Bush says they're building a "berm", US Military says it's a security belt

[maddezmom]

And so they've got a plan now, they've adapted. The enemy moves; we'll help the Iraqis move. So they're building a berm around the city to make it harder for people to come in with explosive devices, for example. They're working different neighborhoods inside of Baghdad to collect guns and bring people to detention. They've got a "clear, build and hold" strategy.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060915-2.html

U.S. denies Baghdad trench plans

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The U.S. military denied reports on Saturday that Iraq plans to dig a giant ring of trenches around the city of Baghdad.

Iraq's Interior Ministry announced earlier this week that it plans to set up 28 checkpoints that would allow controlled access to the city, while closing off other roads as part of a security crackdown.

~snip~

But Lieutenant Colonel Barry Johnson said the description sounded like an exaggeration of a plan that mostly would rely on existing terrain features to ensure that traffic moved through the 28 checkpoints.

"No doubt there will be some trenches involved in this, but to say there is going to be a moat around the city is a bit of a stretch," Johnson said.

"They've called it a trench around Baghdad. Really what this is, is there's a series of obstacles that the Iraqi government are planning, and we're working with them, to ensure movement through checkpoints, to keep terrorists and extremists and criminals from using those (other) routes," Johnson said.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060916/wl_nm/iraq_trench_dc

updated to include newest comments:
~snip~
The U.S. military confirmed Saturday that there was a plan in progress to create a "security belt" around the capital.

"There is a plan in progress for a security belt around Baghdad that includes trenches and other obstacles for channeling exit from and entry to the city through checkpoints controlled by Iraqi forces. This is a cooperative effort between the Iraqi government and the Coalition," said Lt Col. Barry Johnson, a spokesman for Multinational Forces in Iraq.

The Baghdad anti-terror trenches are intended to curb attacks such as the two suicide car bombings Saturday morning that killed at least 11 people and wounded 20 more. Police also found six bodies strewn around the city.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

Looks like someone got a hold of the Lt Col. Johnson and told him to stay with the program.

[izzie]

1. I am sorry but I read that this morning and could not stop laughing

I am sure it will be done with your tax dollar.

[marmar]

2. One of those "exaggerations."

Sounds like someone is out of touch...with reality.

[maddezmom]

3. just updated the OP...more comments from the military

Now it's a security belt. ::crazy:

[acmejack]

4. Or merely a lying sum bitch!

I wanted to phrase it in that plain talk W "favors" so much...

[maddezmom]

6. * thinks he's a king and liked the idea of the moat

as well as new technologies like walls:eyes:


Bush urges Congress to pass a more comprehensive immigration bill

~snip~
The president said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff will announce later this month the implementation of new technologies to make the border more secure.

~snip~

The House passed a bill Thursday that calls for 730 miles of fence to be erected along the U.S.-Mexico border, including long stretches through Laredo, Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Columbus, N.M., and Calexico, Calif.

Short sections of fence already exist along the border in southern California and near U.S. ports of entry. “Americans recognize that only comprehensive solutions will solve our immigration crisis and will correctly identify ‘border wall' votes as meaningless pandering,” said Gustavo Torres with CASA of Maryland, an immigrant rights group.

~snip~

[acmejack]

7. Are they going to outlaw fence cutters again?

Used to be a crime to have a pair in your back pocket in Texas! May still be on the books in fact...

[maddezmom]

10. just found a link to the law

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/west/ireland-fence.html

[POAS]

5. It's a moat, dammit, a 16th century moat!

[cornermouse]

8. This is stupid.

Also it's not likely to work.

[radfringe]

9. as bush likes to point out

oceans didn't protect us from September 11 terrorist attack...

:confused: but a moat/ditch/berm/trench around Baghdad will?

Here's a little ditty

'bout a wall around a city

keeping terrorists out

is what it's all about

BERMa- Shave

[Karenina]

11. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

12. So, will they have a really cool drawbridge? n/t

MKJ

[bananas]

13. How about crocodiles? nt

[Historic NY]

14. Ditch, moats, berms...........how medieval....n/t