As my Blog is only approximately a week old, and because I took several leaps of faith that I understood the hierarchy of the military complex, I had asked for comments reflecting any inaccuracies I may have on my site. An anonymous contributor has brought forth several issues, for which I am grateful.
First is that the call sign for my son's unit is not 'Panther', but more specifically 'Headhunter'. As such, and because this interest of mine to tell what I know, is in tribute to my son, I will be renaming my Blog "Headhunter Watch'. For the sake of anyone who has bookmarked my site, and I hope there are a few, I won't change the URL of the site.
The second issue I have been made aware of, is being careful of proper or improper attribution of the sources of the information I publish. Most of what I have written, up to this point, is available in the public domain, or an opinion expressed by myself. In one case I paraphrased quotes from senior army officers in my son's chain of command. These quotes were all 'of a complimentary nature' and I neither disputed or was critical of their comments. However, as a family member of a deployed soldier I receive updates from an organization that exists to help family members with being able to stay in close touch to their soldier. It is due to the dedication, sincerity and concern of the FRG group at Ft. Bragg (for my son's unit) that I am honored to receive updates from the front in a more timely and specific manor than is normally reported on the news. I wish to do nothing to jeopardize that source of information about my son and his fellow soldiers. In this light I need to say specifically that any information that I publish from this source is not an official statement by the command for whom the official represents. The statements are made by the officers to whom they are attributed, but are intended only as information to buoy the troops and to allay the fears of the families whose soldiers they command. I am very grateful for the time and effort these officers expend to keep us up-to-date. And, I want to give proper praise to the FRG group that keeps me in the loop.
The one thing I must add to this discussion is that for a parent 3000 miles from their soldiers command and 10,000 from their loved one, the most difficult thing I have had to deal with is, who is responsible for what. Teams, platoons, companies, squads, divisions, battalions, regiments etc. once you think you understand the hierarchy you find out that Charlie company (C-Troop) is actually a special unit that performs a different function than Alpha or Bravo and does missions with a Cavalry command even though the 82nd Airborne is an infantry unit. How can anyone really be sure whether the comments are from a hierarchical or a functional responsibility.
In the future I will do my best to insure that the information I provide or discuss is both properly attributed and to provide disclaimers when I pass on information that was not necessarily provided for public consumption.
Last of all, I will be upfront when I say that I may express opinions that are critical of the administration, that I feel has totally botched the ideals for which we may have honorably inserted our self into Iraq. Additionally, using sources of non-military employees and reporting sources embedded in Iraq, I may relate information that may take the form dissension. But, as a father of a soldier, and a Viet Nam veteran you will never hear me belittle or criticize the job that our soldiers are doing or asked to do. (I however cannot condone any illegal or inhumane acts that are done even if they are committed in the name of patriotism, and I extend that to the President, as well)
So for my anonymous commenter, I hope I have dealt with your concerns and suggestions, and I thank you for the time you spent to set me straight. My aim in the blog is 'truth' and 'honesty' however the chips may fall. But, most of all I want to maybe make some minor impact on how others may feel about the reasons, actions, and effectiveness of our involvement in the 'situation' in Iraq.
I hope Anonymous will update their comments in the future, because that is the value of producing a Blog. At this point everyone that has read this blog knows me personally (or at least through email communications), and you are welcome to contact me directly if there are other issues that you wish to discuss outside of public venue.
Dennis
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Military Families Speak Out
I joined this organization, due to my deep desire that my Son, and the sons and daughters, wives and husbands, of the troops, serving in Iraq, do not have to give a single ‘unnecessary’ life. But I am conflicted, as I am sure many patriots are as well. Not to say that those that who believe we should bring all of our troops home tomorrow, are not patriots. We all have different perceptions, but by virtue of the fact that this site is oriented towards Military families, we all have in common the facts that our loved ones volunteered, whether it be for personal or altruistic purposes.
Our country is founded on the basis of fair and equal treatment of all of our citizens. And when our country has inserted itself in other countries’ political and socio-economic battles, we have done so in a fair and honorable manor (at least we would like to think so). With that said, our own megalomaniac leader contributed to the overthrow of another megalomaniac leader. The only difference is that we like to think that our leader is benevolent, where we know that Saddam Hussein was anything but. The fact remains, though, that we did what we did, and cannot in fairness, walk away, with honor.
