New Attitude - The presidential gloves are off

NRO ^ | 1/11/07 | Fred Thompson

[bnelson44]

In his address last night much of what the president said had been anticipated by the media — the additional troops, the understanding that he has with the Maliki government as to their responsibilities and so forth. But I was struck by a couple of things he said that indicated not just a change in tactics but a whole new attitude with regard to what's necessary. He’s taking the gloves off.

In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter those neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter those neighborhoods — and Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.

And, contrary to the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, instead of talking to Iran and Syria the president is taking them on too.

Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops…we will disrupt the attacks on our forces, we will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advance weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

I'll bet that a lot of folks who support the president on this are asking themselves "what if we'd taken care of business this way two years ago?"

[bnelson44]

Audio at link

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

""I'll bet that a lot of folks who support the president on this are asking themselves "what if we'd taken care of business this way two years ago?""

Gee, do you suppose that people in the media, academia, and Washington would have criticized him?

[popdonnelly]

"Gee, do you suppose that people in the media, academia, and Washington would have criticized him?"

They always do. Without fail.

[msnimje]

If we do nothing in Iraq or "go easy" the left and the Arabs hate us.
If we pound the bag guys hard, killing them in great numbers, the left and the Arabs hate us.

Hmmmm, which should we do?

[familyop]

"I'll bet that a lot of folks who support the president on this are asking themselves 'what if we'd taken care of business this way two years ago?'"

..."taken care of business" what way? ...crushing Iran's military forces and denazifying politics, business and education there?

Oh, that's right. Some of those steps haven't been taken in Iraq, Gaza or Lebanon, yet.

[MHGinTN]

We weren't actually ready to take them on like this (politically). Now that it's obvious the democrats cannot be trusted to wage the war against terrorism, it is time to take strong action to pacify the Iraqi scene so we may move on to the next phase before the democrats are in complete power.

[advertising guy]

kill those who hate us.Media too,they really hate us.

[paul51]

"what if we'd taken care of business this way two years ago?""

the correct question is 'why' didn't we?

[airborne]

The United States military is one gigantic can of whoop ass!

All we need to do is give them permission to use the can opener!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Makes no diff.

[Night Hides Not]

All we need to do is give them permission to use the can opener!

What was our leadership thinking?

Many thanks to you for your service, from a cherry jumper.

[philetus]

kill those who hate us.Media too,they really hate us."

There are a lot that need killing too.

[hosepipe]

[ But I was struck by a couple of things he said that indicated not just a change in tactics but a whole new attitude with regard to what's necessary. He’s taking the gloves off. ]

SO THEN... Bush has had gloves ON until NOW...
If so he should be hung...

[airborne]

Just for you, cherry!

[advertising guy]

never enuf jaw bones of an ass when ya knew em huh

[airborne]

We all knew from past experiences what happens when political correctness takes over and politicians make battlefield decisions.

[Leofl]

Well, About Damn Time!!

[editor-surveyor]

"what if we'd taken care of business this way two years ago?"

Make that three.

[TomGuy]

New Rules of Engagement?

What about the several dozen US military who are in prison awaiting charges and trials for doing what they thought was their missions in Iraq?

Under the new RoE will the soldiers have to take lawyers along just in case the JAG decides to start charging them with various war crimes?

[TomGuy]

Well, About Damn Time!!

I wouldn't get too excited yet.

Remember, we got 2 false alarms about Fallujah before, on the 3rd try, the politicians finally let the military go in can clean out that infestation.

As soon as the UN and CAIR and the EU, and a few other groups start whining, the PC gloves may be put back on again. Look for Dr. Rice to be calling for restraint by the end of next week.