In June, 1967, while awaiting orders to go to Germany on what would be my third consecutive overseas assignment, the visions of frauleins dancing in my head were suddenly shattered. "Guess what asshole? We are going to Da Nang." Ralph, my friend from Boston, told me to report to the Orderly Room, and sure enough, my name and sixteen others were on the list. At that time, there were over 300 KIA's per week. There was still plenty of support for the war and Johnson had not yet resigned, but it was also a time when doubts and protests had replaced the sixties equivalent of "staying the course". Shit happens, but that expression had not yet show its way into the language, Nether had WTF. Both are in play today. A pargagraph from a BBC report, titled, "Looking for options" tells a tale of what the mood is for the troops in Iraq..."At this US base somewhere near Tikrit, the mood seems sombre and resigned. Many of the recent US casualties have been among troops based in this area.The sense from the soldiers is of going through the motions, rather than believing yet another initiative will make any difference." BBC Baghdad Diary
What are the troops thinking today? They may not have yet asked who will be the last to die in Iraq, but you have to believe they are thinking it.
Well the AP reports that Mr Maliki has gotten his timeline. The one he outlined last March.
ReplyDeleteIraqi will be in control, by this time next year.
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. officials said Tuesday Iraqi leaders have agreed to develop a timeline by the end of the year for progress in stabilizing Iraq, and Iraqi forces should be able to take full control of security in the country in the next 12 to 18 months with "some level" of American support.
Look for that 12 month timeline, Mr Maliki's first choice.
Still, the Plan will be laid out in the UN's Iraqi Occupation reauthorization, required on 31 Dec 06.
Now I've always thought that Mr Roggio to be a first class conduit of information.
ReplyDeleteHis sources from Afghanistan seem more than solid.
His report on Iraq, now, is interesting.
U.S. forces continue to chip away at Muqtada al-Sadr's power base in Iraq. The Kuwaiti News Agency reports on two small raids against the offices of Sadr's Mahdi Army in the cities of Hillah and Diwaniyah. In Hillah, there was a gunfight between U.S. and Mahdi Army fighters. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made. In Diwaniyah, a joint U.S. and Iraqi force "broke into the house of Mahdi Army local leader in Diwaniya Province but failed to arrest him."
So the US has "moved" against al-Sadr, but no arrests and no casulaties on either side. Mr Roggio describes the new "storyline"
This is a continuation of the plan to erode Sadr's power base within the Mahdi Army, and force Sadr to openly denounce the Mahdi Army or confront the Iraqi government. As Sadr's most capable and dangerous lieutenants are killed or captured, his power and standing within the organization comes into question. Iraqi and Coalition operations against Sadr in in Diwaniyah is a microcosm of this plan. The real question is does the Maliki government have the will to folow through to completion. ...
But last week the al-Sadr big wig was released at Mr Maliki's request. The objectives of these latest raids escaped detention.
Granted there are wepons caches exposed, but my house would be described as a "weapons cache" also.
AKI reports of talks and a NATO withdrawal from a district, but this isn't policy yet
ReplyDeleteSyed Saleem Shahzad reports NATO is currently in talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan to cede territory to the tribal leaders in south and eastern Afghanistan. Mr. Shahzad quotes sources from North Waziristan as well as Mohammad Hanif, a "Taliban spokesperson" to confirm the talks are underway. Twelve districts stretching from Kandahar in the south to Kunar in the north would be subject to the agreement, according to Mr. Shahzad's sources. Mohammad Hanif claims that "both American and Afghan soldiers had pulled out of an area in eastern Afghanistan, under a deal clinched with tribal elders, the second in a week."
But, according to an unnamed American intelligence source, no agreement has been reached between NATO and the Taliban. Mohammad Hanif is a notorious Taliban propagandist that has a vested interest in promoting a Taliban victory in Afghanistan. The proposal to withdraw from southern and western Afghanistan is just that, and there is fierce opposition from American military commanders and within the State Department, as well as within some NATO governments serving in Afghanistan. "The discussion is occurring within some elements of the British establishment and within some [unnamed] NATO countries" however the source stressed to me that this was not the universal view within Britain or NATO itself.
France is said to be one of the nations violently opposed to negotiating with the Taliban under any terms that do not involve their surrender. The French were unhappy with British negotiations in the town of Musa Qala in Helmand province, where the British abandoned an outpost after cutting a deal obstensively with the local tribal elders.
The current French proposal to withdraw over 200 Special Forces from the border regions is a response to the proposed talks with the Taliban.
Mr Roggio
Here come "Fortress America", ya reckon?
ReplyDeleteFrom the Canal to Purdue Bay,
ReplyDeletethat's my bet.
DR, by the way Golfito would do just fine, but the entire country is rich with possibilities.
ReplyDeleteBut back to Iraq:
When the decision to leave is given, how do you do it? You know the entire Iraqi police and army will turn against the US liberators. the press will have a field day, with indignant Iraqis jumping for joy smashing all remnan ts of US occupationand presence.
