Thursday, February 15, 2007

 

Wait For It!

Although I put the champagne on ice, I'm waiting to pop the cork until United States authorities confirm what the Iraqis have announced--wounding the newish leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who only was promoted to leader about 8 months ago after we bombed to death the long time leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Oh, and they said they killed Abu Ayyub al-Masri's number 2, Abu Abdullah al-Majemaai. Must be dangerous being an al Qaeda number 2.

Let's see; Moqtada al-Sadr has most likely fled the surge to the safety of his Shia brethren in Iran and has ordered his number 2,3, etc. to join him; and the surge forces have proceeded to disarm elements of the vaunted Mahdi Army and are seizing weapons caches inside Shiite Mosques. Others have fled the city and have been killed, wounded, or captured? There, unfortunately, continues the aftermath of the bombing of the Samarra Golden Mosque--internecine car bombing between Shia and Sunni mainly in Baghdad, but the surge has barely started and success appears to be piling on success. Strategypage is nearly ecstatic: ...most people believe al Qaeda in Iraq is finished. After boasting last Fall that they would establish a safe zone in western Iraq, and failing to do anything close to that, the Islamic terrorists lost whatever credibility they had left.

Please vote (in a completely meaningless and non-binding way) on how stupid the surge is in the House. Let's see who are White Flag Republicans, who need pro-forward defense opponents in '08 primaries, and let's see some of that magic Democrat timing, again.

UPDATE: The report out of Iraq is now that Abu Abdullah al-Majemaai was not killed last Thursday but was captured on February 9, 2007; and the Americans are pulling a Sgt. Schultz, officially, while leaks are they don't believe any of the report on Abu Ayyub al-Masri. I did say wait for the confirmation.

UPDATE 2: The difference noted in Baghdad for the 'surge' is not more guys per se as different tactics with some more guys--clearing and holding will probably turn out better than clearing and abandoning, But that's just a guess on my part.

UPDATE 3: MSNBC reports that we don't think Abu Ayyub al-Masri was either wounded or hurt, and the enemy is now calling the Iraqi military leadership liars who are "making up such news, that have been denied even by their masters, the Americans." Oh well, I did say wait for confirmation.

Comments:
Keep that Champagne on ice my friend. Once again you are falling prey to early enthusiasm that is completely unwaranted. Just like al-Zarqawi before him, the wounding of this leader will have little or no effect on al-Qaeda operations in Iraq (or elsewhere). Sadr's ostesible fleeing is also a non-event that should not be celebrated.

Until security can be improved, and U.S. deaths start waining, keep that champagne on ice, my friend.
 
The neo-cons are so desperate for good news, they'll jump on anything these days even before its been confirmed. Sort of like the issue of Pelosi's plane or Obama attending a madrassa. Just minority desperation and mischief.
 
Well it finally happened:
"The Democratic-controlled House issued a symbolic rejection of President Bush's plan to deploy more troops to Iraq " (MSNBC).
"symbolic rejection" is surely an oxymoron. I have to say, the Dems either need to actually reject the plan with good reasons (the best being that they have a better one) or shut up and let Petraeus and his additional troops have a go at turning this thing around. If the Dems really believe that pulling out rather than pulling around is the way to go, why are they not pushing that agenda. Symbolic gestures do not leadership make.
 
It's on ice. Waiting for victory. Might be a bit of a wait.
Symbolic, local Mark, because the commander in chief is one guy--the President and he backs the Petraeus plan. Wankers all, politically.
 
Hmmmmmmmmm. I don't think you guys get it. Let's review the recent facts. Influenced by the Republican Congress' inability to get anything done on issues that concern Americans such as immigration; disgusted by sexual and corruption scandals; disheartened by a war that appears to have no end; the American voters showed their displeasure voting the Republicans, rascals and honest ones alike, out of office.

Then the president, in whom few have confidence according to polls, announced a "surge." What did you expect majority's response to be? The House owed to the voters to voice disapproval.

Roger, let's just drink the champagne in celebration of Catherine's birthday and Chinese New Years, both of which are Sunday.

I assume that by champagne you actually meant sparkling white white produced in California by le mothode champonoise b/c technically only French sparkling wine may be called "Champagne' and we do not wish to buy French products do we?

T
 
No, the real stuff, and I could do it in the afternoon, if you really want to. I'm with Guiliani (sp?) on this--we listen to radio, read the blogs, watch cable news TV for opinions, from our legeslature we want action. If you oppose the war and want it to end, defund it--the rest is concious wanking which only emboldens our enemies (look how disheatened the Americans are, Abdel) and demoralizes our troops (look at that margain, Fred, the House certainly doesn't support our mission). It makes me want to puke (hope that's not the stone acting up).
 
How much did Rudy get paid to make that statement? Did he demand a private jet? How many hotel rooms? Was that the same speech where he said the government needs to do more to fight global warming?
 
Tony,

Well, the "surge" isn't a lot, but it does at least temporarily seem to be doing some good. Sadr seems to have fled to Iran, and his Mahdi Army is going into hiding. And al Qaeda appears to be hurting. Also, the death toll in Baghdad is down a bit - though for how long we don't know.
 
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