Meet the 'Troop morale in Iraq hits 'rock bottom'', CSM reporter Ann Scott Tyson: [Fisk-ette!]

Consortium News + ^ | various | Ann Scott Tyson

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Check out examples of Ms. Tyson's work: Google search

This is how Ms. TYSON saw OUR war in Iraq:

On the battlefield, rather than throwing down their arms, the Iraqi army sometimes fought heroically though hopelessly against the technologically superior U.S. forces. Christian Science Monitor reporter Ann Scott Tyson interviewed U.S. troops with the 3rd Infantry Division who were deeply troubled by their task of mowing down Iraqi soldiers who kept fighting even in suicidal situations.

“Even as U.S. commanders cite dramatic success in the three-week-old war, many look upon the wholesale destruction of Iraq’s military and the killing of thousands of Iraqi fighters with a sense of regret,” Tyson reported. “They voice frustration at the number of Iraqis who stood their ground against overwhelming U.S. firepower, wasting their lives and equipment rather than capitulating as expected.”

“They have no command and control, no organization,” said Brig. Gen. Louis Weber. “They’re just dying.”

Commenting upon the annihilation of Iraqi forces in one-sided battles, Lt. Col. Woody Radcliffe said, “We didn’t want to do this. Even a brain-dead moron can understand we are so vastly superior militarily that there is no hope. You would think they would see that and give up.”

In one battle around Najaf, U.S. commanders ordered air strikes to kill the Iraqis en masse rather than have U.S. soldiers continue to kill them one by one. “There were waves and waves of people coming at them with AK-47s, out of this factory, and they (the U.S. soldiers) were killing everyone,” said Radcliffe. “The commander called and said, ‘This is not right. This is insane. Let’s hit the factory with close air support and take them out all at once.’”

This slaughter of young Iraqis troubled front-line U.S. soldiers. “For lack of a better word, I felt almost guilty about the massacre,” one soldier said privately. “We wasted a lot of people. It makes you wonder how many were innocent. It takes away some of the pride. We won, but at what cost?” [Christian Science Monitor, April 11, 2003]

---

Perhaps if MS. Tyson and her press pals reminded the world what SADDAM and the LOYAL SADDAM supporters - fellow torturers, murderers and oppressors - did to the Iraqi people, and wanted to do to US - it would improve morale a bit!

Tales of Saddam's Brutality [lengthy, graphic, White House websight]

 

 

[Satadru]

I don't think a reporter needs to tell me how bad the situation is in Iraq. I have friends who are based in Baghdad and I hear from them at least once a week. The situation is bad and extremely volatile. Troop morale is low, because unlike what the President said in the past, the military is engaged in nation building. The war is over. Bring them back. If the situation gets worse, we reserve the right to get back again and set things straight.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Everyone except the hardest partisan and enemies of freedom want our troops to succeed...but, what's this...across the world, on Baghdad liberation day - the BBC, EU, DNC - the VLWC reporters - were NOT happy for the Iraqi people or our troops. Decades of pro-UN socialist propaganda debunked. SADDAM, NOT the USA WAS the REAL enemy. The AMERICAN MILITARY, NOT the UN, NOT the socialist 'elite', liberated an oppressed nation.

The same press that bought and sold Iraqi Info Ministry lies while we had EMBEDs in Iraq have been selling out America and our troops 24/7 since with constant negativity, hyping casualties, ignoring the troops awesome daily progress - playing the Iraqi pro-Saddam video to keep the Iraqi people frightened, and treating our fine military like poor helpless dupes at the whim of a lying CIC and a BIG, BAD enemy. BUNK. The LEFT lost. They're giving us the finger in the form of the CLINTONS and undermining our efforts in Iraq DAILY.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

From Defending independence , Col. Oliver North:

We have taken casualties. As of this writing, 26 Americans have been killed by enemy action in Iraq since May 1. And no stores of nerve agents, bio-toxins or nuclear weapons have yet been found in Saddam's treasure trove of armaments. Throw in the fact that we have yet to find either Saddam or Osama. Does this explain such a drastic softening of resolve in a nation that less than 22 months ago suffered 2,790 killed at the hands of Islamic terrorists?

