Abizaid: "Cost in Blood and Treasure" 2nd Lt.: "The War is Lost" (J. Cole)

[bemildred]

There appears to be a big gap in attitudes in Iraq between the generals and the subaltern officers and servicemen. An academic sent me this:


"Yesterday I talked with a 2nd Lt and West Point grad who has just come back from Iraq. He says flat out that the war is lost, that "we" only control territory when the troops are there in massive numbers and that "they" take over as soon as the troops leave, that the army is over-extended and morale is terrible -- drug use is escalating -- that there still isn't enough armor, that the Iraqi army and police are worse than useless, and that senior officers are convinced that it is Vietnam redux. One of his classmates a 23-year old was killed last week -- for nothing. There are signs that this story is belatedly beginning to sink in across the country, but he, and I, fears that it is too late."



We saw this sort of thing in Vietnam, too. The Generals are the last to know, and they always think victory is around the corner if only they can convince the US public to commit "blood and treasure" for a few decades.

Informed Comment

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Took 58,000

to die before US leave
Wonder how many need to die before the same happen in Iraq and then Afghanistan.

Yes yes US will go packing with tail between their legs, is one more American live worth the price.

Well look at Vietnam today
You big corporation is building factories
Investing there
And shipping the good to US and all over the world for profit
Is this what you 58,000 lives die for?
Jesus WAKE THE HELL UP

[indepat]

2. When are the Congress, the MSM, and we the people going to come to grips

with what has been going on/is happening?