Another one bites the dust...

It stands to reason that, having achieved victory and stability for their assigned sector of Iraq, that they should enjoy the victory they have earned, turn over that sector to Iraqi security and military forces, and go home.

And to those who would say that they're cutting and running, there are already enough overlapping chains of command in the hotspots in Baghdad and other places that adding the Brits to the mix would just make things that much more chaotic. Cheers to those limey bastards.

From Margaret Thatcher to Cherie Blair in 20 years

The RPM in Sir Winston's grave is pegged

UK withdraws troops because of success while America adds troops because of success? Hmmm.
OT:
How can it be legal in the 21st century that a "religion" is allowed and if you leave it of your own free will, the death penalty is called for?

The US was doing all the heavy lifting anyway.

Blair is trying some desperate end-of-term flipflop to try to salvage his reputation among the UK dhimmi press.

Pathetic.

Now there is 0% chance Muslims will blow up trains in London

/ oh sure

An attempt to bury the war before Blair leaves office. Let's hope Basra does indeed enjoy a smooth transition. I am doubtful. More likely is that without very long-term supervision Iraq will be an open invitation to Iran and a multitude of sectarian warlords and a greater menace than ever.

Brave Sir Robin ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!

Sorry chaps. This was inevitable, both due to popular pressure at home and because of the vast underfunding of our armed forces.

#2 Ghostmaker

It stands to reason that, having achieved victory and stability for their assigned sector of Iraq, that they should enjoy the victory they have earned, turn over that sector to Iraqi security and military forces, and go home.

And to those who would say that they're cutting and running, there are already enough overlapping chains of command in the hotspots in Baghdad and other places that adding the Brits to the mix would just make things that much more chaotic. Cheers to those limey bastards.

Exactly, you beat me to it.

/Basra has been their area of operations since the war started, if it's secure, the whole point of the exercise, why shouldn't they go home?

Blair will also tell the House of Commons during his regular weekly appearance that a total of about 3,000 British soldiers will have left southern Iraq by the end of 2007, if the security there is sufficient, the British Broadcasting Corp. said, quoting government officials who weren’t further identified. The announcement comes even as President Bush implements an increase of 21,000 more troops for Iraq.

At least there's a loophole.

#6 shug

Now there is 0% chance Muslims will blow up trains in London

Heh. Heh. Heh.

;^)

Somehow, I don't feel very happy about this. Maybe it's not cutting and running, but that just means the good ol USA will have to carry more of the load.

Of course, ABC Nightly News reported this with Martha Raddatz's opinion/analysis that Tony Blair was reponding to pressure--"tremendous pressure"--within the government and amongst the population in general. And, in Martha's expert opinion, Basra is "far from being perfectly secure."

Heck, there are portions of any city in America that aren't "perfectly secure." (Maybe the police should PULL OUT NOW!)

Thanks and congratulations to the Brits! May we do the same at some point in the future.

At least the Brits appear to be doing well in Afghanistan.
Key Taliban base wiped out in British offensive

British forces in Afghanistan have destroyed a key Taliban base in the latest stage of a campaign to control access to the troubled Helmand province.

I think that the mostly-Shia Basra area is a lot calmer than Anbar and central Baghdad. They aren't needed as much there. I wish they would help the U.S. out in those areas though.

I wonder if this is timed to prevent Prince Harry from being deployed into Iraq?

#9 Killian Bundy

Brits go home - Terrorists come in.

Tony has to redeploy to another Islamic hot spot: Londonistan.

Well, the Brits were good allies for awhile. Unfortunately, Britain is fast becoming part of the caliphate, and its days (as a first-world country, anyway) are numbered. I always thought France would fall to the mohammedans before Britain would, but now I really think that Britain will go first. Hell, it's more than half-way there now (not in demographics, but in the willingness to appease and, ultimately, surrender).

I would like us to have the same situation.

”President Bush sees this as a sign of success and what is possible for us once we help the Iraqis deal with the sectarian violence in Baghdad."

we shall see...Islam has it's own idea,about what happens to Baghdad...they may work to see that end..just saying.

The Dems have made their position clear. No other country wants to pull the last soldier from Iraq.

Oh, well... It was a noble effort.

#9 Killian Bundy

I add my vote to that viewpoint.

/We'll still need our own bases in Iraq to protect the oil and be able to pressure Iran, Syria etc.

The Brits need a 2nd Amendment...

#12 snakespit

but that just means the good ol USA will have to carry more of the load.

That's the point, it doesn't.

/the British have been operating in totally separate areas than we have, without overlap

#2 Ghostmaker

And what happens when Terrorists open a major surge in that area, overwhelming the Iraqi forces? Who's gonna have to come in and mop up? it's not gonna be prince harry, that's for sure. It's gonna be our boys.

#17 so.cal.swede

#9 Killian Bundy

Brits go home - Terrorists come in.

Oh, I don't know... they seem fairly well tied down in Baghdad and Anbar Province - if they're not fleeing to Iran.

so then when should we expect suicide bombings to increase in Basra? lord knows we can't have any success in iraq. that would make the war seem worthwhile.

OT
Barry doesn't know:
Gary Hart
Pete Rose

/Go ahead, investigate me!

#9 Killian Bundy

But Basra ISN"T secure. Remember the blokes ragging us about how they knew how to conduct a successful occupation? Is hasn;t worked out that way, they're having trouble with ieds, etc too.

#16 redshirt

Bingo! I posted the same thought on the previous thread. Blair is as much a lame-duck leader as GWB, so just what is the motive?

#20 RTLM

I would like us to have the same situation.

Exactly. Wouldn't we all? If we hadn't been playing PC pattycake with Mookie al-Sadr and his thugs for the last couple of years, we just might have been.

#7 Dom

Let's hope Basra does indeed enjoy a smooth transition.

We'll know soon enough, Basra is smack in the middle of the main supply route from Kuwait north.

Time will tell. Very little time, at that.

Sorry -- just wanted to throw that out...

