Troops in Iraq Undaunted, U.S. Officer Says ( Hussein "irrelevant")

[kskiska]

Myers Sounds a Confident Note, Calls Hussein Irrelevant to Security

BAGHDAD, July 27 -- The highest-ranking U.S. military officer said today that U.S. troops in Iraq were "undaunted" by a deadly campaign of guerrilla attacks against them, and that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is "trying so hard to save his own skin" that he is having "no impact on the security situation here."

"We understand that there are going to be casualties," Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters during a 24-hour visit to meet with U.S. field commanders and civilian administrators here.

"But the most important thing is to understand why we're here," he said, after arriving in a formation of four Black Hawk helicopters on a landing pad formerly used by Hussein's Republican Guard. "The soldiers understand exactly what this is all about, and they are extremely motivated and extremely confident that they can fulfill their task."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54167-2003Jul27.html

[Sagan]

1. Easy to say from an airconditioned palace...

Quite another thing when your riding a Humvee through Baghdad getting grenades lobbed at you.

Thanks for the feedback, Myers, but it's pretty expected, very whorish and completely irrelevant.

[saigon68]

4. whorish BOOTLICK

Statements like this one, are going to come back down the road on this fine gentleman, who will then look totally like the ASS he is.

[pfitz59]

9. Air Farce piece of trash.......

How many Air Farce folks are in the shit? Zero! Myers wears a chestful of DC ass-kissing medals. Those who know can read his chest and see the REMF beltway warrior he is! Better he shut his piehole...

[PartyPooper]

2. I'm glad they understand why they're there.

</sarcasm>

[ewagner]

3. Maybe they could explain it to us?

<sarcasm on>

[fshrink]

5. In a typical brasshole lingo

we're told that the "most important thing" is "why we are here" and then of course not told why it is exactly that we are here. Now, fortunately, the "soldiers know exactly what this is all about etc..., but note that we still do not have a word about that most important thing.

[Rex]

6. "We understand that there are going to be casualties,"

No, not just casualties...DEATHS, as in troops getting drilled with bullets, civilians being killed in firefights, humvees being torn asunder by homemade mines, families destroyed, new enemies being created when their children die from lack of clean water, hate for the U.S. and the imperial tactics by the invading force. Casualties would be bummed knees and wounded pride...this is WAR.

How many more must die for the arrogant to see that Iraq is another Vietnam?

[study_war_no_more]

7. many soldiers shot themselves

to show support and fearlessness in the face of attacks. (in the foot of course)
General: Is that a peace sign on your helmet son?

[saigon68]

8. Its about the duality of Man SIR

Scene from Full Metal Jacket.. Joker to a Colonel in the city of Hue

[kurtyboy]

10. original text of the scene (God Speed, Stanley Kubrick)

"MARINE!"
Joker looks up and sees a poge Army colonel
marching up to face him. The poge colonel has a
classic granite jaw. His jungle utilities are
razor-creased, starched to the consistency of
green armour. Joker stands to attention.
"Corporal," the Army colonel says. "Don't
you know how to execute a hand salute?"
"Yes, sir!" Joker says.

I hold the salute until the colonel returns
it, plus a couple of seconds extra, to
identify the colonel as an officer to any
snipers in the area.

"Marine," the colonel says. "What is that on
your body armour?"
"Sir?"
"That...thing."
"You mean this button, sir?"

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67

"What is it?" the colonel says.
"A peace symbol, sir."
"Where did you get it?"
Joker thinks for a couple of seconds. "A
liberal gave it to me, sir," Joker says, keeping
a serious face.
The colonel jabs Joker's button with a
forefinger and giver him a fairly decent Polished
Glare. His blue eyes sparkle. "That's right, son,
act innocent. But I know what that button means."
"Yes, sir!
"It's a ban-the-bomb propaganda button.
Admit it!"
"What is that you've got written on your
helmet?"
"Born To Kill?"
"You've written 'Born to Kill' on your
helmet."
"Yes, sir."
Why did you do that?"
"I don't know, sir. Everyone writes things
on their helmets."
"You write 'Born to Kill' on your helmet and
you wear a peace button. What is that supposed to
be, some kind of sick joke?"
"No, sir."
"Well, what is it supposed to mean?"
"I don't know, sir."
"Answer that question, corporal, or you'll be
standing tall before the man."
"Well, sir," Joker says with exaggerated
thoughtfulness, "I suppose...I was trying to

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68

suggest something about the duality of man."
"The what?"
"The dual nature of man?... You know, sir,
the Jungian thing about aggression and xenophobia
on one hand, and altruism and cooperation on the
other?"
There is a fairly considerable
mouth-breathing pause from the colonel.
"Whose side are you on, son?"
"Our side, sir."
"MARINE!"
"Yes, sir."
"Don't you love your country?"
"Yes, I do, sir."
"Then how about getting with the program?
Why don't you jump on the team and come in for the
big win?"
Joker still manages to keep a straight face.
"I'm certainly ready to do that, sir."
"Confess corporal, confess that you want peace."
"I confess, sir."
The colonel leans closer and lowers his
voice, "Son, we've all got to keep our heads until
this peace craze blows over."
Joker makes a serious face to consider the
full implications of this statement. "Yes, sir."