Iraq

[plywoody]

So no one wishes to talk about Iraq, or Osama Bin Forgotten?<br /><br />65 American kids have been killed since the end of hostilities. It seems that Iraq is becoming a magnet for every terrorist everywhere these days.<br /><br />We can't get power and water restored, and can't keep oil flowing. With no end in sight.<br /><br />It also seems that the Taliban are returning to Afghanistan to retore order there.<br /><br />What a mess! It is one time I am really disappointed that I was correct in my prediction. And I have no idea how they need to proceed to fix it.<br /><br />At least the government came thru last week with orders for several hundred truckloads of plywood and several hundred loads of lumber bound for Iraq, which will keep our mill prices strong. Not sure what they plan to do with all of this lumber and plywood, but glad to see they are buying it.<br /><br />All I know is that I sure don't feel any safer, especially if anyone ever asks me to travel again outside the US.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Iraq

howdy Ply,<br />I think the biggest problems in Iraq and Afganistan are coming from those who are loyal to the old regimes. they don't want us to succeed in restoring power or anything else for that matter.<br />I also believe that 85% of the population are happy we have overthrown these govt's, but the other 15% can really make life difficult for us.<br />I for one don't expect these 2 countries to change overnight, gonna take much longer. the true test will come 10 years from now IMO.<br /><br />it's the old proverb; "how do you eat an elephant? 1 bite at a time..."

 

[oddjob]

Re: Iraq

All the terrorists going to Iraq? Goooood!! It's open season over there and theres no BAG LIMIT! <br /><br />Yey Haw!! <br /><br />Sorry your unhappy and dont feel safe here though. Try the North Pole.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Iraq

Plywoody,<br /><br />Not Forgotten, Maybe some of us feel that the way the discussion was going was detrimental to the support of our troop.<br /><br />Personally, I cheer evertime I hear that we have nabbed someone. And yes Osama and Saddam still on the loose concerns me. Yes, Our soldiers dying overthere concerns me also. But, I think most of us understood what we were getting into. Just because major hostilities have ceased does not mean that the fighting is over. We have years of hostile feeling to overcome. The fact that the insurgents are blowing up infrastructure is a sign as to how desperate they have become. That will not win the hearts and minds of the people.<br /><br />The thing that scares me the most is that because we are dealing with a different culture we may step on our d**ks because of misunderstanding cultural do's and don'ts.<br /><br />And as long as we are in Iraq I amonly marginally concerned with Afganistan. We now have a closer base of operations for shorter supply lines. Again it is the culture thing that bothers me more that anything else.<br /><br />The thought of some 18yr old kid w/a gun getting pissed off and doing something that stupid w/o a superior present. Yes, that worries me. The Taliban, Saddam, or Osama; NOT. We kicked there collective a** once we can do it again but as long as we keep them unstable we will not have to worry about it. We will get them dead or alive we will find them.

 

[jimchere]

Re: Iraq

It may seem frustrating, but its a big job and will take time. I really believe we will prevail in the end. What was the other option? Status quo? Us Americans have become so accustomed to everything getting done quick and clean. Everything is solved in a 2 hour movie. What? We're not done in Iraq with everything hunky-dory yet? Yes, there's big problems to be solved. You do not undo something of this magnitude in a few months. By the way, what about the Balkans? Guess what, its not solved yet (I remember some promise that the troops would be there no more than one year...). We are paying the price for being too quick to "reap the rewards" from the end of the cold war and letting everything else stew while enjoying a somewhat false economic boon and ignorant sense of security. We have gone too long without addressing serious geo-political problems which were just a matter of time before having a devastating physical effect here at home. I'm glad we're finally engaged and doing something about it.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Iraq

jimchere, Very well said!<br /><br />Better what we have today in Iraq that what we would have had if we had done nothing. I hate to say it but, better a few soldiers a day then an American city and tens of thousands of civilians<br /> <br />I remember people like you PW saying were were going to lose thousands of soliders just during the invasion. You should be happy the numbers are so low given what was accomplished.<br /><br />This sort of stuff happens at the end of every war since the begining of time.<br /><br />Look what these animals gave the UN for their trouble - a truck bomb.<br /><br />The UN refused US protection for that building and look what happened.<br /><br />These are the people you think are safe to leave alone PW. WAKE UP GUY! You're not sniffing that glue you use to make that plywood are you?

