A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....01-17-08...JohnHuang2 ~ "Dude, where's my Quagmire?"

JohnHuang2;dutchess;pookie18 | JohnHuang2

[dutchess]

Dude, where’s my Quagmire?
by JohnHuang2

One wire dispatch put it this way: “It was something not seen in Baghdad since before the 2003 invasion — people publicly welcoming a new year with singing, dancing and general revelry. The ballrooms of two landmark hotels — the Palestine and the Sheraton — were full of people for the first New Year’s Eve celebrations after four years of violence that has bloodied Iraq . . . Iraq’s capital was sufficiently calm to warrant the two high-end parties in the once posh hotels.”

This is Iraq, one year after the surge was announced:

“U.S. troop deaths in December — 21 — numbered just one more than they did in February 2004, the least-deadly month since the start of the Iraq War in March 2003, according to the Associated Press. And the U.S. deaths fell sharply in the second half of 2007 after the influx of 30,000 additional troops.” — Lancasteronline.com

In an article titled, “Normalcy returns to Baghdad, block by block,” the Washington Times reports that “signs of improved security in Baghdad go beyond the obvious dampening of street battles and bombings: It’s in the smaller transformations taking place in neighborhoods that the seeds of possibility are starting to take root.” In places like East Rashid, “best known from 2006 until last fall for sectarian violence and al Qaeda’s campaign of terror,” where U.S. troops faced “snipers, mortar attacks and roadside blasts,” everything has changed and there’s a “growing sense of hope and confidence,” as shown by the growing number of refugees who are returning home.

Last week the Iraqi parliament, by a unanimous show of hands, passed landmark de-Baathification legislation, a political reconciliation bill that was one of the big benchmarks that Congress established to measure progress.

But, hold on. What were the Democrats saying back when Bush announced the surge? They’re now claiming they knew all along it would work — at least to tamp down the violence. I quote, you decide:

Four days before Bush announced the surge, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi said that “adding more combat troops will only endanger more Americans.” The day after the Democrats took control of Congress, Reid and Pelosi told Bush in a letter that “We are well past the point of more troops for Iraq.”

A few weeks later, Pelosi said this: [Bush] has to answer for his war. He has dug a hole so deep he can’t even see the light on this. It’s a tragedy. It’s a stark blunder.”

Pelosi: “The president wants to escalate a war where his generals are telling him that the additional troops will not be effective.”

Immediately after Bush announced the surge, Sen. Barack Obama, appearing on the Larry King Show, said there is no “evidence that an additional 15,000 to 20,000 more U.S. troops is going to make a significant dent in the sectarian violence that’s taking place there.”

Sen. Dick Durbin, delivering the Democrat response to the President’s announcement last January, complained that “escalation of this war is not the change the American people called for in the last election . . . the president’s plan moves the American commitment in the wrong direction.” And, besides, “twenty-thousand American soldiers are too few to end this civil war in Iraq and too many American lives to risk on top of those we’ve already lost.”

Sen. Hillary Clinton, in an interview on Fox News’ “On The Record,” blasted the surge: “I opposed it, based on what I knew of the situation before I went, and I’m even more strongly against it now because I think the chances of success are limited at best.” In another TV interview, she warned that the “president’s proposal to add 21,000 troops in an escalation of the combat situation is not going to work.”

Sen. Ben Nelson slammed the proposed surge as relying on too many assumptions. “It assumes an increase of 21,000 troops is sustainable . . . it assumes 21,000 troops are sufficient to achieve the objective of securing Baghdad . . . it assumes Iraqi troops will be trained, equipped and capable and will show up and engage the enemy . . . The failure of any one of these assumptions could undermine the entire plan.”

Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona blasted the surge, saying “I sense from (talking with) our soldiers that the Iraqi people’s heart is not in this.” Democrat Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania said that “we’re doubling down on a bad military bet. A surge hasn’t worked and it won’t work again.” Democrat Rep. Ike Shelton of Missouri, Armed Services Committee head honcho, warned that “our experience has shown that a limited infusion of troops (as called for in Bush’s surge strategy) will not necessarily produce the improvement to Iraqi security we had hoped. I remain to be convinced that increasing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq will have a measurable affect on the security situation in Iraq.”

In April 2007, before the full surge had kicked in, Harry Reid emphatically declared “this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq yesterday.”

Even the “experts” were against the surge, predicting it wouldn’t work:

Retired Marine General Joseph Hoar, former head of CENTCOM, criticized the troop surge and advised Bush to pull out of Iraq. “In the Marines, we say, “When you’re in a hole, stop digging.”

Retired Army General and NBC News military “analyst” Barry McCaffrey said “I personally think the surge of five U.S. Army brigades and a few Marine battalions dribbled out over five months is a fool’s errand.”

