Hey! It's something in Iraq that should garner wholehearted Democrat support!
"I'll have another fifth of the good stuff, yeah, off the top shelf - put it on my tab"
Posted on 03/07/2007 9:09:44 AM PST by Valin
Wednesday, March 7, 2007 12:01 a.m. EST
BAGHDAD--The new strategy to secure Baghdad has been dubbed by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as "Operation Imposing the Law." After weeks of waiting and anxiety it is finally under way, and early signs are encouraging.
The government information campaign and the news about thousands of additional troops coming had a positive impact even before the operation started. Commanders and lieutenants of various militant groups abandoned their positions in Baghdad and in some cases fled the country. Diyala province, to the east of Baghdad, was the destination for many Sunni extremists, while Shiite militiamen went to Babil and Diwaniya in the south. Some higher-ranking members of Shiite and Sunni militant groups fled to Iran and Syria respectively. This migration motivated the government to announce supporting security measures in five provinces around Baghdad, to make sure that fleeing bad guys do not regroup in other cities.
This indicates that both the addition of more troops and the tough words of Prime Minister Maliki are doing the job of intimidating the militants. The extremists understand only the language of power, and any reluctance or softness on the part of the Iraqi or U.S. government would only embolden them. In this way the clearly voiced commitment of President Bush and Prime Minister Maliki was exactly the type of strong message that needed to be sent.
One difference between this and earlier--failed--attempts to secure Baghdad is the willingness of the Iraqi and U.S. governments to commit enough resources for enough time to make it work. Another important point is the insistence of the Iraqi government that political factions not interfere with the progress of military action.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
"I'm not as think as you drunk I am, infidel. Hick."
Liquor stores? In Baghdad? Wow. Well, that seems like very good news!
Since muslim taxi drivers won't even take a fare that has booze
I live in MPLS by the Airport, and have talked to some taxi drivers, what they tell me is this was a couple of Arab drivers (most of the drivers are from Somalia) who didn't want to take short fares so they started this..nonsense.
Yep. If we could just get the liberals to go along. Ha! I know they understand this, but they refuse to agree with it because it would make the USA look good.
I think it is a good indicator of success in establishing a secular environment, or at least the potential popularity of a truly secular environment.
IraqtheModel refers to the current fighting not as a "civil war" or a "sectarian war", but instead refers to it as a "war of the sectarians". IraqtheModel also has stated that many Iraqi citizens have realized that, though sectarian elections were a natural response to the Saddam era, it is time to move toward secular representatives. (This movement is also reflected on another thread today regarding support for secular candidates.)
Iyad Allawi and al-Dulaimi announce new non-sectarian coalition in Iraq
azzaman ^ | March 7 2007
Posted on 03/07/2007 9:51:45 AM CST by jmc1969
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796732/posts
Adnan Al-Dulaimi Accord Front yesterday announced the establishment of a new political front with the Iraqi List led by Iyad Allawi with the title (the Iraqi National Front).
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jmc1968 is on top of this.
One of those lesser-known facts, the Christians were allowed to have liquor stores and I read that Haifa Street had several prior to the breakdown in civil law.
When I was in Iraq 2005 there was an underground smuggling ring for booze at Camp Victory, despite General Order #1 (no alcohol in the CENTCOM AOR). Presumably it's still there and I know people would get busted for it from time to time. It was all supplied by Iraqi merchants (other Iraqis were allowed on base to sell sat dishes, sat Internet, local cellphone service, rugss, sundries, and other services.
One pal bought a liter of Jack Daniels for $30 at Camp Victory and brought is back to Balad. Me? No thanks.
Here's what GO#1 says, in case you're interested:
The introduction, possession, sale, transfer, manufacture, or consumption of any alcoholic beverage within the MNC-I area of responsibility is a violation of USCENTCOM General Order 1A (c). This General Order applies to military personnel or civilians serving with, employed by, or accompanying the Armed Forces of the United States, while assigned to or under the operational control of the Commander, MNC-I and present for duty in Kuwait or Iraq. (15 October 2005).
More detail here, page 3:
http://www.mnci.centcom.mil/Victory_Times/VictoryTimes_Vol2_Issue012_2006-02-11.pdf
I hope they mean it. If so, it's a great title.
It's still out at the BIAP (commercial) warehouse and the IZ's shop near the 14th July bridge has always been there.
Quite the contrary, consuming alcohol would go along way towards soothing factional violence. It acts a social lubricant between classes, and helps people forget their grievances. IMHO, the strictures against alcohol in Muslim societies is an important barricade to civility.
Yes it is. Could Sheila Dixon borrow it?
Unfortunately, the tinfoil hat crowd will focus on the acronym as proof that Cheney/Halliburton is in charge.
Add some thick cut hickory smoked bacon and I'd call them downright civilized.
I forgot about that, someone told me there was a duty-free at BIAP. But no one is supposed to use BIAP anymore, right?
Nam Vet
When I was in Iraq 2005 there was an underground smuggling ring for booze at Camp Victory, despite General Order #1
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