[jayef]

I'm afraid this will mean more dead Marines than necessary. This is a big mistake.

[oceanview]

you expected to lose no Marines in a full blown offensive? no way.

[sgt.k-bar]

I agree-no negotiations! I believe a solution for Fallujah is first place a curfew and declare martial law. Anyone with a weapon will be shot and killed not arrested. Surround the city, no one in or out. Shut off the water,electricity and food supplies. Only allow these priviliges to return as they comply. Brake the city down by grids and hit each grid aggressively! Let these insurgents know that there will be no quarter and all insurgents will be killed! These guys are cowards and they only understand brutality. Let the Marines do their jobs-they are trained killers and not policemen! Increase the Marine sniper teams and do not negotiate until total there is a total surrender by all of the joe jhadis! These insurgents are deathly afraid of Marines and the Marines really want to square Fallujah away now! God Bless our Troops!
Semper Fi~

[LS]

I totally disagree. The OTHER strategy would lead to lots of dead marines, because it would likely take the 80% of the people who are for us, in some respect or another, and make them enemies. This is hardly what the attempt to democratize Iraq is all about. Oh, and 3/4 of the city is already under control and operating normally. It's one small quadrant---somewhat like East LA.

[rwfromkansas]

Would you rather we just go in and turn the entire country against us by killing an entire city of innocent people?

Yes, some soldiers will die. Probably more would die if we went in with a full-scale assault.

Patience will win this war, not half-assed plans thinking we can just march in and kill everyone and not have the people trying to help us instead start helping the enemy!