Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
Excuse me, but the "surge" is over. Done. Finito. Please pay attention!
|
Wrong wrong wrong. The surge is now in place. It's not 'done' or 'over' just because the initial phase of what the surge was accomplished [putting more troops at the local levels instead of bases]. The effects of the surge are still ongoing and being observed. Therefore, the surge is not over, the troops are still at the local levels where the surge put them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
The stated goal of the 18 benchmarks was to gauge "success in Iraq." In that those 18 benchmarks have not been met, it would appear that actual "success in Iraq" cannot be claimed, or even hinted at (despite such attempts by right-wing war lovers).
|
15/18 - 83.33%. Tell me Glinda, do you think students who get an 83 or below should not be allowed to pass? 15 of the 18 benchmarks are satisfactory. Considering the conditions involved and that only 3 were met in January, that is pretty good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
So, let's hear YOUR idea of acceptable levels of violence. Is yours any more definitive than the non-answer offered by the White House?
|
I don't have one. I just know they should be much lower than they are now. Do you have an acceptable level?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
From the OP, it would appear that Iraq remains a very violent place. (Once again, the "surge" is over. Please try to keep up!)
|
The surge is not over. The troops have been put in place. That part of the surge is over. Their continued occupation of those localities is still having positive effects all over Iraq. Please try to keep up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
When I asked: Where do we get the authority to insist that another country adopt OUR form of government? you responded with a non-answer:
|
No, I responded with an explicit explanation on the implicit reason. Our government works and is a model of human rights and freedom. Their previous government sucked and allowed for atrocities such as mass graves and rape rooms. Therefore, by reason of might and war conquest, we have the right to put forth a better form of government that will allow more individual liberty and freedoms. Don't like that? Sometimes life is tough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
Ah, you're able to read the future! Please send the next winning lottery numbers to me via PM!
|
I'm not able to read the future, just use common sense. If we take out a corrupt government and leave a power vaccuum next to Iran, Iran will move in and set up shop. That's not being clairvoyant, that's just being observant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Glinda
The true tactic behind the "surge" was to escalate our involvement in Iraq. There are more troops there now - after the surge has ended - than there were before it began. By that measure, and ONLY by that measure, the "surge" was a success - Mr. Bush got more of our young men and women to put their lives on the line to bolster his tiny little ego and keep feeding his love for war (and oil).
|
Violence is down. That's a pretty good measure in my opinion.
Tell me Glinda, what would your measure of success in Iraq be, now that we are there?