What a surprise! Generals in Iraq to recommend "surge".

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

The Good German defense. "Just following orders."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061223/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqmilitarytroops_061223165307

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Top US military commanders in
Iraq have decided to recommend a "surge" of fresh American combat forces, eliminating one of the last remaining hurdles to proposals being considered by President George W. Bush.

Citing an unnamed defense official, The Los Angeles Times said the approval of a troop increase plan by top Iraq commanders, including General George Casey and Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno, comes days before Bush unveils a new course for Iraq. The recommendation by the commanders in Iraq is significant because Bush has placed prime importance on their advice, the report said.

The US command in Iraq decided to recommend an increase of troops several days ago, prior to meetings in Baghdad this week with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, according to The Times.

Casey and General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command who will step down in March, have long resisted adding more troops in Iraq, arguing that it could delay the development of Iraqi security forces and increase anger at the United States in the Arab world, The Times said.

But while some officers think five extra brigades would be difficult to muster, others believe more troops will be required, the paper reported.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Remeber one General has been sacked alraedy

read between the lines, but Abisaid just didn't quit, if you get my drift.

If he follows pattern, by March he should start talking, again if you get my drift

[annabanana]

2. By March, you say?

I'd say that will be about when the "surge" has fallen apart into more of the same, with more dead people..(and possibly calls of "just a few more, turning a corner, light at the end of the tunnel" crap)

So I'd agree, March sounds about right.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. He he goes off active duty in February

[Vincardog]

3. I suggest that we let aWoL lead the surge in person without any body armor.

The only thing the Idiot bush wants to do is fan the flames and keep this conflict going until he slinks out of office.

That way he can enrich his backers and persist in his delusion that GOD wanted him to do it.

Does anyone believe there is any way to stop him short of impeachment?

The world can't wait.

[iconoclastic cat]

9. He already thinks he's Henry V. He should go for it. nt

[Sherman A1]

10. I was thinking the surge could be lead

by the twins? If they take the point, I am sure it would really get things rolling...

[Frustratedlady]

5. Well, there goes my security blanket...

I was hoping that if the wrong decisions were made by the big guys, the generals would stand their ground.

Oh, well. I've been wrong plenty of times before. I just hope that more troops in Iraq doesn't translate into "troops are in position for Iran."

Who gets to turn off the lights when all of our military personnel have left the country?

[Jimmy52]

6. bush is getting scarier

bush is getting scarier everyday. His belief he is a modern day Moses should be enough for people even in his won party to shy away from him. The man is scary!

[originalpckelly]

12. Good observation, Welcome to DU!

Hopefully, we'll all have many more! :hi:

[originalpckelly]

7. Well, that's all folks. Bush is over. Only 12% of America agrees with this delusional bastard...

Prediction: George W. Bush will not be President in one year.

[iconoclastic cat]

8. Hellooooo President Pelosi! nt

[leveymg]

11. This does seem to bring it all to a head, doesn't it.

It's one thing to rattle sabres to keep a regional power at bay while we withdraw, it's another to signal that we're escalating the fight, and taking sides against the Shi'a.

This is just an insane provocation, and the top Generals recognize it.

But, there may still be hope. Cheney will probably resign (or be indicted for perjury) shortly after he testifies in the Plame case. There seems to be only one possible replacment: McCain, but, he's also in favor of "the surge." Where does that leave us when Shrub departs? Still stuck in Baghdad?

Clearly, then, McCain is not acceptable as Veep- and the Dems in the House need not approve him, but the vote would be close. Besides, McCain's departure weakens the GOP further in the Senate.

Who's waiting in the wings, who has sufficient bi-partisan stature and good will? I really can't think of anyone. Can you?

[caledesi]

13. * is like a mentally-ill person, if he doesn't get the "answer" he

wants...he just keep searching (at OUR expense) for someone to agree with him. Then, he can say "See, even the generals on the ground agreed." He is SICK! :puke:

[pdxmom]

14. Un-freakin'-believable!! We got into this war because his "advisors"

would only tell him what he wanted to hear. Now, the generals are flip-flopping on their recommendations, so that they are telling him what they know he wants to hear.

And the lives of our troops are the pawns in their little game.

This is criminal!