Pentagon sounds out troops for Iraq backup (units on short notice)

[RamboLiberal]

The Pentagon was on Tuesday reviewing what active-duty forces could be quickly sent to Iraq in the coming weeks, as American diplomats scrambled to shore up the US-led coalition.

General Richard Myers, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and the US top military commander, told a congressional hearing on Tuesday he had drawn up a "scrub" of US forces across the world to find out which units could be available at short notice, if required.

Gen Myers spoke as the resolve of some members of the coalition appeared to be wavering. Honduras decided on Monday to withdraw its 370 troops, which came in the wake of the Spanish government's announcement that it would pull out its 1,400 soldiers, who began returning home earlier this week.

On Tuesday Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's prime minister, said he would pull his country's 451 medical and engineering forces from Iraq if they were attacked. "We do not go there to fight," Mr Thaksin said. "If we get killed, why should we stay?"

Colin Powell, secretary of state, said he had talked to the foreign minister or head of government of most countries with forces in Iraq this week, and insisted almost all had reiterated a commitment to keep soldiers in the country. "I'm getting solid support for our efforts, commitments to remain and finish the job that they came to do," he said.

Story

[arcane1]

1. looks like we'll have lots of absentee ballots this year

:evilfrown:

And whose votes are easier to molest than the troops? Mailing their votes in, or sending them online, they are damned either way

:grr:

[saigon68]

2. Myers is a War Criminal no Better than Herman Gorring

His planes have killed thousands of people.

[chasqui]

9. I actually wonder about that.

These officers are all part of their communities, and their activities are being very well documented by Al Jazeera, Human Rights Activists (Voice from the Wilderness), etc. They are never going to lead a peaceful life after this.
I remember reading about a british officer that caused a massacre of over 1000 indians early last century. His last name was O'Dwyer, if I recall correctly. He was tracked down by some kid whose father had been killed in the masacre, and shot dead in London.
The internet will never let you wash your bad karma off.

[saigon68]

12. I read that story or one very like it.

Its called the Tomoyuki Yamashita principle in WAR CRIMES

http://www.waikato.ac.nz/wfass/subjects/history/waimilhist/1998/yamashita.html

The Yamashita War Crimes Trial Revisited.

[mulethree]

3. Hmm global hegemony gonna work

if you're "client States" start valuing their citizens lives?

"Honduras decided on Monday to withdraw its 370 troops"

[daleo]

6. Expecting Hondurans to soldier under Negroponte

Seemed a little insensitive. I thought he made rather a name for himself around there, back in the 80's with the Reagan administration. Not really a good name, by most accounts that I recall.

[Zhade]

4. If they start pulling troops from other countries...

...those countries would be wise not to let the U.S. soldiers back in.

Enough with Empire! No more!

[Karenina]

5. What would happen if they gave a war

and nobody came?
What if folks who KNOW they are sriously getting SCREWED (don't misunderestimate folks done got shot at, ESPECIALLY after they have to deal with the V.A.) refuse to reenter the
:silly:*Apocolypse Theater:silly: EN MASSE??? There's strength in numbers.

What "JOB" did they go to do??? Install "democracy" in Iraq by brutally and atrociously assaulting her citizens after swallowing long since debunked tall tales about S9A1D1D9A1M1 and yellowcake smothered with mushroom sauce? Heh? :freak: A W-H-O-L-E LOTTA FOLKS be feeling the result of this "*dübys furrin' policy" up close and personal. Forgive my cynicism, recycling troops as they have been doing, decreases the number of those who survive to tell the truth...

Mr DJ, please cue up Marvin Gaye. Lewis Carroll, Orwell, Kubrick, Mad Max got NUTHIN' on this current crop of manipulated lunatics. This is the WORST SCRIPT I'VE EVER READ.

I demand a rewrite. Can I get a witness?

[JohnOneillsMemory]

7. Yes, sister! Check out this script and movie review. It's very relevant.

Wanna be a cowboy when you grow up? Lots of injuns out there...

Read this review of the new movie 'The Alamo' which details
White Man Movie History and the Fight FOR Slavery.

www.counterpunch.com/santina04092004.html

[Karenina]

10. No, dear...

That was "then." It's a distraction. THIS is NOW.

[PurityOfEssence]

13. I'll send ya the blue pages

No compelling leads, muddled plot, horrible dialogue and a trite and worn-out theme. I say we let the option expire.

No wonder Junior don't got no grammaring; he's allus sayin' "a men".

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. If the world's "SuperPower" is scrounging around for troops

.
.
.

Does this mean that Junior and his gang sorta BLEW IT ???

(no response required)

[Politicub]

11. There aren't that many more troops to send

I hope our soldiers wise up -- if they were unhappy during the Clinton administration because of the reich wing influence, I'm sure they're overjoyed serving under Bush.

We must ensure the absentee ballots are counted! In GA, we are subjects of the Diebold vote count. It's not like that in every state or with absentee ballots.

[anarchy1999]

14. JUST SAY NO!

JUST SAY NO!

NO, I will NOT GO.

I WILL NOT GO TO FIGHT YOUR ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF A FOREIGN COUNTRY.

You may be court martialed, but you have many more people than you will ever know standing firm behind you, including many Vets from former wars.

Choose your course,take your stand and we will support you all the way. Whatever way you choose. Please believe this. PM if you want more info on alternatives to the "front line" and killing.