Common “sense” is what gets most people and most countries into trouble.
MB4 on April 26, 2008 at 4:23 PM

You’re right. You’re better off ignoring common sense.

Common “sense” is what gets most people and most countries into trouble.

MB4 on April 26, 2008 at 4:23 PM

You’re right. You’re much better off ignoring common sense.

MB4, if you’re going to be selectively skeptical, then you really need to use more common sense.

blink on April 26, 2008 at 3:06 PM

Common “sense” is what gets most people and most countries into trouble.

I think the firm message was that they were. Perhaps you missed this part, ” “We are becoming like Afghanistan was in the ’80s,” says Zainab Salbi, the Iraq-born founder and CEO of the activist group Women for Women International”.

Perhaps you are confusing a “firm message” with a mere implication. An implication backed only by one random statement about Afghanistan.

I think it’s very telling that no direct situations were mentioned. The author clearly wanted to make the implication. If he had had more evidence, then it’s obvious he would have written about it.

MB4, if you’re going to be selectively skeptical, then you really need to use more common sense.

Do you really think that if the U.S. Army found it necessary to grant the Sunni sheiks and local leaders all this, and did grant them all this, that Maliki will be able to take it away?

YES! Absolutely.

ill wishes aside…

major john on April 26, 2008 at 9:38 AM

I don’t see any ill wishes there. Not at all. If you start going on about MB4 this, MB4 that, at the promotion board I just think that it would hurt your chances. I’m looking out for you.

There is no flicker of the light of hope that MB4 can’t rush up to and piss all over.

major john on April 26, 2008 at 12:34 AM

Major John, you must really stop starting every other one of your comments with .. .. MB4 .. .. or you will never be Colonel John.

blink on April 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
major john on April 26, 2008 at 12:34 AM

Notice how Saddam had Mookie’s father and brothers killed, but not Mookie. Why? Because even Saddam knew that Mookie was the Jethro of the Sadr clan. He was bound to implode when handed the reins of the family.

I think what we call mistakes today will be looked back upon as brilliant strategy in the future. Let the locals battle it out in a quasi civil war for a year or so until they realize that the occupier is a better bet than their own countrymen.

In hindsight, he was a pretty popular guy because of his family name. I think letting him flame out on his own has worked out better than knocking him off or shipping him off would have.

True, unfortunately. Saddam whacking his old man is part of Mookie’s oomph. Or I should say, maybe, “formerly part of his oomph”.

Basrah is a better place today than in past. People are more free today than in past. Go ahead and carp and kvetch – I’ll simply enjoy the fact that the people I came to help are better off.

As I discuss in my post, Global Counterinsurgency, part of what gains traction for a COIN policy is a credible demonstration that the insurgents present a far less promising avenue to peace and prosperity and honor than the forces in support of the host nation (pardon blatant post-whoring, but I really do think it’s germane to this discussion).

And yes, I do think that it is much better for Sadr to have had ample opportunity to thoroughly discredit himself than to have been prematurely martyred (with all due condolences to the hapless Iraqis who had to suffer in order for that lesson to come across).

What has happened to the British Lion of old?

evilned on April 25, 2008 at 8:15 AM

Their military has been pussified. As in recruiting a certain deviant group.

Let’s just say that sharing a foxhole has a whole new meaning in Britain nowadays.

No one can say how many of these leaders abuse their powers

Gee, great quote, MB4. In other words, perhaps NONE of the leaders are abusing their powers.

I think the firm message was that they were. Perhaps you missed this part, ” “We are becoming like Afghanistan was in the ’80s,” says Zainab Salbi, the Iraq-born founder and CEO of the activist group Women for Women International”.

or if their little sectors can ever be put back under the purview of a centrally controlled government.

I highly doubt that any individual leader would attempt crossing the central government after their little Basra demonstration of their willingness to maintain control.

blink on April 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM

Perhaps you missed this part too, “U.S. ground commanders appear to have done it at last—but only by granting sweeping powers to sheiks and local leaders.” Do you really think that if the U.S. Army found it necessary to grant the Sunni sheiks and local leaders all this, and did grant them all this, that Maliki will be able to take it away?

