tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post116576294749687997..comments2024-03-28T03:47:46.544-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: Iraq.Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165848055501831862006-12-11T09:40:00.000-05:002006-12-11T09:40:00.000-05:00trish,Your husband will be in our thoughts and pra...trish,<BR/><BR/>Your husband will be in our thoughts and prayers.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165827920483682452006-12-11T04:05:00.000-05:002006-12-11T04:05:00.000-05:00allen, agreed.We have to elucidate on how exactly ...<B>allen</B>, agreed.<BR/><BR/>We have to elucidate on how exactly to deal with an Iran hell-bent on destabilising Iraq through sectarianism and secessionism (Turkish-Iranian cooperation to infiltrate into Kurdish Iraq to off PKK militants) by handing them a taste of their own bitter medicine.<BR/><BR/>Edward Luttwak's emphasis on the extent of public opprobrium against the political will of the elite:<BR/><BR/><I>a)only Persian-language teaching is allowed, condemning all non-Persians to illiteracy in their own languages<BR/><BR/>b)dissident groups from the Kurds (inspired by neighbouring kin in Iraq), Azeris (inspired by Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union), Arabs and the Baluch have become more vocal in their calls for autonomy</I><BR/><BR/>With a Persian-centric area bordered by ethnic minorities, why stop at arming the Kurds? If it does foment precursory tensions to civil war, Iran would have to deal with hostile secessionist movements within and outside its borders.<BR/><BR/>It won't be easy to dissolve the mullahs' sovereignty of the regime; after all, it is still mainly a Persian-centric majority that will be left standing (but for how long, I cannot ascertain as of now). That's why we should give Iranian Kurds, Azeris, Baluchs a sample of autonomy and independence from Iranian dominionhood; that will serve us well in inspiring the Persian community itself to bring about a revolution - because that's where the real revolutionary power lies.<BR/><BR/>Internal disintegration definitely seems like a more viable option, considering the defanged impotence of the administration to act decisively and wage "war" again, where "victory" must be complete, not allow Shiites to get away with an armistice/ceasefire while preserving their dependence on their death squads, Iranian funding and anarchy.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17688001023588334672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165824087202966212006-12-11T03:01:00.000-05:002006-12-11T03:01:00.000-05:00Deuce,The kid headed off for Mississippi East this...Deuce,<BR/>The kid headed off for Mississippi East this evening.<BR/>Last time he checked out the Air and Space Museum.<BR/>Any suggestions for this time.<BR/>Plans on some more Smithsonian trips.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165823919287091832006-12-11T02:58:00.000-05:002006-12-11T02:58:00.000-05:00Trish:Thought he might be at a stage in his career...Trish:<BR/>Thought he might be at a stage in his career when romantic Peshawar might be the site of his office!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165823789728936562006-12-11T02:56:00.000-05:002006-12-11T02:56:00.000-05:00" who got utterly rejected by the electorate, almo..."<I> who got utterly rejected by the electorate, almost 100%.</I>"<BR/>---<BR/>Completely unsupported by actual RESULTS, but who worries about that?<BR/><BR/>Sad fact is, GWB and company left the field wide open for the Dems to slide RIGHT just long enough to put the far lefties back in charge.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, this was all played out 15 years ago in Calif, and mainstream REPUBLICANS as well as eager Democrats have repeated the myth (that folks standing on principle were entirely responsible for defeat) so many times it is now regarded as true.<BR/><BR/>In reality, of course, Bush supporting "moderates" like Spector, and Libs like Chaffee, over Conservatives each and every time he had the chance,<B> did not exactly energize and unify the base</B>.<BR/><BR/>...but of course that will be completely ignored and written off in the name of building the Meuth of victimized George.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165822191272777012006-12-11T02:29:00.000-05:002006-12-11T02:29:00.000-05:00Trish:Wow,It recently occured to me that if we had...Trish:<BR/>Wow,<BR/>It recently occured to me that if we had flooded Pakistan with half the money and effort that's been flushed in Iraq, who knows where we'd be?<BR/>---<BR/>Will your husband be "downtown?"Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165822018019851812006-12-11T02:26:00.001-05:002006-12-11T02:26:00.001-05:00"The question of confidence in this government mus..."