Or is something else happening here? Has the mind-numbing, hyperbolic blather of Senator Robert Byrd finally taken effect? Have we succumbed to the globalist-pacifist rant from John Kerry and Howard Dean as they chase each other to the left in their quest for a presidential nomination? Or are we simply paying too much attention to the quagmire commentaries of the negative nannies in the Democrat party?

On July 2, when asked to comment on the killing of a Marine in Iraq, President Bush replied, "there are some who feel that the conditions are such that they can attack us there ... Bring 'em on! ... Our forces are ready." This prompted New Jersey Democrat Senator Frank Lautenberg to jump for the nearest microphone and proclaim that he was shaking his head "in disbelief." He then sputtered that when he was in World War II he had "never heard any military commander -- let alone the commander in chief -- invite enemies to attack U.S. troops." Mr. Lautenberg must think that at Bastogne, General Anthony McAuliffe was asking the Germans for hors d'oeuvres when he replied to their surrender demand with, "Nuts."

After hearing Senator Lautenberg and the explanations of the pollsters, I decided to conduct my own informal, admittedly unscientific sampling of American public opinion to see how deeply this sense of national dyspepsia was being felt. I called a military recruiter.

"The polls say Americans are growing disheartened," I told him. "Are you seeing any drop off in volunteers?" "Not here. We have all the high-school graduates we need for the next two months," he replied, knowing that he is one of those responsible for enlisting 185,000 new recruits this year. 

The conversation reminded me of one I had on-air with a young lance corporal just east of Baghdad in early April. The New York Times had reported that morning that the Marines had outrun their supply lines and were out of food, water, fuel and ammo. I stood next to the youthful Leatherneck, told him about the story, stuck the microphone in his face and asked, "Are you hungry?"

"No, sir."

"Thirsty?"

"No, sir."

"Are you short on ammo?"

"No, sir."

"Well, what do you need?" I pressed.

"Just send more enemy, sir."

Bravado? Sure. But it's real -- right from the lips of one of those who stand in harm's way defending us -- and offering the hope of freedom to others.

It was that same kind of audacity that inspired 56 patriots to gather in a hot hall in Philadelphia that July of 1776 and stick it in King George's eye. They knew it was going to be a rough go -- but they didn't shirk and whine. They signed on to the notion that we are endowed by our Creator "with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." As we celebrate that event this year we might do well to remember that enjoying "the blessings of Liberty" sometimes requires us to cinch up our belts, suck it up and get on with the business of protecting ourselves.

[elhombrelibre]

Great post. Our troops are doing a great job and the enemy is using terrorist tactics. Fear is the enemies main weapon. If liberals have their way, we'll leave Iraq the same way we left Saigon and Mogadishu.

[TheDon]

Nice post. It is rather timely for me, I'm half way through "Treason" by Ann Coulter. Of course, I've already learned to take the opposite of whatever comes out of a liberals mouth as the truth.

[MEG33]

I'm glad you put a bit of perspective here.I'm sure they are tired of the the attacks and the heat and would want to be home..They will do their job and for that I humbly thank them.

[homegroan]

Why are the troops only allowed one liter of water per day and one MRE? Is that normal? They have to buy Coke & ice from the Iraqi's...we can't send them liquids. We spend about $150 a week on food & personal items to send to my brother in law (and he gives some to guys in his troop who have no one)..is this normal? (I'm not a military person). We're waiting to hear if he was the soldier shot buying a soda from the Iraquis. He didn't contact his wife this weekend as usual.He's in the 1st Armored Division.

[Satadru]

OK, lets take a deep breath here. No American wants our troops to fail. However, the aims of the State dept is sometimes different from the military. The job of the military is not nation building. The President didn't want our troops to do nation building during the election, however he is once again going back on his promises (read lying). The job of the military is done and they ought to come back. It is time for the State dept to come up to the plate and resolve the political situation. I fully support the troops, and I want them out.

