Joint Chiefs Study Plan to Invade Iraq

Newsweek press release via PR Newswire ^ | 12/23/2001

[GeneD]

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Under heavy political pressure to produce options for military action against Iraq, Newsweek has learned, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been looking at a study that suggests putting 50,000 U.S. troops on its southern border; another 50,000 U.S. troops on its northern border; then sending the two forces towards Baghdad in the middle. But planners doubt that even that force would be enough to take the Iraqi capital.

[is_is]

quite complaining and change it if your unhappy with it....

[Light Speed]

mmmhh!....I sense U.S. State Dept...oh..what was that shadow that just flitted by...damn...that was Colin Powell!

[Buckeroo]

I see a difference, all right. You are advocating the destruction of America by providing unlimited power to the president. This is unconstitutional as only Congress may declare war. Your concept will inevitably destroy the foundations of our individual rights, liberties and freedoms.

[M1thumb]

Sadam knows that he is next. He doesn't need us to tell him. He knows that many of his neighbors would like to see him go. He knows that we can, and just might, do it. His only recourse is to take as many with him as he can, which he will do, and is the exact reason why he must be taken out.

[bonesmccoy]

Uhm... The US COngress is composed of two houses... the Senate and the House of Representatives. I am well aware of where Mr. Daschle sits in our gov't. Unfortunately, Mr. Daschle is woefully UNaware of where we citizens sit.

[M1thumb]

Congress is composed of the House and Senate.

[Jim Noble]

>>What are this man's credentials and track record ?<<

He probably got his second and third star from Clinton.

Any other questions?

[is_is]

I don't know the exact rules but i do know that the POTUS is allowed to protect and defend the national interest without congressional approval...seems like that is what he's doing....your so down on the losers in congress(i agree with you here) why would you put our fate in their hands totally. The constitution allows what is happening.....If we had to wait for congress work out a "deal" we'd all be dead waiting.

[Light Speed]

America can mop up on this guy easily... Take out their ground to air assets...catch their mechanized stuff in transit. Most of the country will fall quickly..however a few centres will be difficult ..as Saddams police will threaten the people to fight.. Like something out of the Old Testament..Bagdad is laid seige..the people offered terms... Suddenly Saddams head comes hurtling over the wall!

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #3 They could stick to the same scenario. Cementing coalition around Iraq. Court indigenous enemies of Saddam (Kurds and Shi'ites). Lots of disinformation on squabbles among coalition partners. We will have Turks, Americans and Brits, and maybe Saudis or Jordanians in the assault. Iran will mass troops at Iraqi border but not attack. This will split Iraqi forces in all directions. If Iraqis feel that the momentum has dicisively turned against Saddam, there could be many defections. Make sure that this time they will be no half-victories. You have to give firm guarantee to Shi'ites and Kurds that they will be used and dropped again. I think that is the most sticking point. Both Shi'ites and Kurds were burned by American spooks at least once.

[gcruse]

Turkey, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia -- all of which
border Iraq -- are quietly saying they're ready to cooperate.
"If there is a war against terror, then Iraq is part of the terror,"

Psss!  So is Saudi Arabia.

[Buckeroo]

"I don't know the exact rules but i do know that the POTUS is allowed to protect and defend the national interest without congressional approval..." -- is_is

Is that so? Here is the Constitution of the United States, Article I, section 8:

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Where is the president in all of this? Where is the Congressional declaration of War towards Iraq?

[b4its2late]

Quit studying. Act. Don't worry about Putin. Just have him over for another Texas barbie.....

Invite the Cowboy cheerleaders, we'll win him back quick.

[is_is]

you need to look at the powers given the POTUS.....it's there.....

[Torie]

"We get the smell that something is cooking in Washington," says a senior Turkish official, "but we don't know exactly what it is."

One thing is for sure. If something is cooking, the Turks will know before we will.

[Mark17]

Joint Chiefs Study Plan to Invade Iraq

I don't think this will make the Russians real happy. I am not sure that matters, but I don't think it will make them happy.

[Buckeroo]

For the purposes of this thread, the president is just the commander in chief of the Armed forces. As I showed, Bush is assuming Congressional powers. This is not good. It is aweful.

[is_is]

your ignoring the FACT that he is given the authority to defend the country's national intrests. I agree he cannot declare war and there is much debate on where the line is. Nevertheless, he can and is expected to defend us. look it up....i gotta do prechristmas dinner with the kids, grandchildren....

[Arleigh]

It is my understanding of the situation that toppling Sadam is the easy part. Keeping Iraq in one piece afterwards is the hard part. Wouldn't want Iran to gobble up Iraqi oil fields and become a more powerful regional player. Also, our allies the Turks aren't crazy about an independent Kurdish state next to theirs as a safe haven for Kurdish separatists in Turkey.

[bonesmccoy]

MSG from POTUS to "coalition nations": Thank you for your condolences. I appreciate your flowers. Now arrest somebody if they're in your country.

``We're constantly talking to countries, reminding them that if you're with us, perform,'' Bush said.

Bush said allies will be given U.S. intelligence to help uncover the terrorists. To ensure their capture, Bush said: ``We'll be glad to lend some troops'' to other countries.

Afterward, aides said Bush was willing to offer special forces and other troops to countries tracking down terrorists.

Some troops that can be "lent"



An unidentified US Marine from Charlie 1/1 of the 15th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) carries empty sand bags to the position of a light mortar company on the front lines of the U.S. Marine Corps base in southern Afghanistan December 1, 2001 near a collection of cardboard signs that marines posted. The signs proclaim the name of the unit's base as "Camp Justice" and is located on the perimiter of the Marines base.


Foreign Aid: After Sept. 11



Marines from Battalion Landing Team 3/6 attached to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC) take part in a live weapons practice at night on the ships flight deck. The 26th MEU (SOC) is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. REUTERS/Handout/U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan E. Eason

More cool photos not on the TV News

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A convoy of nearly 50 Marine vehicles from Task Force-58 heads toward Kandahar aboard Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) and HMMWVs December 13, 2001 during Operation Swift Freedom. The LAVs and Combined Anti-Armor Teams from the 15th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) secured Kandahar International Airport later that evening. Photo by: Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly


Merry Christmas!