Comments on: The Sunday Paper (2007 closeout edition)

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:22:48 +0000

Definitely Petraeus!!
A scholar, a general, a hero, and savior to the Iraqis.

By: Solomon

Solomon — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:20:14 +0000

Fen you arrogant rube!
“Or maybe not. Here’s a chance to prove your mettle: What is your long-range plan to marginalize radical Islam? 500 words should cover it…“
Did you forget the “revolt of the generals”? Amazing that you bring that simplistic non-sense to this board when discussions are being held on subjects that bring you discomfort. I have only one idea and have stated that forcefully here and elsewhere. Brutally crush the opposition, annex oil fields and otherwise wash our hands of the entire region. Oh yes I understand this subject matter (but as I’ve said before) I don’t have an ideological slave mentality to support those who have pushed a failed policy upon our Armed Forces and the American people. Its not wise to question the loyalty of those who DESPISE the way that this war has been conducted. You’ll simply find yourself on the wrong side of history.

By: Apoorv Khatreja

Apoorv Khatreja — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:34:32 +0000

The new year brings for us, yet another quality article. I’ve had a lot of fun reading these.

By: Fen

Fen — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:25:26 +0000

Remember this also –General Shinseki actually was far ahead of General P and called for a far larger footprint than was sent, even before the first bullet had been fired.
[big yawn] Now tell us how you would have won last night’s NFL game… without going all fuzzy when someone asks you about the Red Zone Offense.
There were valid arguments for not going with a larger footprint. But I know your kind — if we had gone bigger, you would instead be harping that we sent too many logistical peeps and set them up as sitting ducks. You really don’t understand the subject matter, just parroting complaints you’ve read on some propaganda rag to score cheap political shots.
Or maybe not. Here’s a chance to prove your mettle: What is your long-range plan to marginalize radical Islam? 500 words should cover it…

By: Ward

Ward — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:16:30 +0000

Interesting link, sglover. Thanks and happy new year.

By: Wembley

Wembley — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 11:40:38 +0000

“Putin has certainly made a lot of news, but not nearly as much as Petraeus *within the US*.“
And there you identify a serious problem: US parochialism. Lots of people in the US may not know who runs China, but their ignorance doesn’t make Hu Jintao any less important. Is this a vote for the informed reader, or the ignorant one?
In any case, Putin is still liable to have a lot more impact even in the US than Petraeus. Whether it’s Iran or missile defence, Putin has a big say in what goes down.
Litvinenko was indeed killed in 2006. But it’s a bit of an indication of Putin’s foreign policy, wouldnlt you say?

By: Solomon

Solomon — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:04:08 +0000

Hey WHOCARES, guess what? In every other war, those who made mistakes were fired. During the Civil War, WW1 and 2, Vietnam…many generals were fired because they were ineffective. The same applies to civilians in positions of leadership. The main problem with the conduct of this war is that too many are wedded to an ideological belief that a region that has only seen peace briefly can be successfully pacified by US forces. I guess you’re wedded to that philosophy. Pity. The truth of the surge is this…we withdrew ourselves from the Iraqi Civil war and decided that the Sunni’s can have Anhbar, the Shiites the south and the Kurds, the north. So what was actually done and how is General P such a hero? He’s not, he’s just the latest mouth piece for a faulty overall war strategy. You ever hear of a strategic pause? How about marshaling forces for a renewed offensive? If you think that these very issues aren’t being talked about in the halls of the Pentagon, then I’ve got a very nice bridge to sell ya. Lastly, only recently has pointing out that the emperor has no clothes been tantamount to supporting the enemy or wishing for the US to lose. Oh and the US death toll has no place in this conversation. Whether one or a 100,001 Americans dies from accidental death, illness or homicide is a product of individual actions and an act of God. Combat in Iraq was a decision by the President to send US forces to war. Lets be real in this discussion, heads will roll after this cluster and the aftermath of this conflict will be with the American military for years. Just like the Vietnam war did decades ago.

By: whocares

whocares — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:21:32 +0000

Solomon, you must think that because mistakes are always made in wars, that political and military leaders are condemned ipso facto by virtue of their rank.
Remember this all of you whining about the war.…over 6000 people die in the United States very day due to accidental death, illness and homicide. That is about 1500 more deaths per day than have been killed in Iraq since 1991. Yes 1991.
But perhaps its not the American death toll that bothers you. Maybe you are pissed about the death toll among the Jihadi’s?
Perhaps too many of them are getting planted in the ground for your tastes?

By: campbell

campbell — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:20:32 +0000

sorry folks. terms of impact (U.S. only, Putin fans)…have to go with Rummy. Not GOOD impact, mind, but impact nevertheless.

By: bubba

bubba — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:58:28 +0000

did he invent the pain ray?