Wow, how long do you think they can keep that kind of pressure up?

Wow, how long do you think they can keep that kind of pressure up?

Probably for a long, long time. It seems to have worked very well for the UN.

The surge is working.

Do it now Iraq or you are going to get a heavy dose of Time Out.

/problem solved

If that demand didn't work with a bunch of Tibetan Buddhists, what makes you think it's going to work with a bunch of blood thirsty terrorists that hate freedom?

I love how the Iraq war threads are never as big as the Obama preacher threads.

Surge on.

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state...

Looks like mooks with small arms are enough of a problem for the American and British militaries. The Brits already knew this, of course, through Irish education, which is likely why they let the locals kill each other off rather than engaging heavily by themselves.

The news reports yesterday had the Iraqi government threatening the militias with "severe consequences" if they didn't comply. Considering they are currently shooting at them and calling in air strikes, how much more "severe" could they get?

Just tell me what he did and I'll sign a note saying if he does it again I'll sign another note.

Wow, what are they? The U.N.?

tact

I believe that they should, our troops over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., er, should help the Iraq.

/and South Africa

I blame the parents.

resolution #______ and a stern letter to follow!

The woman who created Iraq later killed herself. (new window)

Sym_pathetic
I love how the Iraq war threads are never as big as the Obama preacher threads.

Surge on.

the conservative blogs suffer an even bigger blackout. They're going on about hillary and barack day in day out, without a peep on Iraq. It's like living in a hole.

Cagey B: The surge is working.

In September, violence was falling and that was held up as proof that The Surge was indeed working.

Five months later, an increase in violence is held up as proof that The Surge is indeed working.

We're winning the war against Eastasia and the ration of Victory Gin has increased to 5 cl per day! Rejoice, comrades!

Bill_Wick's_Friend: In September, violence was falling and that was held up as proof that The Surge was indeed working.

Five months later, an increase in violence is held up as proof that The Surge is indeed working.

It doesn't matter what the facts are - any news proves the surge is working. And Iraq will become the next Switzerland.

jeffwashingdc: Sym_pathetic
I love how the Iraq war threads are never as big as the Obama preacher threads.

Surge on.

the conservative blogs suffer an even bigger blackout. They're going on about hillary and barack day in day out, without a peep on Iraq. It's like living in a hole.

Speaking of living in holes:



or what about caves:



Instead we're worried about some bullshiat.

Amazingly, the relentless critics of the Iraq War can't recognize good news when it appears in front of their faces.

I have to conclude that nothing would ever make these critics happy.

canyoneer: Amazingly, the relentless critics of the Iraq War can't recognize good news when it appears in front of their faces.

I have to conclude that nothing would ever make these critics happy.

How is this good news?

canyoneer: Amazingly, the relentless critics of the Iraq War can't recognize good news when it appears in front of their faces.

Renewed violence, an ineffective and weak Iraqi government, the ending of the truce with the Mehdi army, police taking off their uniforms, keeping their US-supplied weapons and joining the insurgents, increased power to Iranian-backed militias and civilian and military (Iraqi and US) deaths creeping back up to last year's levels?

What's the good news?

canyoneer: I have to conclude that nothing would ever make these critics happy.

I'll be happy when US forces leave Iraq. It is not worth the $3 trillion price tag.

canyoneer: Amazingly, the relentless critics of the Iraq War can't recognize good news when it appears in front of their faces.

I have to conclude that nothing would ever make these critics happy.

Shelling in the Green Zone is not good news. I have to conclude that paying war lords to shut up is a bad idea -- and the surge had nothing to do with it.

Anyway, you used to say you were a war criticoontil it got better. If we're having this same conversation 6 months from now, will you change your mind?

A year from now?

You're good at belittling war critics, but put the debate in some light, and define what exactly I'm supposed to be looking for in order to identify progress.

Well, golly, guys, what conditions might be conducive to an American withdrawal? Has it ever occurred to you that when the Iraqis can provide their own security, it might be one of those conditions? Don't you think both the Iraqis and the Americans will be more comfortable with American troops drawdowns when Iraqi security forces can handle insurrections and criminal gangs without assistance?

So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation, and have only dropped two bombs in support of the Iraqi Army. If the Iraqi Army can pacify Basra with minimal American assistance, not only will they gain valuable experience and confidence in themselves, they'll also gain the confidence of the Iraqi people.

If you want American troops to leave Iraq, this is good news for you.

Get it?

canyoneer: So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation

Wrong

Bill_Wick's_Friend: Cagey B: The surge is working.