<I>The question of confidence in this government must be reconsidered," Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni Arab, told legislators Sunday. <BR/>"Why should we continue to support it? For its failure?"</I>"<BR/>---<BR/>Stupid Iraqi!<BR/>He could avoid the MDS label, if he had any brains, but those suffering from Maliki Derrangement Syndrome can't use the brains they have.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165821249996666872006-12-11T02:14:00.000-05:002006-12-11T02:14:00.000-05:00Taliban and Allies Tighten Grip in North of Pakist...<A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/11/world/asia/11pakistan.html?hp&ex=1165899600&en=d40c9f7513e01a59&ei=5094&partner=homepage" REL="nofollow"><STRONG> Taliban and Allies Tighten Grip in North of Pakistan</STRONG> </A><BR/><BR/>PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Islamic militants are using a recent peace deal with the government to consolidate their hold in northern Pakistan, <STRONG>vastly expanding their training of suicide bombers and other recruits and fortifying alliances with Al Qaeda and foreign fighters</STRONG>, diplomats and intelligence officials from several nations say. The result, they say, is virtually a Taliban mini-state.<BR/><BR/>A market in Peshawar, a border town, was bombed in October. <BR/>The militants, the officials say, are openly flouting the terms of the September accord in North Waziristan, under which they agreed to end cross-border help for the Taliban insurgency that revived in Afghanistan with new force this year. <BR/><BR/>The area is becoming a magnet for an influx of foreign fighters, who not only challenge government authority in the area, but are even <STRONG>wresting control from local tribes and spreading their influence to neighboring areas, according to several American and NATO officials and Pakistani and Afghan intelligence officials</STRONG>. <BR/><BR/>This year more than 100 local leaders, government sympathizers or accused “American spies” have been killed, several of them in beheadings, as the militants have used a <STRONG>reign of terror to impose what President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan calls a creeping “Talibanization.” </STRONG>Last year, at least 100 others were also killed. <BR/>---<BR/>Everyone once agreed it was a really bad thing for Clinton to leave the Taliban Training Camps untouched except for some cruise strikes, BEFORE 9-11.<BR/><BR/>Now, of course, leaving Taliban Training Camps untouched in Pakistan AFTER 9-11, is no big deal.<BR/>But then neither are IED factories there, in Iran, nor staging grounds there and in Syria.<BR/>Times do change, and it IS a Post 9-11 World, after all.<BR/><BR/>What would Michael Yon know anyway, when he warned we might lose both wars?<BR/>Definitely a case of BDS.<BR/>...and of course, his info is dated since he and Walt are DENIED ENTRY by our Command.<BR/><BR/>But the gutless world of blogging has mounted no meaningful campaign, to my knowledge, to protest the exclusion of probably the finest reporter of this War.<BR/><BR/>...only "approved" campaigns against Dan Rather and the like get traction.<BR/>Might be abused and accused of having BDS if you stood up for principle on both sides of the partisan divide.<BR/>Can't have that.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165816062929086112006-12-11T00:47:00.000-05:002006-12-11T00:47:00.000-05:00Talks under way to replace Iraq PM BAGHDAD, Iraq ...<A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061210/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_politics" REL="nofollow"><STRONG>Talks under way to replace Iraq PM </STRONG> </A><BR/><BR/>BAGHDAD, Iraq - Major partners in Iraq's governing coalition are in behind-the-scenes talks to oust Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki amid discontent over his failure to quell raging violence, according to lawmakers involved. <BR/><BR/>The talks are aimed at forming a new parliamentary bloc that would seek to replace the current government and that would likely exclude supporters of the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who is a vehement opponent of the U.S. military presence.<BR/><BR/>The new alliance would be led by senior Shiite politician Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, who met with President Bush last week. Al-Hakim, however, was not expected to be the next prime minister because he prefers the role of powerbroker, staying above the grinding day-to-day running of the country.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165807407291189802006-12-10T22:23:00.000-05:002006-12-10T22:23:00.000-05:00trish,There are known unknowns and unknown unknown...trish,<BR/><BR/>There are known unknowns and unknown unknowns...