated

Bread and a Circus, Part I of II, by Michal Yon, 31 July 2007
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bread-and-a-circus-part-i-of-ii.htm
“The people of Baqubah have been demonstrably ecstatic. Other than inthe Kurdish areas, I have never seen such overt gratitude from so manyIraqis. Iraqis continue pointing out al Qaeda operatives and theirhidden bombs.”

Fact Sheet: Al Qaeda in Iraq. White House July 24, 2007
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-9.html

President Bush Discusses War on Terror (transcript, audio, video).President Bush, 24 July 2007
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070724-3.html#
“They know they’re al Qaida. The Iraqi people know they are al Qaida.People across the Muslim world know they are al Qaida. And there’s agood reason they are called al Qaida in Iraq: They are al Qaida ... in... Iraq. The facts are that al Qaida terrorists killed Americans on 9/11,they’re fighting us in Iraq and across the world, and they are plottingto kill Americans here at home again. We will defeat al Qaida in Iraq.”

I have seen the horror.Al Qaeda is guilty of monstrosities in Iraq - no matter what anyone saysby MICHAEL YON, Sunday, August 5th 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/08/05/2007-08-05_i_have_seen_the_horror-2.html

Top Central Command Enlisted Leader Says Surge Making Progress By JimGaramone August 3rd, 2007
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46923

Marine unit commander wants to shed some gear. By Franklin Fischer.Security improves in Ramadi. By Lisa Burgess Stars and Stripes Mideastedition, Saturday, August 4, 2007
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55416&archive=true

Gates: Troop Surge in Iraq Pays Off in Heightened Security. By DonnaMiles, Aug. 5, 2007
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46946

25,000 abandon insurgency: U.S.IRAQ | American military estimate highlights tribal strategy by JIMMICHAELS August 6, 2007
http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/498494,CST-NWS-iraq06.article

Remarks by Vice President Cheney at the 84th National Convention of theMarine Corps League, Aug. 6, 2007
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2007/0004640218&EDATE=

The Surge is Working! by Richard S. Lowry [author] 8/7/07
http://www.californiarepublic.org/archives/Columns/Lowry/20070807LowrySurge.html

Iraq dynamic map
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/dodupdate/iraq-update/Handovers/index_slideshow.html

Democrats praise military progress By KIMBERLY HEFLING, August 8, 2007
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QT56I80&show_article=1

The United Nation Returns to Iraq. By Austin Bay, August 15, 2007
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/AustinBay/2007/08/15/the_united_nation_returns_to_iraq

IRAQ’S RE-LIBERATION By RALPH PETERS, 22 August 2007
http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/iraqs_re_liberation.htm

Has Maliki Ended The Insurgency? By Ed Morrissey 22 August 2007, (Political Progress)
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/011890.php

Southeast of Baghdad, the Surge is Working. (Yes, I’m an eyewitness. No, don’t argue unless you’re prepared to come over here and hang out too. ) By Jeff Emanuel
http://www.redstate.com/stories/war/southeast_of_baghdad_the_surge_is_working

Truth Blackout, IBD editorial, August 27, 2007. (Political Progress)
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=273106587570782

Our troops have earned more time, Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver WA, 24 Aug 07. (Anti-war Democrat sees military success.)
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2003850954_bairdop24.html

Front-line lessons from the Iraq surge, By MICHAEL TOTTEN August 29th 2007
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/08/29/2007-08-29_frontline_lessons_from_the_iraq_surge.html?print=1

Petraeus: Troop Buildup Working in Iraq. Friday, August 31, 2007
http://newsmax.com/international/australia_petraeus/2007/08/31/28966.html

The Gettysburg of This War. This Bush visit could well mark a key turning point in the war in Iraq and the war on terror. By Frederick W. Kagan, September 3, 2007
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGM2YWI4ODI0MDA1ZjczOTFjNDNkMGQzMzM0MGQ4Mjg=&w=MA==

Surge Success Turns Up Heat On Democrats. By MICHAEL BARONE, September 04, 2007
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=273791150554884
“Democratic leaders today don’t have the huge majorities they had in 1975 when they blocked the Air Force from repelling the communist invasion of South Vietnam. “

After the Surge. By J.R. Dunn, September 7, 2007
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/09/after_the_surge.html

Surge is working, but that is only half of the story. By Hooah Mac, September 7, 2007
http://www.redstate.com/blogs/hooah_mac/2007/sep/06/surge_is_working_but_that_is_only_half_of_the_story

The ‘surge’ is working. Casualties are down and security is improving in Iraq; Washington must give the strategy more time. By Max Boot, September 8, 2007
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-boot8sep08,0,1085443.story?coll=la-opinion-center
“Ending the surge prematurely would allow the terrorists to regroup and get back on their feet. Far from being already lost, as Reid said in April, the war is being won.”


9 posted on 09/08/2007 6:45:31 AM PDT by ChessExpert (Reagan dismantled the Russian empire of 21 conquered nations)
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To: ChessExpert

(I think President Nixon and the military did achieve peace with honor in Vietnam. They achieved victory. Then the Democratic Congress cheerfully abandoned South East Asia to the communists and millions of innocent men, women, and children were murdered. Kennedy, Kerry, Durbin, Reid, Pelosi are capable of doing it again.)

We too achieved victory years ago, but because the left wanted to lose so bad we have almost lost the peace with all our “PC Ted Kennedy” garbage.

Why does such a great country with super military power and the greatest army ever, take so many years to WIN this peace?


10 posted on 09/08/2007 8:31:08 AM PDT by august7
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