***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 5 - LIVE THREAD***

Everywhere! | 23 Mar 2003 | An.American.Expatriate

[null and void]

Good Morning.

This is the Daily Thread of Operation Iraqi Freedom - 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.

Please have mercy on us dial up limited FReepers! Limit the big graphics, post links instead. A breif description of what the graphic is would help:

To all who helped this get started, thank you!

Special thanks to An.American.Expatriate for staring the daily threads, Mo1 for the screamer, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...

[Lauratealeaf]

I finally found the link to the thread:

Thanks so much!

[thedugal]

Our troops are all over southern Iraq. It's not like we just charged through a "front line" and are now stuck between. All large gatherings of troops have been destroyed. There are pockets of Baathists in all the towns. we have streams and streams of marines and soldiers still coming from the Gulf and Kuwait and southern Iraq, flowing into those towns. The pockets of resistence that pop up are being taken down. At the same time, we are closing in on Baghdad.

Personally I just can't comprehend how the media is spinning this war so negatively. This is the most overwhelming success of any military conflict in history. We have 2 divisions of the most effective killing machines on the planet bearing down on Baghdad after only 5 days. It is amazing, and yet, the media is "surprised" at the resistence. Listen to Tommy Franks, he is telling the truth. He said surprises may well come, but there have been NO, 0[zero] surprises yet. Just think about that for awhile. The greatest military minds in the world have planned this assault and there have been NO surprises. We are kicking serious arse.

[Miss Marple]

1-10 weeks to take Baghdad? Gee, that's specific!

I am beginning to think that I, Miss Marple, should try and get on the shows as a commentator. Bah!

[JFC]

I find it interesting that Hack is only on the view. He used to be on FOX all the time and last time he was on Hannity's radio show. I said.. he has sold out to the libs. Im glad he is on the view. They desreve each other.

[Dolphy]

I have no doubt that the most likely explanation for the lack of refugees out of Baghdad is lack of choice. It makes perfect sense, but I haven't heard it reported out of Baghdad.

[TomGuy]

Without minimizing the lives already lost in this war, please consider this. There are nearly 300,000 coalition troops involved in the war.

I agree...consider the "regular" deaths (accident, health, homicide) in a city that size on a daily basis and it would comparable.

[xp38]

But we like you here :)

[Miss Marple]

The View? Is THAT what he was on? Hahahahaha!

[steveegg]

Mornin' (oops, afternoon on your side of the lake) rintense.

That's called bypassing, and it's a calculated risk that's been done by countless armies. As Miss Marple pointed out, it's done when an army needs to get to an objective down the ways and the resistance is deemed not sufficient to delay the advance.

[null and void]

I am constantly amazed that the Chinese CANNOT learn to speak English.

Try learning Chinese.

It's nearly as rich and complex a language as English, with practically no overlap to start "wrapping your brain around". Adults have difficulty with any new language, even if it's related, shares an alphabet, and common root words.

English and Chinese just don't have any common hooks to hang onto...

[epluribus_2]

It worked in WWII. You take strategic targets then the secondary ones tend to work themselves out. If we got Hanoi in the mid 60's, things would have ended years sooner.

[Dog]

I just heard Brokaw mentioning the latest Saddam tape. I quote....."The Iraqi leader appears much more relaxed..."

[Cate]

I think staffers who have been disciplined have to stay and listen to Clare Short blather on. It seems to be a good deterrent for the British parliment. :)

[Mo1]

OMG .. Hack is on the View??

[Lauratealeaf]

If you make the entire force wait on defeating these small pockets, you hamper the forward progress. That is how I understood this, anyway.

Great explanation. You could be a military analyst!

[Carolina]

This week's talking points on the war.

Don't forget "pockets of stiff resistance."

[retrokitten]

I am beginning to think that I, Miss Marple, should try and get on the shows as a commentator. Bah!

We should start our own conservative version of The View. That would be great! I can't stomach the view. I don't know how Hannity can go on there with them. They are so hostile towards him and won't let him speak!

[gop212]

Limbaugh is on.

[Dog]

David Bloom reporting action nearby..

[Carolina]

Thanks for the reminder.