General: US may consider ground troops in Libya

[Hugabear]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/07/501364/main20051760.shtml#ixzz1IrtMwlxl

<snip>
The United States may consider sending troops into Libya with a possible international ground force that could aid the rebels, according to the general who led the military mission until NATO took over.

Army Gen. Carter Ham also told lawmakers Thursday that added American participation would not be ideal, and ground troops could erode the international coalition and make it more difficult to get Arab support for operations in Libya.
...
The use of an international ground force is a possible plan to bolster rebels fighting forces loyal to the Libyan leader, Ham said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Asked if the U.S. would provide troops, Ham said, "I suspect there might be some consideration of that. My personal view at this point would be that that's probably not the ideal circumstance, again for the regional reaction that having American boots on the ground would entail."
<snip>


This is how it will go. From 'we will not use ground troops' to 'we don't want to use ground troops' to 'we're considering all our options' to 'we have no choice but to use ground troops'.

[MadHound]

1. I suspect there is already consideration of that, and it has been considered from the very beginning

Now they're just trying to figure out how to implement ground troops in Libya without completely losing all credibility. Wait, too late. . .

[gateley]

2. He's advising against it, said he "suspects there might be some consideration", so

don't get ahead of the facts.

[Telly Savalas]

4. Don't get ahead of the facts? At DU?

:rofl:

[MichiganVote]

3. Might want to consider Wisconsin first.

[Rage for Order]

5. There's the first trial balloon

Army generals don't say things to the press by accident. The administration is watching to see how his statement will be received.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Swell