With the change in power of our legislature, to a democratic majority in both the house and senate, and the great likelihood that a democrat will occupy the White House after the next election, it is still unlikely that we will have an immediate and total withdrawal of all of our troops in the immediate future. With MFSO's mission statement in mind (A safe and orderly withdrawal of our troops), the key to orderly withdrawal is the definition of orderly; and the definition of safe is dependent on what we do to react to the terrorists that have inserted themselves, in the absence of secular rule that was deposed by our invasion of Iraq.
In previous posts I have tried to profile some of the issues that we face in order achieve an honorable end to the conflict we have inserted ourselves in. I have also shown battles, successes and failures, and talked about the options for long term strategic success for both our troops and the Iraqi people.
I want my son home, safely and uninjured. But, he enlisted, and re-enlisted, not for my expectations, or lack of. He has his own objectives. I only want the purpose to be just, honorable, and egalitarian. I support the goals of the MFSO organization, please support mine and allow opinions to flow freely as to how we achieve those goals.
The organization 'Military Families Speak Out', I feel, is a good forum. The problem is that the forum is quickly becoming a forum for those that feel that there is no resolution to the conflict other than an immediate and total withdrawal of all of our troops. This I feel, dishonors our country and the brave troops that have given their lives, and the troops that are still putting their lives on the line.
It is not our presences in Iraq that we have to have an immediate end to. It our presence without any goals and objectives or strategic planning that we have to end. That will only happen when the Bush Oligarchy is deposed and sounder minds are installed in the White House.
Get you opinions heard, join Military Families Speak Out (MFSO, and let them know how you feel.
Dennis
Our country is founded on the basis of fair and equal treatment of all of our citizens. And when our country has inserted itself in other countries’ political and socio-economic battles, we have done so in a fair and honorable manor (at least we would like to think so). With that said, our own megalomaniac leader contributed to the overthrow of another megalomaniac leader. The only difference is that we like to think that our leader is benevolent, where we know that Saddam Hussein was anything but. The fact remains, though, that we did what we did, and cannot in fairness, walk away, with honor.
With the change in power of our legislature, to a democratic majority in both the house and senate, and the great likelihood that a democrat will occupy the White House after the next election, it is still unlikely that we will have an immediate and total withdrawal of all of our troops in the immediate future. With MFSO's mission statement in mind (A safe and orderly withdrawal of our troops), the key to orderly withdrawal is the definition of orderly; and the definition of safe is dependent on what we do to react to the terrorists that have inserted themselves, in the absence of secular rule that was deposed by our invasion of Iraq.
In previous posts I have tried to profile some of the issues that we face in order achieve an honorable end to the conflict we have inserted ourselves in. I have also shown battles, successes and failures, and talked about the options for long term strategic success for both our troops and the Iraqi people.
I want my son home, safely and uninjured. But, he enlisted, and re-enlisted, not for my expectations, or lack of. He has his own objectives. I only want the purpose to be just, honorable, and egalitarian. I support the goals of the MFSO organization, please support mine and allow opinions to flow freely as to how we achieve those goals.
The organization 'Military Families Speak Out', I feel, is a good forum. The problem is that the forum is quickly becoming a forum for those that feel that there is no resolution to the conflict other than an immediate and total withdrawal of all of our troops. This I feel, dishonors our country and the brave troops that have given their lives, and the troops that are still putting their lives on the line.
It is not our presences in Iraq that we have to have an immediate end to. It our presence without any goals and objectives or strategic planning that we have to end. That will only happen when the Bush Oligarchy is deposed and sounder minds are installed in the White House.
Get you opinions heard, join Military Families Speak Out (MFSO, and let them know how you feel.
Dennis
Thursday, July 26, 2007
82nd Airborne Shoutout
It is about time to give due props to the heroes of the 82nd Airborne, 3rd BCT, 5/73rd Cav, C Troop Recon. I'll pass on some comments of the leaders of this truly brave and committed unit.
A letter from Command Sergeant Major Edgar, 5-73:
Early on the morning of the 22d, we conducted Operation Olympus with B troop, C troop, and elements from the headquarters, conducting air assault operations on to two separate landing zones to eliminate enemy fighters and reduce three Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (SVBIED).
