The unravelling has begun.

[Raven]

The Generals are off on their own tangents in advance of the "Patraeus Report". Some say we can cut troops by half, one says he can't cut at all. The posturing has begun, the rats are heading for the ropes. Warner has come out with a Christmas present for 5,000 lucky souls and for sure there will be other Republicans angling to better that. The Republican lock step has been unlocked...no one is in control of this now.

In my simple mind, two things have set off the beginning of the collapse: talk of Cheney's imminent war on Iran and Bush's pathetic attempt to morph the war into Iraq into the Vietnam War. No two things lately could be better evidence that this country's leaders are out of their minds and the Generals and the Republicans know it. It's all being handed to the Democrats, let's hope they find their spines.

[Jersey Devil]

1. Not really - It's all part of Bush's September flimflam

Lots of people are making a big deal out of this story that says the Joint Chiefs will call for a big cut in US troops in Iraq, contrary to what the Admin and Peteus will supposedly say in September when they will call for more time in Iraq with current troop levels:

Top general to urge Iraq troop cut

Advice by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs poses a potential clash with supporters of the buildup.
By Julian E. Barnes and Peter Spiegel, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
August 24, 2007
WASHINGTON -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to advise President Bush to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq next year by almost half, potentially creating a rift with top White House officials and other military commanders over the course of the war.

Administration and military officials say Marine Gen. Peter Pace is likely to convey concerns by the Joint Chiefs that keeping well in excess of 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2008 will severely strain the military. This assessment could collide with one being prepared by the U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, calling for the U.S. to maintain higher troop levels for 2008 and beyond.
More - http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pace24aug24,0,43964.story?coll=la-home-center

I think, however, that Pace is probably saying exactly what Bush wants him to say like the good little Bushco puppet he has always been.

Here's the flimflam: Bush will make it sound like he is going to pull troops out of Iraq when in fact he isn't, calling for a reduction " next year". So in fact Pace's remarks buys Bush at least another 6 months and probably longer, which is what Petreus is going to say anyway.

Then he will bring down the Maliki government, install a puppet regime and beg for more time for the Iraqi government to work because, well, it's only been in power less than a year, blah, blah, blah. And, you can't quit when the new Iraqi government with so much promise has just begun, can you?

Having gained himself another Friedman or two, he can call for additional Friedmans "next year", when, of course, the surge will be working so well that Sunnis, Shia and Kurds will be having picnics together, blessing the intermarriage of their children and Iraq will once again be truly at peace.

[Raven]

2. This is why I love DU.

I post my take on this and you give me a whole other way to look at it. I probably have the rosy glasses on, I hope not...we'll see. Thanks for your thoughts.

[peacetalksforall]

3. We must acknowledge that their method is entrenched. Opposable

words and announcements. If George or Dick says one thing, someone who reports to them or works for them will say the opposite. The truth must be muddied - for legal cover-up and for the beauty of mud - people cannot discuss or agree on what is going on because opposing statements were made. You can't protest if you only heard one and didn't dissect and delve into it as is done on many blogs.

[DURHAM D]

4. B-I-N-G-O

Meanwhile - a Dem congresscritter is now saying the surge is working. The Blue Dogs get all paranoid and act like cowards cause they think the folks back in the district want a broker not a leader and the result is that Pelosi won't be able to keep the herd faced into the storm.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. The Dems better find their spines. People are fed up with their cowardice.

I know I am! They had better come back to DC with both barrels loaded or they are going to lose their Majority staus in '08.....IF there's an election, that is and if they lose the Majority, we are totally screwed. No more investigations. No more subpoenas. No more contempt citations. No more law and order.

[wiggs]

6. Choreographed statements

2008 GOP candidates for reelection express doubts about Bush's strategy, looking like independent thinkers. Petraeous makes case for success in Iraq in September and the doubters act convinced. WH looks good, GOP candidates look like involved, independent leaders. Along the way, we might pull a few troops out and we will certainly be inundated with all the good news from Iraq through elections 2008.

Asking for 5000 troops home by Christmas is hardly breaking ranks...an illusion propagated by MSM.

[Cleita]

7. I have been thinking for a long time now that it's going to

take the military to stop these nutjobs in their tracks. I just hope it isn't a coup. Those never end well.