*** Operation Iraqi Freedom - Situation Room - Day 15 - Live Thread ***

Multiple ^ | April 3rd, 2003 | Various

[TonyInOhio]

From The Corner on National Review Online:

HUMAN SHIELDS [Kathryn Jean Lopez]
CNN: Nic Robertson, from the Jordanian border reports that sources inside Baghdad tell him: Iraqi government officials are driving around in a neighborhood near the airport, using loudspeakers to tel people to leave their houses and go toward the airport. People are doing that, he says.

[Consort]

Yes, Jackie Gleason. Maybe Ernie Kovacs or even Art Bell.

[Carolina]

How Rupaul?

LOL!

[valleygal]

I remember Navarre when there was maybe a handful of houses and that was it. Dad also said the big hurricane a few years back changed this a bit. From what I understand, the house I lived in was completely under water and parts of the islands washed away.

[AppyPappy]

I can't imagine they will be able to find too many people willing to die for a falling regime.

[PrivateIdaho]

I think something may be going down tonight. I heard those NTV guys earlier talking about reports of something that was supposed to happen in a few hours... couldn't make out exactly what they were saying but it sounded like they were calculating a timeframe.

[Bryan24]

Can we leave the chit-chat to other threads or FreepMail? For many of us, we are trying to keep up with what is going on in a WAR, and some of ya'll are talking about childhood memories and practical jokes.

This is the Operation Iraqi Freedom daily thread. Thank you for your cooperation.

[GOPyouth]

Ollie is up.

[Green]

The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

Stormin Norman has said on many occasions that he knew that Saddam had an airplane on standby to take him out of the counry during the first gulf war. Perhaps taking the airport was to prevent a quick get away attempt (not that he would have gotten very far)

[eyespysomething]

That doesn't sound good.
Will they use some type of WMD while our troops are there? Do they think our guys will gun all these down? Confusion? Just some bombs?

Stomach in knots. Who knows what they will do now that we are in Baghdad?

[Cboldt]

Having lots of people outdoors, in an open field (airport) is not a good thing. They end up being human shields.

Hmmm. (you can tell I'm thinking, smoke rolling out of ears)

[GOPyouth]

Ollie: This is the most awesome aerial display of airpower I have ever seen. He's saying the fight has stopped at the airport, which leads him to say that it's secure.

[RobFromGa]

Is there a important reason to have a good relationship with Germany or France?

None that are vital reasons. (I meant they were the ones that need to suck up, not us)

Germany is more important trading partner by far than France, but not vital. Of course, it will be easier to have a peaceful, secure world if these countries cooperate with the civilized side instead of the tyrants and dictators. But we can handle it with the willing.

[AlextheWise1]

the airport is a big open space. Easily defended

[valleygal]

My dad has been in FL for 20 years or so now, maybe longer. I know things began changing many years ago.

It's growing rapidly out here as well. PHX is about to move from 6th largest to 5th largest city.

[dfwgator]

The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

So that the Russians wouldn't get their first, like in Kosovo.

[Dawgmeister]

Since then they have put in several high rises, kindof
spoiled the effect. Nature has a way of taking care of
that though. Sand dunes and sea oats are just starting
to get back to normal from hurricanes Erin and Opal in
1994.

[hawkaw]

FWIW, if you look at a map, SHIA is but one of three or four airports in or around Baghdad. There is even a military airport near the centre of Baghdad.

hawk

[Cboldt]

Probably a pretty good population density there. People are being ORDERED to do it, and with a gun in your face, you probably would too. I don't have the impression these are willing participants.

[ztiworoh]

I just got home


Can siomeone tell me what's gone on today?????