Not Fit For Command

“"Even more disturbing, Mr. Kerry is now talking openly about bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq. He offered the hint of such a plan during his Boston speech, but now he's putting a timetable on it...Mr. Kerry says he would do this by replacing U.S. troops with foreign ones. But what if that doesn't happen...? The message that will be heard in Baghdad is that Mr. Kerry is planning a date-certain U.S. retreat. Such a pledge only emboldens the Baathist insurgents to fight on..."
-- Mutt
02:53:33 PM
08/17/04


US wants others to take over Iraq peace role

By Michael Gordon in Baghdad
May 5 2003

The Bush Administration is planning to withdraw most United States combat forces from Iraq over the next several months and wants to reduce the American military presence to less than two divisions by the northern autumn, senior allied officers say.

At present the US has more than five divisions in Iraq, including invasion troops and units sent in later. But the Bush Administration is trying to establish a new structure in which American troops would stay in Baghdad, while the vast bulk of the forces in Iraq would be from other nations.
<snip>
Washington's aim is to send most of the more than 100,000 American troops in Iraq back to their bases in the United States and Europe quickly so they can prepare for other potential crises.

The Administration does not want substantial numbers of American forces entrenched in Iraq, raising the spectre of American occupation, and hopes to shift much of the peacekeeping burden to other governments.
<snip>”

“"Yeah, the whole time Geo is crowing “Osoma! Osoma!” he totally forgets the changes that we have made with allies countries and their views on terrorism. Pakistan, Libya and even the Saudis are seeing the trend and falling in line."
-- Nigal
09:29:32 AM
08/18/04


Al-Qaeda using Pakistan as staging post to plot global terror

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - The recent arrests of high-profile Al-Qaeda suspects have revealed the terrorist network is using Pakistan as a staging post for plotting attacks across the globe, analysts said.


Al-Qaeda has effectively declared war on the Pakistani government led by General Pervez Musharraf, and most experts believe the group's leaders including Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) are hiding in Pakistan's northern tribal areas.


"Despite three years of our efforts to chase these guys, we have not been able to degrade their network," Riffat Hussain, who heads the department of strategic studies at Islamabad's Quaid-e-Azam university, told AFP on Thursday.


"It indicates the problem is far more serious than one had anticipated. It also shows the resilience of Al-Qaeda cells to re-group and revitalize, then operate and plan from these areas."
<snip>



Plot to Kill Saudi Ruler Admitted in U.S. Court
Va. Muslim Activist Says He Was Paid by Libya

By Jerry Markon and John Mintz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, July 31, 2004; Page A01

A Muslim activist whose influence once reached the highest levels of the U.S. government pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally moving cash from Libya and admitted that he was involved in an elaborate Libyan plot to assassinate the Saudi ruler.
<snip>”

“May 5th? That's quite awhile ago.

Violin leaves out the following from the article:

American military officials cautioned that the timetable for rapid troop reductions depends on several conditions and that the withdrawal schedule would probably slow down if the conditions are not met.

First, they said, security in Baghdad and throughout Iraq must improve. American officials hope there will be a reduction in criminal activity, paramilitary attacks and general lawlessness as Iraqi police complete their training and begin to patrol.

So, it appears that it is contigent upon various factors, unlike Kerry's turn-tail-and-run plan.

Also, Bush apparently (this article is so old) wants the U.S. in Iraq, although at reduced levels. Unlike Kerry, who would wholely replace the U.S. with French forces. LOL.

Really, this is what was hoped for in the first place - a reduction of troops, forward bases, and the bulk of the security work done by indigenous forces.”

“He is trying to use massive cut and pastes to give the impression that these governments are supporting terrorism. The one about Pakistan is hilarious because it say the terrorists have declared war on the government. This is a sure sign that supports my point even more. Violin also tries to disprove any claim to achievements in the war on terror by pointing any and all acts of terror. I don’t know if he thinks TTers are dumb enough to believe that any terrorist activities is a failure as if the USA has promised there never would be another attack. I’d hope he wouldn’t think that little of us.”

“Why should other countries bail us out of a war they cautioned Shrub against starting? More Bush League logic.

As for Al Qaeda being so affected by our "war on terror," they're still plotting. Either that, or the recent orange alert is a sham. Take your pick.

They're either viable or they're not.

Pakistan has gotten "THE WORD?" Yeah, Pervert Musharef is really stunning me with the intensity of his hunt for Al Qaeda. The Saudis too. My head is spinning because they're moving so quickly.

You guys ignore administration reality when it's convenient, while screaming your heads off over something Kerry did or said 20 years ago.

Shrub was the one who set the priority for catching Osama, not I. That was the president of the United States speaking, not some critic. You want to hold Kerry accountable for something he said as a wet-behind-the-ears 20-year-old, but let Shrub off on something he said not quite three years ago as a matter of U.S. policy. Shrub IS the president and HAS BEEN the president since before 9-11.

