Obama needs to hold a cocked pistol to some Generals head, fly over on Air Force One, grab some troops and bring them home himself. That’s the Chicago way.

I will be interested to see whether this has any major effect on the current situation though. I seriously doubt this will be seen as Obama’s “ticket out.” All the reports coming out from sources around the White House have indicated that he believes withdrawal is not an option. If that’s the case, then what effect does this have on the Afghans? Does it have any? (I’m not saying that to imply Afghans don’t care about free elections, everything thus far points to the fact that they do, I’m just wondering how many of them have gone cynical and simply don’t see a remedy for the current situation).

Yes. Let’s take it. I don’t want to put American homeland at risk. But the temper and tenacity of your wartime CINC matters. People called Bush stubborn and lacking nuance.

Well, that’s what the job calls for.

America could easily say to the Iraq government to start putting 2.1 meter check points around all areas near gov buildings & so on. That will 100% stop all mass truck bomb attack.
If the check points in some areas around targets are only like 1.9m high. The check point police could not let them past, even if they wanted too.
They could also start to put cameras at all check points. Then the check points will have a camera showing the check point troops looking at the cars 24 / 7. If a attack happens, they will round it down to the check points in that area that the attack took place. Then they would look at the cameras to see who let that car past the check point.
Easy too do. If the check point police let anyone past. They will 100% be seen no matter what. So if they do let people past, it’s a death sentence 100%.

As well as that. All check points around government building & so on. Will have sniffer dogs. If a car is filled full of explosives . A sniffer dog standing 8 meters away would 100% smell it.

If America wanted to stop all them attacks from happening. They 100% could.

They could even go as far as using contract workers to man all check points around government buildings & markets & all of them limited targets that could kill 200 people & wound 800 people.

I am saying its really is easy to do. America wants to stay in Iraq for a very long time. That is very clear.
I am starting to fill that its going to stab them in there back. All the Iraq people my turn on America soon.
So all them son’s of Iraq / everyone, will give up.

America could easily make them sign a document stating that there troops will be in Iraq for the next 25 years to over see people coming & going from government. that’s what must be done asap.

Sorry was busy, would have answered sooner.

Look, I’m not trying to be an asshole. (sometimes it happens anyway). I don’t care that you are not a soldier, that’s your business. Actually you may have seen nearly as much as I have or more- it’s not material. Or fair. Nor is that what I was trying to say.

OK on seeing it from POV of operator (although I think the guy wearing the vest might be just a little more rectally puckered than the drone operator in Kansas- small LOL).

I thought it was moral equivalent arugment, sorry if I misread you.

Now, whether or not you subscribe to this, there is a certain mindset amongst many that we should somehow try to be more like the police or social workers.

Uh, no. It’s not possible. Makes good propaganda (see -the surge). Just can’t be done.

@Schmedlap – sorry we are 180% disagreement on this one. The restrictive, ridiculous and ever shifting sands of ROE have retarded and confused our efforts, we lost valuable people, time and good faith…AND…

It’s over for this COIN gig, dude. He’s folding. No one believes he’s gonna stick with this. Jimmy Carter had more street cred.

Oh maybe it could work. But that’s moot.

The American People chose their fate. Get the Military outta there now.

And CPT Schmedlap (no disrespect) while Andrew Exum’s war would only end with us giving up to the tribesmen since they have greater staying power, Andrew Jackson on the other hand…ah….with AJ in da house it’s over fast.