Interesting article in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot - Chairman Of Joint Chiefs Says To Military: Stay Out Of Politics. While I applaud the Chairman, the timing seems a little suspect. Some how I don’t remember a similar message in 2006 or 04, 02, 2000. In fact, I cant ever remember one. Me thinks the Chairman doth protest too much..........
We all know "The Surge" is working. Working so well that we are going to "end" it. Never mind "the Surge" is ending because there is no way to continue it. Forget about all the facts because the Administration said so. Lets juts pretend they are all right and we are all wrong.
Casualties Drop Despite U.S. Buildup The expectation was that more American troops would be killed, especially with major offensives under way. Why it hasn't happened is in dispute.
By Nancy A. Youssef
American combat deaths in Iraq have dropped by half in the three months since the buildup of 28,000 additional U.S. troops reached full strength, surprising analysts and dividing them as to why.
U.S. officials had predicted that the personnel increase would lead to higher American casualties as the troops ''took the fight to the enemy.'' But that hasn't happened, even though U.S. forces launched major offensives involving thousands of troops north and south of Baghdad.
American combat casualties have declined to their lowest levels this year, even as violence involving Iraqis remains high.
Military officials and observers are wondering whether the lower U.S. casualties are a sign of success or an indication that insurgents and militiamen simply chose a different battlefield when the Americans mounted their offensive in Iraq's capital.
That would be GREAT!!! WOW, signs of progress!! How far did they drop?
With two days left in the month, US causalities in Iraq reached 330 for the last three months. For the first time ever deaths exceeded 100 on three consecutive months. June also marked the 5th time in the last 9 months deaths exceeded 100. This quarter is also no an aberration. January-March marked the first time deaths reached 80 on three consecutive months. Sadly, that quarter already looks like "good times."
Another example of Republicans putting action ahead of words. For years DARPA has sponsored a contest to produce an unmanned vehicle. Last year for the first time someone qualified for the prize - $2 million. This year the contest was slated to have a $2.7 million prize. This is not just "American Idol" for geeks. Years after autopilot was perfected for aircraft we are still at the very early stages of anything for ground vehicles. If we had a working system it could save thousands of lives in the Army and Marine Corps. Its so important, DoD has mandated 1/3 of all vehicles be unmanned by 2015. Well its going to be a lot harder to get there because the current administration has banned awarding of prizes. So while they could find $20 million for a "Victory Celebration," there is no money for research that might achieve that victory.
While Republicans are having a "bad" week, soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are having a bad couple of years. Despite the assurances from the administration, this year is not better:
Back in June I wrote a diary in response to Tony Snow's "Numbers" comment. Back then the "Number" was 2500. Today it is 2639 and combined with the 333 killed in Afghanistan it puts us at 2972 - just 14 short of the 2986 killed on September 11th. Sorry, update, 12 short. Two more service members were killed in Iraq, Numbers 63 and 64 this month. I had thought these two might converge on September 11th 2006 but sadly due to a spike in violence in Afghanistan, the Numbers will likely cross about the same time Congress returns and the "real" campaign starts.
Since the primaries are over in California, the TV has thankfully returned to stupid ads about cars and weight loss instead of the asinine ads for politicians running for office. Considering I am a Democrat in California, the ads should not have been that offensive. My district is so blue I cant remember even on Republican pleading for my vote. Instead I was subjected to ad after ad for Democrats and at the end of each one I became more and more convinced they had less and less in common with me. So who represents me?
With all the nastiness about immigration, it is unlikely that any real solution will come out of Congress. With the house firmly against amnesty and the Senate firmly in favor of being reelected, there is little chance of compromise. So as long as things are hopeless, I offer one more doomed plan.
In the next month, all the state primary battles should be finished and the match ups for the fall general election should be set. In other words, we will know who the opposition is (notice I didnt say enemy - they are Americans with a different view, not an enemy!). Now is the time to frame questions to make our opposition put up or shut up. I don't all 50 questions, but I know a few. What we cant do is let our opponents get away with talking points and photo ops without answering hard questions. We must start today with letters to editors, public meetings and other opportunities to ask the questions the media is failing to. Some of my questions:
Good soldiers follow orders and hundreds of American military men and women returned to the United States on holiday leave this month with orders to sell the Iraq war to a skeptical public.
Now that the Senate has taken a pass on the last real chance the Republicans had of co-opting the withdrawal issue Democrats are at a critical stage in the fight for the future of the Congress and the nation.
