Article

2007-11-05 Iraq

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2007-11-05 10:57|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 The degree of confidence exhibited by so many about the decisions on the conduct of the war on Islamofascism amazes me - both from those agreeing with what was done at any given time and those who disagreed. For those on the 'outside' - you have nowhere near complete information on which to build that confidence. For those on the 'inside' (like Sanchez) - even if you were totally aware of everything anyone (on our side) knew, from 2001-2007, you still have no way to know how the enemy would have responded, had we pursued the policy you, in hindsight, think we 'obviously' should have. NOBODY could possibly KNOW what would have been best. It's a crap shoot. You go with your best bet, and adapt as seems fitting. Learn from the past, but don't dwell there - let your enemy dwell there. There lies the road to victory.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-11-05 19:19|| 2007-11-05 19:19|| Front Page Top

#2 TOPIX > FREE MARKET NEWS > BUSH ADMIN HAD SECRET NUCLEAR ATTACK PLANS - agz states aspiring to acquire Nukes-WMDS including Iran, Saddamist Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-11-05 19:51|| 2007-11-05 19:51|| Front Page Top

#3 It's the difference between a manager and a leader. Peacetime armies have a hellva time to tell the difference. Wartime provides evidence that can't be disputed in open observation.

I received orders to move against Colonel Thomas Harris, who was said to be encamped at the town of Florida, some twenty-five miles south of were we then wereHarris had been encamped in a creek bottom for the sake of being near water. The hills on either side of the creek extended to a considerable height, possibly more than a hundred feet. As we approached the brow of the hill from which was expected we could see Harris camp, and possibly find his men ready formed to meet us, my heart kept getting higher and higher until it felt to me as though it was in my throat. I would have given anything then to have been back in Illinois, but I had not the moral courage to halt and consider what to do; I kept right on. When we reached a point from which the valley below was in full view I halted. The place where Harris had been encamped a few days before was still there and the marks of recent encampment were plainly visible, but the troops were gone. My heart resumed its place. It occurred to me at once that Harris had been as much afraid of me as I had been of him. This was a view of the question I had never taken before; but it was one I never forgot afterwards. From that event to the close of the war, I never experienced trepidation upon confronting an enemy, though I always felt more or less anxiety. I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. I never forgot that lesson. Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-11-05 20:28|| 2007-11-05 20:28|| Front Page Top

23:59 Ulavimp Dingle7880
23:58 OldSpook
23:54 Zenster
23:05 Anguper Hupomosing9418
23:03 Anguper Hupomosing9418
22:58 twobyfour
22:58 3dc
22:56 Vinegar Glick4227
22:54 twobyfour
22:47 twobyfour
22:34 Alaska Paul
22:12 mojo
22:11 JosephMendiola
22:07 mojo
22:05 mojo
22:00 Butch Hupemble1650
21:51 Zenster
21:49 trailing wife
21:46 Rich W
21:37 twobyfour
21:28 Pappy
21:22 Zenster
21:21 Frank G
21:20 Icerigger