<BR/>;-) <BR/><BR/>While I make no pretense to knowing the machinations ongoing and prefer that remain the case, the inability of Iranian dissidents to physically harm the regime suggests a paucity of that sort of support. <BR/><BR/>Yes, there is Turkey. The US has been given due notice of Turkey's reliability. If Turkey were to find itself having to rely upon infantry alone in an offensive into Kurdistan, the slaughter of Turkish troops would be reminiscent of WWI. Turkey could thus be neutralized and defanged through judiciously, selectively arming Iraq's Kurds. The same, of course, could be said for Iran. As a bonus, the Kurds might pull it off by themselves. Wouldn't that be a dainty dish?allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165804689706636012006-12-10T21:38:00.000-05:002006-12-10T21:38:00.000-05:00trish,re: questions of loyaltyI am uncertain of yo...trish,<BR/><BR/>re: questions of loyalty<BR/><BR/>I am uncertain of your meaning. The protests of the students, certain workers groups, religious dissidents, and ethnic/tribal adversaries have been vociferously anti-regime. Loyalty to the Iranian government in these instances is absent. The brutal suppression of any opposition to the status quo by the government would indicate a mutuality of antipathy. <BR/><BR/>Now, I have no doubt that an attack on the Iranian authority by outsiders would stimulate patriotism. But, an indigenous revolt or coordinated regional rebellions would not have nearly the same effect. If the Iranian government found itself embroiled in putting down an ongoing rebellion, its ability to project itself into Iraq and elsewhere would be curtailed. Moreover, should the regime fall from within, the "imperialists" could not be blamed. Finally, should the regime collapse, where would it be offered sanctuary?<BR/><BR/>Unless Iran falls from within, it will have to be destroyed from outside. This will mean reducing Iran by conventional and possibly tactical nuclear weaponry. This would leave a mortally wounded Iran, incapable of putting pressure on the surrounding Sunni. Furthermore, once the shooting starts, the law of unintended consequences comes into play.<BR/><BR/>In conclusion, for my money, I would much prefer an internal collapse of the Iranian regime. The rationale for the absence of vigorous US action to this end continues to escape me; although, I appreciate the Saudi pleasure with the status quo.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165803305086463642006-12-10T21:15:00.000-05:002006-12-10T21:15:00.000-05:00If hypocracy is the compliment that vice pays to v...If hypocracy is the compliment that vice pays to virtue then certainly, as Will Rogers said, “Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.”<BR/><BR/> W I "Occupation" delivers on the essential truth of what we have been invovled in for the past four years and I associate myself with his formulation. I do believe it is way past time to find a bigger rock.<BR/> All of the countries of the earth are incapable of crafting,treaties,alliances,organizations that endure the ceaseless search that man has for dominion. That search always involves at some point war, and the search for dominion ends only with total victory.<BR/> In this manner the dialectic is confirmed as we go from war to ephemeral peace to war, always for a new reason even if the reason is the hypocracy that diplomacy pays to war.Habuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883037170077821624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165801272870442662006-12-10T20:41:00.000-05:002006-12-10T20:41:00.000-05:00trish,re: arming KurdsI was referring to Iran's Ku...trish,<BR/><BR/>re: arming Kurds<BR/><BR/>I was referring to Iran's Kurds, Trish. Additionally, I spoke of the failure to arm any of the numerous factions within Iran, who would like to see the regime overthrown. The student activists come immediately to mind, if for no other reason than their having been brutally suppressed last week, when they took to the streets. Since all who seek change in Iran are defeated in short order by the well armed Iranian authorities, I must assume the lack of armed resistance must have its origin in a lack of arms.<BR/><BR/>Historically, the Persians have had a cordial relationship with both the US and Israel. The Shi'a have had an historically strained relationship with the Sunni. Should the present Iranian regime be displaced and replaced by the pro-Western government preferred by the secular Iranian intelligentsia, that would automatically place an impediment in the way of the hegemonic Sunni Wahhbists, the creation of Saudi Arabia.<BR/><BR/> Trish, if and when Iran is rendered harmless, the attention of the American public would be turned to the unhealthy relationship of the House of Saud and America's elite, generally. Were that to happen, I am sure the public would come to see the Saudis for what they are.