TOS happened today.......

[3.4 [deployed]]

http://www.foxnews.com/

http://www.cnn.com/

thoughts, comments, insights..........

from a stateside point of view...........

[Machiavelli]

I know very little about this but the Washington Post had an absolutely hilarious statement...
"There was no noticeable celebratory gunfire, which often occurs at commemorative moments in Iraq." My response to this is laughter at the media trying to use ammount of gun fire as a feeling thermometer.

However, I think its rather obvious that the 2 day early ceremony was to avoid any sort of terrorist attack... Its not like Bush and Bremmer said "ok well, we're basically done here...lets give those Iraqis 2 extra days to get a head start". It seems the only logical (and valid) reason to do this was to avoid any possible attacks.

[wannabe]

Originally posted by Machiavelli:
I know very little about this but the Washington Post had an absolutely hilarious statement...
"There was no noticeable celebratory gunfire, which often occurs at commemorative moments in Iraq." My response to this is laughter at the media trying to use ammount of gun fire as a feeling thermometer.

However, I think its rather obvious that the 2 day early ceremony was to avoid any sort of terrorist attack... Its not like Bush and Bremmer said "ok well, we're basically done here...lets give those Iraqis 2 extra days to get a head start". It seems the only logical (and valid) reason to do this was to avoid any possible attacks.

For once I agree with you! It really makes sense to do it this way... publicly announce one thing, then do another. It's excellent security.

[ellik]

much better than having 3 or 4 (if not all) the members of the new government hit by gunfire or mortar attack during the ceremony. excellent idea, as far as Im concerned. My only questions are on the turning over of Saddam/ prisoners or war. Not sure how that should be handled.

[Timbo1969]

Originally posted by Machiavelli:
I know very little about this but the Washington Post had an absolutely hilarious statement...
"There was no noticeable celebratory gunfire, which often occurs at commemorative moments in Iraq." My response to this is laughter at the media trying to use ammount of gun fire as a feeling thermometer.

However, I think its rather obvious that the 2 day early ceremony was to avoid any sort of terrorist attack... Its not like Bush and Bremmer said "ok well, we're basically done here...lets give those Iraqis 2 extra days to get a head start". It seems the only logical (and valid) reason to do this was to avoid any possible attacks.

That is exactly the reason it was done, there is no other valid explanation. A multinational(most likely mostly U.S.) security force will remain to help with security and train the fledgling Iraqi Military.

[token sebring]

I just hope it works, and I hope it makes people understand just how hard our troops were working over their to make Iraqi lives better... the stuff they're doing isn't easy, and it isn't always appreciated I'm sure, so maybe now there will be more understanding of what the US troops were giving up/sacrificing by being over there.

Most Iraqis though are just waiting to see what happens like the rest of us...

[L32Projekt]

Glad they handed over power two days early. This is good news to wake up to. I wasn't looking forward to insurgent/terrorist attacks during the ceremony. Hope the terrorists feel stupid for being suckered in at the false timeline. I also hope for the best for the Iraqis, and pray that they make the best of this.

[3.4 [deployed]]

Originally posted by Machiavelli:
to avoid any possible attacks.

depends on where you are at................. [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img]

[Machiavelli]

Originally posted by 3.4 [deployed]:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Machiavelli:
to avoid any possible attacks.

depends on where you are at................. [img]graemlins/stickpoke.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Youre right, the best way that Bush could have avoided terrorist attacks on US Troops and interests in the Middle East was to not invade Iraq - but now that he has, its a good idea to minimize the opportunities and possibilities for any attacks... Im sure you would agree we need to do that, correct?

[ReodDai]

Ugh we are going to train another fledgling military? Great we train um... they bite us later. Hopefully this time they won't bite us and may actually be grateful.

[Machiavelli]

Originally posted by ReodDai:
Ugh we are going to train another fledgling military? Great we train um... they bite us later. Hopefully this time they won't bite us and may actually be grateful.

Wait... are you saying we created the taliban or something??? ;)

[CockyV6]

Originally posted by Machiavelli:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ReodDai:
Ugh we are going to train another fledgling military? Great we train um... they bite us later. Hopefully this time they won't bite us and may actually be grateful.

Wait... are you saying we created the taliban or something??? ;) </font>[/QUOTE]We didnt "create" them but we sure did help them along. Back when "The Evil Emipire" ( the old school Navy Sailors remember refering to the USSR as that ) decided to invade or at least help the Marxist gov. stay in power. We decided to help the "Freedom Fighters" aka Talaban by giving them guns ammo and training some of them.

Thats just some backgrownd now on to something completely diffrent.....

I to am on deployment for homeland security reasons though. My ship is currently sweeping our east coast for mines ( NOT THAT THERE ARE ANY so dont panic anyone, its just a precaution ) and I havent been able to be on the board very much the last 4 months.

3.4 PLEASE be careful over there. My thoughts and prayers are with you my brother. I got the first 10 rounds when you get back. Be safe shipmate and [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img] on!!!!!!

[3.4 [deployed]]

Thanks Cocky V6, it gets "exciting" here at times. ;)

And yes, Machiavelli, you are correct.

in related news........

Bremer -- dressed in a business suit but wearing tan combat boots -- said he was proud to have been able to return sovereignty. He said he was confident the new government was ready to meet the challenges ahead.

Less than an hour later, he boarded a helicopter, according to coalition military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmett, and within two hours, he was out of the country.

talk about getting out of Dodge... [img]graemlins/slap.gif[/img]

[Mighty Thor]

I think that's a good idea. That will throw off any plannings by the insurgents. Hopefully now the Iraqi citizens would act more responsible for their nation's sake.

I hope the U.S. still remain active in getting those insurgents that did damage to us and to find that guy who is being held captive.

Since you're there. What the atmosphere now among the Iraqis and our troops?

Are the Iraqi troops fully operational and ready to take lead?

Any words on a gradual pull out?

[3.4 [deployed]]

1. Don't know, I've only seen 1 native outside ( I think he was) the fence, wearing a sweatshirt for some reason. It was probably a cool 105* at the time

2. They're being trained so that we can leave & not worry about insurgents & former Bath party pukes pulling off a coup.

3. I'm just a worker bee here, I see 1/2hr of news when I go in at 6pm & when I get out at 6am. Not much inbetween. Any other info, well, if it isn't on the news, you don't need to know.