The British military is top notch, and very formidable. Terrific warriors. However, they are being blindsided by their politicians (much like our troops are by our politicians), and cut off at the knees. Pity.

#24 christheprofessor

The Brits need a 2nd Amendment...

A constitution would be a good place to start. Gotta have something to amend.

There are no ied's at 30,000 ft.

17 so.cal.swede

Brits go home - Terrorists come in.

They're removing 3,000 British troops, and replacing them with 21,000 American ones. Sounds like a raw deal for the terrorists.

#14 St. Pancake
The Afghanistan war is almost as unpopular in the UK. I guess they're staying with us for now but I wouldn't be too surprised if they pull out in Afghanistan next.

#17 so.cal.swede

Brits go home - Terrorists come in.

First of all, Britain only had a little over 5,000 troops in the Basra area to begin with and are only redeploying half of them. Their convinced that the Iraqis have effectively taken over security in the area. I'm pretty sure that the Iraqis don't intend to turn Basra over to al Qaeda. When's the last time you heard of a terror attack in Basra? They're rare.

/what's the alternative, babysit Iraq forever?

I consider this a trial balloon. I will let this play out before passing judgement. We get burned, we get burned. Let the Iraqis see if they can handle the situation.

But I got to admit everything is so political anymore that I am never sure of the truth unless some military guy says it is so.

#38 Roger

There are no ied's at 30,000 ft.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!

39 Sharmuta 2/20/2007 05:29PM PST

17 so.cal.swede

Brits go home - Terrorists come in.

They're removing 3,000 British troops, and replacing them with 21,000 American ones. Sounds like a raw deal for the terrorists

Then it becomes America's war...we needed the brits to stand by us...it is a big deal..in time...we shall see...it sucks.

#32 Spiny Norman
Agreed - Lot's of shoulda-coulda. But the positive part is that the hot war parts of Iraq are fairly well contained. The south and north of Iraq are as stable as any state in that part of the ME. Especially Kurdistan. The big fight now is for Baghdad.

Can't fault the Brits. They are still our best ally, and should be commended on a job well done.

Blair.

I hope they're able to send more troops to Af'stan, then.

OT
Congressman's imam is leading interfaith efforts
He's a spiritual adviser ready to work with all races and denominations

On the evening after Minnesota's Democratic primary in September, Makram El-Amin picked up his ringing cell phone to hear the raspy, exhausted voice of Keith Ellison. The men had known each other for a decade, long enough for El-Amin to become the imam of a mosque in their North Minneapolis neighborhood and Ellison to win a seat as the area's state representative.

Now Ellison had survived a bruising campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress and was headed into a general election. It was bound to include even more scrutiny and vitriol from opponents, based on his past in the Nation of Islam and his present as a Sunni Muslim. So Ellison was calling, as El-Amin recounted the other day, not as a politician but as a congregant, seeking pastoral counsel.

"Be the person you've been all along," El-Amin recalls telling Ellison. "Be a public servant, not an Islamic spokesman. Keep the interest of all the people in the forefront. That's what Muhammad himself would do."

/"Mo himself" would be a star perp on Dateline NBC's To Catch a Predator

#46

I agree. The British military is superb. It's the polticians and appeasing press that cut them off at the knees that I have a problem with.

#41 killian bundy

no the iraqi's won't hand over Basra to al qaeda...their thinking of giving it to Iran

47 MandyManners
*smile*
Defiant Ahmadinejad mocks nuclear West

"We have never been after confrontation and tension. We have always been for dialogue but dialogue under fair conditions."

Mr Ahmadinejad said it was "no problem" for Iran to stop enriching uranium. He added: "But justice demands that those who want to hold talks with us shut down their nuclear fuel cycle programme too. Then we can hold dialogue under a fair atmosphere."

The Financial Times, for its part, said Blair would first cut troop levels by 1,600, while the Guardian newspaper put the figure at 1,000, with all troops exiting by the end of 2008.

Only 22 months until they clear out. The Pantsuit wants us out in 90 days.

Can't say this is any shock. Phased withdrawal, but no guarantee it'll all come down as planned. Gives the antiwar maggot something to crow about, that's about it.

#30 bebe's boobs destroy

But Basra ISN"T secure.

Got a linky for that?

The British have lost 132 soldiers in four years of war in Iraq. That's incredibly low. Iran lost almost 20 in the last week alone to terrorism.

/nowhere in the Middle East is ever going to be Shangri-La as long as people still practice Islam

seems you can only support a guy that doesn't actually follow support himself for so long.

Once there was a man with a doctrine...

"Ellison:
I'm not offended that the American people want to know what we believe and why we believe," he said. "That's sensible. It's the mischaracterization that's irresponsible. If someone asks me why the reward for martyrdom is heaven with unlimited virgins, I have to tell him that's a complete myth."

/Not unlimited; 72. Let's play spot and stop the taqqiya.

If the British mission is accomplished, which it seems to be, I'm not going to criticize the decision.

Thanks for the help, Brits!

#51 mahatma coat

no the iraqi's won't hand over Basra to al qaeda...their thinking of giving it to Iran

I think you overestimate their Shia love for each other.

/Iraqis aren't Persians

#53 jwf

Ah, yes; the Pantsuit. It is marxist to the core. Frighteningly, it has a pretty wide following.

AFP: Terrorists = activists

Palestinian arrested for planning Tel Aviv suicide attack

An official of Islamic Jihad confirmed to AFP that activist Omar Abu al-Rob, 23, from the village of Jalbun near Jenin, had planned to carry out an attack against Israel.

Undoubtedly, the BBC will shortly announce that the troops withdrawn from Iraq will shortly be taking up anti- terrorist patrols in Londonistan, strictly as a protective measure for the children of Satan. Must protect the "innocents" from the soccer hooligans, you know. I mean, when was the last time any of the All Red fans chopped someone's head off?

er PInF ;)

It seems that the Brits could only support a Yank that did not support himself for so long.