Pull out of the cities, handing off to Iraqi forces.
ReplyDeleteFollow the Allen Program and consolidate into the mega-bases.
Convoy the equipment that leaves to Kuwait, hand the balance over to the ISF.
Leave by aircraft, from those mega-bases.
How the "stay behind" Force is configured is all important, always has been.
I remember the Press Conference when Mr Bush rejected taking responsibility for that, saying it would be decided, later.
By others
ReplyDeleteDR,
ReplyDeleteSo...Mexico wasn't enough for you, hey? Now you have your eye on Central America as well. Well, why not? If we are paying anyhow, why take the room?
What a paradigm shift: rather than them coming to the US, the US goes to them.
Niger orders expulsion of Arabs
ReplyDelete"The government of Niger has ordered around 150,000 Arabs who live in the east of the country to leave.
Most of the Arabs, known as Mahamid, are nomads who have fled conflict in Chad. A BBC correspondent says many have lived in Niger for decades.
The governor of Diffa State, where most of the Mahamid live, told them it was "high time" to pack and return to Chad.
No reason for the order has been given, but government officials are meeting local elders in the capital, Niamey.
The BBC Idy Baraou in Niamey says many Mahamid are citizens of Niger and hold senior positions in the army, government and business.
Others look after camels and donkeys around Lake Chad.
But other communities in Niger often accuse the Mahamid of theft and rape.
Our correspondent says police have rounded up several hundred Mahamid at Kabalewa village, 75 km east of Diffa."
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDrats!
ReplyDeleteWhy NOT take the room?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis may leave a mark.
ReplyDeleteWhile the majority believes the economy is strong, the President’s poll numbers continue to fall. So, will the election be influenced primarily by the economy or by the President?
H/T to Ace, who also writes (and this is admittedly disgusting),
Slade Gorton
Wrong on national security. Wrong on forcible gay sodomy.
Testing Link
I give up.
ReplyDeleteAllen,
ReplyDeleteWhat you are doing wrong with some of your links is this:
You are using the correct html code, but in order to place the specific address of the article on the page, you need to move your arrow over the title of the article or the index of the articles that show on the left like they do at the EB. when your arrow shows it to be an active html link, click that on to verify that. If it is the true link, copy and paste that address in your html link as you have been doing.
on your html link where this appears ><
ReplyDeleteplace the word that shows what you are pointing to such as >BBC article <
you are doing it mostly right but not going to the specific article on the specific page and identifying a hot html link. Do that and you are in like flint.
ReplyDeleteI’ll be, a UN spokesman finally just says it:
ReplyDelete“I wish we could get rid of the word ‘terror’ in this debate…I appeal to the Israeli government:…If you label your opponent a terrorist, it becomes very difficult to start negotiating with him…I appeal to the Israeli government to discontinue using this term…”
H/T Atlas Shrugs
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THE UN?
LINK
Allen, your link travails are hilarious--keep it running, it's like a skit--
ReplyDeleteDutch mayor raises prostitute plan
ReplyDeleteOther than Americans, boys will be boys. If the Pentagon were to go along, would the PPP (P____Pumping Program) be accounted for within the Personnel budget or that of Operations and Maintenance?
H/T Betsy
Buddy Larsen,
ReplyDeleteWas that "skit" or "shit"?
buddy larsen,
ReplyDeleteNot only am I struggling with links today, but my ambidexterity has yielded six thumbs as well. Don't even ask about the bifocals. Oii!
we all have our good days as well as our bad days, old hoss--don't let the turkeys get ya down--
ReplyDeletebuddy,
ReplyDeletere: cute Iraqi girl
Thinking about an early thread, I hope the kid is an orphan or only has females as living relatives. Those Muslim warriors just never accomodate themselves to mouthy women.
Just another reason for the US to avoid depending on the EU for anything even remotely sane or in the interest of the US.
ReplyDeleteEU's resistance to GMOs hurts the poor
H/T Grouchy Old Cripple
Mein Gott, Deuce, you do know that having called Gerhard Schroeder "Euro-trash" we may face criminal and civil prosecution in Germany?
ReplyDeleteJust a minute......Had to look outside...thought I heard jackboots. Got to pull myself together, Herr Schroeder is a kind, socialist, after all. Nothing to fear, or so Ash implies.
That Back to the Future guy, with Parkinson's, is running major ads against Talent.
ReplyDeleteSchroeder jumped straight from Leader of Germany to President of Gazprom. This is pretty bald, given Gazprom's association with Mein Feuhrer Putin.
Now, now, now
ReplyDeleteMr Putin has a kind soul, Mr Bush examined it at length and found it acceptable.
Just another Point of Light.
Decide who is the greater Enemy, the Cossack or the Mohammedan, and back the others play.
Except the Cossack cashes the Mullah's checks. For peaceful nuclear reactors.
Ride Cossack Ride!
or Die Cossack Die!