Our Paratroopers continue to set the example with their conduct on and off the battlefield. The Squadron is constantly recognized by senior leaders across Iraq for their discipline, tenacity and professionalism. I have served in twelve different units across the United States and Germany throughout my career and this is by far the best organization I have ever served in. Many of our Troopers will depart our Squadron as we return in search of greener grass but most will eventually return as they realize how special serving in the 82d Airborne Division is, and that we are truly America’s Guard of Honor. This division has always attracted the best Soldiers in the Army and that fact has not changed. The mere fact that we all volunteered to attend Airborne School knowing we could serve on jump status separates us from Soldiers who fill the ranks in other units.
From CPT Dobbins:
5-73 CAV (TF 300) deployed to Iraq in August 2006 to defeat the insurgency in eastern Diyala, Iraq. 5-73 CAV was formerly 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, but was chosen by the Department of the Army to be the first Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron. The members of the Squadron were hand selected by the Squadron Commander LTC Andrew Poppas. Commanders, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and soldiers were competitively chosen to be members of this elite force of two time volunteers.
Once established, the members of 5-73 CAV were sent to specialty
schools: Ranger School, Recon Surveillance Leaders Course, Air Assault, and EMT to have the necessary skill sets to operate in an austere intelligence environment. Following the specialty schools the Squadron went into an intensive training cycle to prepare for deployment, which culminated in a successful rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center.
Since deployed to Iraq the Squadron has achieved many successes and experienced some tragedy. Throughout the last twelve months we have conducted operations that have captured international headlines; Operation Turki Bowl I, Operation Turki Bowl II, and Operation Minotaur. 5-73 CAV, now referred to as Task Force 300 (for its 300
fighters) has consistently dominated the enemy through maneuver, saturating the area with patrol bases, patrols, and operations, and the application of Corps and Joint level assets.
From the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Commander, Col. Owens:
Our recon squadron, 5-73 Cav, has had a great fight on its hands in Diyala. Along with 3BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, these Paratroopers have been fighting some of the most extreme elements of Al-Qaeda and the Sunni insurgency. They have established several new Joint Security Stations to be closer to the Iraqi population and as a result have put themselves in a much more dangerous environment. Our Paratrooper’s tenacity and courage has come to be known throughout Diyala and among the members of the other American units they serve with.
Since my last report 5-73 Cavalry has paid a heavy price. They lost 17 great Paratroopers fighting some of the most ruthless terrorists in Iraq: PFC Orlando Gonzales, SPC Jason Nunez, SGT Jason Swiger, PV2 Anthony White, SPC Ebe Emolo, CPT Jonathon Grassbaugh, SPC Levi Hoover, PFC Rodney McCandless, 1LT Kevin Gaspers, SPC Jerry King, PFC Garrett Knoll, SSG Kenneth Locker, SGT Randell Marshall, SSG William Moore, SGT Brice Pearson, SPC Michael Rodriguez, SGT Michael Vaughn (5-73). 3-8, the Combined Arms Battalion, attached to us from 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division lost two officers; 1LT Philip Neel and 1LT Andrew Bacevich. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of these brave Warriors. These losses have only strengthened our resolve to accomplish our mission. We will continue to take the fight to the enemy and to provide security for the Iraqi people,
The comments above, are just a few of the kudos from officers commanding our loved ones in the 5/73rd C-Trp Recon. These comments were mostly relayed via the 3rd BCT FRG at Ft. Bragg assigned to keep the families, of our loved ones, aware and informed. Thanks for all your input.
Dennis
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Iraq Exit Strategies
No matter how you feel about why or whether we should be in Iraq, the fact remains that we are. Now what are we going to do? Cut and run, orderly downsizing, long term occupation, or expansion of current boundries (Iran or Syria)? Your view is probably colored by your justification of why we went into Iraq in the first place.
Mr. Bush said it was to unseat a tyranical dictator who had WMD that were a threat to the American people. When that was proven false, it was changed to fighting Al Qaeda on their ground. But it has been well documented that Al Qaeda did not exist in Iraq during the reign of Sadam Hussein, his iron fisted regime would not allow it.
So everyone recognizes that Saddam was a meglomaniac, but he did have one advantage that no one else could provide. His governement was a secular rule that put the fear in the hearts of every dissenting group that existed within Iraqs borders and to some extent outside of the border (Iran originally requested the help of the US during a protracted war that killed maybe millions of Iranians). Although Hussein himself was a Sunni (with his stronghold in the north, north of Baghdad), the predominant religion from Baghdad south, and generally throughout the country was Shii'.