[Texas_Dawg]

Were you against the war to begin with?

[ohioman]

You are a complete idiot if you think the job of our military is complete. Your logic would give Saddam a victory.

[1rudeboy]

The President didn't want our troops to do nation building during the election, however he is once again going back on his promises (read lying).

All politicians are born liars. Some do it easily, others after two skyscrapers are destroyed. /sarc

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen, MEG. When Mark Steyn arrived in Iraq and exposed the truth about the negative press - the jet-setting NGO leaders and press driving around Iraq in air-conditioned SUVs looking for VICTIMS to exploit (and blame on US), I cheered.

Gephardt, McAuliffe, Carville and Daschle wrote this last JANUARY, PRE-WAR. The press had a script. Explains the press disconnect from reality re. Iraqi coverage: Dems plan to undermine America to beat Bush

Our troops have few defenders in the mainstream PRESS. They can't even sue for misrepresentation or harassment. Someday perhaps the world will take the press less seriously. Until then, we have to stand up for the troops.

Thank goodness for the net. Many of the military bloggers are doing an awesome job getting news past the DNC doom and gloom filter. One letter from a grateful family member is shared, one victim of 9-11 or Saddam's brutality inspires. We shouldn't have to battle OUR partisan press on behalf of our troops and our efforts in Iraq - NOT after 9-11. We elect our politicians, but how do we hold the press accountable?

[MEG33]

I know we preach to the choir sometimes.I just hate the thought of the press undermining the morale of our troops and their families.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Why are the troops only allowed one liter of water per day and one MRE? Is that normal?

That's the first I've heard of any problem with supplies. I would guess it's sporadic and temporary. Gen. Abizaid would not let his troops go without food or water. Will check it out. You might want to contact a few military bloggers w/ widespread readership: LT Smash and Kevin at chinpokomon are two. Do what you're doing here...telling others who support the efforts of our troops. They'll ask around, get the word out. Before you trust a "concerned" reporter, just remember most of the press wants us to fail. That's a fact.

[MEG33]

He hates Bush.

[colorado tanker]

Obviously, you've never eaten an MRE. The troops are well supplied. But given a choice between a Coke or a grilled chicken and an MRE, the troops will buy food, fer shure.

[Texas_Dawg]

He hates Bush.

Isn't it funny how obvious it is that whenever these people have a problem, that's what is at the base of it all?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

No American wants our troops to fail.

Too many Americans want our troops to fail. Most of our press and profs and entertainers want us to fail in Iraq. They spent decades whitewashing the UN and bashing America, only to have all their efforts threatened by reality. Clinton's buddies, the ANSWER crowd that undermined our efforts in Vietnam and still treats Saddam like the innocent misunderstood leader next door want us to fail. I guarantee it. As for our troops, they are kicking the bad guys butts...daily. THAT, more than anything else is what the Iraqi people need. Our press neglects to share those many daily successes with US, the world - or the Iraqi people.

---

There were more US casualties in the Chicago porch accident last weekend (13 fatalities and at least 57 wounded)  than we had in all of Iraq during the last two weeks of June - during a major operation to root out some really bad guys.

Just for the record:

 

US troops suffered 33 total casualties (13 fatalities, 20 wounded ) out of 146,000 total troops across Iraq (a nation the size of California w/ a population of ~ 24 million): 7 fatalities due to hostile fire. 2 unknown - missing troops recovered - foul play presumed. 3 non-hostile (unspecified) fatalities. 1 fatality and 2 wounded in vehicle accident responding to Marines who were engaged by hostile forces.

