“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Al Jazeera with the Taliban
Before you dismiss this as Al Jazeera propaganda, watch. I was surprised at the audacity of the Taliban. What do you think?
Pentagon struggles to find fresh troops By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Military leaders are struggling to choose Army units to stay in Iraq and Afghanistan longer or go there earlier than planned, but five years of war have made fresh troops harder to find.
Faced with a military buildup in Iraq that could drag into next year, Pentagon officials are trying to identify enough units to keep up to 20 brigade combat teams in Iraq. A brigade usually has about 3,500 troops.
The likely result will be extending the deployments of brigades scheduled to come home at the end of the summer, and sending others earlier than scheduled.
In the freshest indication of the relentless demands for troops in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of coalition forces in the north, told reporters Friday that his troops have picked up the pace of their attacks on the enemy in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.
"Could I use more forces? No question about it," Mixon said, adding that he had asked for more.
Since the US cannot train an Army of 250,000 foreigners, adequately, in five years, where or where will they find another 150,000 US troops?
Even an extra 50,000?
As was so often extolled at BC, back in the day: Logistics wins wars these sage seers would say, in defense of the mega-base tactics. Today, of course the most important part of the logistical pipeline are the troops, themselves. Bullets and bombs, we have plenty. Rifles and trucks, in steady supply.
Troops, we've not got enough.
It was announced, what, two years ago that the US was in a "Long War", instead of the "Time is not on our side War" we'd been fighting since January '02.
But to not increase the end strength of the military to fight a "Long War". Again another case of US believing our own deceptions.
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve"
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" --- GWB does not know a skull from a bone at this point. Still knows how to kiss Adversary's Ass, tho. Muscle Memory. The left was Right about the big-eared Maroon.
Occupation, Yes, but we are far to refined for that sort of thing. Just ask Trish. We got tired of winning wars some time back and decided to spend our forefather's on guilt tripping ourselves into oblivion.
I dont wanna wait in vain. I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain. No, I dont wanna (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) - No I - no I (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont Wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) - No, no-no, i, no, I (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) -
conflicts are not over in a day, a few rat patrol jeeps with rpg's & a mud town aint victory....
But that said, the otherside aint going to backdown..
they will seize all opportunity to kill and control..
the virus of islamic-nutism is out of the bag, once it was just pray-to-a-black-rock-nutism, arafat-nutism & nasser-nutism & persian-nutism, panarab-nutism, now it is spreading to all corners of the globe..
thank g-d that there are much less nice peoples of the world than the israelis & americans, these not so nice peoples WILL have no problem with selective genocide.....
just get the popcorn out and watch..
(for tips and hints, watch the shits & suns love each other in iraq,,,,)
Found this in some e-mail. Admittedly, it is somewhat skewed, but...
Uncle Bob I thought you might enjoy this!!!!!! Semper Fi
> > US Marine Corps Rules: > >> > >> 1. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one. > >> 2. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough. > >> 3. Have a plan. > >> 4. Have a back-up plan. > >> 5. Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you > >> meet. > >> 6. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start > >> with a "4." > >> 7. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. > >> 8. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral & > >> diagonal preferred.) > >> 9. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. > >> 10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours. > >> 11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you >lose. > >> 12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, >or > >> tactics. They will only remember who lived. > >> 13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention > >> to shoot. > >> 14. Remember, when all else fails, an entrenching tools primary purpose > >> is NOT for digging holes but cleaving skulls. > >> > >> Navy SEALS Rules: > >> > >> 1. Look very cool in sunglasses. > >> 2. Kill every living thing within view. > >> 3. Adjust speedo. > >> 4. Check hair in mirror. > >> > >> US Army Rangers Rules: > >> > >> 1. Walk in 50 miles wearing 75 pound rucksack while starving. > >> 2. Locate individuals requiring killing. > >> 3. Request permission via radio from "Higher" to perform killing. > >> 4. Curse bitterly when mission is aborted. > >> 5. Walk out 50 miles wearing a 75 pound rucksack while starving. > >> > >> US Army Rules: > >> > >> 1. Select a new beret to wear. > >> 2. Sew patches on right shoulder. > >> 3. Come up with a new patch to cover that section of blouse that still > >> shows what color it was. > >> 4. create another new badge for something like "mouse-pad" expert to go > >> with all the rest of the "expert" badges. > >> 5. Change the color of beret you decide to wear. > >> > >> US Air Force Rules: > >> > >> 1. Have a cocktail. > >> 2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner. > >> 3. See what's on HBO. > >> 4. Ask "what is a gunfight?" > >> 5. Request more funding from Congress with a "killer" PowerPoint > >> presentation. > >> 6. Wine & dine 'key' Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry > >> executives. > >> 7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets. > >> 8. Declare the assets "strategic" and never deploy them > >> operationally. > >> 9. Hurry to make 1345 tee-time. > >> > >> US Navy Rules: > >> > >> 1. Go to Sea. > >> 2. Drink Coffee. > >> 3. Watch porn. > >> 4. Deploy the Marines. > >> > >> > >> SEMPER FIDELIS > >> Send in "THE MARINES!"