OT:

The Palestinian "Unity Government" under the aegis and encouragement of our ally, Saudi Arabia, are very busy making huge peace overtures to Israel:

IDF worried Hamas may have advanced missiles
IDF: Possible Hamas possession of Sagger anti-tank missiles will affect future operations in Gaza

[Link: www.haaretz.com...]

The British have lost 132 soldiers in four years of war in Iraq. That's incredibly low. Iran lost almost 20 in the last week alone to terrorism.

How many have been killed in Chocolate City this year?

60 Jammie:

I could understand an individual blowing him/herself up around U.S. troops, or around Iraqi Soldiers, being referred to as an "activist" or a "militant"...but this A-HOLE was going to blow himself up among innocent civilians to propagate his political beliefs.

That IS the definition of TERRORISM! Where is the "nuance"?

#56 cdinflux

Where did you get that Ellison quote?

So much for my plans to become the 1st athiest president...
Gallup poll: Black, woman more likely electable than Mormon, thrice married, old candidate

Asked if they’d be willing to vote for a “generally well-qualified” candidate with the followign characterisitics, here’s how the tally went in the Feb. 9- 11 poll.

Black 94%
Jewish 92%
A woman 88%
Hispanic 87%
Mormon 72%
Married for third time 67%
72 years of age 57%
A homosexual 55%
An atheist 45%

Sorry. cbinflux

Nevermind. Your #49.

#5 zombie

The US was doing all the heavy lifting anyway.

Blair is trying some desperate end-of-term flipflop to try to salvage his reputation among the UK dhimmi press.

Pathetic.

Exactly, and his timing is impeccably horrible. What kind of message is he sending the enemy?

/Rhetorical, of course.

#50 hiker

I agree. The British military is superb. It's the polticians and appeasing press that cut them off at the knees that I have a problem with.

The way I see it, the soldiers will return to Britain with a better understanding of the problems inherent to Islamic systems, and some of these soldiers will enter politics, thereby effecting a change in attitudes and policies with regard to the Muslim population in their own country.

Why don't we take all of our own troops home, and win this war by destroying the enemy where he's funded, organized, and armed--Iran? A few well-placed nuclear bombs there would end this thing. And if not, we can see which other islamist dictatorships are still waging jihad and destroy them as well.

Surge vs. cut-and-run = false alternative

This will not have any effect on the jihad that has targetted Britain. The UK is a target of jihad because for many years the UK was a jihad terrorist playground. At this time, the jihad terrorist infrastructure is solidly in place in the UK. That is why it is being subject to jihad. No change of Britain's foreign policy will change the basic reason for the jihad targetting Britain.

St. Pancake (#14),

Um, they weren't attacking Taliban fighters, they destroyed the "bases".

The reality is that the Brit's mostly stay on their own base and hide under mattresses when attacked. (Literally hide under mattresses.) The antiquated crap they got sent into the field with has earned them the label the Flintstones by the US troops.

#70 DAVID,

OR ,, maybe Blair is bringing them "home" because he now sees there are MORE Jihadists in the UK that need ,,, umm,,, "attending" too !

The Royal Navy is comprised of some of the most capable mariners in the world.

Ther'e still doing Grog at sea also, much more civilized than the US Navy.

Thanks Mates.

yeh. It's hard to read this without any cynicism,not the least for all that gossip blather about those "warrior princes" bubbling up out of the murk.

Lets keep this in perspective.

The Democrats can't pacify New Orleans.

Looks like they might be loosing Vegas as well after the sectarian violence there this past week.
Has NBC called Vegas a civil war yet?

We must understand that the Brits face a much larger threat at home than we do(so far). I hope that this troop movement is a move to protect the homeland against an internal threat. I suspect this decision is based on political reasons rather than self-protection (DUH!). May I suggest that this is a view into our future if the Dems get control of the Oval Office. God forbid!

#72 Bearster

win this war by destroying the enemy where he's funded, organized, and armed--Iran? A few well-placed nuclear bombs there would end this thing.

While I agree that, one way or another, Iran is the ultimate endgame here, nuclear weapons would be needless overkill.

/we can do whatever we plan/need to do conventionally

Sad news. Politics, feh! I don't want the west to lose the WOT, the war against Islamo-fascism, but it looks like we're going to have to experience some major reminders before we wake up, again. It's going to get really ugly. [crystal ball out]

#66 Noam
First, it's an El-Amin quote, an equal to Billy Graham. My bad.

See #49 above.

mahatma coat (#51),

no the iraqi's won't hand over Basra to al qaeda...their thinking of giving it to Iran

Actually the Iraqis are kinda liking be in control of themseves.

The Democrats can't pacify New Orleans.

It is their "slow bleed" concept.

78 HOUS:

What happened in Vegas? (or is that an East / West Basketball Joke?)

I'll repost from the last thread:

CNN Anchor:
"Word just in, Prime Minister Tony Blair, just announced that on March 6th at 0600 hours Iraqi Standard Time, that they are going to pull out 7,000 troops who have been serving there. We have received word that the 'exit strategy' will work as follows:
At 0500 on March 6th...NOT THE 5th or 7th...THE SIXTH...the troops are going to gather in a local Baghdad square on 3rd street and Abdul Avenue, which will be surprisingly unprotected from sniper attack, so that the troops can have a final 'checkout procedure'.
Then it is off to a caravan of VERY LIGHTLY ARMORED transports, which can't take more than a single IED blast *pause*, that will take the troops down to 4th street at exactly 0630 Iraqi Standard Time, this street is known for its hiding places that allow so many IED's to be placed.
The troops will reach the Tarmac at Baghdad's main airport. Another spacious location where many Snipers can have a final go at it. So basically there is about a 2 hour window for the Insurgen...uh...back to you Wolf."

Wolf Blitzer:
"Wow...there you have it...CNN the most trusted name in news...*Music comes in...* *under breathe* ...to terrorists..."

#81 Golem Akbar

Right now politics takes center stage when reality should. I agree with your assessment with much sorrow. It is so sad that many more Americans need to die before the "MSM" Americans "get it". If only they had paid attention. My hope is that we reach a point where we move forward in this war united. One can dream, can't we?