 

Look what they accomplished:

 

***During Operation Desert Scorpion which lasted from June 15 to June 29, the 4th Infantry Division and the 1st Armored Division conducted multiple raids resulting in 1,330 individuals being detained. Confiscated weapons include 497 AK-47s, 235 hand grenades, 124 rocket-propelled grenades, 22 machine guns, 130 pistols and 100 rifles and 8,122 rounds of ammunition. The division also confiscated $9,463,000 in U.S. dollars, 1,557,000,000 in Iraqi Dinars, 1,071 bars of gold and 52 vehicles. ***  Link 

Our troops rock!

The Iraqi people were terrorized for over 24 years. They need to know their neighbor, Saddam's pet, isn't going to murder their child if they help rebuild their own country. They need to know that SADDAM will never be coming back. They need to know that OUR troops are badder, stronger and more determined than SADDAM. They need to see all the GOOD our troops are doing. The Iraqi people and the American people need to trust the troops and NOT the press.

The troops need OUR patience and perspective. They need us celebrating...not hyping the bad. FOUR MONTHS our troops have been in Iraq. FOUR MONTHS! I have cheese older than that. This was and is the reality of AMERICA'S press (BBC, Al Jazeera, AFP are worse) - from the mouth of the opposition on Baghdad liberation day: "Why don't those damn Democrats give President Bush his day? He WON!!" Chris Matthews

THIS DNC is selling out America, with the help of the press.

Even FoxNews continues to run the smiling Saddam propaganda video. Can you imagine AMERICA's press doing that to the victims of Nazi concentration camps on the day we liberated them? The press rarely reports the atrocities committed by Saddam & Co. The man's an evil monster who abused a population for decades. Exposing the horrors, Saddam's history would do much to help us and the Iraqi people. It would silence our critics and gain international support for our efforts - among the people of the world, if not the anti-American press.

Bingo.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I just hate the thought of the press undermining the morale of our troops and their families.

I do, too, MEG. The troops are wising up, though. Most of them are on to the press...Big Time. The press trolls looking for victims to exploit will always find them.

Thank a GI

[mystery-ak]

One MRE per day...I find this very hard to believe....they get 1 MRE for lunch, breakfast and dinner are usually hot meals....where is your b-i-l ?

[Satadru]

The purpose of the military is to fight wars. That is over. Policing is not the job of the military. Now it is the job of the CIA and the state dept to find out the fate of Saddam Hussein. If most Iraqis want to live in a liberal democracy, they can figure it out themselves. We can force democracy down anyone's throat who wants to live in the Stone Age. If you are for the military, you should bring our troops home and let the Iraqis figure out their own destiny.

[Satadru]

Very good question. I was both for and against the war. Let me explain. There is no doubt what the outcome of a war is when one is fighting the American military. We will not win or lose in the battleground, but in the court of public opinion.

I wanted the President to give a clear, moral justification for war, which he didn't. I wanted him to say that Saddam is a clear danger to the US because he has been our enemy for a long time, he has tried to assassinate one of our Presidents, he continues to harbor terrorists within his country, he has the capacity to get his hands on some nasty weapons and hire Al Queda to do his dirty work. All this would be prima facie, but it would be a valid justification to go to war. The rest of the world would have been furious that we are acting out of our own national security interest, but it would have made a moral imperative to go to war.

I wanted the President to justify the national security threats, instead of coming up with cockamamie stories of WMD and human rights abuses. If these were the true reasons, then China should be number 1 on our list. But the President did not even include communism as one of the threats that humanity has ever faced. I was never convinced by the WMD argument. Saddam has enough enemies in the region that he had to have WMD. Oh but the UN said he couldn't have any, but who cares about the UN? The UN wouldn't come to Saddam's rescue if he is attacked by Iran. Saddam knew he would be completely paralyzed without any WMD, especially when neighboring Iran wants nuclear weapon. The human rights abuse argument is just as bad. There are lot more bodies buried under the Premier's basement in Beijing, where Bush wined and dined, than all of Iraq. Of course, Saddam was an evil guy who killed a lot of his own citizens. But how many people are we going to save going by the same analogy? We need to be in at least 70 countries world-wide trying to stop human rights abuses. Therefore, I felt that even though I felt that Saddam was a bad guy who needed to go, the administration did not make the right justification for going to war. Since noone can match the American military might, we will win or lose based on the moral grounds we make in the court of public opinion and that is where we failed.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

You can disagree with our reasons for being there, I happen to agree. For many reasons - not the least of which is to prevent IRAQ from becoming another N. Korea.