<BR/><BR/>As to my ability to give an answer for the American government, I am afraid I cannot. If asked to give a spontaneous answer today for the lack of support given to Iran's dissidents, government officials would probably have all manner of excuses. Should a scandal develop, these folk will sing from the same page. I am unable to predict what the party line might be.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165795552028031662006-12-10T19:05:00.000-05:002006-12-10T19:05:00.000-05:00hello everyone...i think most people MISS somethin...hello everyone...<BR/><BR/>i think most people MISS something on a few points:<BR/><BR/>Israel has learned that she MUST not hold back and actually seek destruction of her self declared HONEST enemies.<BR/><BR/>IF the arab world is going to call israel child murderers and mass killers then NO MORE leaflets warning people to evacuate, just hit all military targets, NO WARNING.<BR/><BR/>Peace with iran/syria/hamas/hezbollah/alqueda et al is not possible<BR/><BR/>So let tell israel to issue a threat to lebanon, "return the 2 solders by 12 noon, if not the IDF will bomb lebanon."<BR/><BR/>Period.<BR/><BR/>No more of this PUSSY fighting... <BR/><BR/>#1 the airport will be destroyed<BR/>#2 ALL power generators, substations and transformers will be HIT<BR/>#3 ALL lebonese governmental building INCLUDING the Goverment Palace are HIT<BR/>#4 ALL water and sewage treatment plants will be destroyed as well as ALL INDUSTRIAL factories, warehouse and and "valuable asset"<BR/>#4 Bombing will start in the south and DRIVE the population NORTH, creating DEAD ZONES and MASSES of MILLIONS of people fleeing...<BR/><BR/>If Hezbollah/Hamas/Fatah/islamic jihad/iran/syria (or anyone in that inbred camel humping group) shoots ANY ROCKETS at civilian targets, 100 fold number of rockets shall be shot BACK a CIVILIANS.<BR/><BR/>This is WAR.. Real war.... Not bullshit.<BR/><BR/>Once southern Lebanon (or gaza) is depopulated it shall be cluster bombed and napalmed. (salt the earth if needed)<BR/><BR/>Thus not seeking doing things the ass backward way the USA is leading us, go destroy infrastructure and then spend 400 billion to rebuild said infrastructure and create "friends" but rather, destroy it and let the masses of arabs do what migrating hoards of people have done for thousands of years...<BR/><BR/>run away or die<BR/><BR/>let's try that to a few hundred hotbeds of islamic nutcases 1st, then talk about a regional "sit-down "What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/08237879055691019968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165791101010198312006-12-10T17:51:00.000-05:002006-12-10T17:51:00.000-05:00re: fireworks and global thermonuclear warAlthough...re: fireworks and global thermonuclear war<BR/><BR/>Although I have it on good authority that Mississippi would view a nuclear war in the ME as little more than a 4th of July fireworks exhibition, I'm going to go way out on a limb and say that such a war would most definitely have a negative impact on global bourses. Why, I can see the petroleum market, if one exists in such an eventuality, being is flux. Any semblance of order in commodities exchanges would be likewise chaotic. For several hundred thousand years, things might be less than optimal to the day trader. For those who trade long, well, "long" will have a whole new context.<BR/><BR/>Oh, well, as long as things are copacetic in Mississippi, life is good.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165788688420793402006-12-10T17:11:00.000-05:002006-12-10T17:11:00.000-05:00Most people refer to them as wheelchairs. I haven'...Most people refer to them as wheelchairs. I haven't the foggiest idea what a chairwheel is but one day I may. maybe it'll be an autowiper for the incontinent.<BR/><BR/>And someday someone at the drivers license agency will tell you you can't drive any more.<BR/>it's all good so far...and if you want to just hit cap locks and write everything el grande..because <BR/><BR/>When a problem comes along<BR/>You must whip it<BR/>Before the cream sits out too long<BR/>You must whip it<BR/>When somethings going wrong<BR/>You must whip it<BR/><BR/>Now whip it<BR/>Into shape<BR/>Shape it up<BR/>Get straight<BR/>Go forward<BR/>Move ahead<BR/>Try to detect it<BR/>Its not too late<BR/>To whip it<BR/>Whip it good<BR/><BR/>When a good time turns around<BR/>You must whip it<BR/>You will never live it down<BR/>Unless you whip it<BR/>No one gets away<BR/>Until they whip it<BR/><BR/>I say whip it<BR/>Whip it good<BR/>I say whip it<BR/>Whip it goodHabuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883037170077821624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165787951453664112006-12-10T16:59:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:59:00.000-05:00Doug,George isn't infallible. But today you don't ...Doug,<BR/><BR/>George isn't infallible. But today you don't seem to be in the best of moods.<BR/>It'll be OK.<BR/>We're all going to die.