So they’re trying to replace his column with something. But the problem is that Liberals have absolutely no sense of humor, and can’t tell fact from fiction.

Also, why no link to the Small Wars Journal article? It made the top bar on HA, but it should be in this post as well.

“Saddam’s relationship with terrorists was always a concern. Years later, analysts would argue about whether Saddam had an operational relationship with al Qaeda, but in truth, his relationships with many terrorist groups were active and never in doubt.”
-Page 5

I’ve traveled around the world, I don’t see any difference between any American newspaper and a Turd World one.

Indy Conservative on April 18, 2008 at 7:00 PM

One good reason for that is the number of third world, agenda-driven (read propagandist) stringers being employed by our vaunted western media to provide local color; cutbacks can also be a bitch. Middle East coverage, in places like Iraq and ‘Palestine’, is quite the spectacular example of this phenomenom. Our intrepid reporters’ arrogance and fear at reporting from such places shows they’ve already surrenered — and would like us to, too. Makes their job easier than it already is.

We should all be allowed to sue these ignorant bastards!

These poor excuses for journalistic integrity couldn’t get a story straight if their lives depended on it. And, by the way, it does. They just don’t or won’t see the threats from the enemy. They are very similar if not identical to the chronic malco…

Patrick S on April 18, 2008 at 9:00 PM

Hee.

Watch how much attention and exposure the correction/retraction will get (if offered at all).

Proving once again, that the most dangerous terrorist group in the world is the media.

Against my better judgement, my wife picks it up at the grocery store on Saturday and then immediately tosses out everything except the store coupons.

johnsteele on April 18, 2008 at 7:04 PM

Aww … don’t you even read Dave Barry?

Of course, you can get him online, so why bother with newsprint.

I get the idea that he’s pretty right-wing, too, so I’d love to know what he thinks about the paper he works for.

“John Collins is indeed an impressive individual and a good source for analysis.”

Did they get the name wrong, too?

HAHAHAHAHA. Way to make a total ass of yourself, moron!!! Trying to put out 4 year old info as new and getting your biased left wing libtard ass handed to you by an lowly blog. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Does it bother you at all that your writings will never be taken seriously again, except for the hard left America Haters? HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Patrick Sxxxx
San Marcos CA
PS HAHAHAHAHAHA. What a schmuck.

Strengthening State and USAID, improving alliances and planning – the whole litany of horses**t is there. None of these things were material to any avoidable problems in Iraq (note that many problems are unavoidable, and simply must be overcome through adaptation and determination). The gamble on a pre-mature return of sovereignty (end of occupation), the extremely light touch in responding to Sunni rejectionism and pursuit of a terror war against the new order, the bizarre reliance on Iraqi security forces before they could have reasonably been ready – these and other mistakes had nothing to do with other government agencies, planning, or the other familiar hobby horses Collins dredges up (is that a mixed metaphor?).

There is a marked tendency of many, including some in uniform, to take refuge in this unpersuasive “analysis”. I think the war colleges will in the end be much more serious, but it’s worrying that a lot of soft-headed ideas about Iraq have gained a footing in the military and Beltway security communities.

Moving on to ridicule, Collins notes that we “still” haven’t been able to create a stable entity to replace the Ba’athist tyranny. Gee, I forgot, totally wrecked and brutalized less developed countries should take less time to stabilize than Germany after WWII – and since our vital interests are far more engaged there in a way they never were in Korea, during the initial conflict or any point thereafter, it’s only reasonable for everything to be wrapped up any minute now so we can hurry home and prepare for the extremely improbable scenarios many in the Pentagon claim to fear. And he counsels “caution” before going to war. Thanks – THERE’S something no one had considered before! What an idiot.

before embarrassing the media outlet with faulty conclusions?

It doesn’t embarrass them anymore than Dan Rather’s meltdown embarrassed him. Remember, even if the story is a lie, it’s accurate. The underlying bias that shaped the story is “true” so there is nothing to be shamed by. You will not see a retraction or correction.

Or,give Obama amd Hillary something else to talk about!

I think the only journalists out there that should be
trusted are the Military journalist’s who are covering
the war!

It seemed to work okay covering WW2,and Vietnam!

Journalism 101 = Feelings 101 (AKA Tingles up the leg)