You can’t separate the two. In international politics force or the authentic threat of force is the ONLY way to accomplish anything “politically.” If you think differently you’re a reality denier.

Mojave Mark on April 13, 2007 at 4:19 PM

I’m not separating the two. Which is why the two need to be persued in tandem, not one then the other, the point of Generals Petraeus et al.

ALL say there is no military solution possible without a political solution.

You can’t separate the two. In international politics force or the authentic threat of force is the ONLY way to accomplish anything “politically.” If you think differently you’re a reality denier.

WASHINGTON – President Bush’s top national security adviser said Thursday that there is an urgent need to name a high-powered White House official to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Judas Priest.

I’m still hoping for the Levin Doctrine to be put into practice. It is the only way to win.

From Reuters:The Iraqi parliament met in special session on Friday in a show of defiance after a suicide bombing in the building that deputies said united them in their resolve to fight terrorism. The bombing on Thursday, which killed one…

We simply cannot afford anymore to play nice with utterly ruthless animals.The dialogue concept per Pelosi is simply the wrong tact to take.

bbz123 on April 12, 2007 at 9:40 AM

Generals Petraeus, Zilmer (Marine Commander al Anbar), Zinni (retired Central Command head–Middle East and Asia)–to name the most prominent, ALL say there is no military solution possible without a political solution.

You may well maintain that this is a losing strategy, but don’t tie this just to Pelosi.

I know!! Let’s get us a War Czar!!! That’s the ticket. As they say, it’s funny because it’s true. Oy.

Rich Miniter of Pajamas Media reported yesterday from the International Zone, where the Iraqi Parliament was hit by a suicide bomber: Even though the blast was less than 15 feet away through a wall, it sounded like a dull thud……

Hi from the Green Zone.

No doubt this is a terrible event, but it’s nothing new. The extremists are losing by inches, and they don’t have a way to win long term. The only way they can win is if we pull out before the Iraqi military and police are ready, and that doesn’t seem likely with Bush as President. More and more Republicans seem willing to support victory even if it hurts them politically. Bad for the short-term health of the Republican party, but good for Americans, Iraqis, and the world.

And just as terrorists are angering millions of average Arabs, Democrats are angeringthousands of military members. Bad for both, long term.

So keep the big picture in mind, and keep fighting the good fight.
Regards,
LT Jason Nichols
MNF-I, Baghdad

Jason on April 12, 2007 at 1:58 PM

Jason, Thank you, to you and your Cadre, and all the troops… this message should be sent around the world.

The irony? Iraqi government officials complained last week that they were tired of unnecessary searches inside the Green Zone.

Paging Cynthia McKinney and the Flying Imams.

An official at the Ministry of the Interior told TIME that the bomber was wearing a suicide vest and was a guard for one of the members of parliament

Paging Jim Webb.

You guys are all my heroes! Thank you for all you do.

Glynn on April 12, 2007 at 3:22 PM

And

Thank you, Jason.

steveegg on April 12, 2007 at 6:49 PM

2nded 3rded and 4thed

- The Cat

This war is a worthy and necessary war. No matter how hard it gets, no matter how trying the circumstances become, no matter what the enemy does to try to break our will to fight, I will not waiver on that. I want us to win this war. I know we can win …

Unfortunately that would require the indiscriminate bombing of entire neighborhoods that kill everything in them. Men, women, kids, camels, dogs, cats, goats,….EVERYTHING.

Of course the libs don’t see it that way. They’d rather our neighborhoods get destroyed.

Hi from the Green Zone.

No doubt this is a terrible event, but it’s nothing new. The extremists are losing by inches, and they don’t have a way to win long term. The only way they can win is if we pull out before the Iraqi military and police are ready, and that doesn’t seem likely with Bush as President. More and more Republicans seem willing to support victory even if it hurts them politically. Bad for the short-term health of the Republican party, but good for Americans, Iraqis, and the world.

And just as terrorists are angering millions of average Arabs, Democrats are angeringthousands of military members. Bad for both, long term.

So keep the big picture in mind, and keep fighting the good fight.
Regards,
LT Jason Nichols
MNF-I, Baghdad

Jason on April 12, 2007 at 1:58 PM

You guys are all my heroes! Thank you for all you do.

Maybe Nancy Pelosi can shuttle on over to Afghanistan and meet with Bin Laden and tell him how she understands he and al-Qaeda has been criminalized and she understands he is really a good guy getting bad publicity…

As long as there is someone out there with an insane mind and access to such a vest, we will keep seeing these things. The media will make sure of it because their reaction is the entire purpose behind them. If they went completely unreported, they would probably stop.