#71 Kreuzueber Halbmond

#50 hiker

I agree. The British military is superb. It's the polticians and appeasing press that cut them off at the knees that I have a problem with.

The way I see it, the soldiers will return to Britain with a better understanding of the problems inherent to Islamic systems, and some of these soldiers will enter politics, thereby effecting a change in attitudes and policies with regard to the Muslim population in their own country.

Well, currently the MI5 the British equivalent of the CIA is tracking a few hundred Islamic homegrown terror plots in England alone.

I'm fairly certain they have gotten a fairly decent look at the enemy and the Barbarians are inside their gates.

Golem Akbar (#81),

I don't want the west to lose the WOT,

You are, in fact, in the majority. Regardless of what E.J. Dionne tell us:

POLL: AMERICANS 'WANT TO WIN IN IRAQ'

The survey shows Americans want to win in Iraq, and that they understand Iraq is the central point in the war against terrorism and they can support a U.S. strategy aimed at achieving victory, said Neil Newhouse, a partner in POS. The idea of pulling back from Iraq is not where the majority of Americans are.

#63 DJS
Interesting (if unsurprising) link - mainly for the way it underscores the absurdity of the terms under which the "international community" expects Israel to defend herself. Given the IAF's absolute air superiority, a bunch of Sagger missiles would be of no consequence to the IDF if Israel could genuinely go to war against her enemies and wipe out Hamas strongholds through massive aerial bombardment. It's kind of like that wasp's nest under the eaves: you can swat all the individual wasps you want, but until you clean out the source, the others will be angrily buzzing around, ready to sting when their moment arrives.

Killian Bundy

what's the alternative, babysit Iraq forever?

Not sure where British troops are around the worlds but ours have been in Europe for 62 years and Korea for 55 years.

Basra is as secure as the Brits say it is, what ever that is.

Basketball: Shootings, arrests spoil post-NBA All-Star Game party

LAS VEGAS : Violence marred post-NBA All-Star Game partying as shootings left three people in critical condition and stamped an ugly footnote on what should have been a time of celebration.

Police arrested 362 people during the All-Star Game weekend as scattered fights broke out along the main casino strip early Monday even though police had braced themselves for the post-celebratory mayhem.

"These people have been here since Wednesday so they have been here for several days and were getting very little sleep," police spokesman Jose Montoya said. "This was their last night in Vegas and we figured if something was going to happen it would be near the end of the events."

Police also had extra officers to control rowdy crowds at the Las Vegas airport where thousands of weary NBA fans missed their flights Monday.

Montoya said four people were shot in two separate shootings and a manhunt was on for one of the gunmen who shot three people outside the Minxx nightclub.

A manager, security guard and female customer were all in critical condition Monday, he said.

Another man was shot in the hip at 4 a.m. in the front entrance of the luxury MGM Grand Hotel and Casino early Monday. It was followed by a brawl less than half an hour later in a club at the Wynn hotel.

Montoya said even though the Minxx victims were shot outside in the parking lot, police believe the shooter had the gun inside the club earlier in the evening.

Now we have the reason why Blair is yanking his soldiers from Iraq:

London mayor signs oil deal with Chavez

#41 Killian Bundy 2/20/2007 05:31PM PST

/what's the alternative, babysit Iraq forever?

Oh wow! A couple of hours ago, a comment like that would have rendered the troll hammer upon anyone to the chants of "damn dirty cut and runner"

A ray of hope?

Is Free Europe Waking Up?

-snip-

You might not expect a French blog to defiantly wave the American flag, but this one does.
Even in the grip of socialism many of the French remember the Enlightenment, when liberty was at least as inspiring as social welfare checks. The Enlightenment gave birth to John Locke and Edmund Burke in England, and Voltaire in France --- and ultimately to the American Revolution on this side of the water. Our basic political philosophy comes from that time. Apparently it has not yet been forgotten.

Is Europe waking up to reality? Judging by some of the blogs, many people are. But they face a long, uphill battle against a rooted Leftist establishment that easily welcomes Islamist ideology. European cities are increasingly controlled by Muslims who are more attracted to Shari'a than to the Enlightenment. So much for women's rights, human rights and Gay rights. They are just passing slogans.

#89 Geepers

"You are, in fact, in the majority. Regardless of what E.J. Dionne tell us:

POLL: AMERICANS 'WANT TO WIN IN IRAQ' "
[got a computer glitch and it won't let me place quotes]

Good news, as an American. How do Europeans feel? Especially the British?

I found this in the comments section of Captain's Quarters. If you are in the active military or the reserves, or know someone who is, please check out: Appeal for Courage.

#75 sattv4u2 2/20/2007 05:54PM PST

#70 DAVID,

OR ,, maybe Blair is bringing them "home" because he now sees there are MORE Jihadists in the UK that need ,,, umm,,, "attending" too !

Well, it smacks of him trying to curry favor; in the alternative, if you are correct in your observation, the symbolism of his manuever is not lost on our enemies.

The free world doesn't have the stomach to fight the Islamofascists who actually kill more of their own than anybody else.

Which leads to the axiomatic and incontrovertible rule:

The way to solve a problem is to make it bigger--put Tehran's Mullahs out of business.

I don't know if any of you read the EU Referendum blog, but if you do, you know the UK MoD (their Dept. Defense) has been gutting their military and can't come up with the funds to even get them adequate equipment.

There have been deaths and injuries that would not have happened if the military had been adequately funded but there is no political will for that.

Add to that the upcoming elections, and Blair has to do what he can for his party and heir, Gordon Brown.

So, minimize the population that can sustain casualties. Ugly, no doubt.

There are no fish to go fishing for, so Blair has cut bait.

#85 Wrath

There were a couple of shoot outs and miscellaneous mayhems in town connected to the NBA All Star Game.
Night clubs, strip clubs, rappers, etc.
Shootings at 2 strip clubs, 1 night club, and several hundred arrests.