As for our warriors, they ARE doing the job of warriors. They are also doing the work of NGOs - many who came to Iraq to help, made promises to the Iraqi people - and left. Not all, but many, MANY NGOS are making it difficult for our troops. Most of our WARRIORS like the humanitarian work best. THEY need to be there policing Iraq for a time. They need the trust of the longsuffering Iraqi people. They are doing an outstanding job.

It's done. We're there. You can now either join the choir to bring home our troops - handing SADDAM and OUR enemies a VICTORY...or you can support THIS war and THESE troops as they take out the terrorists and terrorist-wannabes daily.

Were you worried last July 4th? I wasn't. The world IS safer because of OUR troops efforts in Iraq.

[Satadru]

I profoundly disagree. No American soldier wants to stand in line in a store and get shot. Sending American military to police third world streets is unpatriotic. American soldiers have won the war. Now it is time for our diplomats and the CIA to round up the operation. President Bush promised that we will not be engaged in nation building, and he should live up to his promises. Humanitarian work isn't the job of the US military. If some soldiers want to stay and do it, that is their business. However, if the govt gave them the option of doing humanitarian work or coming home, I know what 99% of them would choose to do. If Saddam ever returns to power, we reserve the right to take him out again. How can you guarantee that years after the US troops have left, Saddam wouldn't be coming back? The war has ended, bring home the troops.

[archy]

02 July 2003 - "There are some who feel like that conditions are such that they can attack us there," Bush told reporters at the White House. "My answer is bring them on. We have the force necessary to deal with the situation." - Reuters

03 July 2003 - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - One U.S. soldier was killed and 19 were wounded in two attacks in central Iraq (news - web sites) on Thursday night, the U.S. military said on Friday. A sniper shot dead one American soldier in Baghdad, while the 19 U.S. soldiers were wounded in an attack near the town of Balad, north of the capital, a military spokesman said.

06 July 2003 - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. soldier was killed and four were wounded in new and increasingly bold attacks on occupying forces in Iraq as a top U.S. politician said intelligence suggested Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) was probably alive.

A soldier was shot and fatally wounded at Baghdad University on Sunday, while four were wounded in an ambush with rocket-propelled grenades in Ramadi, a volatile town about 60 miles west of Baghdad, a U.S. military spokesman said.

The spokesman gave no details of how seriously the four were hurt, nor further description of the ambush. On Saturday, seven Iraqi police recruits were killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast in Ramadi.

07 July 2003 - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two U.S. soldiers were killed in two fresh attacks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad overnight, the U.S. military said Monday. A spokesman said one soldier was killed while a patrol was pursuing Iraqi gunmen in the Azamiyah neighborhood of Baghdad. An Iraqi gunman was killed and another wounded in the clash. The second U.S. soldier was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle in the district of Kadhimiya.

[MEG33]

He hates Bush.

[Satadru]

No! I hate his policies.

[MEG33]

Correction.He hates Bush's policies.

[Satadru]

Thank you.

[usurper]

If most Iraqis want to live in a liberal democracy, they can figure it out themselves.

I get your point, however at the end of WWII when both Germany and Japan were defeated we did not pull up stakes and allow the cycle to start again. Arguably, allowing Germany to chart its own course after WWI was a huge blunder and resulted in countless millions of needless deaths.

Defeating Sadam was just one component of a larger strategy of stabilizing the ME. The entire area has been playing with matches for far too long and we really got burned. Democracy will be a stake in the heart of redical Islam and on that basis alone it's not a matter of choice but one of survival.

In the same way we defeated Nazism and Communism we need to achieve lasting victory and not follow the failed strategies of containment and appeasement if we are to avoid perpetual war.

