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Victory Is Within Reach in Iraq
Wall Street Journal ^ | 20 October 2007 | MICHAEL A. LEDEEN

Posted on 10/20/2007 10:09:11 AM PDT by shrinkermd

Should we declare victory over al Qaeda in the battle of Iraq?

The very question would have seemed proof of dementia only a few months ago, yet now some highly respected military officers, including the commander of Special Forces in Iraq, Gen. Stanley McCrystal, reportedly feel it is justified by the facts on the ground.

These people are not suggesting that the battle is over. They all insist that there is a lot of fighting ahead, and even those who believe that al Qaeda is crashing and burning in a death spiral on the Iraqi battlefields say that the surviving terrorists will still be able to kill coalition forces and Iraqis. But there is relative tranquility across vast areas of Iraq, even in places that had been all but given up for lost barely more than a year ago. It may well be that those who confidently declared the war definitively lost will have to reconsider.

Almost exactly 13 months ago, the top Marine intelligence officer in Iraq wrote that the grim situation in Anbar province would continue to deteriorate unless an additional division was sent in, along with substantial economic aid. Today, Marine leaders are musing openly about clearing out of Anbar, not because it is a lost cause, but because we have defeated al Qaeda there.

In Fallujah, enlisted marines have complained to an officer of my acquaintance: "There's nobody to shoot here, sir. If it's just going to be building schools and hospitals, that's what the Army is for, isn't it?"

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: anbar; iraq; ledeen; victory
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To: Allegra

That would be nice, and I’m sure 95% of Iraqis would like that too.


61 posted on 10/20/2007 1:41:39 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (RUN Paul - a man proudly putting al Qaeda's interest ahead of America's.)
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To: Allegra; All

I feel sorry for you when you post on the Ron Paul threads.. It seems that most of the has the case turn back the clockitis..


62 posted on 10/20/2007 2:38:26 PM PDT by KevinDavis (Mitt Romney 08)
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To: shrinkermd
Should we declare victory over al Qaeda in the battle of Iraq?

I hope so. Then we can prepare for the next battle in Iran.

63 posted on 10/20/2007 2:44:17 PM PDT by mjp (Live & let live. I don't want to live in Mexico, Marxico, or Muslimico. Statism & high taxes suck)
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To: elhombrelibre

BTTT


64 posted on 10/20/2007 3:07:58 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: BobS
"Tell your buddy to apply for a Change of Station"

Thanks for the tip. I think he mentioned that last night. Will bring it up when I see him again.

65 posted on 10/20/2007 3:37:44 PM PDT by AGreatPer
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To: elhombrelibre; Allegra
Of course she can gloat. She earned it.
However we do have to be concience of the fact, there are still a few thousand or more al Qaeda in Iraq who will in some cases do their best to pull off some news makers.
But as more provinces are handed over to the Iraqi military and police forces, and our men and women are relocated to other areas in Iraq, and some units starting to return, one can only see a positive curve of success stories emerging, that the L/MSM are going to find it hard to bury on page 43.
Codos for Allegra and all those folks contracted to do all the hard work in the background and seldom get any credit for all they are doing in order to provide the Iraqi with a new set of standards in how to run a country. So much I am sure had to be taught to them from scratch. As this disfunctional government takes on new methods and tools they will eventually be able to take care of their peoples as well as maintain a first class military.
66 posted on 10/20/2007 4:37:41 PM PDT by Marine_Uncle (Duncan Hunter for POTUS)
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To: Larry Lucido

LMAO-gotta love the Marines.


67 posted on 10/20/2007 4:39:57 PM PDT by MattinNJ (I'm pulling for Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter-...but I'd vote for Rudy against Hillary)
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To: timer
In nov 2006 Sen Burns(R-MT)lost by 1729 votes out of 250,000 cast, primarily becaue of the anti-war vote. If he had won, given today’s situation in iraq, we’d still have a R majority in the senate.

I'm not from Montana, but I read Burns' defeat as being more than an "anti-war vote".

Without the serious corruption issues, I suspect he would have waltzed into re-election.

It wasn't an anti-war vote that cost the Republicans control of Congress.

It was corruption, spending...and abject stupidity...which cost them their base. Burns was a part of all three.

68 posted on 10/20/2007 5:49:02 PM PDT by okie01
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To: Allegra
Your thoughts on my post #26 would be appreciated.

God bless ya, hon. Keep up the good work.

69 posted on 10/20/2007 5:56:23 PM PDT by okie01
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To: shrinkermd

The democrats can’t save you now jihadists!

Our brave leadership, and our even braver troops, are responsible for this. When the moonbats, the media, and the rats all coalesced to sabotage the mission, the troops did not back down, and our country did not surrender.

AQI can no longer sleep well at night knowing the liberals might just save them from defeat, that time has passed...the rest of the terror-loving dead-enders will be hunted down like the scum they are, and they will be completely destroyed, and their hateful ideology made an example of: as a disgusting, backwards, violent movement that never had a prayer.


70 posted on 10/20/2007 5:58:59 PM PDT by Tears of a Clown
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To: shrinkermd; All
The GOP candidates at tomorrows debate in Orlando, Florida better step up to the plate and start drilling the Democrats for being cheerleaders for failure in Iraq. While their at it they should kick Ron Paul in the ass till he falls off the stage.
71 posted on 10/20/2007 7:47:09 PM PDT by april15Bendovr
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To: elhombrelibre; Allegra

Yes Allegra and many of us who have always believed in victory can gloat and gloat big time :) :) :)


72 posted on 10/20/2007 7:57:42 PM PDT by jveritas (God bless our brave troops and President Bush)
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To: jveritas
Victory is good Joseph but I think there is still time to make the Democrats bend over and put their face in the dog poop where it belongs. Our GOP candidates during tomorrows debate should take full advantage of pointing out the Democrats failures of being victorious in Iraq along with examples of how they were obstructionists of victory.

