Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (89065)	4/2/2003 6:28:53 AM
From: bela_ghoulashi	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

I watched CNN, Fox, and MSNBC tonight for the first time in I can't remember when...I guess since 9/11. About 3 hours worth. I honestly have to say the two things that made the most impression on me were: one, the unabashed enthusiasm of the embedded reporters on all three channels; and two, their nearly universal insistence that they were perceiving a shift in mood among the Iraqi people themselves in the towns and villages. The CNN anchor seemed noticeably irked about this. I also noted that while both Fox and MSNBC focused pretty much exclusively on reports from the embeds, analysis of the battlefield by ex-military men, and the POW rescue story, CNN was much lower key and gravitated toward fairly dull talking head debates between academics or legal types on peripheral issues. Overall CNN seemed much more distant and subdued. Not more objective, just more skeptical and subdued. Fox seemed pretty gung-ho. And I thought MSNBC was the best of the three: all their presentations were good, clear, informative, detailed, and well-done. I'm almost tempted to get cable myself now, but I honestly don't think this is going to last long enough to make it worth it.

To: LindyBill who wrote (89065)	4/2/2003 7:17:42 AM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

LB, While I share your enthusiasm...unless there is a bigger crack opened somewhere, I think the 4th sees action. The 3rd will need a break at some point. And though I expect them to clean up what they have to right here. Another unit may be selected to spearhead the next phase. A lot of this will depend on how long they stay on the front line and how many casualties they sustain. The tactics being used now continue to be classic American Infantry doctrine. 3 factors are under constant consideration...enemy, weather and terrain. The enemy is in disarray, unable to resupply, reeling from indirect attacks, and trying to reinforce in the open. These are all reasons to press the attack right now. The weather situation calls for an attack now too. The moon is favorable and the temps are moderate but expected to worsen. Finally terrain...key terrain objectives are in our hands. Bridges create bottlenecks but better to cross them while you still have control. Minefields may be slightly restrictive but so far have not posed any major problems. All of these items are in our favor in the south. I am not convinced of that in the North and West. I love badass A teams...but division killers they ain't. Not to say we cannot swing it our way eventually...just not sure we already have. The constant pounding of the regime's HQ buildings leaves the major commanders without guidance. Yet it appears that many are willing to fight to the death. This ain't over yet. We have already seen that one division's throwing in the towel does not mean the rest will. There will likely be plenty of combat opportunities for the 4th. I will be pleasantly surprised if is ended before they deploy. uw

To: LindyBill who wrote (89065)	4/2/2003 7:23:33 AM
From: JustTradeEm	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

We can pretty well have our way with the remnants of the Medina and Baghdad Divisions Heard today that satellite info shows that chem trucks have now pulled up behind Medina. Of course, most of these "reports" turn out to not be true and I've not heard any confirmation. Would be a concern going forward, if true. JB