So this is Plan B, the 'Hail Mary' play from the North (facing defeat US forces are desperate)

Irish Independent ^ | Rupert Cornwell in Washington

[Pukka Puck]

"He hasn't done anything really good at all yet."

You missed Afghanistan, did you, you grumpy old frat.

[Chances Are]

"Saddam has learnt from Gulf War One, and he's learnt from Mogadishu,"

The writer obviously didn't finish here. The rest reads, "...and most importantly, he's learned from the brave and cunning Irish who have successfully thrown off the yoke of British imperialism!"

In addition to a whole lot of other things, this war has proven to be a blessing in disguise of inestimable importance. We are seeing now, most clearly, just who our friends and enemies are in the new order of things. Rarely if ever has the line been so clearly demarcated so early on. This is a huge convenience that will be most useful in the period after the war.

Since, unlike years in the recent past, we now have adults in charge in Washington, this will be akin to the homeowner who, before an outdoor barbeque, scours the landscape for dog poop to avoid, clean up and get rid of. We'll know just what s*** has to be gotten rid of, or at least avoided at all costs!

The point is, s*** is s***, whether it be of the bovine, canine, political or journalistic variety, and we'll be in a terrific position to know just where this stuff is coming from, how to avoid it, and finally, how to get rid of it.

Pieces like this show us a good place to start.

CA....

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Now, as I understand, they are sending 4th ID soldiers --before their equipment even arrives.

We can than turkey for that. But this is not scrambling. And the equipment may not be vital. For example most peace time flight squadrons have two pilots for each plane. During Dessert Storm it was more like 10, in other words they sent over more pilots than planes. Thats because planes can be sent out continously till major maintenance is needed. Pilots must sleep. I think gradualling phasing in new troops has been the plan all along, so as not to alarm the world during the diplomatic phase, hoping Saddam would turn over his weapons.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

I think Drunk and Grumpy old Frat.

[WhiskeyPapa]

"He hasn't done anything really good at all yet."

You missed Afghanistan, did you, you grumpy old frat.

I don't see Osama Bin Laden standing around anywhere in hand cuffs, do you?

On Frontline the other night, they said that right after 9-11, Runsfield wanted to skip Afghanistan altogether and go straight for Iraq, but no one else in the administration felt that way.

Now someone will say, "oh yeah. Frontline; that's a lot of NPR crap." But this sort of datum would be hard to screw up.

I HOPE very sincerely that Rumsfield comes out of this covered in glory, but he hasn't exactly shown anything to crow about yet.

Walt

[Alberta's Child]

Per you, he --might-- have done something good, but we don't know that.

That's not what I said. I stated that I have no idea exactly what happened. But the fact that India and Pakistan aren't lobbing atomic bombs (or even tank and artillery shells) at each other is a "good" thing by definition. And there is no doubt that this is directly tied to Rumsfeld's visit last year.

[Spruce]

It is GOOD that these 'irregulars' are committing suicide en masse. They would be a huge nuisance in post-war Iraq.
We are witnessing the biggest Ass-Kicking in military history.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Now, as I understand, they are sending 4th ID soldiers --before their equipment even arrives.

We can than turkey for that. But this is not scrambling.

Why send them without their equipment if everything is going as planned?

Think.

Walt

[Chances Are]

Uh, Walt, did he reiterate his desire for such budgetary expenditures on September 12th? Any time subsequent to that?

You're saying he's going to forever tarred for wanting to spend money on defense? That is, after all, what the anti-ICBM expenditure proposal was.

I feel like I'm missing something here. Maybe you can enlighten me, and the rest of FR?

CA....

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Why send them without their equipment if everything is going as planned?

Think.

I think but you obviously don't! It takes longer to send equipment by ship, than troops by air! Duh! Meanwhile the troops can be used to rotate out troops in the field, and give some needed rest. Double Duh!

[NativeSon]

So this is Plan B, the 'Hail Mary' play from the North (facing defeat US forces are desperate)

Well the Irish do know a lot of about fighting then giving up.

[USMA '71]

This garbage is driving me nuts! What experience does this $hit-for-brains have that makes him smarter than all the professional warriors that are leading our war effort?? Why should anyone even care about his take on the war?? Perhaps he should re-read his course on applied logic to realize that he has fallen victim to a 'faulty premise' - that being: that everyone thought this was going to be a cake-walk. Only the ignorant, and truly uninformed could have ever believed that the Iraqis would not fight to maintain their homeland - even if Saddam is a ruthless dictator. I am certain that neither Rumsfeld nor any of his professional military staff thought this would be a walk-over. Next issue...

[WestPoint90]

What an arse!

[Pukka Puck]

"I don't see Osama Bin Laden standing around anywhere in hand cuffs, do you?"

No and I don't see him making any videotapes, either. More importantly, I haven't noticed any planes flying into buildings lately.

Rumsfeld is simply a great man, not the Second Coming.

You are on the other hand are simply a sour old second-guessing quibbler.

[Pukka Puck]

"I think Drunk and Grumpy old Frat."

Or even, Fart.

[Pompah]

Ah Yes. The Irish Independent. RIGHT.!!
And GOD Invented Whiskey So The Irish Wouldn't Rule The World.
Might be some truth to that. Back to the Pub Rupert.

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

When the Iraqis win, will they take away Grand Theft Auto III?

[Darnright]

>Ignorance is a thin blanket.

Gee, sort of like arrogance and pomposity?

[al_c]

(facing defeat US forces are desperate)

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[RGSpincich]

Another redhead hitting the bottle.