In September, violence was falling and that was held up as proof that The Surge was indeed working.

Five months later, an increase in violence is held up as proof that The Surge is indeed working.

We're winning the war against Eastasia and the ration of Victory Gin has increased to 5 cl per day! Rejoice, comrades!

THIS

canyoneer:

So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation, Basra.

Let's keep shiat straight.

canyoneer: Well, golly, guys, what conditions might be conducive to an American withdrawal? Has it ever occurred to you that when the Iraqis can provide their own security, it might be one of those conditions? Don't you think both the Iraqis and the Americans will be more comfortable with American troops drawdowns when Iraqi security forces can handle insurrections and criminal gangs without assistance?

So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation, and have only dropped two bombs in support of the Iraqi Army.

WRONG DUDE.

If the Iraqi Army can pacify Basra with minimal American assistance, not only will they gain valuable experience and confidence in themselves, they'll also gain the confidence of the Iraqi people.

But that isn't happening.

If you want American troops to leave Iraq, this is good news for you.

Get it?


You don't.

Bill_Wick's_Friend

No American troops are involved in Operation Saulat al-Fursan (Charge of the Knights). (new window)

Please find reports of U.S. forces on the ground in Basra.

See? I knew it. Even good news is another excuse for bellyaching.

Bill_Wick's_Friend: canyoneer: So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation

Wrong

As long as our troops are there, their security forces will never be able to stand on their own.

canyoneer: find reports of U.S. forces on the ground in Basra.

US forces and air support are backing the fighters. What made you think they wouldn't? Its all over the news you idiot.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2008/marzo/juev27/crecen.html

canyoneer: No American troops are involved in Operation Saulat al-Fursan (Charge of the Knights). (new window)

Wrong (new window)

Calvin Coolidge: I personally believe that they should, our troops over here in the U.S. and such as ...There for ...should help the U.S., er, should help the Iraq.
And bomb them with maps.

/and South Africa

There, a little more understandable

Bill_Wick's_Friend: "US troops are indeed fighting in Basra."

You can't even read your own link (hyperventilating) Irish link, which breathlessly trumpets the Americans being "drawn deeper" into Basra.

Ahem.

They've dropped two bombs from airplanes - you know, those things that fly around thousands of feet up in the air?

I knew it.

canyoneer: Bill_Wick's_Friend

No American troops are involved in Operation Saulat al-Fursan (Charge of the Knights). (new window)

Please find reports of U.S. forces on the ground in Basra.

See? I knew it. Even good news is another excuse for bellyaching.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/sns-ap-iraq,0,2789634.story

canyoneer: Bill_Wick's_Friend: "US troops are indeed fighting in Basra."

You can't even read your own link (hyperventilating) Irish link, which breathlessly trumpets the Americans being "drawn deeper" into Basra.

Ahem.

They've dropped two bombs from airplanes - you know, those things that fly around thousands of feet up in the air?

I knew it.

They've dropped more than two bombs you idiot. Read my links.

Bill_Wick's_Friend: Wrong
boomaze: WRONG DUDE.
moops: Wrong

"Wrong" implies he was mistaken. He is a LIAR.

mediaho: "Wrong" implies he was mistaken. He is a LIAR.

He "misspoke".

The Onanist: He "misspoke".

No, he's just moving the goalposts around:

"US forces aren't participating in Basra."
"US ground forces aren't participating in Basra."
"They only dropped two bombs!"
"You use oil and you're guilty of this too!"

moops: The Onanist: He "misspoke".

No, he's just moving the goalposts around:

"US forces aren't participating in Basra."
"US ground forces aren't participating in Basra."
"They only dropped two bombs!"
"You use oil and you're guilty of this too!"

Wonder if next it wil be

"fark it. I'm going to enlist instead of fighting this war online!"

Probably not.

moops: No, he's just moving the goalposts around:

Notice the quotation marks around my use of the word "misspoke"...

/Sarcasm meter on the fritz??
//He was dodging sniper fire while typing.

canyoneer: Well, golly, guys, what conditions might be conducive to an American withdrawal? Has it ever occurred to you that when the Iraqis can provide their own security, it might be one of those conditions? Don't you think both the Iraqis and the Americans will be more comfortable with American troops drawdowns when Iraqi security forces can handle insurrections and criminal gangs without assistance?

So far, the Americans have zero ground troops involved in this operation, and have only dropped two bombs in support of the Iraqi Army. If the Iraqi Army can pacify Basra with minimal American assistance, not only will they gain valuable experience and confidence in themselves, they'll also gain the confidence of the Iraqi people.