What did we accomplish by over throwing Saddam. We put the minority Sunni people in fear of the predominant Shii' led by the despot leader Al Sadr, who had a army of his own bigger than the country of Iraq (after the overthrow of Saddam's army).
If we did not create the civil unrest between one sect against the other, our short-sighted President (and his defense advisors) certainly created the void by which sectarian violence and war could exist. If one knows anything about what happens when a vacuum is created, they would know that when no force is predominant any manor of forces will rush in to fill the void. This is the cause of infiltration by Al Qaeda, and the effect is that we spent the next three years chasing one battle after the next. Put down the Sunni insurgency in the north, then run south and deal with Al Sadr's militia blowing up Sunni mosques in the south, and then battle Al Qaeda everywhere blowing up everyones markets and mosques to foment anger by the other religious sect.
So what is the alternative to the strategy of 'putting out bonfires'? Do we say that there seems to be no resoulution to sectariean violence, in the absence of Saddam, and therfore just cut and run? Do we accept the fact that we created the mess and so we are obligated to clean it up? Can we accomplish that, short term, and then plan for an orderly exit? Or do we develop a strategy that will allow the Iraqi people to develop a secular alternative to the Al Qaeda fomented version of setting one sect against another. Remember, under Saddam, all sects learned to live amongst the other (whether they wanted to or not).
I believe that if peace among the indigent Iraqi people is still their desire, and if at this time they get to play a part in the development and form of peace, that a stronger union can be developed. I am pragmatic, but hopeful. My son is there fighting, and will be back if nothing changes. I want change so he doesn't have to go back.
In answer to my own question of what to do now, I offer that the only way to absolve our responsibilty for creating the mess, is provide the Iraqi people with the means and security to be able to form a secular government of their own making.
The means for creating such an environment is to recruit and train national, provincial, and local police forces to deal with the sectarian disagreements of the diverse residents of each region, and furthermore to gain their trust that a peaceful co-existance is preferable to daily bombings at the markets they need to trade at. Further, a strong well-trained national Iraqi army must me trained to deal with threats from the outside (other countries as well as international terrorists, read Al Qaeda).
Regardless of how you feel about what we should do next, keep in mind that whoever replaces George Bush in the Whitehouse (Democrat or Republican) will very likely plan on keeping a significant force in Iraq, reqardless of whether we are in a war mode, recovery mode, or maintenance mode. There are only one or two Democratic candidates who advocate a total and immediate withdrawl from Iraq (and it is unlikely that they will be the party nominee).
Do I want the war in Iraq to end? Yes. Do I want my son home safely, and not have to return? Yes. Did Bush get us involved for valid reasons? No. Are we closer to obtaining valid objectives to end the war and establish an atmosphere that the Iraqi people can define and obtain a peaceful existance? I think so.
What do you think?
Dennis
Note: Hopefully, in future postings I will be able to provide some references and direct quotes from people, in Iraq, that have provided me background and understanding of what our mission is and needs to be.
Mr. Bush said it was to unseat a tyranical dictator who had WMD that were a threat to the American people. When that was proven false, it was changed to fighting Al Qaeda on their ground. But it has been well documented that Al Qaeda did not exist in Iraq during the reign of Sadam Hussein, his iron fisted regime would not allow it.
So everyone recognizes that Saddam was a meglomaniac, but he did have one advantage that no one else could provide. His governement was a secular rule that put the fear in the hearts of every dissenting group that existed within Iraqs borders and to some extent outside of the border (Iran originally requested the help of the US during a protracted war that killed maybe millions of Iranians). Although Hussein himself was a Sunni (with his stronghold in the north, north of Baghdad), the predominant religion from Baghdad south, and generally throughout the country was Shii'.
What did we accomplish by over throwing Saddam. We put the minority Sunni people in fear of the predominant Shii' led by the despot leader Al Sadr, who had a army of his own bigger than the country of Iraq (after the overthrow of Saddam's army).