From the video, those Taliban were prime drone targets. Easy picking.
Also, for what it's worth, as I understand it, brigade strength in these theatres is nowhere near 3500; more like 700 or so.
As far cluster bombing in this go round. The only cluster is the proverbial one. Maybe after the next big 9/11. Like Rat says, it ain't gonna happen on this watch.
"It's too late baby, its too late and we really did try to make it..."
Essentially, its all over but the crying. The Dems schedule is now out by fall '08. I'm not sure there is anything to be gained by waiting that long, but I hate to sound like a Dem.
Millons of Spaniards take to the streets to protest their government’s handling of ETA terrorism and the media and the most blogs have missed it. Doubtless, if Hezbullah were to organize a comparably sized demonstartion we would hear no end of it.
Is it possible that the Spanish people will come to view Muslim terrorism and their government’s timidity toward that evil with the same disdain now seen with respect to ETA? I don’t know; but it is not a great leap of logic to equate the evils of both ETA and Islam. Consequently, there is hope for Spain, yet.
A large body of Americans have become so emotionally invested in the sure knowledge of Amercian defeat in Iraq and the greater war that one senses these folk would rather see an Amercian defeat than to be proved wrong. That is not only pathelogic; it is dangerous to the body politic. While it would be equally dangerous to fail to see the flaws and failures of the administration demanding reformation, the inability to rejoice in even small victories and tiny portents (Spain) is pathetic.
Pentagon struggles to find fresh troops
ReplyDeleteBy LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Military leaders are struggling to choose Army units to stay in Iraq and Afghanistan longer or go there earlier than planned, but five years of war have made fresh troops harder to find.
Faced with a military buildup in Iraq that could drag into next year, Pentagon officials are trying to identify enough units to keep up to 20 brigade combat teams in Iraq. A brigade usually has about 3,500 troops.
The likely result will be extending the deployments of brigades scheduled to come home at the end of the summer, and sending others earlier than scheduled.
In the freshest indication of the relentless demands for troops in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of coalition forces in the north, told reporters Friday that his troops have picked up the pace of their attacks on the enemy in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.
"Could I use more forces? No question about it," Mixon said, adding that he had asked for more.
Since the US cannot train an Army of 250,000 foreigners, adequately, in five years, where or where will they find another 150,000 US troops?
ReplyDeleteEven an extra 50,000?
As was so often extolled at BC, back in the day: Logistics wins wars these sage seers would say, in defense of the mega-base tactics.
Today, of course the most important part of the logistical pipeline are the troops, themselves.
Bullets and bombs, we have plenty.
Rifles and trucks, in steady supply.
Troops, we've not got enough.
It was announced, what, two years ago that the US was in a "Long War", instead of the "Time is not on our side War" we'd been fighting since January '02.
But to not increase the end strength of the military to fight a "Long War". Again another case of US believing our own deceptions.
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve"
DR, just the man I'm looking for. Drop Whit and I an email at top right contact. Discretion and confidentiality assured.
ReplyDelete"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve"
ReplyDelete---
GWB does not know a skull from a bone at this point.
Still knows how to kiss Adversary's Ass, tho.
Muscle Memory.
The left was Right about the big-eared Maroon.
done,
ReplyDeletekaratenews responds
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethe problem is not number of troops. its rules of engagement
ReplyDeletetime for clusterbombing enemy towns..
yes you heard me correct....
That's not going to happen "o", not today or tomorrow, even the day after that.
ReplyDeleteIt will not happen on George W's watch.
Maybe next go round
WIO, some of those towns were nothing more than taliban garrisons.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOccupation,
ReplyDeleteYes, but we are far to refined for that sort of thing.
Just ask Trish.
We got tired of winning wars some time back and decided to spend our forefather's on guilt tripping ourselves into oblivion.
and decided to spend our forefather's SACRIFICES on guilt tripping ourselves into oblivion.
ReplyDeleteSame MO, different day.
ReplyDeleteWhen they fight, they will die.
By the way, where were the battle scenes? And why hasn't the infidel outpost been reduced?
I dont wanna wait in vain.
ReplyDeleteI dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna -
I dont wanna wait in vain.
No, I dont wanna (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna -
I dont wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) -
No I - no I (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont
Wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) -
No, no-no, i, no, I (I dont wanna - I dont wanna - I dont wanna -
I dont wanna - I dont wanna wait in vain) -
i feel the wind...
ReplyDeletewhat good is an weapon system that is not used?
conflicts are not over in a day, a few rat patrol jeeps with rpg's & a mud town aint victory....
But that said, the otherside aint going to backdown..
they will seize all opportunity to kill and control..
the virus of islamic-nutism is out of the bag, once it was just pray-to-a-black-rock-nutism, arafat-nutism & nasser-nutism & persian-nutism, panarab-nutism, now it is spreading to all corners of the globe..
thank g-d that there are much less nice peoples of the world than the israelis & americans, these not so nice peoples WILL have no problem with selective genocide.....
just get the popcorn out and watch..