And yeah, he said the war on terror would be long and drawn out, but he didn't say that would be the case because he would divert resources from the war on terror to avenge daddy.

The point is, we should not be in Iraq. We should be mopping up the last few cells of Al Qaeda. And Osama bin Hidin is the head of Al Qaeda, not a foot soldier. So he is important.”

“The recent arrests of high-profile Al-Qaeda suspects have revealed the terrorist network is using Pakistan as a staging post for plotting attacks across the globe, analysts said.

Yeah, and the arrest of that Kahn guy was supposed to have laid bare AQ's information infrastructure. Arrests are a good thing.

One thing to note about this alarmist piece of slanted news is that we've long known there's AQ leadership in Pakistan. That's why we've been pressuring Mushareff.

It should be obvious to anyone with a sense of AQ's history that they are re-enacting their original strategy: set up camp in a major Islamic nation and hope the U.S. attacks and that the reaction causes the rise of an Islamofascist Kingdom in the ME. It didn't work with Saudi Arabia, and I don't see why it would be different in Pakistan.

At any rate, I'm going to need a lot more convincing that the Pakistan cell is AQ's world strategic hq, as it contradicts much of what I've been reading over the past 6 months or so.”

“Try going back to posting political cartoons Geo. Ya make more sense that way. :)”

“Take a reality pill Nigal!”

“Fresh out of answers I see. Maybe you should head over to anncoulter.com for a snappy comeback.”

“It's really time to stop debating the election. Kerry has the votes. It's now just a matter of making sure that all the Kerry voters get to the polls.”

“Geobeet, you've got an adolescent mindset about this: you're intellectually impatient. Progress will be slow and mistakes will be made. But at least it's progress, unlike what Kerry would do.

Hmmm - before the Iraq war, no Saudi cooperation. After the Iraq war, Saudi cooperating to the extent they've created a low-level civil war. Draw your own conclusions. I know what mine are.”

“I find it funny when people say "oh Kerry/Bush has the election won". I think it's fairly obvious it's going to be another close one, like in 2000.”

“"It's really time to stop debating the election. Kerry has the votes. It's now just a matter of making sure that all the Kerry voters get to the polls."

That's it! Time for a "Not Fit for Posting " thread! LOL!”

“Geo, how can I answer you when you have your eyes snapped shut, your hands over your ears and you keep shouting, "Lalala! I can't hear you! I can't hear you!"?”

“You have to kick him in the berries, Nigal.”

“I'm inclined to agree with you RL.”

“Nice argument there Mutt. I have an adolescent mindset. Really great way to engage.

How much time do you think it should take before we get Al Qaeda under wraps? 25 years? 50 years?

The Saudis would have come around if we had devoted our resources toward defeating the real threat: Al Qaeda. The fact is, we've diverted our resources and energy into Iraq, where there were no WMD (as the French and Germans, not to mention the weapons inspectors said there were not) and there was no link to Al Qaeda, so you have to dig up some excuse to justify the pointless waste of time, materiel, resources, and lives.

And you guys say I have an adolescent mindset. You sound like kids who got caught by Daddy doing something you shouldn't have been doing and come up with a sorry string of excuses.

Going into Afghanistan to get after Al Qaeda was all it took to show the world we were serious about terror. Mopping up Al Qaeda wherever we found it would have been justified. (I don't know, Iran comes readily to mind, but nobody wants to talk about Iran because it's an embarrassment.)”

“No Nigal, you just can't seem to argue with people who think independently of mindless ideology. You don't answer questions; you just spout more of the same old crap.”

“No Nigal, you just can't seem to argue with people who think independently of mindless ideology. You don't answer questions; you just spout more of the same old crap

Uh oh, there's that blissninny projection again!”

“"The fact is, we've diverted our resources and energy into Iraq, where there were no WMD (as the French and Germans, not to mention the weapons inspectors said there were not)"

Yeah, like they had nothing at stake in a free Iraq? But then again you failed to tell us how just weeks before Iraq's own neighbors told Tommy Franks they were there. I wouldn't call you adolescent Geo, but your obviously and hopelessly biased beyond reason.”

“Wow Mutt, that's a really intelligent, mature, geopolitically brilliant argument. Now I see so clearly.”

“I don't know, Iran comes readily to mind, but nobody wants to talk about Iran because it's an embarrassment

What's em-bare-ass-ing about Iran? I'll talk about it, if you actually have a point.”

“Yeah, like they had nothing at stake in a free Iraq? But then again you failed to tell us how just weeks before Iraq's own neighbors told Tommy Franks they were there.

Is this statement supposed to have a point?”

“"No Nigal, you just can't seem to argue with people who think independently of mindless ideology. You don't answer questions; you just spout more of the same old crap."

Bawhawhawhaw! Dang Geo, you just described you to the tee. Are we that diametrically opposed or are you just a hypocrite?”

