***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 10 - LIVE THREAD***

Everywhere! | 29 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...

[null and void]

It's not funny in the least. Killer scooters.

72 Vespa Virgins...

[Dog]

So no phone calls??

:-)

[Cboldt]

72 Vespa Virgins...

That's a Moody Blues song!!!!

[CasearianDaoist]

This is the real issue, isn't it? Bush means it. He is not playing politics; he could care less if it costs him re-election. The world - and the left - are reeling in confusion and consternation about this. It is something to behold. The "Holiday from History" has come to an end.

[Mo1]

No .. it was the real deal today .. and my brain hurts .. *L*

[Mo1]

OK .. THanks

[ninenot]

Why not?

You're correct in being a bit skeptical--but you have no foundation for that skepticism, any more than the press does for its own skepticism.

We have assets inside, and a fair amount of intel. We have the people in BagD directing the laser-guides correctly. We have plenty of Iraqi friends (some who left a few years ago and have returned with our special ops people) and so on and so on and so on.

MAYBE it won't fall from within--but don't be real surprised if it does...

[Dog]

And 84% of the public back the war and Bush in this stand.

[Mo1]

GWBush won't tuck tail and run.

No he won't .. COUNT ON IT!

[Straight Vermonter]

I think we will get a map update in an hour or so.

[Dog]

Notice today the Brits say Saddam sacked his air chief. I will wager a guess and say it's the Brit's who have a source in Saddams inner circle.

Someone in the top 50 of Saddams regime is a snitch..

[oldngray]

Dog... You've been around me enough to know that I simply do not wish to talk about my own experiences in war.

But I must speak out or be shamed for my stillness...

the atrocities, and there is no other word that will suffice, being committed by the Iraquis has me extreeeemellly angry, and I am not one easily upset or angered. As a 30 year US Marine, veteran of 3 combat tours, having had fellow Marines die in my arms and seen scores killed and wounded around me... the reporting of dismembered remains, the use of human shields, suicide bombers, execution of prisoners, etc., makes me utterly sick.

I have cried unashamedly numerous times during the past week as I've monitored the actions and reports by the media on this thread. The sight of the bodies of these faithful warriors being displayed as they have has proven too much for me.

There is nothing, nothing, more disconcerting and sorrowing to a commander of troops as that of composing a letter (required) to the next of kin of those who have given their lives for their fellow countrymen.

What can one say? How does one comfort a wife, father, mother or other loved one... and especially with the public viewing of prisoners and those executed lying beside them? I'll tell you how... with praise and honor, almost without exception.

Speaking of the news media and their questions dealing with the numbers of casualties... 49 years ago this past week we took almost 2500 casualties in a five day period, re-taking outposts along the MLR in Korea. This conflict of just over a week has been conducted in an exemplary manner. The troops are highly motivated (even more so now that they have witnessed or heard of the atrocities heaped upon their fellow warriors), well equipped, in excellent physical and mental condition... and are "movin' on".

There simply has not been time for these troops to eat three meals a day. During times of combat one is fortunate to get one meal a day. As long as choppers and C-130s are available for air drops and external loads no one is going to go hungry.

We must remember that, even among the troops, there is always 10% who "never get the word" and... it wouldn't be the US military if they didn't gripe.

I pray God's richest blessing upon each man and woman who wears the uniform of a coalition partner. May God protect and keep them in this just cause.

I've served and fought shoulder to shoulder with the Brits and Aussies (Turks and Korean Marines as well). The reports of their (UK and Aussie) performance in this war is typical of them. They are, and always have been, great teammates.

Almost without exception, each one engaged in this fight is a hero.

Sorry about the rant!!!

[CasearianDaoist]

That being said, it would really, really help if they could turn up some WMD evidence after this is all over.

[Dog]

I got you guys hooked on that site huh??

[Dog]

Rant away....:-)

[Straight Vermonter]

Big time.

[AndyJackson]

1. Rumsfeld does micromanage. He has a long reputation of doing that. That is his management style. What matters is the results.

2. Remember that a lot of people at the Pentagon have lost their special empires because of Rumsfelds attempting to deracinate the remaining vestiges of WWI (sic) doctrine that remains that the Pentagon. Losers whine and one of the lessons of history is that political generals are the loudest whiners that you have ever heard.

[Cboldt]

Big time.

[HarryCaul]

I'm almost to the point of thinking Iraq won't use WMD. Not only that, but they might destroy what stockpiles they have (if they havent already). Iraq knows it's going to lose, and using the WMD won't matter. In the long run, eradicating their stockpiles would do more harm to the US globally than whatever limited attack they could muster with them.

Of course, coming to that conclusion would require rational thought, and Iraqi leadership shows little of that these days.

[error99]

Amen, brother.