#91 easy

Not sure where British troops are around the worlds but ours have been in Europe for 62 years and Korea for 55 years.

Yeah, but nowadays in Europe, it's just basing of our own choosing, for the most part. Of course, if attacked, we'd still have to defend them because of NATO.

/as for Korea, well, that war still isn't technically over

Is it just me or is this horrible timing? We just launched a new plan for Baghdad and they announce this now. Hmmm

100 & 85, see 92

In the words of Ash, "That's it, go ahead and run. Run home and cry to mama!"

I wish they were staying, but I'm grateful that they came and fought alongside us. And my hat is off to Tony Blair. Think of it, the leader of the LABOR Party! It's as if Howard Dean repeatedly and tenaciously fought off his party and Daily Kos and the whole Democrat constituency to remain at the President's side all these years.

Prime Minister Blair, you are indeed a profile in courage. Thank you, sir, and God speed.

#90 spynverzyon

#63 DJS

Interesting (if unsurprising) link - mainly for the way it underscores the absurdity of the terms under which the "international community" expects Israel to defend herself. Given the IAF's absolute air superiority, a bunch of Sagger missiles would be of no consequence to the IDF if Israel could genuinely go to war against her enemies and wipe out Hamas strongholds through massive aerial bombardment. It's kind of like that wasp's nest under the eaves: you can swat all the individual wasps you want, but until you clean out the source, the others will be angrily buzzing around, ready to sting when their moment arrives.

This was the last chance to peacefully partition the lands; now Israel will have no choice but to rid itself of the hostile Arabs living next to her.

Forget draining the swamp, remove it forever.

#92 cbinflux
Thanks
I was trying to find a link.
They seem to have disappeared.
ESPN had nothing on their site.
Not suprising since they have so much $$ invested in the NBA.
I think I first read it on Drudge.

#107 hous.
De nada. I research and read a bit...

America Alone indeed.

Considering there were attacks on UK troops just over a week or so ago, I am not sure this is the time to declare the mission accomplished.

And even if everything was fine and dandy in the British sector, I don't see how that's relevant. The mission was not to secure Basra but Iraq. If the Brits have gotten the job done in Basra, then that should mean they are free to help out elsewhere.

If nothing else, it's a political disaster.

Thanks guys.

#94 so.cal.swede

Oh wow! A couple of hours ago, a comment like that would have rendered the troll hammer upon anyone to the chants of "damn dirty cut and runner"

The objective's always been to stand up a government that can defend itself and then move on.

/leaving the world's largest U.S. embassy/CIA station and some permanent military bases behind, of course, not sure where you're getting cut and run from

Golem Akbar (#96),

Don't know if they want to win (I hope they don't want to lose) , but the British public has always been pretty solidly against the war, which is most likely Tony's reason for cutting and running now.

Sad really that he'll stand up as a coward to score political love, but then Londoners sure love their Mayor so it's not too surprising.

Of course if the America prevails, watch him jump in and claim half the credit.

#107

They seem to have disappeared.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

"There is a season... spin, spin, spin...

"For every reason... spin, spin, spin...

"There is a purpose, for all the worthless...

"under heaven..."

Uh huh. Right.

Blair is getting to the Clintonian stage: He's now worried about his "legacy." At least his won't involve blow jobs and vaginal cigars insertions in the oval orifice.

#112 jrdroll

LOL

/Unless it's good for business; or a STD.

100 HOUS:

Well we still have police in Las Vegas don't we?

QUAGMIRE!

#101 Killian Bundy
If we are not in this for the long run then we may just as well come home too, and leave the Iraqis to their fate.

anybody seen the nat geographic channel program about MS 13?

imagine that these gangs find Islam.( if it doesn't find them first )

yeah, now there's a thought

Hrmmm...makes me wonder if Blair isn't posturing to position himself as a democrat candidate for president in 2008...or maybe he is hoping to get a nod from Hildebeast as her VP...oh wait he can't. Ok then it must just be insanity or senility or lack of balls on his part...

Perhaps its a good idea to bring them home...the war will soon be on the streets of London.

Heh, I thought this would make a thread:

Warden accused of giving Bali bomber email

Warden supplied Samudra laptop

A PRISON warden supplied convicted Bali bomber Imam Samudra with a laptop computer which allowed him to plot other attacks from his cell on death row, an Indonesian court heard today.

/And they want us to turn Gitmo detainees over to their home prisons.

Maybe, just maybe, they're starting to leave because they feel that their area of operation is secure enough to do so.

/that's been the deal since this war started, the British are responsible for the Basra area, we're responsible for the rest of the country

#101 Killian Bundy

/leaving the world's largest U.S. embassy/CIA station and some permanent military bases behind, of course, not sure where you're getting cut and run from

Thats what I am talking about

#115 Wrath
Our cities' PD are far more hamstrung than our or the UK's soldiers in the field. Many can't or don't even try to uphold the laws these days.

Vegas is close to Area 51 and Groom Lake.
We could blame it on Bush if we tried real hard.
Now New Orleans?
I have heard it said that do not make the mistake of assuming it is a city in the US. It is more like a city in Central America.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

Lent tomorrow.

Easy & Killian:

Actually I heard that the Dems are trying to pass a bill ensuring that we do the exact opposite. The bills state that when we "redeploy" (Whatever the F that means) we will not leave any bases or CIA outposts in country.

That would be imperialism you know...

121 Killian Bundy

Good for them, now that they have Basra secure enough to leave, the terrorists will hide there a soon as the Brits pull out in order to avoid our troops in the rest of the country...at least in that case there would be a smaller area needing to be bombed...

easy, #116:

.."and leave the Iraqis to their fate..."

I have to agree with you on that point.

You Yanks invaded and threw out Saddam, at great cost to yourselves.

The Yanks liberated Iraq.

The Iraqis have chosen civil war and mass murder of their own free will.

Fuck them. Let them get on with it.

It's that muslim mindset: Kill everyone.

#116 easy

If we are not in this for the long run then we may just as well come home too, and leave the Iraqis to their fate.

