U.S. commander orders review of Baghdad crackdown

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IBO951214.htm

U.S. commander orders review of Baghdad crackdown

BAGHDAD, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The top American commander in Iraq has ordered a review of a U.S.-led crackdown in Baghdad, a spokesman said on Thursday, as reinforcements have failed to ease violence and the U.S. death toll has spiked this month.

At least 71 U.S. troops have been killed so far in October, a toll U.S. commanders have blamed on more perilous patrolling by U.S. forces trying to stamp out sectarian militias and insurgents in the sprawling capital.

"General Casey has ordered a review of Operation Together Forward. U.S. casualties are a grave concern but that is not driving the review," Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Garver said.

"The enemy is adapting and we have to make changes," he told Reuters. "This is a constant review process." He said that General George Casey, who commands the 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq ordered the review last week.

[gratuitous]

1. "Okay we're gonna take a second look at this"

"But it's not because we've lost several dozen men, so stop saying that. If you mention the casualties the enemy is inflicting, it emboldens them and saps our morale. See, because the enemy doesn't know it's being successful if you don't mention all the casualties."

Naturally, the only folks really in the dark about our losses are the American people, but that doesn't mean we're the enemy. Not all of us, at least.

[TomInTib]

2. I just love they way they downplay the casualty rate.

Bastards.

What is it that drives these concerns, then?

Tire wear?

Bastards.

[corporatemedia]

3. back to the drawing board......n/t

[wellst0nev0ter]

4. So When Will Bush Address His Latest Failure?

Before or after the election?