Iraqi insurgents outnumber U.S. forces

[Ruffhowse]

The conservative Washington Times takes note of the roiling pre-election situation in Iraq, where insurgent forces and sympathizers willing to help them reportedly now outnumber U.S. and nascent Iraqi government forces -- with as many as 200,000 working against the occupation. The assessment comes from the head of Iraq's new intelligence services, who points to the many months of chaos, and the lack of basic infrastructure and security as the cause. (Interestingly, almost none of the major media seem to have picked up the story yet.)

"Iraq's director of intelligence says there are now more Arabic insurgents in Iraq than there are U.S.-led coalition soldiers, The Times of London said Tuesday.

"'I think the resistance is bigger than the U.S. military in Iraq. I think the resistance is more than 200,000 people,' said Gen. Muhammad Abdullah Shahwani, director of Iraq's new intelligence services. Shahwani said there were at least 40,000 hardcore fighters attacking U.S. and Iraqi troops, with the bulk made up of part-time guerrillas and volunteers providing logistical support, information, shelter and money.

"'People are fed up after two years without improvement,' he said. 'People are fed up with no security, no electricity -- people feel they have to do something.'

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050104-110330-6820r.htm

[dreamcollector]

1. Hey! This would be a perfect time

to send in Ann Coulter and squardons of Christians with Bibles! That outta do it!

[Erika]

7. Can't you just see Ann Coulter

backing her statement that their leaders should be converted or killed if they refuse to become Christian. The bimbo is standing there with her horse face, neck, and legs, saying "Gotcha", as she tries to decapitate them with an emery board. The shallowness (or stupidity) of Bush and his far right backers are frustrating but entertaining.

[saltpoint]

2. This must be the 'cakewalk' phase --

-- the administration and the Pentagon were talking about before the war began.

[Erika]

3. It sounds like urban dwellers here

And Bushie boy certainly hasn't stepped up to the plate.

Or has he said we were the enemy?

[MidwestTransplant]

4. Not to worry. Just a few holdout regime loyalist deadenders.

[tabasco]

5. Well, we knew this was going to happen.

The Bush administration knew too. But greed caused them to launch a war for profits anyway.

Nobody but idiot freepers ever thought we would be greeted as liberators. You think Rummy is that stupid? That stuff is for mass consumption by the kool-aid drinking fools.

[MattNC]

6. we should throw in the towel

if that's the case, given the 10:1 ratio required for a guerilla war.

[MrSlayer]

8. I suspect it's a hell of a lot more than 200,000.

Millions of Iraqis are part of it in one way or another. Unless our Armed Forces are willing to kill every last person in the country this war will never end.

[leftchick]

10. that is right, MILLIONS of resistance....

Whether they be fighters or lending support in some fashion I have no doubt there are millions of them. And who can blame them? It is way past time to bring the troops home!

[K8-EEE]

9. Mission Accomplished!!

Just to take care of those few Saddam Loyalists...