<BR/>If we live long enough we'll all become incontinent,lose our sight and hearing, our muscles will atrophy and we'll be in chairwheels, so buck up mate and enjoy a good erection while you can.Habuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883037170077821624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165787741056376802006-12-10T16:55:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:55:00.000-05:00Mississippi SAT ranking 2005 50.5*ACT ranking 2005...Mississippi <BR/><BR/>SAT ranking 2005 50.5*<BR/><BR/>ACT ranking 2005 50<BR/><BR/>On the SAT, Mississippi tied with DC for last place, hence 50.5.<BR/><BR/>On the ACT, only DC scored lower, which seems fitting given US foreign policy is formulated there.<BR/><BR/>"Import" is in the eye of the beholder.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798524644256471907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165787333348025902006-12-10T16:48:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:48:00.000-05:00That was in answer to Bud, AGAIN blaming conservat...That was in answer to Bud, AGAIN blaming conservatives to defend infallible GWB.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165787240202883602006-12-10T16:47:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:47:00.000-05:00Exactly!GEORGE didn't cause any trouble refusing t...Exactly!<BR/>GEORGE didn't cause any trouble refusing to carry out his oath and then blaming the law abiding citizens for the result!<BR/><BR/>Ditto for allying with the Dems and then trashing Conservatives for trying to stand for a principle here and there.<BR/><BR/>GEORGE didn't immediately encourage use of INCLUSIVE language like <BR/>Nativist<BR/>Exclusionist<BR/>Vigilante<BR/>Racist<BR/>Xenophobe<BR/><BR/>Definitely words that brought us together in harmonius victory in the fight to preserve the Union.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165787208483371262006-12-10T16:46:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:46:00.000-05:00At Some point it might be constructive to ask your...At Some point it might be constructive to ask yourself a few things.<BR/>Would you eat a meal prepared by a cynic?<BR/>Would you drive a car built by a cynic?<BR/>Would you live in a house built by a cynic?<BR/>Would you follow the leadership of a cynic?<BR/><BR/>Psychiatric help is available if you answered yes to any of the above.Habuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15883037170077821624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165786906713132652006-12-10T16:41:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:41:00.000-05:00Reality Counts.Except in The Touchy Feely Compassi...Reality Counts.<BR/>Except in The Touchy Feely Compassionate Socialist World of Bush Love.<BR/>...nice of him to trash conservatives from the bully pulpit.<BR/>And punish CITIZENS trying to protect this country from invasion that he supports.<BR/>...still haven't seen the explanation of why it is just fine that thousands die each year because of the Criminal Enemies Among Us.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165786756547991122006-12-10T16:39:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:39:00.000-05:00Adios, shithead.Adios, shithead.buddy larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17760847873026506988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165786694936634212006-12-10T16:38:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:38:00.000-05:00You fucking idiots have insured now that a third o...You fucking idiots have insured now that a third of the electorate will be auto democrat, and you didn't even get your fence. Stupid, ignorant, loud-mouthed, vulgar hate-spewers, who got utterly rejected by the electorate, almost 100%. <BR/><BR/>All you did was help the enemy, you ignorant, loud-mouthed stupid fool.buddy larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17760847873026506988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-1165786642376055792006-12-10T16:37:00.000-05:002006-12-10T16:37:00.000-05:00Doug said... I agree w/Allen, and of course Norths...Doug said... <BR/>I agree w/Allen, and of course Northstar 'Rat.<BR/>Trish thinks Ledeen is a Maroon, but he has argued long before TWAT that we ignored the obvious opportunities in Iran for 3 decades at our peril.<BR/><BR/>Sun Dec 10, 03:13:15 PM EST <BR/>Doug said... <BR/>The Bush family will all go to their graves still harboring some warm fuzzies for the Saudi Royals, from Barbara to the little "Texas" (Ivy League) Debs.<BR/>---<BR/>The rest will all continue to go the bank with their wads of Saudi Cash.<BR/>---<BR/>...and as our esteemed duo point out:<BR/>THE TROOPS PAY, DEARLY.<BR/>as do the civies at home for the Crooks from south of the border that Honest George welcomes with open arms.<BR/>---<BR/>Saudi Crooks, Mexican Crooks, and Honest George, the Compassionate, Patriotic Christian.<BR/>---<BR/>My Ass.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.com