“Wow Mutt, that's a really intelligent, mature, geopolitically brilliant argument. Now I see so clearly

Meh, I'm usually not too serious, but I am capable of making a unique, reasoned argument. Your argument is the generic "terrorists are still out there! bush attacked iraq for daddy! gore would have won the WOT by now!" ad nauseum.”

“Oh, and calm down, gramps, before you have a coronary. ;-)”

“What's em-bare-ass-ing about Iran? I'll talk about it, if you actually have a point."
Mutt

Well Mutt, in your geopolitically astute mind, I'm sure you're aware that Iran does have viable ties to Al Qaeda (You remember those guys who blew up our buildings and killed a few thousand people?), and we invaded Iraq that did not. If we wanted to make a point, why didn't we invade Iran instead of Iraq?

All I can infer is that by invading Iraq we exacted revenge for Daddy.”

““Is this statement supposed to have a point?"

Geezus Geo, do ya need some pictures and graphs to catch on to a point? How about a snappy political cartoon? Would that help? The point is, and I’ll type this slowly, is who would it make more sense to believe? Two countries who would stand to lose a great big chunk of change if we went in and who are clear up in Europe, or the countries who right next to Iraq and just might have a little more firsthand knowledge?”

“Don't try that Gore argument on me Mutt. I didn't vote for Gore. You're making an assumption and confusing it with reason. If you're so phucking brilliant, you don't need to resort to that knee-jerk reaction.”

“Well, Iran and AQ are ideologically opposed. They've never had a solid connection, although it will be interesting to see if they hook up now that Iran is painted into a corner. They don't trust each other, and any hookup would be dependent on both sides getting their own self-interests fulfilled.

Unlike you, Geobeet, I know that this is a "wait-and-see" situation.”

“The point is, and I’ll type this slowly, is who would it make more sense to believe? Two countries who would stand to lose a great big chunk of change if we went in and who are clear up in Europe, or the countries who right next to Iraq and just might have a little more firsthand knowledge?"


Their firsthand knowledge has not panned out, has it? There was never any real evidence there was anything there. And you accuse me of not being realistic?”

“All I can infer is that by invading Iraq we exacted revenge for Daddy

LOL! What did I tell ya! You're a parody of yourself, geobeet!”

“Unlike you, Geobeet, I know that this is a "wait-and-see" situation."
Mutt

If it's a "wait-and-see" situation, then what was the rush to invade Iraq before the weapons inspections were completed or before the alleged Al Qaeda links were proven? Oh, I see, we phucked up beyond any hope, so now we have to wait and see. Nice strategic thinking there. I expect that will be the slogan at the convention. Maybe in 284-point letters behind the podium.”

“Hey, I didn't agree with the timing of the war, geobeet, as I've said repeatedly.”

“ Trying again!”

“Well, I gotta break for real work and then lunch.

Violin, since you probably initiate 20% of all Google searches, please click on their sponsor ads. Thank you.”

“"Their firsthand knowledge has not panned out, has it? There was never any real evidence there was anything there. And you accuse me of not being realistic?"

I am absolutely awed and amazed at the rare gift of hindsight you posses Geo. We have to base things on what we have at the time...not a year down the road. I do the same thing in week one of the NFL season. Every year I say, “Mark my words; the Bengals are gonna be in the Super Bowl this year.”. and Sure enough every 20 years I get to strut around and say, “See?! I told you so! Did I call that one or what?”.


BTW The Bengals are in the Bowl this year for sure!”

“Nigal, there were warnings the Shrub administration ignored at the time that Halabi was feeding them a line of crap, but they chose to ignore the solid intelligence in favor of what suited their needs. That is not hindsight in any way, shape or form. Once again, you've jumped to an untenable conclusion.

Go back to anncoulter.com and try to find another argument.”

“Geo, seriously, argueing with stupid people is a waste of your time. :)”

“Please report to "A day of Atonment for Men" and check out the hotties - they're wet and they're kissing!”

“From the Charleston, WV, Gazette on story about Shrub campaign appearance:

Even 9-year-old Jonathan Frisby, who came from Mechanicsburg, Pa., with his grandmother, had an opinion.

“Kerry is going to raise taxes, and Bush will get us into wars we don’t belong in,” he said. “I’d vote for Bush, because I’d rather be in a war than spend a lot of money.””

“Good job Geo! You're making a lot more sense now! :)

"Go back to anncoulter.com and try to find another argument."

Never been there and never even read one of her books. Sorry to disapoint ya. She is hot though.”

“Looks like GeoBeatsHisMeat is up to the same old things. You really need a life!”

“"Geo, seriously, argueing with stupid people is a waste of your time. :)"


Heehee! I was wondering when you'd be sticking your "He's not worth your time" comment in here Buddha Bush. What? You think I like arguing with Geo? Normally at thise stage of an exchange I'm feeling pretty good about my position but actually I find myself with that shamefull feel one would get after beating up the neighborhood retarded kid.”

“"Looks like GeoBeatsHisMeat is up to the same old things. You really need a life!"
UpUrs


Another case of a tree pi$$ing on a dog!”