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Mark Steyn: U.S. Must Prove Its Staying Power (Iraq Test Of US Seriousness Alert Mark Steyn Classic)
Chicago Sun Times ^ | November 12, 2006 | Mark Steyn

Posted on 11/12/2006 2:42:23 AM PST by goldstategop

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To: goldstategop

I have to agree with you on that. If you had a conversation one on one with the average American about Al Sadr then asked that person "If you were Commander in Chief what would you do about him?", I'm inclined to think they would want him captured or dead.

Yet no one at the top including the President seems serious about dealing with Sadr. Rather than allow the troops to be bled by that nutbag day after day, if we're not gonna do anything about the problem, then why are we sticking around? That is the general attitude at this time.

That doesn't make me think we should leave Iraq. They are our ally on the WOT. That is the purpose of why we took out an unfriendly regime there. It would be a waste of the sacrifice that was made by US troops. That's what makes me think if the GOP starts building up the new leadership for 2008 now, we can turn this all around.

The WOT isn't gonna go away, so we need this ally that sits in the center of the Middle East. New Republican leadership needs to help the American People understand that and let them know we will address any threat seriously including nutbags like Sadr.


21 posted on 11/12/2006 3:30:25 AM PST by kuma (Mark Sanford '08 http://www.petitiononline.com/msan2008/petition.html)
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To: James Ewell Brown Stuart
I do realize life isn't a video game where you can call a time out. Americans are asking though, what is our criterion for victory? All they're seeing is endless violence in Iraq and little in the way of progress towards an effective government and security on the ground. So they can be forgiven for deciding they've had enough. The President needs to tell the American people what terms he would view as a victory there. Its either that or we're going to be departing from there as soon as political circumstances make such a move propitious.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

22 posted on 11/12/2006 3:30:40 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: James Ewell Brown Stuart; beyond the sea

As I was reading down, J.E.B.S., I was going to say, I'm not sure but what it was Rumsfeld who told the Prez and the Veep when he was going to leave. My earlier predictions had been (if it was certain the dems would take the House) that he would leave a number of weeks before or after the election. This was a brilliant move and he will be a whipping boy for a while, but only for a short while. By January the American people will be saying, "no, let's move on" and Rummy will be tending his ranch in AZ or NM or where ever it is.


23 posted on 11/12/2006 3:33:11 AM PST by leadpenny
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To: Kozak

Thanks for the ping.


24 posted on 11/12/2006 3:33:53 AM PST by leadpenny
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To: goldstategop
I know you from your posts, and it was not my intention to suggest that you did not understand what was at stake.

I read a lot on FR that the President does not do a good enough in defining our criteria for winning. I just happen to believe that is not true. He has defined it over and over again.

TO say that there has been little in the way of progress seems to be selling what is really happening in Iraq short. There has been tremendous progress. It has not been swift, but it has been steady, yet it has been opposed. But that is war isn't it...active opposition to your stated objectives.

What? Did we honestly think that we would go into Iraq and not be opposed?

25 posted on 11/12/2006 3:39:14 AM PST by James Ewell Brown Stuart (Sorry, we don't want to stick around to see if we win; we'd rather vote ourselves off the island.)
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To: goldstategop; kuma; HisKingdomWillAbolishSinDeath; Enterprise; sirchtruth
What does it mean when the world's hyperpower, responsible for 40 percent of the planet's military spending, decides that it cannot withstand a guerrilla war with historically low casualties against a ragbag of local insurgents and imported terrorists?

It says we are gutless, but not to worry, as the self-righteous and ever-irritating Sean Vanity would say, "let not your heart be troubled."

As Mort Kondracke would say, "The shotgun wedding........... the Republican President and Democrat Congress" will take care of everything. (sarcasm off)

26 posted on 11/12/2006 3:43:03 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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To: goldstategop
All they're seeing is endless violence in Iraq and little in the way of progress

Sure...the propoganda shown by the US media.

Truth is...the violence is a necessary process through which the Iraqi people must move in order to achieve a stable government; a pacifistic approach could be advanced, but the violent instigators who believe in totalitarian government would then achieve their goal of having a strong voice in the new government.

Despite what the media tells you, progress is significant. The goal of pushing hard for a democratic wave in the Mid-East is a noble and necessary one and Pres. Bush and his guys have performed their part admirably.

27 posted on 11/12/2006 3:47:39 AM PST by Siena Dreaming
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To: kstewskis; Victoria Delsoul; Raquel; DollyCali; Miss Marple; Molly Pitcher; lysie; kassie; kayak

A good read.


28 posted on 11/12/2006 3:48:25 AM PST by Northern Yankee ( Stay The Course!)
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To: James Ewell Brown Stuart
I do understand what is at stake. We have to win there in order to maintain our power and to create a deterrence to future aggression. Somewhere we have to draw a line and send a message to our enemies we are committed to defeating them because in the end, its the existence of our country that is on the line.

