Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Getting the Lowdown on Iraq-(Lower ranking combat Officers answer senators)
time ^ | Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005 | SALLY B. DONNELLY

Posted on 11/20/2005 4:11:00 PM PST by Flavius

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-138 next last
To: Willie Green

I don't have a problem with an imperfect campaign. I do have a problem with the sniping on one side and the tap dancing on the other.

Of course, if there wasn't sniping there wouldn't be as much tap dancing.

And if anyone cares to do the research, I was against anything short of a declaration of war because it was predictable that when it was politically expedient to do withdraw support there would be those on both sides of the aisle ready to do so.

With a DoW they cannot say that they didn't vote for what happens in war.


61 posted on 11/20/2005 5:42:26 PM PST by Eagle Eye (There ought to be a law against excess legislation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green

Perhaps a basic reading comprehension class is an order for you.


62 posted on 11/20/2005 5:50:44 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: Eagle Eye
But something else that yut said that was true: the US has not mobilized for this effort.

Can you explain to me what you mean? I mean... detail it. Because I'm not understanding what you mean that the US "has not mobilized"?

Are you talking about a MILITARY DRAFT?

63 posted on 11/20/2005 5:50:46 PM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Eagle Eye
And if anyone cares to do the research, I was against anything short of a declaration of war because it was predictable that when it was politically expedient to do withdraw support there would be those on both sides of the aisle ready to do so.

Yes, the jungles, swamps and rice paddies have been replaced by sand, but we've been down this path before.

"This is like deja vu all over again."
~ Yogi Berra


64 posted on 11/20/2005 5:51:13 PM PST by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Eagle Eye
Troop levels have never been sufficient.

I really have to parry with you here. The stories I get out of Iraq from "on the ground", detailing lack of equipment or insufficient troop levels or etc., are no different than the tales I've heard men speak about WWII and/or Korea. Except... a difference. The men who fought those wars knew who how make wine out of water. They figured it out. They used phenomenal strength of knowledge and courage to make "things happen" in the ways they wished it so.

Most the soldiers I talk to -- Iraq and Afghanistan -- don't complain either like "some" seem to, and always to the Press or a Democrat Senator, Rep, etc.

Then, let's go back to all the military cuts during the Clinton years.. and within 9 months 9-11 happens.. and the left whines "We weren't prepared to go to War! It's Bush's fault".

So, do you want to talk about this? Or as you put it: IMO, the administration tried to win this thing on the cheap and miscalculated.

What makes you think this?

65 posted on 11/20/2005 5:58:40 PM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Alia

No draft needed or wanted.

I live in a military town so we are a bit more sensitive to the war than most towns are.

Other than the families of the troops, are people generally inconvenienced by the war? Not 'are Freepers concnerned about the war', but are we on the same footing as we would be if people really believed that we are at war and that this war must be won?

No, I don't think so.

This war is being fought so as to not inconvenience the general public.

The Democrats look forward to each US death because it gives them ammunition against the President. IMO they not only look forward to US deaths, they make plans to ensure more US deaths. If you want to know who I think the traitors are, start with the Democratic congressional reps.

Do we need to plant Victory Gardens or have used metal drives? Do we need to forsake silk hosiery and sugar?

No, but we need to have that type of attitude.


66 posted on 11/20/2005 6:00:57 PM PST by Eagle Eye (There ought to be a law against excess legislation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green; Eagle Eye
And if anyone cares to do the research, I was against anything short of a declaration of war because it was predictable that when it was politically expedient to do withdraw support there would be those on both sides of the aisle ready to do so.

Yes, the jungles, swamps and rice paddies have been replaced by sand, but we've been down this path before.

Our intel, on the ground, in the air, in office -- had been compromised and breached via Democrat partisan politics. Your counsel would have sent our soldiers into a major bloodbath. Not to mention, such a "defining" declaration of war would have sent other enemies of the US with dirty nukes into immediate action. Bush Team did a really cool thing: they did a mix between Open Declaration, and the Clinton "Dialogue" thing. That's why we are winning in Iraq and Afghanistan.

67 posted on 11/20/2005 6:05:14 PM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel - or maybe this is an Arab war for Arab boys.
deja vu indeed!


68 posted on 11/20/2005 6:05:36 PM PST by satan (They)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Gordongekko909

Have you ever been there and done that. Fess up liberal news media afficienado, practioner, or standard libelal prick, or die in hell for your traitorism.


69 posted on 11/20/2005 6:06:26 PM PST by mathurine (ua)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Alia
What makes you think this?

More than a year in Al Anbar province seeing the military take and retake the same turf and not having enough troops to secure the highways.

A solid victory is could be close at hand. So could a politically originated defeat.

70 posted on 11/20/2005 6:06:34 PM PST by Eagle Eye (There ought to be a law against excess legislation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Republican Wildcat
Perhaps a basic reading comprehension class is an in order for you.

There... that's better...
I may occasionally have difficulty with my bifocals,
but my reading comprehension is just fine, thank-you.

71 posted on 11/20/2005 6:09:48 PM PST by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Republican Wildcat

" The Democrats, including Murtha, have said the presence of the troops are the problem. "

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer , Nov 17,2005

Murtha: Well, I say that the fight against Americans began with Abu Ghraib.
It began with the invasion of Iraq.
That's when terrorism started.

