Why any war with Iraq will be over in a flash

www.timesonline.co.uk ^ | December 24, 2002 | Michael Evans

[jpl]

I wonder if the real reason the Democrats oppose the war is because they know we will win it so decisively, with so few talking points (innocents killed, high casualties on our side, etc.), that it will sweep President Bush back into office in 2004.

That's the real reason.

[agincourt1415]

Hopefully if the war and the occupation goes ok, then the voters will stay on board, I hope they will.

[BigBobber]

Bush 41 lost because he listened to Rats for advice. He didn't finish the job in Iraq, and he raised taxes. Then Clintoon lied his way into office by promising a middle class tax cut and that he would get tough with the ChiComs.

I'm sure that Bush 43 has learned from these mistakes.

[My2Cents]

But America’s new technological trump card is the microwave bomb, which is capable of knocking out Baghdad’s electricity supplies without damaging a single building.

It also has the effect of turning their stored grain into popcorn.

[My2Cents]

Scene in Saddam's rearview mirror as he high-tails it out of Baghdad...The F-18-E --

[Mackey]

LOL!

The Iraqis can have a snack while they're watching the fireworks.

[Samurai_Jack]

Im not so certain about that... I see the administration getting wobbly on alot of issues these days.

[Pining_4_TX]

The war will be over quickly, but the occupation will last for years. I can't believe everyone thinks this will be "over" in a flash. Are we done in Afghanistan? Noooo. Are we done in Bosnia? Nooo. Heck we're still in Korea after 50 years. This is insane! We can't occupy the whole freakin' world! Meanwhile, we're letting Muslims into this country daily. Bring our troops home and put them on our borders. We can't fight this war like the wars of the past. It won't work. It isn't a country we're fighting; it's a belief system.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

That "Finger of God" destroying a Tank was taken at Camp Edwards, MA in 1980! (I think the tank is an M5A3, Patton Tank). It appeared on the cover of Aviation and Space Week about that time! It was designed by the old AVCO (now part of Textron) "Assault Breaker". Still a pretty cute trick.

[Momaw Nadon]

Attack on Iraq Betting Pool

[Prodigal Son]

The Royal Navy has landattack Tomahawk cruise missiles...they each cost about £500,000...

“That’s like launching a three-bedroom house in London at an Iraqi target,” he said.

I found this bit extremely amusing.

[Happy2BMe]

"Wow, shoulder-launched Big BLUs! That's amazing. Those guys must be lifting weights."

MARINE CORPS EYES PORTABLE THERMOBARIC WARHEAD FOR URBAN OPS

Naval researchers are developing a portable version of the thermobaric bombs employed to clear caves and bunkers in Afghanistan for the Marine Corps to use in urban combat.

Thermobaric weapons are fuel-rich explosives that suck air from its target, creating a lethal combination of heat and pressure that burns longer than conventional explosives. The weapons are effective on hardened, underground facilities, which are among the most difficult targets to eliminate.

Scientists and engineers at Indian Head, MD-based Naval Surface Warfare Center are fabricating a thermobaric warhead that can operate with the shoulder-mounted multipurpose assault weapon.

According to a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command, the Marines were so impressed with the success of thermobaric weapons used in Operation Enduring Freedom that they approached the Indian Head researchers and requested a shoulder-mounted version of their own.

The Marines expect to receive the shoulder-mounted thermobaric arms in the near term, according to Maj. Thomas Bowers, the infantry requirements officer in the materials division at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

In “definitely less than a year” the warheads should be in the hands of some Marines, though it is not slated to go out to every unit, Bowers told Inside the Navy last week.

[Fzob]

Here's a flash for a quick end

[archy]

the US Marines are getting shoulder-mounted thermobaric weapons which, if ready in time for a war with Iraq, could have devestating potential in streetfighting in Baghdad.

Wow, shoulder-launched Big BLUs! That's amazing, Those guys must be lifting weights.

Oh no. There's been a thermobaric warhead available for the Soviet-designed RPG-7 rocket-grenade launcher for several years now, [GTB-7G] and the Russians have found it quite useful for streetfighting in Grozny. The concept should work just as well with Marine MAWS and SMAWS.

But the idea that we're thinking of going in to clean buildings in cities is an unsettling one, and a potential source for large numbers of American casualties. Let's hope the US troops have a lot of those thermobaric housebreakers available in their tricky-bags.

[LibWhacker]

Thanks, both of you. Hadn't heard about these things. Amazing. Been out of the service a loooooooooong time! :-)

[lmr]

Illegal immigration is mostly a demand problem. They wouldnt come here if Americans werent so eagar to employ them. Throw employers in jail and the problem will be reduced troops or no troops on the border. You have some interesting solutions. Some I have never thought of. Food for thought.