That's what Iraq is all about. We always knew the elements we removed from power after our invasion and Al Qaeda would oppose our objectives of making Iraq a free and democratic country that would be a model for the rest of the region and not pose a threat to its neighbors. That ought to be the minimum we should settle for as a victory criterion and its in keeping with America's deepest ideals. In short, the security of a friendly people is an investment in our own security as well. I don't think the President has tried to get across to the American people why the Bush Doctrine would both enhance our national security and help to free a violence-prone region of the world run by murderous despots. Its both conservative and Wilsonian. I haven't changed my mind about the Iraq War. I believed then and I believe now it was absolutely the right thing to do. Now we need to win.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

29 posted on 11/12/2006 3:48:30 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

Ultimately we will win, but we will have to show those assholes what a REAL IED is.


30 posted on 11/12/2006 3:50:43 AM PST by wastoute
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To: goldstategop
The President needs to tell the American people what terms he would view as a victory there. Its either that or we're going to be departing from there as soon as political circumstances make such a move propitious.

Unfortunately we know the ability of G.W. to speak and persuade. And personally I think he's getting worse at speaking of late. It's been painful to watch him try to make a point. (And of course the old media would try to distort anything he says.)

Our problem is is that we have few excellent and forceful speakers to make the needed points. Tony Snow is very good and makes a good impression.

Actually....... I say give Mark Steyn a three hour talk show five (or six) days a week like the sometimes helpful sometimes hurtful Rush Limbaugh, and the world would be a better place!

31 posted on 11/12/2006 3:51:06 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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To: James Ewell Brown Stuart

"I do not think the President fired Rumsfeld. I think Rumsfeld insisted on going in the face of what was coming now that the dems had been elected."

I think you are right although Rumsfeld and the President had to know this was coming. It looks like they had no clue or maybe the wanted the dems to win? Let them take some heat for whatever happens after they cut off funds etc?
I am really baffled by all of this!


32 posted on 11/12/2006 3:51:31 AM PST by Cricket24 (ULTRA PATRIOT!!)
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To: leadpenny
and Rummy will be tending his ranch in AZ or NM or where ever it is

Hopefully.

I wish Rummy peace in the future. I cannot pretend to be anything of an insider who knows what has really happened, but Rummy deserves his peace to me.

33 posted on 11/12/2006 3:53:39 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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To: Uncle Ike

American will can be summed up in one word "Metrosexual"...we have become a nation obsessed with how we look and feel instead of a nation with a steel backbone. We shall see where it takes us...


34 posted on 11/12/2006 3:55:50 AM PST by databoss
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To: wastoute

lol


35 posted on 11/12/2006 3:56:10 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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To: databoss

Well said.


36 posted on 11/12/2006 3:58:00 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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To: Enterprise
the Dems know that this may not have been the best time for them to win total control of the Senate and the House. If a disaster unfolds, they know the American people will blame THEM!

Wishful thinking.

Dems never take blame for anything; then only give it. The MSM sees to that.

Everything is "Bush's fault." It is naive to expect that the MSM will allow the American people to see the Dems as they really are.

37 posted on 11/12/2006 3:58:14 AM PST by wai-ming
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To: goldstategop
Again, I am not saying that you don't understand what is at stake. I have not said that...

Where you and I disagree is whether the President has gotten across why the Bush doctrine is important. I think he has. I think he has told us over and over again what he is doing, why it must be done, and what is at stake, why we must stay, and why we cannot leave.

There is not going to be a Hollywood moment where he will speak and the people as one will embrace what he says. He has been stating the Bush Doctrine since 9/11...he keeps repeating it... I don't think it is his fault that we are not listening.

38 posted on 11/12/2006 3:59:48 AM PST by James Ewell Brown Stuart (Sorry, we don't want to stick around to see if we win; we'd rather vote ourselves off the island.)
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To: goldstategop
Bush is going to be president for two more years. The Dems don't have the numbers to overturn any vetos.

And we still may have a pro-war majority in the Senate. Liebermann is a hawk. I'm guessing the Dem from Montana might be one too.

39 posted on 11/12/2006 4:00:24 AM PST by Tribune7
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To: wai-ming
Dems never take blame for anything; then only give it. The MSM sees to that. .......... It is naive to expect that the MSM will allow the American people to see the Dems as they really are.

Truer words have never been said.

****

The socialist/Marxist/liberal media is the most destructive, relentless, and ruthless enemy of this Republic.

****

Happy Birthday, Gerald Ford

40 posted on 11/12/2006 4:01:35 AM PST by beyond the sea ( Now that Pelosi Galore is in charge, it's never too late to start drinking.)
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