If we did not create the civil unrest between one sect against the other, our short-sighted President (and his defense advisors) certainly created the void by which sectarian violence and war could exist. If one knows anything about what happens when a vacuum is created, they would know that when no force is predominant any manor of forces will rush in to fill the void. This is the cause of infiltration by Al Qaeda, and the effect is that we spent the next three years chasing one battle after the next. Put down the Sunni insurgency in the north, then run south and deal with Al Sadr's militia blowing up Sunni mosques in the south, and then battle Al Qaeda everywhere blowing up everyones markets and mosques to foment anger by the other religious sect.
So what is the alternative to the strategy of 'putting out bonfires'? Do we say that there seems to be no resoulution to sectariean violence, in the absence of Saddam, and therfore just cut and run? Do we accept the fact that we created the mess and so we are obligated to clean it up? Can we accomplish that, short term, and then plan for an orderly exit? Or do we develop a strategy that will allow the Iraqi people to develop a secular alternative to the Al Qaeda fomented version of setting one sect against another. Remember, under Saddam, all sects learned to live amongst the other (whether they wanted to or not).
I believe that if peace among the indigent Iraqi people is still their desire, and if at this time they get to play a part in the development and form of peace, that a stronger union can be developed. I am pragmatic, but hopeful. My son is there fighting, and will be back if nothing changes. I want change so he doesn't have to go back.
In answer to my own question of what to do now, I offer that the only way to absolve our responsibilty for creating the mess, is provide the Iraqi people with the means and security to be able to form a secular government of their own making.
The means for creating such an environment is to recruit and train national, provincial, and local police forces to deal with the sectarian disagreements of the diverse residents of each region, and furthermore to gain their trust that a peaceful co-existance is preferable to daily bombings at the markets they need to trade at. Further, a strong well-trained national Iraqi army must me trained to deal with threats from the outside (other countries as well as international terrorists, read Al Qaeda).
Regardless of how you feel about what we should do next, keep in mind that whoever replaces George Bush in the Whitehouse (Democrat or Republican) will very likely plan on keeping a significant force in Iraq, reqardless of whether we are in a war mode, recovery mode, or maintenance mode. There are only one or two Democratic candidates who advocate a total and immediate withdrawl from Iraq (and it is unlikely that they will be the party nominee).
Do I want the war in Iraq to end? Yes. Do I want my son home safely, and not have to return? Yes. Did Bush get us involved for valid reasons? No. Are we closer to obtaining valid objectives to end the war and establish an atmosphere that the Iraqi people can define and obtain a peaceful existance? I think so.
What do you think?
Dennis
Note: Hopefully, in future postings I will be able to provide some references and direct quotes from people, in Iraq, that have provided me background and understanding of what our mission is and needs to be.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Operation Ithaca - See Al Qaeda Go Down
I think I have figured out how to link the YouTube video of Operation Ithaca. Approximately at 1:05 (time shown is time remaining) of the feed is a closeup of a soldier, that I believe to be my Son.
I will include further links and pictures of the joint 1st Cav / 5/73 Cav Recon(known as Task Force 300) operations in the future.
Dennis
I will include further links and pictures of the joint 1st Cav / 5/73 Cav Recon(known as Task Force 300) operations in the future.
Dennis
Operation Ithaca
On July 1th, 2007 Rob's unit (82nd Airborne, 3rd BCT, 5/73rd Cav, C Troop) participated as a recon unit with Task Force 300 in Operation Ithaca. Below are some comments about the mission and a description of some of the successes of TF300.
For those who know me, contact me and I will forward video of the battle, which may contain a clip showing Rob.
As described by Captain Dobbins:
Execution:
As soon as we hit the ground we began clearing the three separate objectives simultaneously, locating the enemy quickly through various sensors; Paratroopers on the ground, Paratroopers in two Black Hawk Helicopters flying overhead as the Aerial Reaction Force (ARF), Aerial Weapons Team (AH-64 Apaches), F-16 fighters, and Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (TUAVs).
We cleared from house to house, chicken coops, canals, and palm groves rooting out the enemy. Along the way we discovered three large caches of RPGs, Heavy Machine Guns, AK-47's, AQIZ propaganda, Iraqi Army/ police radio's, military uniforms and over 17 IEDs. The significance of the IED cache is that they are unable to put them on the street, which equals saving coalition and Iraqi lives.
