Iraq: Bush Vows to Punish Iraqi Insurgents (says, "Bring them on!")

AP via Yahoo! News ^ | 07/02/03 | SCOTT LINDLAW

[TigerLikesRooster]

White House - AP

Bush Vows to Punish Iraqi Insurgents

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By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) pledged Wednesday that the United States will deal harshly with those who attack American troops in Iraq (news - web sites), and said such violence will not undercut his resolve to keep Americans there until stability is restored.

"Anybody who wants to harm American troops will be found and brought to justice," Bush said at an impromptu news conference at the White House. "There are some who feel like if they attack us, we may decide to leave prematurely. They don't understand what they're talking about if that's the case."

Increasing attacks have killed more than 23 U.S. soldiers and wounded dozens more since Bush declared major combat over on May 1. On Tuesday, assailants traveling in a vehicle in central Baghdad fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a U.S. military vehicle, wounding three soldiers. Another grenade slammed into a U.S. truck on a road south of Baghdad, injuring three soldiers, one of whom died at a field hospital overnight.

"There are some who feel like that, you know, the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is bring them on," Bush said. "We got the force necessary to deal with the security situation."

[TigerLikesRooster]

"There are some who feel like that, you know, the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is bring them on,"

[tripod]

I'm not so certain that was the best response he could have made. I think it might come back to haunt him.

[MaxPlus305]

Reminds me of that cheerleading movie starring Kirsten Dunst.

[rs79bm]

I'm not so certain that was the best response he could have made. I think it might come back to haunt him.

Sorry, that was exactly the right response. First, it fires up the troops. Second, it's lets the enemy know that we are prepared to deal with them. That's a big edge in psychological warfare.

[Pukin Dog]

No, it was perfect. Inspires confidence in his people. It's called true leadership.

[MaxPlus305]

"Bring them on" might be an appropriate, gutsy response from a soldier or a general in the field. But it doesn't have the same effect when it comes from the president halfway across the world who is in no danger of having a grenade being rolled into his tent.

[Russ]

Your response would have been...?

[Russ]

He, like every President, is in danger of "having a grenade rolled under his tent" every time he goes out in public.

[ohioman]

Bullshit. I know personally of a marine who just got back from Iraq who will love this statement. Showing strength and talking tough is something soldiers love. It is the wimps like Carter that piss them off.

[FreeAtlanta]

I get the feeling it would have been, "please don't hurt us mister terrorists, we don't intend any harm."

Bush said the right thing. We need to be serious about dealing with the Islamic Fascist. I wish we had gone ahead and dropped a knee to the face of Syria.

[Pukin Dog]

You ever served in the Military Max?

Fact is, it will have a very strong effect. In not so many words, Bush has given the troops approval to kick some insurgent ass over there, no questions asked. Time for cracking down.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

But it doesn't have the same effect when it comes from the president halfway across the world who is in no danger of having a grenade being rolled into his tent.

I don't think you understand the respect and admiration this Commander in Chief engenders. From Clinton - you would have been right.

However, it did sadden Tiny Tom. He is greatly concerned.

[MaxPlus305]

I have no problem with a defiant statement from the commander in chief...who *doesn't* get a chill up his/her spine when he hears Churchill's "We shall fight in the fields and in the streets...we shall never surrender" line? I just think "Bring them on" is something I would expect from Rambo...you know, from someone who is actually there, dodging the bullets and unloading his rifle into the enemy.


"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills;we shall never surrender." - Winston Churchill

[FreeAtlanta]

In case you missed it, the war is on our shores. Bush has taken the intitiative to push it back overseas. Do you think Clinton or Gore would have had the spine?

[MaxPlus305]

Fact is, it will have a very strong effect. In not so many words, Bush has given the troops approval to kick some insurgent ass over there, no questions asked. Time for cracking down.

Huh? What authority did Bush give to the troops with those words that the troops didn't already have? Are you suggesting that the troops were just standing there as Iraqis took potshots at them? I may have not served in the military (yet), but I get the feeling that troops under fire don't need to be told by someone halfway across the world to fight back. All Bush said, in so many words, is "We won't leave no matter what you guys do to us." The troops have ALWAYS had approval to respond with force.

[Captainpaintball]

Your response would have been...?

Islam is a religion of pieces

[MaxPlus305]

Just because I didn't like Bush's choice of words I am now a defender of Clinton/Gore? Stick your head back in the sand. If Bush had said, "We gonna get you suckas!", it would've had the same effect...doesn't mean that I should think he used the most inspirational words.

[Pukin Dog]

No, I guess you never served.

You have to understand the psychology of the ROE. (rules of engagement) and the effect it has on moral and aggresiveness on the troops. In Iraq, the ROE is very strict as far as when and where troops can engage the enemy. Up to now, Mosques have been off limits. That ROE should be gone shortly. Bush has just given his Field Commanders a green light to go and get some.

It is like a wink and a nod. It is saying a lot, without using a lot of words for media consumption. Things are going to get a lot better over there real quick. You just watch.

[tripod]

We've going to be in Iraq a very very long time. The enemy is too smart to be baited into an all out offensive. They will pick and pick and pick our troops apart piecemeal for as long as they can. Every time one dies Bush has a grieving family on his hands. Sooner or later someone will throw that remark in his face. Better he simply sated U.S. resolve to see the job to a successful conclusion.

[MaxPlus305]

OK, I will just watch. Until some major paradigm shift happens, I'm just going to assume that this is a pep talk from Bush. And there is nothing wrong with a speech to raise the morale...I just thought "Bring them on" was a little weak. But you're right, I didn't serve, and just because I know some servicemen who will give a chuckle doesn't mean that "Bring them on" will be a poor war cry.