***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 6 - LIVE THREAD***

Multiple ^ | 25 March 2003 | Various

[An.American.Expatriate]

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:

Special thanks to null and void for keeping these running over the weekend and Monday, to all of you for keeping these threads alive, the AdminMods for their tolerance, mhking for the video links, and, of course, Belly Girl...

[ninenot]

Why go to the UN? They can p%%% away more money in a week than we should give them in a year.

Smarter: establish the fact that the USA is truly wearing the white hat by running the humanitarian aid ourselves, first, then gradually turning over to church-run charities (Caritas Int'l, e.g.,) THEN, after Iraqis are up and running, to the new Iraqi gummint.

[steveegg]

My breakfast will never settle enough for the BBC.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Well put. However, we have been confronting terrorism for over 30 years now (in many different ways). The terrorism we are seeing today does not differ at all from the terrorism of 30 years ago. The same groups continue to finance and support terror. It has gone out of fashion to speak of "state sponsors" but they still exist. The only difference is that the states no longer do this as blatently as they have done in the past (i.e. they have learned the lesson of Lybia!).

Whether we prosecute this war or not will not change the attitudes of those who foster and aid the terrorist. It might however, change the attitude of the innocent civilian who is outraged at the US for perceived wrongs (which are actually attributable to thier own regimes!). The war on terror is just and it is our duty to prosecute it - for us, our children and our children's children.

[Carolina]

Thanks for your daily reports. I don't know if this has been posted on the thread yet:

CAPTURED FOES FOUND WITH CHEM-WAR GEAR

[gop212]

Good Morning all. Centcom briefing momentarily.

Any word on the chemical weapons alert? That story was breaking last night as I was going to bed. Also, does anyone have any working links. I can only get CSPAN to pull up.

[carton253]

I totally expected the Iraqis to fight back too... to fight dirty... etc.

I think the war has gone well... on all fronts...

[prairiebreeze]

Rumsfeld would never, but never, say any such thing. Or think it either.

Prairie

[AppyPappy]

Over the past 6 days, I bet Americans were safer in Iraq than they were in California (I think I read Cal averages 10 murders a day). It doesn't mean our guys aren't in harm's way but it should remind one how efficient our military can be.

[prairiebreeze]

Cent com brief starting

[An.American.Expatriate]

Besides whining about "too long a war," I wonder if these geniuses have yet noticed that there have been NO terrorist incidents in the USA (knock wood) due to Justice/HomeSec operations....

It is forbidden to discuss things not on the Official DNC Talking Points list. I assume you didn't get yours yet. Just don't let it happen again!

[Carolina]

CENTCOM up!

[cyncooper]

We're on timeline.

Condolences to families who lost their loved ones.

Noting wind, rain, thunderstorms throughout the country.

However, that hasn't stopped us.

[ninenot]

Another "quick and easy" ignoramus is Fred Barnes who shows up regularly on Fox w/Hume.

Barnes has been an idiot for as long as I can remember. He should retire and join Walter Cronkite.

[Quilla]

Offering prayers for fallen, their families, and POW's. Repeating demand that Geneva Convention rules followed.

[Lauratealeaf]

I have watched this guy for sometime. He is a big cheerleader of the troops in this cause. He just wants ot express his opinion about how one American heavy vehicle division has to take on a whole pile of Iraqi Divisions. I understand his concern. I just think he, as a tank commander, forgets that we have the best air force in the world.

I am glad that you say that as I have not watched him. I come from the viewpoint of the military members who have had to work for him. I also know what the wives of the guys who served under him have had to report on him. None had one good thing to say about him at all. When you consider that you automatically cringe when you see him commenting on anything.

It may be a good service for him to worse case any scenario. I am hoping he will have to eat crow when in the end Baghdad is ours and the casualties are less than 200.

4th ID was prevented it's access from the North (thanks Turkey) and I know that they will be coming up the road soon and I am sure that the planners are taking that in to consideration.

Of course, I am just a military spouse and not any kind of expert at all. But, I know how certain tv channels can spin statements made by experts to make conditions look worse than they are.

[The Wizard]

Severe bombing on RG all today despite the weather

[steveegg]

From what I understand, the word is that the Iraqis have orders to use chemical weapons once we get within a certain, but unknown, distance of Iraq.

As for links, the CNN BaghdadCam (RealPlayer) is, er was, up (somebody apparently just unplugged it).

[An.American.Expatriate]

getting in it? These are the guys that should have some sort of canvas, plastic shieding- my thots

I haven't seen the pic's of this but if the weather reports I've been hearing are applicable to the area where this occured - have you ever tried to hold down a canvas or plastic sheet in 50mph winds??

[Carolina]

Maj. Gen. Victor Renuart: Condolences to families of fallen heroes. Honor these heroes by continuing.

It's a bit ugly out there today. Not comfortable day, but hasn't stopped us. Aggressive. Increased pressure.

[cyncooper]

Another "quick and easy" ignoramus is Fred Barnes who shows up regularly on Fox w/Hume.

Barnes has been an idiot for as long as I can remember.He should retire and join Walter Cronkite.

You must be thinking of Mort Kondracke.

Yesterday Barnes called the press WEENIES for their handwringing, idiotic questions.