What a mess......

[Mayfly]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The U.S. military acknowledged Thursday that its two-month drive to crush insurgent and militia violence in the Iraqi capital had fallen short, calling the raging bloodshed disheartening and saying it was rethinking its strategy to rein in gunmen, torturers and bombers.
 
The admission by military spokesman Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell came as car bombs, mortar fire and shootings around the country killed at least 66 people and wounded 175. The dead included the Anbar province police commander, slain by gunmen who burst into his home in Ramadi.

The U.S. military also announced the deaths of three U.S. troops in fighting, raising the toll for American troops in October to 74. The month is on course to be the deadliest for U.S. forces in nearly two years.

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Something has got to change.

[bowhunter73]

yes something has got to change!

 I am not saying go in and kill everybody, like we have all heard some people say. I would also not say we should leave.

 So I will just ask a Question If we have to follow rules as in rules of engagement or the Geneva convention HOW DOES ANY BODY THINK WE CAN WIN against lawlessness killers who want to die!

I think we need to start playing with there rule book  :o
Any thoughts out there

[WoodChuck]

  if were going to play , your right LETS PLAY WITH THEIR RULES AND PLAY TO WIN !!!! this war of no wars resembles vietnam in many ways, they all look alike, sound alike and they all want alike to kill each other and have no winners. like there are ever winners in a no war of wars.we rid iraq of a mass murder and freed the people to no avail, for only to commit murder and more mass killings just like it was before. but now there is none to blame but themselves. what more do we want oil , sand , figs or just camel dung for political fodder ? nothings left to go for but our pride and our BRAVE AMERICIAN SOLDIERS who fight to keep the americian dream alive for a country of blind FOOLS." DEMOCRACY " in an iraqi definition" FREEDOM WITH DEATH"? >:(

[Fishahollik]

Holy Sheep droppings! Finally two people who understnd this mess!

We are trying to fight a war by rules that only we are following. They don't give a rip abot the Geneva convention or any other "rules" All they care about is killing the infidels and are willing to kill you, me and all of our families as well.

Wanna make an impact? we need to start using bullets coated in pigs blood and have that information widely disseminated. When they realize they aren't getting to heaven to be given their 70 virgins because they died "unclean" they may think twice about thier actions.

[Bufflehead]

 What your seeing is the ultimate extreme case of Gun Control

 we have disarmed the average citizen's, took all their means of protecting themselves. Only the outlaws have guns/explosives. The police are useless in protecting them.

 I say declair marshal law...anybody caught on the streets past 8:00PM will be shot. Temp.? Ban all large crowd get togethers. No cars or trucks on streets were open markets and business are. No balky clothing or jackets are to be worn, which could hide explosives or risk being shot. Lots of things could be demanded of the people to help stop the killing

 The people are afraid to give any info about terrorest activity for fear their whole family will be killed.

 AND!!!!! our armed forces are afraid to use deadly force anymore for fear they could be charged with murder. That is wrong!!! and for some soldier to turn on his fellow soldiers and plea bargin himself against them to get a break is the ultimate act of treason

 THIS IS WAR!!! PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED GOOD AND BAD

 What was a good thing to begin with has lost it's way and I see noway to get the good back on track. The political BS that surrounds this war, is nothing short of another vetnam(spelling?)

 I say tell them to get their ducks in a row, we are pulling out on Jan. 1st Heres a bunch of guns...have at it.

 We will get NOTHING out of this war..not a quart of oil or a pound of goat meat. Lets lick our wounds and get the he11 out of there. I'm tired of watching our young men and women dieing for NOTHING!!!! or prosecuted for doing their job

 Signed...One Ticked Off American

 

[A-Rod]

We need to get midevil on their asses 

We could learn a little from the Seven Year War (aka. French and Indian war) that was fought on our own soil a little longer ago than people seem to remember.  We all remember the British and their 'civil' manner of fighting... we've all seen pictures of the gun lines and marching troops... this is basically what American troops have been limited to because of rules of engagement.  During the Seven Year War many British troops were slaughtered because they would not stray from their traditional practices. This made them sitting ducks for sneak attacks and ambushes.  Their indian enemies took advantage of this.  The British were fighting an unconventional enemy who only fought to win with no fear of death.... sound familiar?  In order for the British to keep their troops alive and win battles had to modify their tactics.  Who was the man responsible for rejecting the traditional British practices? George Washington.  Because of this transformation, the British were triumphent (in that war  ) .  So what Im saying is if we (our troops) continue with our current methods of standing around and taking a reactionary approach to warfare because of what the Geneva convention says this will never be over.  We need to change tactics.  Go on the covert offensive.  My mind is whirling with ideas but you get the picture. 

[Benny]

One thing everyone over looks is that the USA did NOT sign the Genieva Convention papers but only verbaly agreed to them.

So why do we bother with following any of the rules when we never signed to do so?

Political asperations is the only reason just like nam.

Benny

[Fishahollik]

There are several problems.

1) The fact that the media and the politicians are allowed on the spot access. I've been there. This age of CNN live gunfight news casting has to stop. It started in Vietnam and got worse with Grenada and the first Gulf War.
2) Politicians giving orders. Let the Generals and Admirals do that.
3) Different sets of rules. Were using one set, they aren't using any.
4) Bleeding hearts in this country who a) care too much for the enemy and their 'rights" and b) give a rats butt what other countries think of us, thus putting pressure on the politicians who then get their fingers in the pie and try to "control" it. (See item 2).

[jigglestick]

One thing everyone over looks is that the USA did NOT sign the Genieva Convention papers but only verbaly agreed to them.

So why do we bother with following any of the rules when we never signed to do so?



Benny

benny, where I come from we take your word and a hand shake very seriously.
did we agree to the geneva convention with our fingers crossed behind our backs?

[Benny]

I don't know Jiggle, did we?

 Did any one from the USA actually say they would?

I don't know if we even agreed to them, will have to look that one up before I go and let my fingers type any more about it.

I was just repeating what I read in a news rag, so maybe I am off base.

But as far as where you grew up, dude you only live 18 mile west of my home town.
My familly chewed that red ore dirt, and spit pulp as well.

And yea that would be enough for most things,a shake is as good as my word to.
But when your being beat to death and your loved ones killed are you going to still honor that shake and watch your son go to war and die because your to stubborn to start fighting them on their terms?

Benny

[WoodChuck]

 >:( HEY! WHO said war was easy and who said war was fair, and when your back is against the wall and nowhere to go anthing is fair in war weather we like it or not.? ONE thing we all have to remember is that were not there, but are fighting men and women are and they do what they are told to do for that is a soliders duty! so until the bleeding hearts recognize that this is not "an average war" we are going to suffer more then we should. to HELL WITH THE GENEVA CONVENTION,? god bless our troops and may god be with them .? ?>:(