[Lonesome in Massachussets]

"You can only mass an attack so many times."

- Think of Eisenhower sending all the boats back on June 6 or of the Japanese turning around on December 6th to think about it some more.

There are obvious signs that the US is preparing a huge attack,

- munitions factories running around the clock,
- 100,000's of reservist called up
- base expansions in the gulf

These steps are costly in money and the demands they place on reservists lives and families. I believe that the planners have a tentative date and are massing for the most overwhelming attack possible on that date. They will take whatever aid they can get from the locals but go it alone if they have to. This war is fully joined. To back down now is to fail, the domestic political climate, diplomatic pressures and tactical advantages will all become worse with time. The US was in no position to launch an attack on 12 September. We have been building up for one ever since.

Iraq has been aiding and abetting terror against Americans for at least the last 11 years. This alone is sufficient justification for war.

I am sure that it will come and it will be brutal.

[mamelukesabre]

Thanks, I think I get the point now.

Basically: the money is already spent, might as well make use of the men and materials.

Is that about it?

[Vermont Lt]

100's of thousand reservists called up? Not even close.

The Aug 7 report from the Pentagon says that about 79,000 reservists have been called up, a net DECLINE of 656 from the previous report.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2002/b08072002_b410-02.html