 

[DJ]

Re: Iraq

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!<br /><br />Don't count your chickens (predictions) before they hatch.<br /><br />NOONE said this was going to be a slam dunk-NOONE!!!<br /><br />Getting water/electricty restored? Who said it was working right before?<br /><br />Getting oil flowing. Who cares, we're not buying it. Saddams' own thugs blew up the facilites, not us.<br /><br />Terrorists don't drive around in well marked vehicles or wear uniforms so you can tell them apart from everyone else. This a NEW style of battle for us and our allies. It won't be easy, or quick. Oh, and by the way, the terrorist thugs blew up the UN consolate, not a US facility. Let's see what the weenies at the UN do about that. I'll bet they come running to US looking for assistance.<br /><br />Afghanistan. Again noone said it was going to be easy. <br /><br />By the way, what the hell are we still doing in Kosovo? I don't believe King Bill had an exit plan for that little fiasco either.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Iraq

The so called "Lunatic Fringe" thinks there is a plan to centralize global power, essentially making the US/Britain the world superpower ... and if you look at it realistically, they are in Iraq, and are looking to invade Syria, with Saudi Arabia next on the choppin block<br /><br />its a good idea, America already extends billions of dollars being the police force of the world<br /><br />while superpowers are a field of ONE, US, take over the world! Reap some benefits instead of always being the suckers that restore and rebuild, and then get slammed by that country when it flourishes at our expense, JAPAN comes to mind ... I wonder when they are going to take up the chant, LEPALATIONS ! LEPALATIONS! (for our linguistically challenged readers, thats Japanese for REPARATIONS! REPARATIONS!) - after all, we nuked em, then introduced Western society so now they smoke, drink and eat McDonalds ... <br /><br />enough about Japan<br /><br />The troubling aspect is, England seems to be a very large part of our international policy now<br /><br />almost as if ... we were still a colony <br /><br />my brother works for a huge (and I mean HUGE HUGE HUGE!!) corp that handles a GREAT deal of the nations military computer systems<br /><br />its ... wholly owned and registered as a BRITISH company <br /><br />That sorta makes my hair stand up on the back of my neck, how bout yall? <br /><br />

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Iraq

I really don't care anymore....

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Iraq

Snapper, I understand your frustration with the whole mess, but we have to care......our future depends on it.<br /><br />I am as sick as you are about all the rhetoric and wish there was a quick fix, but there isn't.<br /><br />So in the meantime, we have to listen the the news channels make money, the politicians make votes and the families of those fighting for us make funeral arrangements. Its sad and frustrating, but please take a moment to care.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Iraq

See, I do care for those families whos loveones are out there on the line, no doubt... I absoluely dread the sight of a flag draped coffin....<br /><br /> However it's quite obvious to me that the middle east was, is, and will always be nothing more than a place where war is the way of life, be it throwing rocks or launching chemical weapons... Since the begining of time war and fighting is all those people know, it's all in the name of religon, and there's no changing their minds other than a bullet thru the head..... It's F&%$'# stupid! All it boils down to is "my god's better that your god","i'm right and your wrong", like two little children fighting out on the playground over who's dad can beat up the others dad or who's dog is better, whatever... Well Kid's, I don't play that game cause I grew up... Quite obviously the powers that be have the mental capacity of a four year old...<br /><br />My policy: The hell with the mid east... Isreal, syria, saudi arabia, iran, iraq, and whoever else I left out can go **** up a rope for all I care.... Cut the mid east off from the rest of the civilized world and let them finish themselves off like the animals they are...<br /><br />I'm just grouchy cause i did'nt get ta go fishin'

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Iraq

Funny thing...is..I totally agree Snapper at this point. And while we're at it, get our troops the hell outta Korea that we've had there for 50 years. They don't want us there, let them blow eachother to kingdom come for all I care. My dad faught that war and suffered emensley, where has it gotton us?<br /><br />Protect our borders, be self sufficient, no more foriegn aide, etc.<br /><br />I am as conservative as they come, but I hate to see us wasting lives for others who hate us.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Iraq

Kinda conservative for me, a liberal , huh....

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Iraq

I know you are not a liberal. **** you fish.LMAO

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Iraq

Do I detect a little apathy Plywoody?

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Iraq

We can't get power and water restored, and can't keep oil flowing. With no end in sight.<br />It also seems that the Taliban are returning to Afghanistan to retore order there.