[Paulus Invictus]

Then why are you on a conservative forum?

[MEG33]

I know you meant that for Satadru so I forgive you!

[Paulus Invictus]

OOPS! I did. It was for him, not you! Forgive me!

[MEG33]

I did...I do.I've hit the wrong name before!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I know, archy. See #19. Our troops are being hit because our troops are aggressively going after the enemy. For every one of ours the lucky Saddam evildoers hit, OUR guys take out FAR more! The press ignores THAT, too.

Operation Sidewinder just concluded - we lost NO Coalition troops, detained 200-some bad guys (and took out others). During the last two weeks in June, when the press chicken littles were hyping our casualties daily - we lost 13 TOTAL - across the whole country of Iraq - 3 to non-hostile fire, out of 146,000 troops. What an insult to our awesome military for the press to hype the bad and to not CELEBRATE the many more victories! Our troops took in over 1000 bad guys (and took out more). They deserve better from our press.

There were more US casualties in that Chicago porch accident a week ago than in all of Iraq during the last two weeks in June. There are over 24 million newly freed Iraqis - provided with weapons by OUR enemies - and we've had fewer than one casualty a day since the liberation of Baghdad. That's a miracle! Our troops rock!

[archy]

I know, archy. See #19. Our troops are being hit because our troops are aggressively going after the enemy. For every one of ours the lucky Saddam evildoers hit, OUR guys take out FAR more! The press ignores THAT, too.

Don't misunderstand me; I'm not disagreeing, and our troops have done a superb job. One of my best friends has been giving me a no-BS account of the difficulties he's facing in post-Operation Anaconda Afghanistan, though, and I'm under no illusions as to the price that we'll have to pay to see stability maintained in Iraq as well...so long as the funding sources for radical religious fundamentalists remain untouched in the region. I do question whether we're best off using the combat troops who've done their job, and who may be needed elsewhere, particularly while our *peacekeepers* in Bosnia, used to pulling occupation duty, could be used to replace many of them...and some Marines, who so far have seen no action in the region and would happily volunteer for such duty, would be glad to get it.

But I don't care if we kill a thousand of theirs for each of ours they assassinate- and I hope we do. They still aren't worth the life of one additional Americans casualty. And it very clearly is their intent to nickle-and-dime us with one or two a day, three or four a week.

The other detail we've been told little about is American troop suicides. That's one of those little signs that our personnel are not entirely happy about the way things are going, either.

-archy-/-

[snooker]

<<< ... Policing is not the job of the military. >>>

I guess that is why the military has all those civil affairs soldiers. To do, never mind.

I recall the 'dick on a stick' thinking that's all the military did, meals on wheels and run errans. But that was then this is now. Hate is odd.

[Satadru]

Fine. Keep the MP in charge and have them play more of a behind the scene game, and bring the rest of the soldiers home.

[Satadru]

We left our troops in Germany and Japan to fight communism. But, even if I were to believe your theory think about the fate of Germany and Japan after the war. They were completely defeated, nuked, and totally demoralised. In this age of politically correct wars, we cannot even imagine that kind of a campaign against both government and civilian targets that will break the backbone of a country. In the absence of such a campaign, we cannot really defeat a nation in the sense that we cannot break their willingness to resist. So, keep the troops as long as you want, but as long as this PC-type military/political campaigns continue, we will never be able to defeat our enemies.

[Terp]

Why are the troops only allowed one liter of water per day and one MRE?

Were are you getting this information. I have a very hard time believing it to say the least. If our troops were only getting one liter of water a day with temperatures exceeding a hundred degrees they'd all be in the hospital from dehydration.

[snooker]

As I recall we still have troops in Eurapoe. Lets see, 1945, 2003 why that's 58 years give or take. Good thing you weren't calling the shots in WWII.

I will bet troops will be in Iraq as long as they were in Kosovo. Let's see that was sold as a one year stay. Hmmm, been a tad longer. But there weren't any complaints then.

You want those troops home too? Bet you lobbied the dick on a stick to bring them home ... right? sure you did.

[usurper]

In the absence of such a campaign, we cannot really defeat a nation in the sense that we cannot break their willingness to resist.

I don't believe that complete destruction is a prerequisite to victory over the Bath party loyalists nor even over radical Islam. This war comes down to a battle over ideology and excessive carnage would be counterproductive to our ultimate objectives. We do however maintain that capability should it ever become necessary.

I realize that I may be an idealist, but I truly believe that freedom and democracy are universal human aspirations. Whether they are a Bath party Sadam or a dirty nightshirt Mulla they have nothing to offer the people other than oppression and misery. Only by keeping their population destitute, uneducated and under the boot of tyranny can they stay in power.

In the war of ideas they are in a complete and disordered retreat. Hope may prove to be the most powerful weapon in our arsenal.

[autoresponder]

War is not like the Clinton Oval Office.

Out and in, in and out; as the "need arises".

A hasty withdrawal sinks low to go down again.

Busing 140,000 troops is no affirmative action.

Poor stategery in the open face of aggression.

French style.

[autoresponder]

301 killed in 100% gun-banned Washington DC by violent civilian criminals with illegally owned handguns in just one year alone; total population 340,000 people.

--- Source:

1999 Clinton-Reno-Freeh FBI/DOJ
Uniform Crime Report

-

What is the total number of US combat deaths by enemy combatants and all accidents combined in the Iraqi War?

A only about 1/2 that of DC's handgun murders only in Clinton's 1999 hometown residence?

What is the military combat and occupation death rate per/100,000 troops in Iraq so far?

Anywhere close to the 59/100,000 murders DC civilians from 100 banned handguns alone in 1999?

Incidentally, what was the death rate/100,000 in Waco from fire alone in 1993?

Ask Mr. Bill and Ms. Hillary; they know it all.

Peacetime under the Clinton Legcy years.

The birth of the reality show.

[Athwart]

Sending American military to police third world streets is unpatriotic. American soldiers have won the war. Now it is time for our diplomats and the CIA to round up the operation. President Bush promised that we will not be engaged in nation building, and he should live up to his promises.

I don't think your position is defensible as long as you evade the clear distinction between this operation and the ones in Somalia and Bosnia. Sending American military into the line of fire when American interests are not at stake is arguably unpatriotic. This time, it is essential to American interests that we remake Iraq in benign form -- and, if we want to do more than what is essential, and actually pursue a long-term strategy in the interests of our nation, it is essential that we come as close as possible to making Iraq an inspiration and seed for a transformed, free Middle East. This is not "sit around and get shot at." Our military is doing what they are supposed to do, taking the fight to the enemy, and providing the muscle behind the policies to defend our nation.

Are you taxing Bush with a "nation-building" comment he made before 9-11? That would be really lame. As it happens, our future security may depend on the outcome of this "nation building" exercise. I would expect any President to give that more weight than a campaign promise made before an attack on the U.S.

Are you really complaining about the "P.R." in the run-up to the war? Again you focus on trivialities. All of the justifications you made were in fact made by the administration, and Saddam was in fact acting like someone who had WMDs to hide, in my judgement. But how important is this compared to the big issues? Ask an Iraqi about the importance of the PR. And, can you imagine a President Gore even initiating the Iraq war? The world is a little bit better and a little bit safer because of the great victory won by our military. Unfortunately, the job is not done. I am content to let the commanders decide who among their forces are best qualified to finish it.

[Southack]

FYI

[Porterville]

After August the moral will begin to climb. It is just dirt hot right now and there are still pockets of unrest.

[Travis McGee]

Boo freakin hoo.

The more dead fanatics, the better, in onesies or whole buildings.

[Southack]

Precisely, but the reason that I pinged you was because this is the same reporter who was causing all of the hullabaloo about our troops "low morale", in her opinion.

It seems she has an agenda to sell...