(for tips and hints, watch the shits & suns love each other in iraq,,,,)
Make of this what you will.
ReplyDeleteNew Delhi, March 07: Two top nuclear scientists of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) are currently in Taliban custody.
Found this in some e-mail. Admittedly, it is somewhat skewed, but...
ReplyDeleteUncle Bob I thought you might enjoy this!!!!!! Semper Fi
> > US Marine Corps Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
> >> 2. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough.
> >> 3. Have a plan.
> >> 4. Have a back-up plan.
> >> 5. Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you
> >> meet.
> >> 6. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun whose caliber does not start
> >> with a "4."
> >> 7. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap.
> >> 8. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral &
> >> diagonal preferred.)
> >> 9. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
> >> 10. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
> >> 11. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you
>lose.
> >> 12. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance,
>or
> >> tactics. They will only remember who lived.
> >> 13. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating your intention
> >> to shoot.
> >> 14. Remember, when all else fails, an entrenching tools primary purpose
> >> is NOT for digging holes but cleaving skulls.
> >>
> >> Navy SEALS Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Look very cool in sunglasses.
> >> 2. Kill every living thing within view.
> >> 3. Adjust speedo.
> >> 4. Check hair in mirror.
> >>
> >> US Army Rangers Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Walk in 50 miles wearing 75 pound rucksack while starving.
> >> 2. Locate individuals requiring killing.
> >> 3. Request permission via radio from "Higher" to perform killing.
> >> 4. Curse bitterly when mission is aborted.
> >> 5. Walk out 50 miles wearing a 75 pound rucksack while starving.
> >>
> >> US Army Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Select a new beret to wear.
> >> 2. Sew patches on right shoulder.
> >> 3. Come up with a new patch to cover that section of blouse that still
> >> shows what color it was.
> >> 4. create another new badge for something like "mouse-pad" expert to go
> >> with all the rest of the "expert" badges.
> >> 5. Change the color of beret you decide to wear.
> >>
> >> US Air Force Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Have a cocktail.
> >> 2. Adjust temperature on air-conditioner.
> >> 3. See what's on HBO.
> >> 4. Ask "what is a gunfight?"
> >> 5. Request more funding from Congress with a "killer" PowerPoint
> >> presentation.
> >> 6. Wine & dine 'key' Congressmen, invite DOD & defense industry
> >> executives.
> >> 7. Receive funding, set up new command and assemble assets.
> >> 8. Declare the assets "strategic" and never deploy them
> >> operationally.
> >> 9. Hurry to make 1345 tee-time.
> >>
> >> US Navy Rules:
> >>
> >> 1. Go to Sea.
> >> 2. Drink Coffee.
> >> 3. Watch porn.
> >> 4. Deploy the Marines.
> >>
> >>
> >> SEMPER FIDELIS
> >> Send in "THE MARINES!"
And to all those bad ass Marines at Guantanamo:
ReplyDeleteGuantanamera
For our quests on Cuba, eat your hearts out.
ReplyDeleteLambada
From the video, those Taliban were prime drone targets. Easy picking.
ReplyDeleteAlso, for what it's worth, as I understand it, brigade strength in these theatres is nowhere near 3500; more like 700 or so.
As far cluster bombing in this go round. The only cluster is the proverbial one. Maybe after the next big 9/11. Like Rat says, it ain't gonna happen on this watch.
"It's too late baby, its too late and we really did try to make it..."
Essentially, its all over but the crying. The Dems schedule is now out by fall '08. I'm not sure there is anything to be gained by waiting that long, but I hate to sound like a Dem.
Something big has been going on in Spain. Who knew?
ReplyDeleteMASSIVE Rally Against Terrorism in Madrid!
Bracepundit
Toasted Bread
Today the focus is ETA; but tomorrow, Spain may again become a vocal ally in the greater struggle.
bobalharb,
ReplyDeleteYou mean Clinton and Berger's trousers come with zippers? That seems so superfluous.
;-)
Rufus,
ReplyDeleteMillons of Spaniards take to the streets to protest their government’s handling of ETA terrorism and the media and the most blogs have missed it. Doubtless, if Hezbullah were to organize a comparably sized demonstartion we would hear no end of it.
Is it possible that the Spanish people will come to view Muslim terrorism and their government’s timidity toward that evil with the same disdain now seen with respect to ETA? I don’t know; but it is not a great leap of logic to equate the evils of both ETA and Islam. Consequently, there is hope for Spain, yet.
A large body of Americans have become so emotionally invested in the sure knowledge of Amercian defeat in Iraq and the greater war that one senses these folk would rather see an Amercian defeat than to be proved wrong. That is not only pathelogic; it is dangerous to the body politic. While it would be equally dangerous to fail to see the flaws and failures of the administration demanding reformation, the inability to rejoice in even small victories and tiny portents (Spain) is pathetic.
rufus,
ReplyDeletere: Spain
No rebuke of you, you know?
If I can't have the Spanish Army, I'll take the cheerleaders. The Army will not, therefore, be far behind.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete