[Dirk McQuickly]

These are extremely disconcerting comments. We're hearing today that Basra has fallen back into Iraqi hands? What the hell is going on?

[RippleFire]

BUMP

[CatoRenasci]

Anyone taken armed in civilian clothing is (1) not subject to the Geneva Convention, and (2) subject to being shot on sight under the traditional rules of warfare. We should 'make it so'.

[Cboldt]

These are extremely disconcerting comments. We're hearing today that Basra has fallen back into Iraqi hands? What the hell is going on?

The media is attacking your resolve.

The campaign is not perfect, and even if it was, there would be somebody complaining about how it was prosecuted.

[MJM59]

I don't think that we ever really held Basra. It was contained more than anything. However, there appears to be a pocket of resistance hiding out in there like rats. So, we'll have to go in there and exterminate them the hard way.

[Destructor]

The "rules of engagement" need to be reviewed. As it stands now that set of rules is costing American Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen their lives. America doesn't need to pull it's punches. We need to hit the Iraqis hard, and make 'em holler "Uncle."

[honway]

It's time to stop trying to be Mr. Nice Guy. They are bombing us. Let's start bombing the hell out of them."

These Generals and politicians didn't learn a damn thing from studying Vietnam.

God help the U.S. fighting man and woman.

This report makes my blood boil. This PC driven, "Religion of Peace" crap has got to end when American soldiers are dying on the battlefield.

[=Intervention=]

Maybe you don't mean to be humorous, but this statement was, nonetheless. Just because a bunch of greenhorn reporters think it's the end of the world yet again does *NOT* mean the rest of us have to swallow that line, too.

[Publius6961]

the generals are denying me the ability to bomb enemy positions?"

If this can be verified and documented, I would love to see it.
A half-assed war is a war against ourselves.
I value American lives a lot more than that. No lives for PR or PC, please.

I will reserve my true feelings for when this statement is documented.

[yoe]

Lift the "no combat zone" regulations to "all combat zone". This is NOT a police action, this is WAR and the lives of our military are at stake. Other than the Geneva rules, this is not about political correctness. The enemy is deadly serious about killing US soldiers anytime, anywhere for any reason. Stop the bs, we’re wasting time and precious lives taking prisoners, they are enemy combatants in all sorts of uniforms and disguises; take no prisoners and get on with it – once the word is out that we shoot to kill...

[jackbob]

Soldiers always gripe up and down the chain of command. The media always gives a distorted report. And the whiners always whine about both. And when I do it, its grumbling.

[stimpyone]

But don't these folks know that we're here to liberate them - just like the Vietnamese?

[holdmuhbeer]

The British are in the process of cleaning out the city as we speak.

[texson66]

The PC Rules of Engagement are supposed to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.

The fighting with one hand behind your back is endangering our servicemen and women. Drop the nonsense. Hit targets anywhere at anytime. Take the fight to the enemy!

If we had worried about this in Germany, we would still be in France with the Russians overunning Paris (wait a minute maybe ...)

Anyway, when you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow!

[Beck_isright]

If W is allowing the politicians to make the rules of engagement, we will lose at least 10% of our boys and maybe more. I'm not thrilled with some of the military decisions now coming to light either which indicate that the comments in this article might be true. First the continuing battle in Al-Nasiriyah for the bridges indicates we've lost our mind. Those civlian targets which are obstructing our taking the other side of those bridges should have been warned then obliterated. We can not let our Marines be picked off to act "humane". War is not humane. Second, what moron ordered an Apache attack on the Medina division without hi/mid/lo cap anti-aircraft supression support??? I've heard of some lamebrain moves but sending choppers in without fixed wing support takes the cake. If all of this pans out to be verified after the war, it really will suck. Because the idiots who ordered it will get promotions. And it's a scarey thought to think they could be on the JCS some day.

V

[hardhead]

Vietnam - all over again.

[Dubya]

bump

[1Old Pro]

PC wars put our troops at risk.

[juzcuz]

I don't understand American Military strategy....
Right now on Fox: An American General advising Iraqi civilians to 'stay at home'... ( I take it he means Basrah)

I think that is so stupid. Why not tell those citizens to evacuate to a refugee camp. That way the Iraqi Militia can't use as many of them as shields and save some of their lives. Militia will probably be camped out in civilian houses and stealing civilian food. The innocents are being caught in the middle. The American strategy is encouraging them to stay there...

[Stavka2]

Combat Zones are where combat happens not where politicians deside they are. This is rediculous. If you're going to start this stupid war, at least fight it right and finish it. War is war, if you can't handle the reality of it or your poll numbers can't handle the reality of it, don't start the damned things....but if you do, you had better have the gonads to do it right.

[Stavka2]

Basra was always in Iraqi hands, they were counter attacking to take th airport and suburbs.