Back in October a leaked memo from Donald Rumsfeld predicted a "long, hard slog" in Iraq, and suggested the US lacked "metrics" to know if "we are winning or losing the global war on terror."
Some Iraq metrics to consider: According the the US military, the attacks on coalition forces have dropped from 30 in early November to 15 in December. But, according to a must-read article in this week's Newsweek, the number of daily patrols has dropped from 1,500 in November to just 500 in December.
So, perhaps rather than "turning the corner" against the guerillas, American troops are just getting more difficult to kill.
Newsweek certainly paints that picture, writing that the US Army has "pulled back into an armored shell" at bases with Pizza Huts and Burger Kings ... and *bus routes*. And when troops do venture out, "they move at speeds of more than 60mph, usually right down the middle of the road, forcing away oncoming traffic," with soldiers flipping coins to see who gets to ride shotgun.
posted by dackUS News reported that Rumsfeld still hadn't received an answer to his memo 2 months later. Apparently they have more important issues to consider.
Hope you and yours had a good holiday, Dack.
Posted by: Vin Carreo on January 3, 2004 05:37 AMThe story left "An RPG or a zoom lens?" would be humorous but for the number of press killed while covering these kinds of stories. Wasn't there a Reuters camera man killed last year by US tanks thinking he held a "gun" and not a camera? And then the reporters killed in the hotel known to be occupied by press.
Posted by: Mitch on January 6, 2004 11:42 AMI want to ask a question that I will ask every blog that I find: Can any of you cite any PROOF that would hold up in any court of law in the world that Osamabin Laden and/or the al Qaida and or the Taliban were the masterminds or perpetrators of 9/11? Please understand the main point here is PROOF. If you say or think like most people who are asked this question that it doesn't matter, the guy's a_____, I just want you to acknowledge that thousands of people, mostly civilians and many children have been killed based on the accusation that bin Laden is guilty of 9/11. And now we have Saddam Hussein, no WMD and him threatening to sing like a canary about what REALLY happened in his case. Rumfield's not watching the facts 'cause he knows the lies.
To Micmac:
Well, you are just opening a second layer in the can of worms. Actually, I feel so busy to deal with the enormous amount of lies and deceptions about Iraq that the Talibans/Ben Laden/911 relationships is another story that, you are true, will deserve scrutiny too. Ultimately this could happen when the 9/11 files will be made public.
Hoping, praying that truth will utimately win.
Sincerely
Jacques
Posted by: Jacques on January 11, 2004 08:50 AM