Into the Valley of Death
into the Mouth of Hell
Boldly rode the 600
Kudlow's much-ballyhoo'd interview w/ Pelosi, coming up right now on channel 355. Should have an asprin handy, I think.
ReplyDeletemaybe an oxycontin
ReplyDeleteOh, Jesus...please...save our souls from the thinking behind Lady Slogan.
ReplyDeleteyeh--re Kudlow, i too caught a whiff of "preserve the show" (aka herd-think) motivation. An unpleasant weakness.
ReplyDeleteNow, to enjoy the show, I have to ignore all that. The data is still excellent.
rufus & buddy,
ReplyDeletere: Talent Poll
Do you all think it looks that bad for Talent?
Admittedly, at this point, the incumbent should be at 50% or, at least, not trailing. But, consider:
___Favorable-Unfavorable is a wash, with 21-22% neutral
___Other 2%; Undecided 9%
___Issues: Iraq 22%; Terror/Security 13%; Economy/Jobs 14%; Moral/Family 16%. These are issues that typically help Republicans.
___Bush Iraq policy: 49% Somewhat/Strongly Disapprove. Now, this could be interesting because of the assumption are opposed to the Iraq war. It might be advantageous for Talent to say, "We need to get serious and kill the bastards." It is my opinion that as many folk disapprove of the lethargy as to the war, generally.
___Worry of Terrorist Attack: 74% Somewhat/Very Worried
___Family's Financial Situation: 65% Have Enough
___Congressional performance: 63% Somewhat/Strongly Disapprove. This is bad.
___Presidential disapproval numbers do not help Talent.
Buddy Larsen,
ReplyDeletere: oxycontin
I may have to substantially increase my Scotch budget. If so, the amount may exceed any tax cuts garnered. None of this was necessary!
re: Talent
ReplyDeleteThe biggest obstacle for Republicans in Missouri is the cheating epidemic in St. Louis and Kansas City. Over the years, the Republicans have made the mistake of letting this pass.
A few years ago, a random audit was done of St. Louis voting rolls. To no one's surprise, thousands of deceased and non-residents were discovered, as well as addresses of vacant and demolished buildings. Anyone care to guess which party overwhelming benefited from this?
Well, heh heh, all that St Louis ballot fraud is for "a good cause", y'see?
ReplyDeleteWith all the hoopla it's still about how it's been.
ReplyDeleteI do not see any major meltdown by the Pubs, but small gains by the Dems.
In the Senate, at best they pickup 5 seats,most likely 4.
The House it's right around that magic 15 number, maybe 1 shy or 3 over.
Foley & Reynolds becomes a two fer.
Mr Weldon and the FBI visitations of his daughter do not bide well for him, as well as the fellow in PA that cheated on his wife, in a tactless manner. The legless Dem Army Major is ruunning strong in Henry Hydes District in IL.
All are possible Dem gains from my previous thought that the Pubs would lose 12.
rufus,
ReplyDeletere: Walkin' Joe
Indeed, I remember well.
But no one will ever surpass "Walkin' Dead Mel".
rufus,
ReplyDeletere: Walkin' Dead Mel
Sorry for being so rude, the late gentleman was Senator Walkin' Dead Mel.
The Democrat victory may have come from polls staying open hours after legal closing because of a stay issued by a Democrat judge on the writ presented in the name of a deceased Democrat.
Say what you will, Democrats are shameless.
BIG & RICH LYRICS
ReplyDelete"8th Of November"
Said goodbye to his momma as he left South Dakota
To fight for the red, white and blue
He was 19 and green with a new M-16
Just doing what he had to do
He was dropped in the jungle where the choppers would rumble
With the smell of napalm in the air
And the sergeant said...look up ahead
Like a dark evil cloud, 1,200 came down on him and 29 more
They fought for their lives but most of them died in the 173rd Airborne
[Chorus:]
On the 8th of November the angels were crying
As they carried his brothers away
With the fire raining down and the hell all around
There were few men left standing that day
Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky
1965, the 8th of November
Now he's 58 and his pony tail's gray
But the battle still plays in his head
He limps when he walks but he's strong when he talks
About the Shrapnel they left in his leg
He puts on a gray suit over his Airborne tattoo
And he ties it on one time a year
And remembers the fallen as he orders a tall one
And swallows it down with his tears
Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky
1965...
On the 8th of November the angels were crying
As they carried his brothers away
With the fire raining down and the hell all around
There were few men left standing that day
Mel Carnahan, was he the only dead man ever elected to the Senate?
ReplyDeleteIt's all about hanging on to power. For instance, if the GOP wants to keep Florida-16, all those nice Republican folks have to punch a chad for a pedo.
and a standing ovulation
ReplyDeletere: the Marine's picture
ReplyDeleteMuch earlier in the day I planned to post that the young Marine pictured left service a year or so ago. He is reported to be having adjustment problems.
Hope he finds his way.
ReplyDelete