Even U.S. intelligence was against the surge — the surest sign yet that it was going to work. “A new National Intelligence Estimate on the conflict presented to the president . . . describes ‘an increasingly perilous situation in which the United States has little control and there is a strong possibility of further deterioration’” despite the surge, reported the Christian Science Monitor in an article cheerfully titled, “US Intelligence report projects deteriorating situation in Iraq”.

Small wonder Iraq has been moved to the back-burner by the media.

Anyway, that’s...

My Two Cents

03-27-07 ~ Hall of Fame #19 ~ Final

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-14,15-08 Military Tribute 01-16-08 Warn Fuzzy Wednesday ~ Grandma's Hands

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[dutchess]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.

[dutchess]

It's Thursday and that means another JohnHuang2 tell it like it is essay at the Finest!!!! ENJOY!!!!

[dfwgator]

Here's your Quagmire:

[dutchess]

LOL...I looked up quagmire in google last night and found tons of pictures of this guy. Must be out of the loop as I had not a clue who he is!!! :o)

[dutchess]

HERE’S JOHN!!! (planned to post before work...overslept and had meetings until now... OOPS!!!! ((((hugs))))

[DollyCali]

Oh thanks dutchess! I am here on heating pad for a bit. Overdid it this morning.

Great thread & great break from the elections/debates/primaries..

appreciate your work for us here

[MEG33]

Geraniums

Good Morning To The Finest
Another great sad but true essay,John!
Your graphics are outstanding..Thank you for another great
presentation, dutchess!

[The Mayor]

January 17, 2008

Designed By God

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Romans 12:3-8

We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. —Romans 12:4

Bison are made in such a way that their natural inclination is to look down; the design of their necks makes it difficult for them to look up. In contrast, giraffes are designed in a way that makes looking up easy; the way their necks were made makes it difficult for them to look down. Two creatures created by the same God but with distinctively different body parts and purposes. Giraffes eat leaves from branches above. Bison eat grass from the field below. God provides food for both, and neither has to become like the other to eat.

As we observe the animals and people around us, we’re reminded that God made each of us unique for a purpose. One person’s natural tendency is to look up and see the “big picture,” while another looks down and focuses on details. Both are important. One is not better than the other. God gave us individual talents and spiritual gifts so that we can work together as a body.

Human beings are the crowning jewel of creation, and we shine the brightest not when we see our own likeness reflected in others but when each of us performs the unique functions that God designed for us to do. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” (Rom. 12:6).

By God’s wise designing
We are wonderfully made,
Every part essential
And in perfect balance laid.  —Anon.

There are no unimportant members in the body of Christ.

Bible in One Year:  Genesis 37–39; Proverbs 6:20-35

[Billie]

Here you are! And I agree, today's essay is a nice change from the over-saturation of the primaries and caucuses and debates and polls and who's ahead and who has to have a win this time to stay alive, yada yada yuk.

As Hillary said on Meet the Press Sunday morning though, the surge is working (now) and the Iraq government is beginning to take action (now) - BECAUSE THEY ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT SHE IS SAYING Yeah she did really say that.

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Aquamarine; Dutchess, The Mayor, DollyCali or GodBlessUSA and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews AnnaofDC......niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter athelass..2 sons, 2 nephews Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son DebWisconsin.............nephews TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband TADSLOS......................son Q6-God..................twin brother Edgewood Pilot..................son Edgewood Pilot.......2 nephews gpapa..................brother ItsForTheChildren....2 nephews marsh2..................nephew Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor.........active duty DCBryan1.................active duty Sgt.Hull.................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom.........................>2 sons wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins JulieRNR21.........friend's grandson SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew GulfWar1Vet.......two cousins IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface............2 grandsons redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband jackv...............................son TINA KIRBY....................son skimask.........................son onedcop.........................son katydidnt....................son SoldierDad..son,nephew,niece,cousin visualops.............son, cousin

[Diver Dave]

dutchess, your selection of graphic are OUTSTANDING! Atta-Girl!

JH2, Great essay. I’ll smile through the night at this one.

[Aquamarine]

John and Dutchess are back!

Bump, bump, bump, bump Bump!

Great job as always.

[JustAmy]

Thank you for today’s thread. Wonderful presentation.

[JustAmy]

As always, JH2, you hit another homer.

Thanks you for the fun read.

[JohnHuang2]

A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y SUPERB layout job, dutchess!! Bravo, bravo, my friend {{{{{{{{{{{{{dutchess}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and THANKS for the time and energy you put into this. Free Republic is lucky to have you. And a big THANKS to y’all for dropping by! {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{group hug}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Billie]

T.G.I.F. at the Finest