Classic 'resistence warfare': Hit and run

[keithyboy]

All those positions that the coalition forces have 'regained control of' are really positions that the Sadr militants have abandonded. Don't be fooled. The resistence militants do their damage and then run, leaving only civilians to take the brunt of our military onslaught. And this is what our soldiers are claiming victory over...killing a lot of innocents. How brave!!

[displacedtexan]

1. Did you hear Kimmitt's pathetic "We now control that bridge" crap?

These people are still trying to fight Hitler's army... uniformed, organized state-run army.

This is absurd!

[tabasco]

2. I think your analysis of the strategy is correct.

The resistance knows they can't defeat us in all-out combat. Ho Chi Minh and General Giap both stated that they had studied the tactics of General George Washington in how to defeat a more powerful enemy. I'm betting the Iraqis have some good tacticians, too.
But remember that the great majority of our troops are trying to do the right thing, and do not wish to hurt civilians.

edit - typos

[cocoabeach]

3. I agree....

our military isn't trained to wipe out innocent civilians on purpose. And they wouldn't do it even if ordered. Perhaps our definition will differ on who "innocent civilians" are, though.

[Karenina]

4. "The chick got in the way."

:eyes: :shrug: :eyes:

[pocoloco]

5. You took the words right off my computer!!

[tabasco]

6. What's your point?

:shrug:

All of our military people are cold-blooded killers because of one sound bite from one idiot? Typical. I was in the Army and I knew soldiers. As I said, the great majority are good people and are trying to do the right thing.

[Karenina]

7. The U.S. military

as an entity distinct and separate from those who make up its ranks, IS
a cold-blooded *corporate-controlled genocidal maniac. THAT is a fact. Read Smedley Butler and then perhaps do a bit of research into its WORLDWIDE activities since the time he wrote. Then tell me how many "democracies" have sprung up in the wake of its activities.

What U.S. soldiers are being commanded to do in Irag is becoming more grotesque by the minute. These are fresh-faced, under/miseducated, inexperienced, under-trained TEENAGERS, armed with high-tech toys, many of which are NOT functioning properly, stuck in the middle of boiling cauldron and and whose "support systems" are corrupted beyond all recognition. Maybe they're feeling a bit "edgy." Wouldn't you?

That said, it is ALSO a fact that "discipline" and morale are in the toilet and that they will indiscriminately shoot at ANYTHING that moves.
The horrors and humiliations they have subjected the Iraqi people to will NEVER see the light of day in the American press. You will learn of them slowly as they return FUBAR to your bosoms...

[baronessniki]

8. You are right.

I just don't support them

[tabasco]

9. Explain the several generals who were against the war in Iraq.

Many generals opposed this invasion. Maybe they did not get the memo that they were part of a cold-blooded, evil entity. It was the civilian authority that forced these generals to retire. Rumsfeld had to pull a lackey out of retirement to be the Army Chief of Staff. I have known many rank and file soldiers, several colonels, and a few generals. As a group, they are moral and decent people. Obviously, there are exceptions, as in every slice of society.
It will be a happy day when we live in a world without armies. I will be happy when the US does not consider itself master of the world. I am not very proud to live in a country that spends so much on "defense." But I know where to lay blame for the state of affairs. It is not these cold-blooded soldiers and generals anxious to march to war. The blame is with the corrupt politicians and businessmen who profit so much from war.
President Eisenhower warned us about what is happening now. We must regain control of the country from the war profiteering industries and never give it back!

[Karenina]

14. They need no "explanation."

Career guys WHO HAVE SEEN IT, telling it like they know it to be get my vote any day of the week. I sported an I LIKE IKE button even though I was too young to vote. Don't get your knickers in a bunch, gsh999.
We agree about politicians and avaricious-ruling-class types.

Where I offend your sensibilities is in my overt contempt for the "ROLES" the U.S. military has been cast in for the half century I been running around. The American CITIZEN is ultimately responsible. Unfortunately the American citizen is WOEFULLY UNAWARE of the MANY UNSAVORY ROLES its military has played. What's worse is the APATHY and "We're the GOOD GUYS" jingoism.

The "civilian authority" has not been answering to the American citizen AT ALL for a few years now and has made a HUGE MESS.

The U.S. gub'mint just overthrew the Hatian administration, for goodness' sake. Barely blipped. If that doesn't speak to your collective commitment to democracy, I can only conclude that there's a lot of dead brains in the land of my birth...

[Redleg]

10. It makes me wonder if we learned any lessons about guerilla warfare

in our many other expeditions over the years.

[Redleg]

11. And Bush, Rummy, and the rest have put our troops into a hard situation.

The troops are over-tired and receiving daily harassment fire- they are in a situation where civilians are mixed with armed guerilla fighters. Civilian casualties are almost a certainty under those circumstances. Bush and Rummy have put our troops into a very bad situation without a plan to get out. Let's impeach Bush for leaving our soldiers' asses hanging out.

[mouse7]

12. Geez... Doesn't anyone remember "Hogan's Heroes"?

Besides the obvious high degree of similarity between Bremer and Col. Klink...

Soldiers in a resistance movements do not capture targets. They conduct hit and run raids. Blow up a high value target, then run away to fight another day

[Karenina]

13. Those "high value targets"

are NOW the lives of ANY foreigners in Iraq. The military tactics being employed by the "coalition" exacerbate the situation exponentially every passing minute. This is really NOT WORKING and the U.S. would save us ALL a lot of destruction and degradation by IMMEDIATELY withdrawing its troops. It will do so now or later. The only relavent question is over how many dead bodies.

Kimmett's quip will be heard ALL OVER THE WORLD. :sigh:

[TimMooring]

15. Tragic Story for USA and Iraq

Our troops and the Iraqis are dancing to the flute of the cheneybush. Can there be Iraqi patriots fighting to free their soil of an army of occupation? An army who's rather transparent purpose is to secure the world's second largest oil reserve for western oil companies. This is a war for wealth and an important part of the NAC strategic plan. To complain that the iraqis won't come out and fight like men when your side has an arsenal from Apaches to B52's that the cheneybush is just itching to let go is rather silly. They are doing what they have to do to stand any chance of winning. I am preying that they will not kill the hostages. they have let some go which shows that at least some of them don't want to do what they are threatening to do. The trigger will be gwb: damn the hostages! full speed ahead! Give me your sacrificial lambs!