As a former Marine, I subscribe to Leatherneck Magazine.In every monthly issue they have a column called "In Memoriam". It lists the KIA's. Every month there are no less than the names of 20-30 Marines listed as killed,during combat operations in Al Anbar Province.
My point is the casualty rates are higher than what is being reported.
Regarding the troop surge, I see it more as a repudiation of Rumsfelds inept policies.
Semper Fi to all who serve.
I agree. Iraq has been a classic case of bad management. Heck the past 18 years has been a case about bad management on the civilian level in the Pentagon and two parties of congress who have sat on their hands not doing even one blessed thing to actually HELP our troops they send in harms way.
They are operating on 1996 End Troop Strength levels. The manning of the active duty military is the lowest since before WW2. As a nation if we get attacked right now by a major power it would be a very rough struggle and we as a nation are now limited in our means of defense production.
I loathe most of both parties but I do not loathe Ron Paul or Jimmy Duncan. Had Bush and congress listened to their wise advice in 2002 we would be better off. Some people think anyone who dares disagree with Bush is the enemy. I'm old enough to remember Rummy Sec of DEF term 1 who created the Hollow Carter Military years. I served in it 76-80. Carter was horrid as POTUS but Carter did not create the hollow military it was that way when he took office.
After basic and when I got to my ship in early Feb 1977 if I had wanted out all I would have had to do was go AWOL 31 days and report to some base for a General DC. People forget many persons did just that back then.
Wait a minute, are you charging the adminstration with under reporting the KIA`s in Iraq? That`s pretty heavy. Any proof or do you just hate the President?