No one can say how many of these leaders abuse their powers,

Gee, great quote, MB4. In other words, perhaps NONE of the leaders are abusing their powers.

or if their little sectors can ever be put back under the purview of a centrally controlled government.

I highly doubt that any individual leader would attempt crossing the central government after their little Basra demonstration of their willingness to maintain control.

I bet they just won’t shut up about its liberation.

So, after losing control of Basra and the port of Umm Qasr to the Iraqi Army, after having his fighters beaten in central Iraq, and after seeing his stronghold of Sadr City in Baghdad gradually reduced by the Iraqi and…

Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi could not be reached for comment.

Del Dolemonte on April 25, 2008 at 9:29 AM

Well of course not as they are both much too busy going through the paperwork to transferring all their bribes campaign contributions to the Invest in Iraq and Get Rich Money Management Group’s new Basra fund.

a liberation that appears to be permanent, according to Times of London reporter Deborah Haynes

Oh, I just noticed that permanent part. I guess I wasn’t doing quite all my own due diligence. Seeing that the Invest in Iraq and Get Rich Money Management Group now recommends that not only should you put your 401k money into the new Basra fund, but that you should encourage all of your friends and relatives to do the same, but as we always say here at the Invest in Iraq and Get Rich Money Management Group, remember to always do your own due diligence before making ay investments even great ones like this one.

Women can once again forego headscarves, wear jeans, and dress in bright colors without fearing kidnap, rape, and murder. Music stores have reopened. People can have parties in their homes again. Basra residents have reasons to celebrate after their own national army.

their elected government has sovereignty over their city. Music and life has returned to Basra, and they will have plenty of motivation to ensure that freedom remains.

This sounds like just the right time for everyone to invest his 401k money in startup Disco Clubs, Gap’s and Ruth Chris Steakhouse’s in Basra. An opportunity like this to get in on the ground floor only comes around once in, oh maybe a hundred years.

Remember now, that’s Basra, B A S R A, for your 401k money, not further to the north.

Tribal fighters have cut down Iraq’s violence. But they’re subjecting women to often-medieval mores.

America’s efforts to disengage from Iraq have led to some messy compromises. After years of trying without success to wrest Sunni areas from Qaeda control, U.S. ground commanders appear to have done it at last—but only by granting sweeping powers to sheiks and local leaders who can keep the peace. Now Iraq’s Sunni areas have been chopped into fragments, each one run by a different tribal ruler with different views on law and society. In some parts of Baghdad the situation changes visibly from block to block. No one can say how many of these leaders abuse their powers, or if their little sectors can ever be put back under the purview of a centrally controlled government. “We are becoming like Afghanistan was in the ’80s,” says Zainab Salbi, the Iraq-born founder and CEO of the activist group Women for Women International.

Remember now this is just the view of the Invest in Iraq and Get Rich Money Management Group, you must always be sure to do you own due diligence.

But neither the British nor the US should have waited THIS long to take on Sadr and his Mahdi army. We should have worked with Maliki and Sistani in 2006 to get their blessing, then moved into the southern cities, separating the Mahdis from ordinary civilians using Petraeus’ strategy, and they would have been either killed or driven into Iran long ago. Trouble is, it took a year of civil war in 2006 and disastrous elections in the US for President Bush to realize that a change in strategy was needed. In hindsight, it also seems like the British were asleep at the wheel in Basra.

Point taken, but I’m not sure it was hindsight for everyone. Despite all his supposed “street smarts” Sadr seemed to lack the ability to think strategically. Given how well he was positioned 4 years ago, if he had played his cards right, he might be dictator of Iraq right now.

Look at his every move right now. He reminds me of a rat caught in the grips of a large snakes. He’s continuously allowing the grip on himself to be tightened with every breath he takes.

I think more than a few folks thought it likely that he would implode.

Unbelievable. In all seriousness, I haven’t come across a more disturbing piece. It’s almost like listening to a brainwashed North Korean.

freevillage on April 25, 2008 at 7:49 AM

Wow. Just wow. Demonstrably good news is disturbing to you?

Seek help. Seriously.

Still waiting …