Murtha Outlines Strategy To Restrict Troop Surge

[sabra]

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB116831329878171033-YeHIgfYeQhgtEdV40DnklCUNQUA_20070208.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

Murtha Outlines Strategy


WASHINGTON -- With President Bush seeking more U.S. forces in Iraq, a House Democratic chairman outlined options that would restrict any troop surge if it meant depleting readiness at home or extending the tours of troops now in the war zone.

The strategy laid out by Rep. John Murtha (D., Pa.) is the clearest statement yet on how House Democrats may respond to anticipated White House proposals to add 20,000 troops and pump new money into economic programs to help Iraqi civilians.

...

The chairman met recently at the White House with Mr. Hadley, Vice President Cheney and the president regarding Iraq policy, but remains skeptical of the administration's approach. He is planning a set of hearings beginning this month on the state of Army and Marine Corps readiness; as chairman, he can recommend that the restrictions be part of the text of the funding bill and challenge others to take out the language.

"They will say we're micromanaging the Defense Department. Well they need to be micromanaged," he said. "What we decide is the direction of the country on this war."

[illinoisprogressive]

1. John Murtha - hero

[pacalo]

2. And very impressive.

[Bluestar]

3. Go Big John!

I admire his courage and wisdom. I saw him today on Hardball and I was very impressed. He is not intimidated in the least by this administration--he said it is time to "do the right thing".

[Vidar]

4. Good for Murtha.

[Pachamama]

5. Micro-management is necessary for incompetence....

And Murtha is spot on - because what we are dealing with when it comes to this entire administration is just that - INCOMPETENCE!!!!

So, micromanage away Congress....its your job and our country needs you!

[Diane R]

6. We are lucky to have Murtha in this position.. Great strategy.

[rodeodance]

7. i hope he is bee in bushies bonnet

[rodeodance]

8. k

[rodeodance]

9. REC

[bonito]

10. Kick for Murtha n/t

[tavalon]

11. At the risk of being annoying, I'm posting this message to anyone who uses "surge"

Please don't call it a surge unless you place it in quotes and preferably with the caveat "supposed" in front of it. Otherwise, you are helping the republics to frame the debate. Don't help the other team please

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

14. The DU-Acceptable Term is "Clusterf*ck"

That is all.

[Telly Savalas]

16. I don't know about that.

"Surge" is a pretty dumb term for a foreign policy initiative.

"Partial-birth abortion" is a politically loaded term which allows the opposition to frame the debate.

In contrast, "surge" sounds like the name of a power drink.

[ProudDad]

18. It's really escalation

but that word scares them...

I like most of these, they fit:

Maybe he plans to rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner?


surge

Pronunciation (sûrj)
v. surged, surg·ing, surg·es
v.intr.

1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner.
2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat.
3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star.
4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged.
5. To improve one's performance suddenly, especially in bettering one's standing in a competition.
6. Nautical To slip around a windlass. Used of a rope.
v.tr. Nautical
To loosen or slacken (a cable) gradually.
n.
1. A heavy billowing or swelling motion like that of great waves.
2.
a. Wave motion with low height and a shorter period than a swell.
b. A coastal rise in water level caused by wind.
3. The forward and backward motion of a ship subjected to wave action.
4. A sudden onrush: a surge of joy.
5. A period of intense effort that improves a competitor's standing, as in a race.
6. A sudden, transient increase or oscillation in electric current or voltage.
7. An instability in the power output of an engine.
8. Astronomy A brief, violent disturbance occurring during the eruption of a solar flare.
9. Nautical
a. The part of a windlass into which the cable surges.
b. A temporary release or slackening of a cable.

[cyberpj]

12. Dems should get behind this and publicly support it as THE DEMOCRATIC PLAN FOR IRAQ.

Cause I'm SO VERY SICK of hearing news readers say Dems don't have one!

[gratuitous]

13. Excellent point by Murtha

"They will say we're micromanaging the Defense Department. Well they need to be micromanaged."

That's the way it works. If someone's doing a even a decent job, the boss probably doesn't mind the occasional personal phone call. If someone's doing a good or great job, the boss isn't going to be too picky about long lunches or late arrivals. But when someone's doing a shitty job, when every decision is wrong, every task is fucked up somehow, every little thing that crosses that person's desk just doesn't work out, then the boss is going to keep a close eye, and the employee has earned the scrutiny.

What has gone right in Iraq? What's the record there? And who really thinks that suddenly Bush got all wise since he had his ass handed to him (electorally speaking) back in November? Murtha's 100% right that the Defense Department needs some close supervision, and the administration that's ordered the DoD around needs to be watched as well.

[Megahurtz]

15. GO Murtha! n/t

[ellisonz]

17. Kick for a hero.

:kick: