Second Chances

[Undertoad]

So let's play a few chess moves ahead for once.

Madeline Albright took responsibility for the death of 500,000 Iraqi children under sanctions...

...and most Americans blame Bush, most non-Americans blame all the US for the deaths during the whole current fiasco...

...so who'll be blamed if there's utter carnage after we're gone?

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

...so who'll be blamed if there's utter carnage after we're gone?

Too bad you guys learned that lesson so recently, we could've avoided the whole engagement.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

So let's play a few chess moves ahead for once.

Madeline Albright took responsibility for the death of 500,000 Iraqi children under sanctions...

...and most Americans blame Bush, most non-Americans blame all the US for the deaths during the whole current fiasco...

...so who'll be blamed if there's utter carnage after we're gone?

But she still has not taken responsibility for the 800,000 killed in 4 months in Rawanda. They ignored it.

[yesman065]

Gee, I'll bite - US the U.S

[piercehawkeye45]

If we want to win the war in Iraq there is only one way I can see it happening. First, we do what xoxoxoBruce has suggested and start working with the insurgent nationalists to get rid of Al Qaeda. The second we defeat Al Qaeda, we get the fuck out because those nationalists will turn against us (watch the end of the first video). If we are not going to work with the nationalists or not give full effort, we might as well leave because are doing nothing but hurting the Iraqis.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

First, we do what xoxoxoBruce has suggested and start working with the insurgent nationalists to get rid of Al Qaeda.

Let me clarify, this is not my suggestion. I am merely passing along what Michael Yon tells me started in April, with excellent results.

[Undertoad]

Nobody gets away, my friend, least of all the disengagers; if we don't sign Kyoto who will be blamed?

People with a brain?

I suggest we LEAVE!
Without stealing any oil or natural gas, of course.

[piercehawkeye45]

I have been leaving for a while but the 1920 Revolution Brigade is really the only good news I've heard in a while. Too bad the little boy has already cried wolf a few times already....

We will still have to stay for a while so we might as well see how it goes. If that goes well then we should keep on that track, if it fails, gets our asses out of there. I would really like to see good Iraqi-US relations after this conflict but unfortunately with the guys in charge, I don't have high hopes.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I would really like to see good Iraqi-US relations after this conflict but unfortunately with the guys in charge, I don't have high hopes.

Not to worry - if we withdraw anytime soon - they'll all be dead anyway.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I have been leaving for a while but the 1920 Revolution Brigade is really the only good news I've heard in a while. Too bad the little boy has already cried wolf a few times already....

We will still have to stay for a while so we might as well see how it goes. If that goes well then we should keep on that track, if it fails, gets our asses out of there. I would really like to see good Iraqi-US relations after this conflict but unfortunately with the guys in charge, I don't have high hopes.

I think the last four years proves we can't do it. That said, I think if the 1920s can rally the support of the majority, they can do it fairly quickly. Not put an end to all dissension, but make the Iraqi government strong enough to handle it on their own. I've got my fingers crossed.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I think the last four years proves we can't do it. That said, I think if the 1920s can rally the support of the majority, they can do it fairly quickly. Not put an end to all dissension, but make the Iraqi government strong enough to handle it on their own. I've got my fingers crossed.

They don't have many chances left to do it. The pressure is really on. Iran is rubbing their hands and enjoying the show as they throw their own healthy dose of fuel on the fire. The next 6 months will be very interesting.

[piercehawkeye45]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/wo...ewanted=1&_r=1

He listed the insurgent groups he knows, including the 1920s Revolutionary Brigade, the Islamic Army and Ansar al-Sunna, a faction known for gruesome beheadings.

“All of them I am in touch with,” he said. “They are waiting to see if my experience will succeed. If it succeeds, they will adopt it. But if it doesn’t, it will cause confrontation.”

Yes, the pressure is on and it is a real hit or miss.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Iran is rubbing their hands and enjoying the show as they throw their own healthy dose of fuel on the fire.

Iran doesn't have as much influence as you think. Most of the violence comes from Saudi Arabia.

The next 6 months will be very interesting.

Yes, very.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Our best hope is the word has/will spread among the Iraqis that the areas where al Qaeda has been in control, even for a short period, has been very unpleasant for the people. Even the ones that haven't been killed or maimed.