Through the night into the early morning we fought the enemy, dominating them with impunity. The end result was we saved eight severely tortured civilians being held captive. The hostages told us that they had been sentenced by the Islamic State of Iraq to be executed later that day, and we saved them from certain death. All eight hostages who were from all over Iraq are now safely at home with their loved ones.
Our Paratroopers with all of their heavy gear and body armor covered four sq km of ground, clearing over 250 homes, many canals, and palm groves non-stop for eight hours, all while taking fire from a disciplined and determined enemy.
No civilians were killed or injured during this operation, nor any of our Paratroopers. As we were preparing to extract on our helicopters the hostages broke out in tears thanking us over and over. Security was given back to this region, allowing the repatriation of hundreds of families that had been threatened daily, lost family members, and lost the homes that had been in their families for over a hundred years.
STRIKE FORCE 300 (Bravo/ 5-73 CAV, 82nd ABN DIV)
Operation Ithaca is just one of many operations conducted by TF 300 on a regular basis. The determination and aggressiveness of this Squadron would make the original Paratroopers of WWII pleased that today's Paratroopers continue to uphold the standards and traditions of the 82nd Airborne Division.
For those who know me, contact me and I will forward video of the battle, which may contain a clip showing Rob.
As described by Captain Dobbins:
Execution:
As soon as we hit the ground we began clearing the three separate objectives simultaneously, locating the enemy quickly through various sensors; Paratroopers on the ground, Paratroopers in two Black Hawk Helicopters flying overhead as the Aerial Reaction Force (ARF), Aerial Weapons Team (AH-64 Apaches), F-16 fighters, and Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (TUAVs).
We cleared from house to house, chicken coops, canals, and palm groves rooting out the enemy. Along the way we discovered three large caches of RPGs, Heavy Machine Guns, AK-47's, AQIZ propaganda, Iraqi Army/ police radio's, military uniforms and over 17 IEDs. The significance of the IED cache is that they are unable to put them on the street, which equals saving coalition and Iraqi lives.
Through the night into the early morning we fought the enemy, dominating them with impunity. The end result was we saved eight severely tortured civilians being held captive. The hostages told us that they had been sentenced by the Islamic State of Iraq to be executed later that day, and we saved them from certain death. All eight hostages who were from all over Iraq are now safely at home with their loved ones.
Our Paratroopers with all of their heavy gear and body armor covered four sq km of ground, clearing over 250 homes, many canals, and palm groves non-stop for eight hours, all while taking fire from a disciplined and determined enemy.
No civilians were killed or injured during this operation, nor any of our Paratroopers. As we were preparing to extract on our helicopters the hostages broke out in tears thanking us over and over. Security was given back to this region, allowing the repatriation of hundreds of families that had been threatened daily, lost family members, and lost the homes that had been in their families for over a hundred years.
STRIKE FORCE 300 (Bravo/ 5-73 CAV, 82nd ABN DIV)
Operation Ithaca is just one of many operations conducted by TF 300 on a regular basis. The determination and aggressiveness of this Squadron would make the original Paratroopers of WWII pleased that today's Paratroopers continue to uphold the standards and traditions of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Does GDubaya Have a Strategy?
This my first posting. Future postings will include references, quotes, pictures and videos. Please be patient while I familiarize myself with this medium.
Is it enough to have a strategy for entering a war, or should we also have a strategy for what to do when the war ends. Mr. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier and announced 'Mission Accomplished'. So if the war was won what was his strategy for post-war Iraq? But, obviously the President has no memory of history. If he even knew where Viet Nam is or what the significance of our experience in that country was, he shows no inclination.
Did he think we would just topple Saddam Hussein, his sectarian government and hundreds of years of history of the Baath Party, insert an U.S. type of democracy, steal their oil, dust off our hands and walk out... 'Mission Accomplished'.
We reap what we sow. What next.
Is it enough to have a strategy for entering a war, or should we also have a strategy for what to do when the war ends. Mr. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier and announced 'Mission Accomplished'. So if the war was won what was his strategy for post-war Iraq? But, obviously the President has no memory of history. If he even knew where Viet Nam is or what the significance of our experience in that country was, he shows no inclination.
Did he think we would just topple Saddam Hussein, his sectarian government and hundreds of years of history of the Baath Party, insert an U.S. type of democracy, steal their oil, dust off our hands and walk out... 'Mission Accomplished'.
We reap what we sow. What next.
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