Posted on 11/16/2004 11:01:29 PM PST by kattracks
Just in case you haven't noticed yet, we did NOT "level" Fallujah. We surgically removed terrorists from certain locations of the city, often using NEWLY TRAINED Iraqi troops who weren't availble in April to purge mosques and some other locations. Proper timing is important in military operations, and this administration and DoD has done a perfect coordination of that.
Armchair generals won't ever understand, but who cares?
Brilliant observation. Thanks for repeating it.
I wish it were that simple. That stuff's not going to just come to a screeching halt, although we all wish it would.
I imagine sometime after the Iraqi elections in January, things may begin to calm down, but only time will tell. I do believe the military will remain on the offensive now and that will hasten getting things under control.
"We still need to bring this lesson of pain directly home to Saudi Arabia. I strongly believe that is the source of most of this crap."
I agree...The Saudis are the progentors and financial backers of this Wahabist-Islamic death-cult Theology...at the same time they buy full-page ads in major U.S. newspapers telling the American people what loyal friends and allies they are to us. ...screw 'em.
"Just in case you haven't noticed yet, we did NOT "level" Fallujah. "
Nobody said we did, but the effects would be much the same if we had, and in your rush to pontificate on the obvious, you miss the thrust of my comment.
The point was that our kid gloves treatment all these months has been exactly the wrong tactic, nor respected or valued by the Iraqis themselves, born of election year fears, and unwarrented worry about the "Arab Street". Many lives could have been saved had this been done earlier.
absolutely totally and completely disagree with you.
it is very essential that we point out to one and all that the other options were not viable in April... a few lives were sacrificed for the greater usefulness of demonstrating that there was no better thing to do. It is essential that the purging of the mosques, for example, be done by Iraqis, in order for there to be a better chance fore peace in the end.
I agree it was a great observation by the talking head - I wish I could remember who it was.
General Abazaid said they have been getting the best intel ever from the general public in Iraq - and it all began with the people in Fallujah. Finally .. the people are getting fed up with these goons.
"t is essential that the purging of the mosques, for example, be done by Iraqis, in order for there to be a better chance fore peace in the end. "
Your assumption that the local populations give a ratsass about the masques is just buying into the myth of the "Arab Street".
The truth is they don't care that much about the weapons depots called mosques, and are perfectly happy to have them defiled by anyone carrying a gun.
The mosques were cleared by OUR Troops, and only afterwards are they searched by the Iraqi troops.
This whole idea that the Arab Street will be up in arms if a mosque is harmed either by the terrorists OR by our forces has by now been totally debunked. Some mosques have been bombed by our planes, at least one mosque in Felluja has been leveled by several 500lb bombs.
Two mosques in Baghdad have also been bombed.
The Iraqis are not dumb. They realize this has to be done, and the myth of the Arab Steet is only believed by the mainstream media these days.
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