***Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 14 - LIVE THREAD***

[Poser]

Lots of thunder in Baghdad.

[Lauratealeaf]

Remember the question presented to journalists about would they tip off a group of marines about an impending attack if they knew about it and the majority said "No, that would be taking sides when they should be neutral."

So, in other words, that reporter would have let Jessica Lynch be tortured instead of alerting the military so she could be rescued? That is disgusting! (just heard Fox News say that it was a CIA tip that led to her rescue. So, it wasn't the reporter evidentally.)

[melodie]

did achmed get power tools?

[Redcloak]

Did we just hear a Cruise Missile go by? I heard some engine noise and then a thud about 10 seconds later.

[john316]

Forcast for bagdead: Rolling thunder

[TomGuy]

Lotsa boom over Bagdad...car alarm...they're getting closer.

[ninenot]

Using that term raises expectations beyond any semblance of reality. Inadvertent or not, Adelman (and the others, Perle and Clintoon) should NEVER have used it.

Alternatives: Successful and relatively brief campaign; Expeditious campaign which should minimize Coalition force casualties; Dangerous but necessary mission which should have a favorable result in a relatively short timeframe.

[cyncooper]

FN - Simon Marks from Ammon: US coalition forces have done so much damage to the communications' infrastructure, that the only way Iraqis hear the "all clear" sign is from the roof of a Mosque. The Brit. guy sounds like we did something wrong, here, not that the bad guys are again placing legitimate targets around sacred sites.

I am out west so am still scrambling to catch up. I have not been able to read the notes of Brooks' briefing this a.m. but Fox has shown clips. Am I right that Brooks said the hospital where Jessica was rescued had a cache of weapons and there were dead bodies?

I ask because within the last hour on FOX, they went to some reporter with an accent--I believe it was an Irish accent and I did not write down his name. I sat here thunderstruck as he stated he was at the hospital and he said all appeared normal to him and that he had learned Jessica had been well treated at this hospital. He also said there was no resistance to the forces when they arrived to take her out.

The tone was bizarre in light of other information I had heard and read about the situation so far. I have no idea where they came up this reporter and I felt he was sympathetic to the Iraqi propaganda.

[bvw]

Sounds like we have the assist of mega gallons of the "petroleum jelly" of popular good-will, once we establish, and now have established that we are there for a total takedown. In other words, our drive into Baghdad is greased all the way. -- with only a few hairballs resisting. Hooray!

[mhking]

did achmed get power tools?

Measure twice; cut once...

[melodie]

is that a generator or distant fire?

[Not A Snowbird]

hairballs = hackworths

[null and void]

But the way that reporter asked the question left me wondering how in heck she got her day job.

From a night job john client?

[JLS]

I thought they were the ones that are in Baghdad. The regular old Rep. Guard couldn't be inside Baghdad proper as I understood. Why makes no sense at all

Regular RG are well trained, well armed and well paid. Special RG are well trained, well armed, well paid and extermely loyal to Saddam. Thus to minimize coop possibilities only the Special RG can be in the capital city.

[mhking]

Did we just hear a Cruise Missile go by?

Prol'ly....

[Catspaw]

The Iraqis will blame us and the Press will report it as Gospel.

The Beeb was reporting it as "this film just in" about the bombing of the Spanish embassy. At least they didn't say, "the Americans bombed the Spanish embassy." They're probably leaving that for al Jazeera.

[Solson]

The biggest story not reported during the ENTIRE war on terror....

The role of the CIA and its effectiveness in this war by having people on the beat on the path in all parts of the world.

This is the biggest learning lesson for the intelligence community...NEVER underestimate the power of foot soldiers.

[retrokitten]

I just checked out the FReeper photo album and it is filled to the brim with new freeper faces!

For anyone who wants to add thier picture, check out the link on my profile page. Instructions on how to get your picture added are on the first page of the photo album.

[sissyjane]

I can hardly wait until the Pentagon briefing today..What's wrong with the plan? Are we in a pause? Are the troops running out of supplies?? ROTFLMAO!!

[mhking]

Lotsa boom over Bagdad...car alarm...they're getting closer.

Turn off that damned--[BLAM!]

...Never mind...