Top Commander Expects Big Iraq Strikes

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Sunni extremists may try a series of high-profile attacks ahead of a September report to Congress on progress in Iraq, the top U.S. commander said Saturday, recalling the Tet offensive that torpedoed support for the Vietnam War.

''We expect they will try this -- pull off a variety of sensational attacks and grab the headlines to create a `mini-Tet,''' Gen. David Petraeus told The Associated Press.

The 1968 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Tet offensive failed to achieve most of its tactical goal but it shattered political support for the Vietnam War among the U.S. public.

Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker are to present a report to Congress by Sept. 15 on the situation in Iraq. Several Republicans say if progress is not made by then, they may call for a new strategy in Iraq.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Iraq-Big-Strikes.html

[JeffR]

1. How did Petraeus get where he is???

Every frigging day over there is a "mini-Tet".

[Barrett808]

2. Indeed, why isn't today's string of bombings a "mini-Tet"? Over 100 people killed...

Hundreds more wounded. Maybe he's expecting mush larger attacks. Which, of course, would mean we're losing.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Pet has demonstrated his blind loyalty. That's the main thing." - Commander AWOL

"Not every military man will Assume the Position for a preppy deserter or a republicon chickenhawk like Dick Cheney with an astonishing Five (5) military deferments. So, of course, we recognized him immediately as A USEFUL TOOL, and gave him the job. Smirk, smirk, smirk."

- Commander AWOL

[movonne]

5. He is doing what bush wants that is how he has gotten where he

is...if he didn't he would be out on his ass...

[TwilightGardener]

3. So are the Sunni extremists killing for show, or killing for REAL reasons?

LOL! That's what Petraeus is trying to determine--do they really MEAN it, or is it just another "mini-Tet"? Um, General, who the fuck cares why? Dead bodies are dead bodies. The only thing that matters is, you and 30,000+ extra troops can't seem to stop them.

[nancyr]

6. Endless dead bodies

All for absolutely nothing but George Bush and his vanity. My God. How can the creature even look at his face in the mirror!

[koopie57]

7. I don't understand

Is he saying that the Sunnis are waiting until September so we don't pull the troops out? They are under bush's spell?

If * is trying to pull this off, it will backfire like his butt after too many beans. Americans are already furious at the number of casualties already. IMHO.

[CK_John]

8. In the Tet offensive most of the VC came in taxis. Beware of yellow vehicles. n/t

[Toots]

9. Tet was accomplished with mostly NVA

There were very few VC involved in the mass attacks around the country. The NVA or North Vietnamese Army was the third largest standing army on earth at the time. They were conventional soldiers wearing uniforms and carrying conventional weapons. They drove trucks and even showed up with a couple of tanks in two separate locations. The only thing they did not have was aircraft. The US maintained complete control of the air space and that my friend is the only reason we won so many battles. They were some of the toughest and most disciplined fighters on earth. After ten years of hard fighting the NVA seemed stronger than ever and in fact it only took a few months without US air support that the NVA completely routed the ARVN forces. ARVN forces were well trained and well equiped and in fact they also had air space control just not the same amount of equipment. There is absolutely no comparrison between Vietnam Conflict and Iraq occupation.

[0007]

10. David Petraeus and Linsey Graham are married??

....but...but...lindsey graham has big tits!