I suppose one could say that a few fleas on a hound may eventually cause it to scatch itself to death. However, while the flea could work up some irritation and frustration, the hound will still hunt.<br /><br />Alright, so you want to focus on the small stuff.<br />#1.A skirmish here and there from a ragtag group of Taliban doesn't amount to them restoring order.<br />#2. Mine, yours and everyone here on this board has power, water and fuel. We've got meat in the freezer too. <br />We won't go to sleep tonight hearing howitzers in the distance.<br /><br />I'm sorry you don't feel safe, try medication.<br />(humour ply, humour )<br /><br />I'd suggest you go to the store buy a war game, load it, point and click and play your own General.<br />We're less then six months into a actual (for real) major military action. You've failed to consider our weekly captures or killings of the most major figures of the enemy. We've long been at the point of even considering turning the power back on.<br />Again, this isn't a point and click game. The world doesn't run at your speed. And it's extremely possible you have unrealistic expectations.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Iraq

Now that Uday & Qusay have been eliminated, a lot of the<br />lesser-known family members are coming to the attention of American<br />authorities.<br /><br />Among the brothers:<br />Sooflay .................the restaurateur<br />Guday....................the half-Australian brother<br />Huray.....................the sports fanatic<br />Sashay...................the gay brother (not that there's anything wrong <br /> with that)<br />Kuntay & Kintay.....the twins from the African mother<br />Sayhay...................the baseball player<br />Ojay........................the stalker/murderer<br />Gulay......................the singer/entertainer<br />Ebay.......................the Internet czar<br />Biliray.....................the country music star<br />Ecksray..................the radiologist<br />Puray.....................the blender factory owner<br />Regay....................the half-Jamaican brother<br />Tupay.....................the one with bad hair<br /><br />Among the sisters:<br />Lattay...............the coffee shop owner<br />Bufay.................the 300 pound sister<br />Phayray.............the zoo worker in the gorilla house<br />Sapheway..........the grocery store owner<br />Ollay...................the half-Mexican sister<br />Gudlay................the **********<br />Finally, there is Oyvey, but the family doesn't like to talk about him.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Iraq

lmao <br /><br />you forgot the chick named Bootay, twin to Gudlay

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Iraq

Not being a fan of plywoody, and not too interested in what he had to say, I had not read this thread till after my last thread was posted. If I would have previously read this one it would have went here, so I am going to copy it here, as this is a good place for it.<br />

"Man" what are we going to do about the irac/arab situation? In this mornings paper, Isreal says that if the pallisteniens do not stop hamas, they are going to start wiping them out (their leaders), and the hamas, say go ahead we do not care if you kill us, and there will just be more to take our place. And the same situation with us in Irac. You cannot defeat someone that is more than willing to commit suicide for their cause. You cannot defeat them, you either ignore them while they grow in strength untill what time they may defeat you, or you completely obliterate them, or you just go on with them striking where and when they want. <br />Most of you younger people do not know of their danger, as they have no time line, they do not care if it takes a thousand years, and many generations. It started in biblical times, and they will continue the fight till there are none left. The world towers was not a rare incident. There have been thousands of smaller incidents in recent years, and they are all tied to one thought, defeat the infidals (and to even our supposedly friends, that are arabs, we are all infidals), and they will eventually do it, unless there is a complete change in their mindset (which is very unlikely), or they are completely wiped out (which is very unlikely). When a 12 year old teenage girl, will strap dynamite to her body walk into a public building and blw herself up, or when a mother and father will kill their teenage daughter, because she is wanting to enjoy the same freedoms we all have here in the US (this happened recently in the US, with an arab immegrant family).<br />"YOU CANNOT DEFEAT THEM, YOU MUST OBLITERATE THEM", or continue the status quo.<br /><br />quote:<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />"WHAT the HFLL you going TO DO???" <br />------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br />

 

[plywoody]

Re: Iraq

Actually, Cheney, on Meet The Press, said in March that the intelligence said that the Iraqi people would welcome us with open arms as liberators, and that he expected a short war and a long happy peace.<br /><br />And I certainly did not, and I don't know of anyone else, that suggested the original military operation would take a long time, or kill thousands of Americans. We are extraordinarily strong, and Saddam was exceedingly weak. Not a combination for a long formal war. What I said was that the peace would be the difficult part of this operation.<br /><br />If we continue to go it alone, as we are doing, we will continue to foster more and more hatred of Americans there and all over the world. And increase, rather than decrease, terrorism.<br /><br />I know you all don't care, but we are in a global economy, and world trade is important to our way of life, like it or not. It is alright to just blame anyone and everyone else for this, and you may well be correct. But wherever the blame lies, the problems are the same.