Yes, More Troops Would Help, a Bit (After Nov. election?) NYT

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/weekinreview/17shanker.html?ex=1159156800&en=24c003bc4a996556&ei=5043&partner=EXCITE

Yes, More Troops Would Help, a Bit

By THOM SHANKER
Published: September 17, 2006

WASHINGTON

IN the lawless villages and empty deserts of Anbar Province, the Sunni heartland that provides safe haven for indigenous insurgents and foreign terrorists, what could an American commander do if more troops showed up?

This tantalizing “what if?” is being debated with renewed intensity after it was revealed last week that a Marine Corps intelligence assessment said Anbar’s dire security situation could be improved only by injecting more economic aid and a division’s worth of troops to reinforce the current 30,000-strong coalition contingent.

In a way, the argument over more troops in Anbar plays out along lines familiar from the early stages of the Iraq war, when Congress and the Pentagon’s civilian leaders traded words over whether enough troops were committed to the invasion and its aftermath.


The New York Times
More troops would help secure Anbar province, Iraq. But there are many downsides as well.

But given the current debate, the question becomes how would more troops help in Anbar? And for how long?

I heard over dinner from a guest last night more troops will be going to Iraq AFTER the Nov. elections. It seems to fit this story.

FULL story at link above.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. UN troops would help. From Islamic countries.

This is THE chance for the UN and the Islamic countries to step up to the plate and be the heroes that we Americans have failed to be.

Of course, if'n I wuz them, I'd wait until January 21, 2009 to start the job. I would want to make sure that Bush went down in history as the most corrupt, ignorant, and craven excuse for a leader that the USA has ever whelped.

On the other hand, people are dying by the long ton. So it's a tough call.

--p!

[acmavm]

2. More troops and more money. These guys don't know when

to cut their losses.

Oh well, as long as the rich don't have to provide cannon fodder or the money to pay for it, I guess all's well in bush**s America.

[acmejack]

3. And where are the "More troops" to come from?

The $64,000 question. Despite all the horseshit being promulgated and loudly disbursed by the five-sided funny farm, recruit goals are not in any real danger of being substantially eclipsed in any way soon. I suggest you hide your Sons and Daughters.