If you want American troops to leave Iraq, this is good news for you.

Get it?

You're ignoring the fact that Iraqi soldiers have already turned and started fighting with the Shia militas because many of them are loyal to the Shia militias before they are to the Iraqi government. This is not a good vs evil situation. This is Prime Minister Maliki trying to use the situation to rid himself of a political rival, Sadr, before the next election. Sadr has held the cease fire until now because it gives him legitimacy with moderates opposed to Maliki. Sadr is much more popular than Maliki with the Shia masses. Maliki's gambling that Sadr's goons will be drawn out into a fight so Sadr can be disposed of. The problem is Sadr has survived assaults like this before and come out stronger politically. If Maliki fails to take Sadr out for good then his days as Prime minister are done and Sadr will use this to drive popular sentiment in his favor further and expand his political power. Then you have Sadr, who's goal is to put a Iran styled Theocracy in charge of Iraq, as the person hand picking the leading candidate for Prime Minister.

The Iraqi Government/Coalition forces have tried to take Sadr and the various Shia militias down several times. Each time it was the government that backs off and Sadr goes and licks his wounds only to come back stronger than he was before. By our standards the guy is a thug but a lot of Iraqi Shia's think the guy is a cross between George Washington and Martin Luther King. Personally I think Maliki just picked a fight he can't win politically and because of that he can not win it militarily either.

Well guys, you can check MNF-Iraq for yourselves. There are no reports of U.S. ground forces engaged in the operation in Basra. The Air Force has been flying sorties over Basra providing surveillance, but has only dropped two bombs - at the request of the Iraqi Army.

All the other fighting you're referencing has been in Baghdad, and that's been light. So far, I've only seen one report of a helicopter attack on a mortar team and a few firefights between American troops and militia members. The un-sourced trumpeting of Spanish and Irish newspapers can safely be ignored. You're all acting like this is the Battle of Stalingrad or something.

So, you can hyperventilate all you like, but that doesn't change the fact that this is good news for you. It indicates greater capability on the part of the Iraqi Army, which brings the day of American withdrawal that much closer. Your bizarre contortions attempting to spin this as bad news are truly amazing.

boomaze

If you're so pissed off about this war, why don't you do something about it?

Here we have an unpopular war that the government refuses to end - even though two-thirds of Americans oppose it and even though the Democratic party was given a clear mandate in 2006 to end it.

Clearly, the government refuses to follow the will of the people. Why don't you do something about it?

canyoneer: Well guys, you can check MNF-Iraq for yourselves. There are no reports of U.S. ground forces engaged in the operation in Basra. The Air Force has been flying sorties over Basra providing surveillance, but has only dropped two bombs - at the request of the Iraqi Army.

All the other fighting you're referencing has been in Baghdad, and that's been light. So far, I've only seen one report of a helicopter attack on a mortar team and a few firefights between American troops and militia members. The un-sourced trumpeting of Spanish and Irish newspapers can safely be ignored. You're all acting like this is the Battle of Stalingrad or something.

So, you can hyperventilate all you like, but that doesn't change the fact that this is good news for you. It indicates greater capability on the part of the Iraqi Army, which brings the day of American withdrawal that much closer. Your bizarre contortions attempting to spin this as bad news are truly amazing.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/sns-ap-iraq,0,2789634.story?page= 1

American jets also dropped bombs overnight in Basra in the first use of U.S. air power in the southern oil port since the Iraqi government launched a crackdown against Shiite militias there on Tuesday. U.S. and British jets previously had provided surveillance.

Another U.S. airstrike targeted a rocket-propelled grenade mounted vehicle in the northern neighborhood of Azamiyah, killing two militants, the military said separately.

Not only are you a retard, you can't say when you are wrong you dumbass.

canyoneer: boomaze

If you're so pissed off about this war, why don't you do something about it?

Here we have an unpopular war that the government refuses to end - even though two-thirds of Americans oppose it and even though the Democratic party was given a clear mandate in 2006 to end it.

Clearly, the government refuses to follow the will of the people. Why don't you do something about it?

What makes you think I care? Seriously? People who are dying volunteered to die. Its half way around the world. Nothing I can do about. Honestly, I don't give two shiats.

What the hell is John McCain going to say when the surge stops working? Oh, I know, he's going to say it needs time and that staying the course will yield results if you just continue with it.

Using US forces to do his dirtywork, Maliki will become Shah Reza Pahlevi.