Meet The Press Nov 20, 2005

REP. JOHN MURTHA, (D-PA): The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily.
REP. MURTHA: Tim, I'm absolutely convinced that we're making no progress at all,
REP. MURTHA: ...We've become the enemy.
REP. MURTHA: For instance, in the first stage of it, they didn't have enough troops.
REP. MURTHA: ...now we got more troops than we had last year at this time.
REP. MURTHA: ..There's no question we're going in the wrong direction and we're not winning.
REP. MURTHA:.. Even the military operations, Tim, when we throw people out of their homes, cause us tremendous problems.
REP. MURTHA: ..We have increased terrorism in the Middle East, is what we've done.

John Murtha Nov 17, 2005

"....U.S. forces have become a catalyst for violence."

" All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free.
Free from United States occupation."


72 posted on 11/20/2005 6:10:09 PM PST by Wild Irish Rogue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: Flavius

Well .. isn't Warner chairman of the Armed Services Committee ..?? and if he is .. he can call this "closed-door meeting". But .. what I want to know is why are there only 2 democrats with him - and where are the rest of the repubs ..?? Am I missing something ..??


73 posted on 11/20/2005 6:11:34 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alia
Your counsel would have sent our soldiers into a major bloodbath.

How so? You mean that Saddam would have taken us more serious if we'd have declared war instead of a resolution of force?

Not to mention, such a "defining" declaration of war would have sent other enemies of the US with dirty nukes into immediate action.

Again, please defend your speculation. What stopped them then...or today? I don't believe that the political nuances had any influence on them at all. To them it was all the same, infidel boots on their soil.

To me the DoW means that guys like Biden, Kerry, Murtha etc. cannot say what they've said without risking serious consequences.

74 posted on 11/20/2005 6:12:11 PM PST by Eagle Eye (There ought to be a law against excess legislation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Flavius

Ohhhhh I get it! This little meeting must be what Wallace was questioning Rumsfeld about today.

I wondered what that was all about. This is just more of the DEMOCRAT TREACHERY! Go behind closed doors and get info NOBODY ELSE HEARS ABOUT and peddle it to the media.

This crap has to stop!!


75 posted on 11/20/2005 6:13:55 PM PST by CyberAnt ( I believe Congressman Curt Weldon re Able Danger)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Alia
Not to mention, such a "defining" declaration of war would have sent other enemies of the US with dirty nukes into immediate action.

Seems to me that "other enemies" with "dirty nukes" would've used 'em by now if they had 'em. I don't see how a formal declaration of war would've affected that decision one way or the other. If they hate us, they hate us and wouldn't wait for an excuse to use "dirty nukes".

76 posted on 11/20/2005 6:18:33 PM PST by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Wild Irish Rogue

Yes, exactly.


77 posted on 11/20/2005 6:19:45 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green

If that's the case, then I guess we are to conclude that you are just not telling the truth, then?


78 posted on 11/20/2005 6:20:51 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 71 | View Replies]

To: Eagle Eye
"No, but we need to have that type of attitude."

What was the state of the country back when that attitude was prevalent? Folks were happy to get 3 squares and a howdy-do. You are going to compare post-industrial American culture with the one that now exists? We are in a new age. And we are fighting a war in a way never seen or done before.

This war is being fought so as to not inconvenience the general public.

I couldn't disagree with you MORE. This has been the single LARGEST BLOODLESS war ever fought in the history of mankind. Further, prosperity has largely spread to all corners of the world to varying degrees. We are, without a doubt, in a new age. Folks don't plan victory gardens, they join in on Adopt-a-Soldier, Soldier-Writing, Family-of-Soldier campaigns to assist and show their support. And yes, Vietnam was politicized in ways that altered the world, the shape by which we are currently fighting this war.

In past wars, soldiers couldn't communicate via email or by web, for example. We've got technology now, which seems to make how it used to be during war time, seem antiquated but very, very precious.

The Democrats have postured that words equal "rape" or equal "hate crimes". They've imposed speech restrictions all over the map, and in the name of political correctness, brought on 9-11 -- life was just too easy and comfy and good for them, and so they figured everything could be "talked out". They forgot. They forgot that true evil is there, it walks silently for periods of times, but it never goes away.

So, instead of victory gardens, we have political discourse. The "war of Words". Factor in how many times some odious tape of UBL or Zarqawi have shown up. It's a "Word" thing. MSM headlines, Democrat Talking points.

Liberals are still pushing the "word" thing. They think everyone's been sufficiently "saturated" with their subliminal programming. They are wrong.

President Bush was re-elected, niftily. And we were already in a war. Press headlines said it was because the voters were "frightened".

No. It's because the people, deep in their hearts, know the President isn't whistlin' dixie.

Yes, sometimes, I too have lamented that lack of concern for our soldiers I have seen around me.

But OTOH, I know what is currently appearing as "lack of support" for our soldiers is simply due technology. A mom hearing from her son is less likely to be distraught while he is away. Thank you email. Some embedded journalists with the troops have been able to provide a "walking with your loved one" tour of soldiering in Iraq.

We are in a different age.

Sometimes, I suspect the "mothers" screaming and hating this "war" are those with sons and daughters perhaps, not writing very often too. Small wonder why.

Underneath this veneer of comfortableness, of hand-outs, of ease, people know that at any moment a killer may strike. A friend turn foe. They know evil exists. And despite the ease and/or comfort of their lives. They support the President and the Bush Team.

79 posted on 11/20/2005 6:23:02 PM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: Willie Green

Nah... they know the "word" thing. Since President Bush didn't do an outright declaration of words in re the War.. they figure.. ah... we're in for a deal, using words.


80 posted on 11/20/2005 6:24:20 PM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 121-138 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson