***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 2-LIVE THREAD***

21 March 2003 | An.American.Expatriate

[An.American.Expatriate]

Good Morning.

This is the continuation Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - Day 1- LIVE THREAD.

It is designed for general conversation about the events of the day. In depth discussion of events should be left to individual threads - but links to the threads or other articles is highly encouraged. This allows us to stay abreast of the situation in general, while also providing a means of obtaining specific information.

To all who helped this get started yesterday, thank you!

[Carolina]

Thank you. Adding it to my favorites.

[Fishtalk]

I thought I'd weigh in here before I really, really go to bed.

I have been totally mesmerized by this war. It's not the most exciting of wars, if such a Hollyweird criteria could momentarily be applied to a war. There isn't the grittiness of the black and white world war coverage. There isn't the fireworks I recall from the first Gulf War.

I am, and continue to be, totally amazed at how it looks like this is going to go. Last night's strike was pure genius but I don't believe for a minute it was an "opportunity". I think the CIA had a bug on Saddamn for the past few months. How or who I don't know. But the US knew where Saddamn was at all times, some how or some way.

After the surgical strike then the propaganda. The situating the troops all around Iraq, the "rolling surrenders". The total ingenuity of "embedding" the media with the troops and how well it's working out. On more than one level I'd add. Even snippy David Bloom's learning a thing or two they didn't teach him in Journalism school.

To the humble I, this entire operation has been so flawlessly executed that it takes my breath away.

Right now, before I go to sleep, it would appear that the military is moving effortlessly through Iraq from all directions, picking up defectors along the way. This after the army gurus negotiated all surrender terms.

I know, yeah I know the Dems will find some way to excoriate Bush for how this war played out. Which will be, I predict, proof, some how and some way and already pre-planned, that Saddamn and Uday and Squiggy are dead. The entry of Coalition troops into Baghdad, with the final touch of happy Iraqis cheering the troops. All within 48-72 hours...sez I.

Sure the Dems will find something nasty to say but a beautiful thing is a beautiful thing. All the damn arguing, the nail-biting. The rest of the world will be in shock and awe at the humanity, innovativeness and down home good of the Us of A.

Even if they don't say it out loud.

[The Wizard]

thanks for the maps

[Balata]

I agree with you. I stopped on Peter Jennings for a few moments and I felt like I was watching an unAmerican channel. It was terrible. He interviewed this UN guy who use to live in Iraq and it was all I could do to keep from puking.

[chnsmok]

Good one!

[justshe]

You're very welcome! (Yawn)

[The Wizard]

I guess so, you made me laugh with that one......at least Tina is taking it well....

I know I'm going to have to make it up to her.....Great wife, don't you know

[The Wizard]

It appears I fell asleep for a while, I missed the change over and had to read 175 posts to catch up.

[woodyinscc]

OMG, I heard himi say that. He is a smarmy, egomaniac.

You have that right. The statement he made is not even remotely analogous to the facts. You would think the powers that be would wake up and enter the real world.

The good news is that we are winning, you can see it in the ratings, and you can see it in their non sensible desperation to self immolate!

[Dolphy]

Night all, see you tomorrow.

[Mo1]

Oops s .. they are talking about the support resolution

I was thinking it was the budget they were discussing

[medscribe]

After roughly 24 hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I am convinced that this is not just a war for the liberation of the Iraqi people, it is a lesson to the entire world that if you mess with the US, you will be obliterated. This lesson is being broadcast live for the entire world to see. The key lessons for the world so far:

1. Payback is a bitch. The terrorists tried to decapitate the American government on September 11th, and who did GWB go after with the first shots, literally, of this war?!? He not only went after Saddam, he also launched attacks anew (within 20 minutes of taking out Saddam in his bunker)against Al Qaeda and bin Laden. It's personal this time around. You killed 3000+ of us, we'll wipe you, not your people, out. There will be no criminal trial circus. There will be international war crimes tribunal. There WILL be retribution courtesy of the American military.

2. Be afraid...be very afraid if you're a dictator, communist, or enemy of the US. If the US military can do the things they're doing, and this is not even the true beginning of "shock and awe" yet, OH MY GOD!! America is now the unrivaled military power in the world. No one, and I mean absolutely no one, can come close to our capabilities. Kim Jong Il, are you watching this live television too?

3. Don't Mess With Texas. This Texan in the Oval Office plays hardball. He has a moral compass and will take any and all risks to advance the cause of freedom. He is guided by honesty and integrity, not by polls. Get in his way and you'll end up with the Taliban, the UN, and the frogs and krauts.

4. Rummy is a genius. Embedded journalists, Old Europe versus New Europe, etc. I can't remember the last time a Cabinet member has so decisively driven the public discourse and manipulated the press in such a way as to make them look like fools 24/7.

[thedugal]

Is your tush as numb as mine is?????

I dunno, lemme feel your tush and I'll tell ya ;)

[The Wizard]

Good night

[smokeyjon]

How incredible is it that we're watching the crew of a Bradley and a Black Hawk chatting strategery in the middle of the Iraqi desert live?

Now I need smoke. Hopefully I won't miss anything...no good rotten no smoking offices

[11th_VA]

BTW - Two nights ago, a reporter in Baghdad reported flowers were being bought by all the Iraqi's, when he asked an Iraqi why, the Iraqi said, "For the Americans of course - when they arrive in Baghdad"

[SoCal Pubbie]

Has anyone heard so much as a peep from David Hackworth in the last 24 hours?

[The Wizard]

that's the nicest

[momofsixgirls]

lol, pick me up and put me back on my chair, that was really funny!