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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated

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To: Andrew N. Cothran who wrote (192472)	1/11/2007 6:33:48 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) of 793897

You got realism. You got honesty. You got a pragmatist who understands the problem. Andrew, Let's you and I be honest with each other. An obviously frightened Commander in Chief just gave the most uninspiring war making speech ever. We got more of the same old bs to go with a new set of generals who bring more of the same old thinking. An insurgency cannot survive without outside support. He mentioned Iran and Syria but said absolutely nothing about containing their support of terrorism. This snake has two heads and we remain unwilling to cut-off either one. US Troops are no longer going to fight to win. They are going to fight against a time line intended to provide others an opportunity to continue the fight. That is a strategic thinking error of the highest magnitude. If America cannot defeat terror nobody can. American troops are not stupid. They sure as hell don't want to wage war against a clock (Nov 2007) and a congressional majority that does not support their efforts and wants to cut their funding. Troops in combat could care less what their guns and ammo cost. They expect to get it in quantity anytime they need it. Combat in cities is the most casualty producing form of combat. I know one US Combat Brigade in Baghdad area received a 125 day extension last night. I am sure others are getting the word as I type this. Now they know they will soon be fighting house to house and then pull-out. Unless a senior American leader can state a winning strategy, I predict the reaction of the troops is going to shift slowly but surely. You will see it first in the enlistment and (currently record high) reenlistment rates. All the congressional bs about increasing the size of the Army is just that - bs. The US Army has not been able to recruit itself to full strength since before 9/11. A failed strategy to be replaced by an uninspired strategy to be implemented with the most deadly (to friendlies) tactics is not likely to inspire new recruits to enlist or old soldiers to reenlist. Reminds me of 2 seventies T-shirt sayings, "What if They Gave a War and Nobody Came" and "Participant Southeast Asian War games - Second Place" Wars like to expand. This one has all the right ingredients including an enemy who has no fear of administering a Coup de grace when they sense the timing is right. We have significant defense problems and I believe they are about to get bigger than Iraq.

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