I never said we shouldn't be, we still need to deal with Iran.

/my point is that the British have only been responsible for the Basra area since the war started, that was the arrangement, and if they deem it secure, why shouldn't they start going home?

#117 shug

I would'nt worry about that, most Mexican gangs are Catholic to the Bone. Their Murderer's, Thieves and carjackers, but their still Catholic and they distrust Islam.

Here in LA you never see graffiti on Catholic churches. They would kill someone if they caught them tagging it.

OT
4 Mormon missionaries held in Nigeria

/With all the Jehovah's Witnesses roaming around free...

Killian:

I don't understand why the scientists can't just get in car accidents and Ackmadinijihad doesn't come down with some food poisoning, etc. This whole invasion thing isn't necessary.

I sure hope we have boys (& gals) sneaking over that border and making residence in Tehran.

#127 tronman

now that they have Basra secure enough to leave, the terrorists will hide there a soon as the Brits pull out in order

They're leaving because the Iraqis have taken over the security and they're not even totally leaving for that matter.

/last time I checked, Iraqis didn't really like al Qaeda

133 Killian Bundy

I hope you're right. It just seems these days that everyone is prepared to sit back and surrender to these thugs.

130 maximu$

that's good to hear. I seem to remember seeing somereports that radical islam has started infesting south american gangs and Islamis making inroads into south america.

what with the state of our southern border, I guess that would be a bad combination.

Maybe Bush would welcome them though, you know to do the terrorism Americans won't do

Did y'all notice that Hillary used the war as an excuse to take down SC's flag?

//We need to be united.

#32 WrathofG-d

I sure hope we have boys (& gals) sneaking over that border and making residence in Tehran.

/according to a leak/article by Seymour Hirsh (sorry, can't find the link), it's been a "reconnaissance in force" for some time now

#134 tronman

I hope you're right.

/we'll see soon enough

#129 Killian Bundy

We are not in disagreement.

#128 whiterasta

The Iraqis have chosen civil war and mass murder of their own free will

Our job, as far as I am concerned, is to leave an Iraq that can defend itself against treats internal and external. In that respect they will need our help for a long time.

Secular violence, though is no more our Army's responsibility to control than is gang violence in New Orleans.

#135 shug
Islam is having good success in our cities in having their women recruit young hispanic women fleeing their machismo men.

#135 shug

A Muslim-Mexican gang would get wiped out in LA...the Catholic hispanic gangs are ruthless and even rivals would unite to take them out..

I could be wrong, but thats my take on it... I grew up in downtown LA.

It is appropriate to declare a military victory in Iraq. Militarily, we defeated them in less than 100 days.

From an ideology standpoint, we must at this point, openly declare that despite our best efforts at introducing freedom and democracy in Iraq, and into the islamic world as a whole, we failed; but militarily, we beat the fuggin chit out of them..

We failed to recognize the islamic dogma of World domination, through the words of the unholy Koran and its filthy sura's and Hadiths; despite the desperate warnings of several great Americans and Europeans.

Once we declare military victory, but ideological defeat, we will declare the winner of the most disgusting prize on Earth: Your muslim eternal right, in the middle east, to practice and follow the dogma of eternal Islam.

By that time, if you are still living in the Western Hemisphere, you will be deported, interned, detained and returned to countries that accept and practice islam. And you will forever scratch your brainwashed heads, and wonder:
Why did CAIR abandon us?

The religion of pieces.. Pieces here, pieces there... your people are the pieces, your people are the voices, and your people are the committed criminals taking precious space inside our infidel prisons; clogging up our legal system with your greivances and complaints, and your prayer times and towels, and your halal foods, and your special requirements... And you make regular citizens of most of the Countries in the Western Hemisphere aggravated and annoyed. We want you "away". We have had enough.

And your people will once again be scattered to the winds of jihad, for the sake of jihad; at your own hands...

Your 'winds of jihad' will scatter your bodies and your souls to an eternal abyss that welcomes the hatred, lying, killing, jealousy, abuse, rape, mutilation, atrocities and abominations that you sanctioned.. in the name of Satan (a/k/a allah).

mUslims should prepare to leave the Western Hemisphere. Before Iran sets off its first nuke. After that happens, I don't think that there will be any political party that could possibly support or sustain an islamic republic population inside the United States of America.

If you think Basra is secure you're dreaming

The Basra base comes under almost daily attack, and commanders had been expecting a missile or rocket to be fired by the end of the week. The base is protected heavily by concrete blast walls and sandbags. It is rare for so many troops to be hurt by a single explosion.

Twin attacks reduce odds of early return

"redeploy"

re = smoke

deploy = mirrors

Killian Bundy -

#51 mahatma coat
no the iraqi's won't hand over Basra to al qaeda...their thinking of giving it to Iran

I think you overestimate their Shia love for each other.

/Iraqis aren't Persians

Hell, the Iraqi Shia of Basra can't even get along. But that doesn't mean that they won't side with Iran against us.

The rial is widely accepted in Basra, and Farsi is widely spoken there. SCIRI and Dawa are staunchly pro-Iranian and it sure looks as if Mookie's party has joined them.

The doctrine of the enemy of my enemy being my friend isn't unprecedented: a couple of years after the brutal eight year war, Iran accepted Saddam's "olive branch" against us in the first Gulf War. That doesn't mean that they don't hate each other's guts; only that they hate our guts more.

Killian Bundy (#137),

Not that I disagree with that, but I wouldn't believe Seymour Hersh if he told me shit stinks.

If the Brits are going home, then let's hope they're put to work rooting out terror factions in the isles.

David J Schwartz -

#5 zombie

The US was doing all the heavy lifting anyway.

Blair is trying some desperate end-of-term flipflop to try to salvage his reputation among the UK dhimmi press.

Pathetic.

Exactly, and his timing is impeccably horrible. What kind of message is he sending the enemy?

Perhaps the same message he sent went British troops abandoned Amara? "We were leaving anyway." (I paraphrase)

#145 David Simon

But that doesn't mean that they won't side with Iran against us.