I still believe in what George Patten stated

“Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser”

73 posted on 10/20/2007 8:09:08 PM PDT by april15Bendovr
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To: april15Bendovr

Great post Chris. From now on the Republican candidates should be running on the theme that we won the war in Iraq. I think in 3 to 4 months the White House and the military in Iraq are going to declare Victory.


74 posted on 10/20/2007 8:17:32 PM PDT by jveritas (God bless our brave troops and President Bush)
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To: Allegra

Charlie Gibson - no news

http://tinyurl.com/23bfd5

~~~~~~~

And Rush discussed it

http://tinyurl.com/2lfao9

CALLER: Yes, sir. I was on the couch yesterday evening finishing up my offering and compromise to the IRS so I could get a life back, and the evening news was on, and Charlie Gibson comes on after about three stories and says, “Oh, and, by the way, the news from Iraq today...” he hesitated for a second or two, and then he said, “there is none.” I said, “Have I gone to sleep?”

RUSH: All right. We have that sound bite. But before I play that sound bite, I got two questions.

CALLER: Yes, sir.

RUSH: It’s October 18th. What are you working on now for your taxes?

CALLER: Well, I’m having tax problems. They went back and used an off-the-wall —

RUSH: Oh, okay, okay, never mind, you don’t have to divulge personal details. We’re nowhere near a quarterly filing date, so I wondered. Secondly, what in the world are you doing with the World News Tonight on?

CALLER: Well, I was sitting there, my kids were there, older kids, and they just had it on, it just happened to be on, they were watching something else.

RUSH: Everybody says, “It was on,” but nobody knows how it got turned on, nobody was listening to it, it was on. (laughing)

CALLER: I was doing something else. It really caught my attention when he said it. I couldn’t talk.

RUSH: Listen to the whole thing. You didn’t report the whole thing. This is Charlie Gibson World News Tonight on ABC.

GIBSON: One item from Baghdad today. The news is... that there is no news. The police told us that, to their knowledge, there were no major acts of violence. Attacks are down in Baghdad and today no bombings or roadside explosions were reported.

RUSH: And that’s not news? That is news! That is huge news, but not to these guys, because it doesn’t fit the narrative. The narrative is burning cars; IEDs; people in the streets; mangled bodies; smoke wafting up from the streets. And none of that happened yesterday in Iraq. There’s no news! This is just the greatest illustration, I keep saying that. But they keep outdoing themselves, illustrating to one and all just how they work and how they operate.

~~~~

God love ya, girl! You’ve seen it all and have been completely consistent in telling the truth on the ground THERE. Who are the naysayers to question you .. who’s there? You’ve lived and known the worst .. I pray you are about to see the best. May God continue to bless and protect you and all those fighting and supporting the fight against this evil. Prayers that better days are just around the corner. To hell with MSM and Rats.

Thank you so much for your courage and perseverence in volunteering to be there.

How long do you think you’ll stay? You could be the Babe of Baghdad yet .. LOL.


75 posted on 10/20/2007 9:17:16 PM PDT by STARWISE (They (Dims) think of this WOT as Bush's war, not America's war-RichardMiniter, respected OBL author)
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To: jwparkerjr
>>>And when was the last time you heard the news talk about an area of disturbed weather in the Atlantic<<<

Strange - they seem to cheer for a big hurricane [GW caused you know] season, but they can't seem to find the time to cheer victory by our troops.

More than strange perhaps - they have become an enemy with a unprincipled lust for power!!

76 posted on 10/20/2007 9:51:03 PM PDT by HardStarboard (Take No Prisoners - We're Out of Qurans)
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To: Allegra

I’ve been saying for more than three years that this would work, given time.

I’ve had FReepers call me all kinds of names for that, telling me I didn’t know what I was talking about.

I wish I could remember who all of those people were.

It’s almost time to gloat. ;-)

X X X X X

“Gloating” over the surge’s success is reserved for those kids who have been actually executing the surge (ie., fighting, losing limbs, dying, etc).


77 posted on 10/20/2007 10:40:41 PM PDT by RetiredArmyMajor
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To: jveritas; Allegra

I look forward to those who were gloating about Iraq being a defeat having to eat crow.


78 posted on 10/20/2007 11:35:12 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (RUN Paul - a man proudly putting al Qaeda's interest ahead of America's.)
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To: RetiredArmyMajor
“Gloating” over the surge’s success is reserved for those kids who have been actually executing the surge (ie., fighting, losing limbs, dying, etc).

You don't make the rules. I know some of those people and they have my deep admiration and respect. I have lost a couple of close friends here.

I've put up with a lot of snot from some naysayers here on FR over the past few years when I have reported positive aspects.

I'll gloat if I damn well please and the First Amendment backs me up on that. If you want to be in charge, go find your own country to dictate.

79 posted on 10/20/2007 11:44:56 PM PDT by Allegra (Greetings from a kinder, gentler Iraq. God bless US and Coalition Forces.)
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To: Larry Lucido

BTTT!! They should ask them though if they rotate out for the hot zones and viceversa... Does get boring for em I’m sure...


80 posted on 10/21/2007 10:31:39 AM PDT by sit-rep
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