Iraq 'surge' won't solve quagmire

[babylonsister]

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/17/News/Iraq__surge__won_t_so.shtml

Iraq 'surge' won't solve quagmire

By PHILIP GAILEY, Times Editor of Editorials
Published December 17, 2006

So much for the long-awaited Iraq Study Group's report on the "way forward" in Iraq. It made headlines but not much of an impression on President Bush, who has suggested that some of the bipartisan panel's key recommendations were "ideas for defeat." Bush plans to speak to the nation in January on his next move in Iraq after consulting with military leaders and his own national security team. We should be worried, especially with the news that Bush has begun imagining parallels between his wartime leadership and Harry Truman's.

Some of us assumed the debate in Washington by now would be on the study group's call for the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces in early 2008. But instead of debating how to get out of Iraq, we're considering whether to get in even deeper with a "surge" of additional troops, as if that is likely to change the outcome.

Sen. John McCain, who apparently believes the road to the White House in 2008 goes through Baghdad, is the loudest voice for sending in reinforcements, seemingly oblivious to the fact that no one is sure where the military would find them. On a visit to Baghdad last week, McCain told reporters that American military commanders in Iraq were discussing the possibility of adding as many as 35,000 combat troops to try "to bring the situation under control."

Has anyone been listening to Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East? He has said increasing troop strength would have only a temporary impact unless the Iraqi government can end the sectarian violence tearing the country apart. So far, it has been unwilling or unable to even try.

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[Redstone]

1. I got your fucking "surge" right here, as they say in Brooklyn. Why, all of a sudden,

has this colossaly stupid idea become a meme? Why the FUCK is everyone and his cousin jumping on the "surge" bandwagon?

Jesus, I've never seen better PR than this. Whoever has succeeded in selling this "idea" as a rational policy is absolutely brilliant.

But he or she isn't fooling me. I've been there.

Surge, my ass. All it means is more dead Americans and Iraqis. For nothing.

Redstone

[babylonsister]

2. If it's any comfort, Redstone, I don't think many people are buying

this 'surge' meme. I just heard Scarborough (!) going off on the whole stupid idea; he brought up the election outcome and the will of the people being totally ignored, and he was angry!
I think people are really fed up.

[Redstone]

5. Oh, thank you. It did make me feel better to read that. Maybe people are waking up.

Redstone

[Disturbed]

4. Busholini has little to lose by insisting upon this "Surge".

If it works he will be vindicated. If it does not he can say that he tried his best.

[babylonsister]

6. I see no chance of it working, but what if 20,000 of those 35,000 die?

One big 'oopsy'? It's not worth it.

[gratuitous]

9. If it works?

Uh yeah, if the surge works. And if you jam this fork into this electrical outlet, you might just poop out a pill that cures cancer. So unlikely as to be deemed nearly impossible, but it is in the universe of possible outcomes, you have to admit that you can't rule it out entirely.

So if you don't poke this fork into the outlet, you're saying that you want millions of people to die horrible deaths from cancer. All because of your entirely reasonable fear of getting shot ten feet across the room to land in a smoking heap. But you're totally discounting the infinitessimally small chance that it could produce a cancer-curing pill! Why do you hate America so much?

Support the surge!

And, in case it's needed, :sarcasm:

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Exactly....we no longer have Government for the people, by the people -

we have spin, memes, advertisements, and campaigns by triangluation - no substance at all. No shame at all. I now look at how our country is being led with utter, complete disgust - and with Harry Reid joining the Surge machine, it is clear that though the Dems will have some level of ability to make noise next month, one wonders if none of them have the balls to call the Emperor naked and do the right thing.

[hvn_nbr_2]

7. What happens when quicksand surges?

I guess we'll find out.

[kiki]

8. Remember:

When trapped in quicksand, always struggle! Thrash about as violently as you can! Don't worry if you're about to slip under - just go for one REALLY BIG last struggle, and you'll be free! Probably.

[opihimoimoi]

10. Listen??? LISTEN??? You think Dufus LISTENS??? That boy don't Hunt, Listen, or even think...

he is an ACTOR...a BULLY ACTOR...who wants/demands people to LISTEN TO HIM.... He is the ultimate ATTENTION WHORE...who has visions of DELUSION....

Stuck on a reef, hard agound, but full speed ahead...thats his solution...