All the more reason to finish what we started. I sincerely hope we didn't spend five years literally surrounding Iran to let the crown jewel of international terrorism slip from our fingers due to lack of resolve.

/if so, it was a wasted trip

#128 whiterasta

it's not just a matter of letting them kill each other, which would be great. if we leave we could see a massive war pulling in everyone from Pakistan to Egypt. all countries involved would go nuclear and end our chances of ever getting control of this terrorist problem. o yea and $200 oil would cause a worldwide depression. plus we need a base from which to launch our next conquest. leaving would be an even worse mistake than invading was

Need we repeat it?

What's left of Euro Western ideology/support:

"America, you're all by your lonesome now."

I suppose hard, cruel lessons need to be revisited, every other generation or so. The lessons of the past fade so quickly, within an historical context. So it has been written...so it shall be.

My #139
Treats? LOL. Threats.

Poor Prince Harry. Just when he gets there they shut down the party. Bad joss...

#149 Killian

I sincerely hope we didn't spend five years literally surrounding Iran to let the crown jewel of international terrorism slip from our fingers due to lack of resolve.

Bingo. Bingo. Bingo. The primary impetus behind the "liberation" of Iraq, IMO. Unfortunately, the long-term strategy is being dismantled by the left in this country and abroad, as we speak.

Welcome to the 21st century where:

England = France

BYOWF (Bring Your Own White Flags)

Don't let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out, fuggers.

Killian Bundy -

All the more reason to finish what we started. I sincerely hope we didn't spend five years literally surrounding Iran to let the crown jewel of international terrorism slip from our fingers due to lack of resolve.

Couldn't agree with you more. I always thought that Iran was the end game.

if so, it was a wasted trip

Amen brother. As I've posted here before, the entire Middle East must be transformed in order for the war on terror to be an unqualified success. That doesn't necessarily mean regime change in every Arab/Muslim backwater shithole country. But it does mean a Qaddafi-like metamorphosis in every leader of said shitholes.

Remember, this is the talking head selected to run as vice to kerry. It just stands to reason that he would make the same idiotic double talk and retractions, and of course, failed jokes as his mentor.

Just another talking asshat lawyer that ran out of poeple to screw over, so he bribed his way into politics. Easy to do too, always a jackass party rep standing by with a hand out to take the money.

Ok, wtf? I was posting in the edwards making asshat retractions, and it landed in the Blair thread?

Charles, what the heck just happened?
That was weird.

Iran ... the crown jewel of international terrorism

remind me, how many of the 9/11 guys were from Saudi?

very disheartening. so the brits will go home and pretend it was the right move. when is losing ever the right move?

Durendal -

remind me, how many of the 9/11 guys were from Saudi?

15 of 19.

Now remind me: Who seized our embassy? How many murders has Iran's proxy Hezbollah commited? How many of our soldiers have been killed by Iranian-funneled munitions?

#159 Durendal

remind me, how many of the 9/11 guys were from Saudi?

Almost all of them. At this point, however, the Saudis are our allies, just like Pakistan. First things first. We can't very well declare war on every Muslim on the planet, we need to set priorities.

/right now, Iran's on the tee and it looks like a par four

No nation on the earth does more to support freedom and democracy than the good ol' USA.

#13

Heck, there are portions of any city in America that aren't "perfectly secure."

US out of Dearbournnestioan. US out of NOLA.

/moonbat off

I'm not sure how to feel about this. It does seem to be curious timing (the surge).

I DO think the 'mission accomplished' thing is all spin, however (logical). Blair is doing the very thing this site seems to chide guys like Obama and Murtha for: i.e. set a deadline for a cut and run. You can't honestly explain an increase in commitment on our part with a decrease on their part as anything other than Blair caving to pressure. Whether you are for or against this war, I think we can agree that there lies no invisible wall between Basra and Baghdad.

It's all about the spin. "Cut and Run" or "Declare Victory and Go Home". It only depends on who's saying it.

#161 David Simon

i'll see your Hezbollah and raise you Fatah and Hamas!
now,

#162 Killian Bundy

/right now, Iran's on the tee and it looks like a par four

i'm totally on board with that idea, i only object to calling Iran the crown jewel. enemies who pretend to be friends are far more deadly

#166 Durendal

i only object to calling Iran the crown jewel, enemies who pretend to be friends are far more deadly.

Granted, but neutering Iran would go a long way toward toward tucking the overt Islamic jihad back under it's rock. This isn't the first time in history it's crawled out. There's a reason Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are our allies right now and Iran isn't, leverage.

/and don't forget China, looming big down the road

Seriously this is also Bush's last chance to succeed in Iraq. As the UK troops will be gone too, so what?

Still, thank you to the Brits. for your help.

#167 Killian Bundy

/and don't forget China, looming big down the road

definitely not forgotten, although i'll need a different lgf handle when that comes around!

#169 Durendal

i'll need a different lgf handle when that comes around!

/well damn, I was forced to take part in a reenactment of the The Song of Roland in JH French class, not pretty at all

#163 warnergt

No nation on the earth does more to support freedom and democracy than the good ol' USA.

Unfortunately, with political-porn outfits like Air America undermining everything that the Right stands for, that might not be true indefinitely.

I am with Zombie on this one. It’s just not the right time to make such an announcement. It’s could be giving the terrorists a green light for more foul play.

Now, it’s possible that the “draw-down” is just a domestic political play. The Brits could just draw down a small amount of potent forces and leave the plenty of punch in the area (a numbers game).

We will just have to see.

He must have caved in to that Jihad mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

England has to bring as many of its military home to defend England from the sleeper cells that will activate all over Eurabia when the United States attacks Iran.

Blair's decision could not come at a worse time from an Australian point of view, as it's smack in the middle of a raging debate about withdrawing our troops. Howard is hanging tough and saying he won't withdraw while Rudd is looking for a timetable. Blair's decision allows Rudd to piggyback on the strategy.

