From Jim Gilliam's blog archives
War -- not so effective
August 13, 2005 3:50 PM
Only 38% of Americans think we're winning the Global War on Terror, briefly known as the Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism, but now known simply as the War on Terror. (I think)
Weren't we supposed to be able to conquer Iraq? Like really easy, right? Something about the greatest military in the history of the world. Well, if they can't do it, then maybe we should re-evaluate this whole war concept -- an idea that had a nice run, but just can't quite cut it in this new millennium.
War -- not so effective (08.13.2005)
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Read the 5 comments.
Dave E.:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/13/AR2005081300853.html
"What we expected to achieve was never realistic given the timetable or what unfolded on the ground," said a senior official involved in policy since the 2003 invasion. "We are in a process of absorbing the factors of the situation we're in and shedding the unreality that dominated at the beginning."
Shedding the unreality. Last throes. Catastrophic success. (What happened to Mission Accomplished?) These are empty phrases that do nothing to excuse the situation. Accountability for this fuck up of epic proportions falls squarely at the feet of George W. Bush.
And he's chillin on his make believe ranch in Crawford clearing brush. What a leader.
Sun Aug 14 2005 1:07 AM
NJGuardsman:
OK so I guess it's back to propaganda as usual
âBAGHDAD, Iraq -- The Bush administration has shunned setting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. But talk to leading U.S. soldiers here and it quickly becomes evident they have a timeline in mind.
"I think at the end of a year we will see fewer U.S. forces because we're seeing Iraqi capability grow in numbers and effectiveness," said Lt. Gen. John Vines, head of the 18th Airborne Corps and, as of last week, the senior U.S. tactical commander in the country.
Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Carey, the top enlisted soldier in the corps, said his definition of success is to ensure that a smaller number of U.S. forces are needed for the next rotation. "That's what we're going to look for as our mark on the wall," he said.
Inspired by the Jan. 30 elections, which many of them arrived just in time to witness, the fresh ranks of U.S. troops are determined to take the U.S. mission in Iraq to its next phase. For them, that means an eventual reduction in U.S. forces by bolstering Iraq's fledging security services and taking more of a backseat role in counterinsurgency operations."
Clearly Bush is leaving the decision/responsibility of: When/where troops are to be pulled out to those who know and SHOULD make that call â his military leaders in Iraq.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/nation/0502/18/A03-93832.htm
Sun Aug 14 2005 1:54 PM
Paul:
We need a War On Error (WOE). No more mistakes from this pathetic excuse for a government.
Mon Aug 15 2005 4:27 PM
Paul:
I was going to suggest a War On Profiteering, but the acronym is undesirable. ;)
Mon Aug 15 2005 4:28 PM
Tom from Madison:
Paul,
your idea concerning war profiteering is right on many levels. We have large financial interests who stand to lose lucrative contracts in the event of peace. Fighting wars with private contractors naturally leads to corruption.
Mon Aug 22 2005 3:28 PM