USS George Washington carrier group heads to Caribbean

[NNN0LHI]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_USS_WASHINGTON_DEPLOYMENT_FLOL-?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (AP) -- The USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group moved into the Caribbean this week for two months of training and joint military exercises, in what the military hopes will be a show of its commitment to the region.

The military has dismissed as ridiculous allegations by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that it is planning an invasion of his country. Still, analysts say the show of force sends a strong signal to Chavez and other Latin American leaders - as well as to China, which has a growing presence in the region - about U.S. commitment there.

The deployment is part of Operation Partnership of the Americas and will also focus on threats such as drug and human trafficking, according to the Miami-based U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military activities in Latin America.

The training is standard, but the United States could have picked several areas to conduct the exercises.

[ugarte]

1. "A show of its commitment"...as in we're committed to kill you...nt

[Lefty48197]

2. We'll just be playing war games off of your coast

but we have no intention of using the information we will learn.

[Bozita]

3. Elections haven't gone well for Bushco in that part of the world

People have been voting for their own self-interest. How about that?

[ladjf]

4. Please don't tell me that Bush is about to invade Venezuela.

[NNN0LHI]

7. Just a little Shock and Awe to keep them on their toes

Why do they hate us?

Don

[ladjf]

8. That's terrorism in it's worst form.

[Horseradish]

5. A show of strength?

Considering that it does cost brazillions of dollars to send an aircraft carrier group ANYWHERE .... (fill in the rest)

[Roland99]

6. We need CARRIER GROUPS in the "war on drugs"????????