And for those that are hanging out for it here's #7 on my list of 10 Institutions That Ruin The World. This one might surprise some.

I think this is a good idea. Basra has never been Sadr City. When we went in there, we owed the Iraqis a chance at a better life. They've had that chance now. If they want to elect leaders who spend six months choosing a Prime minister who now says he doesn't want the job, then it's their funeral. If the Kurds can make their bit work so can the rest of them. Pulling out of Basra simply undermines the enemy argument that this is Imperialism and all about stealing oil. It proves the American intentions are not about establishing a colony. Also, the British troops are likely to be redeployed in Afghanistan where they can go after the animals that started all this.

#16 redshirt

I wonder if this is timed to prevent Prince Harry from being deployed into Iraq?

No, it's timed so that when Tony Blair stands down, then Gordon Brown doesn't look like he's cutting and running later on.

Iraqi bloggers accuse U.S. of teaching rape to Iraqi security forces.

# Azmath Says:
February 21st, 2007 at 8:40 am
We will avenge you my sister.

PS: It also means that the Iraqis can employ their own rules of engagement when the bad guys try moving down there. They'll be brutal, which is what is needed. Americans can start shipping prisoners down there too. That'll be another incentive for the rest of them to behave themselves. ...and the LLL will just have to take it...

To say the Brits won and deserve to go home is a stretch.

If it is a rotational thing fine, Nato could sure use the help.

#74 Geepers
#14 St. Pancake

The reality is that the Brit's mostly stay on their own base and hide under mattresses when attacked. (Literally hide under mattresses.)

I think you missed something.

Meanwhile, back in Afghanistan:

In Afghanistan Feb.19, Air Force F-15 Eagles conducted a strike against an enemy staging point in a cave near Pech. The F-15s dropped guided bomb unit-31 joint direct attack munitions one meter above the cave entrance to deny the enemy access to equipment and weapons suspected to be inside. Review of the F-15s' camera footage indicated successful impact of all weapons.

An Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a GBU-38 on an enemy firing position near Now Zad. The target was a direct hit with no collateral damage according to the joint terminal attack controller on the ground. The B-1B also dropped a GBU-31 on a cave entrance in the same area. The JTAC confirmed the cave entrance was closed and additional air strikes were not required.

[Link: www.globalsecurity.org...]

"Killing terrorists. So simple even a caveman can do it"

Some organizations sponsoring pro-war ralley against the likes of Sheehan, Fonda, Moore, & LOTS of [bigoted word]s,
etc anti-war ralley March 17 in D.C.
on Cavuto this a.m.
Move America Forward

Southern Iraq: doesn't matter. The place will be more or less on our side anyway, esp. now that that SOB Sadr is gone. The Shiite state will still need Western political/diplomatic/economic clout to keep the Sunnis, the Saudis and (for that matter) the Iranians at bay. The British withdrawal will work out fine.
The coming US withdrawal from Anbar will not be so fine...

The withdrawal is timed for the election that will occur soon after, and it is to entice the Muslim vote back to NuLabour.

Meanwhile on the Home front

MUSLIMS: 'BAN' UN-ISLAMIC SCHOOLS
21/02/07
By Gabriel Milland

DEMANDS for a ban on “un-Islamic” activities in schools will be set out by the Muslim Council of Britain today.

Targets include playground games, swimming lessons, school plays, parents’ evenings and even vaccinations.

And the calls for all children to be taught in Taliban-style conditions will be launched with the help of a senior Government education adviser.

Professor Tim Brighouse, chief adviser to London schools, was due to attend the event at the capital’s biggest mosque.

His presence there was seen as “deeply worrying”, and a sign that the report was backed by the Government.

[Link: www.express.co.uk...]

And here are just some of the demands

Muslim boys should be covered between navel and knee

Muslim girls should wear loose clothes covering everything apart from the hands and face.

Muslim boys should be allowed to grow beards.
Both should be allowed to wear amulets on necklaces which must not be considered as jewellery.

School uniform policy should include the requirements of the muslim dress code.
School meals should include the provision of Halal food.

All kitchen staff must receive training on how to handle Halal food.

The equipment and utensils used to prepare and store Halal food must not be used to prepare non-Halal food.

Schools must make provisions for the five daily prayers.

Schools must provide for Friday congregational prayers onsite.

Schools must provide a prayer area and washing facilities nearby.

Schools must adapt toilets to include washing areas.

Schools have a written policy for the requirements of Ramadam.

Staff must have Ramadam awareness training.
Schools must recognise and celebrate the spirit and values of Ramadam through collective worship, assembly themes and collective breaking of the fast.

Schools must not schedule exams to coincide with Ramadam.

Schools must not schedule sex and relationship lessons or swimming during Ramadam.

Fasting children should avoid over-demanding exercise.

Schools should not hold parents' evenings or other social events during the month of Ramadam.

Muslims entitled to free school meals should be given free packed lunches to take home instead.
Schools must grant Eid holidays as authorised absences.

Schools must recognise and celebrate the two Eids and other Islamic festivals in collective worship and assembly themes.

Schools should celebrate Eid by handing out sweets and making the school dinners Eid dinners.
Schools must have a policy for PE incorporating Islamic dress codes.

Primary schools must build separate changing areas for boys and girls.

Read them all here

[Link: godhelpbritain.blogspot.com...]

14 St Pancake

I wont be too sure of this. See the site below for an analysis of defence related issues

[Link: eureferendum.blogspot.com...]

Look for the article "Meet the Flintstones".

Thanks, Tommies.

We're even for the Falklands now.

Next time we need help in a war and you help us you will start paying down WWI and WWII.

Blair has realised that to continue to stay in Iraq is politically damaging for the Labour Party.

It's not that the mission has been accomplished but rather that it cannot be.

Besides, who wants to be in southern Iraq when Bush attacks Iran?

#186 Richard Plantaganet

I can reasonably presume, in the name of every one of those "Tommies", to pass on what would most undoubtedly be their reply to your comment:

"Wind your neck in and fuck off".