Up to 50,000 more US troops needed in Iraq: Senator McCain

[Tab]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Tens of thousands more US troops will be needed in Iraq, if Washington is to subdue the stubborn rebel insurgency there, a top US lawmaker said.

Arizona senator John McCain told NBC television that as many as 50,000 more US soldiers will have to be sent to Iraq.

"We still need more troops. We still need more people there," US Senator John McCain told NBC television Sunday.

When asked how many additional forces would have to be deployed, the maverick Republican senator answered "I would say at least 40,000 or 50,000 more," adding that it will likely also be necessary to increase the size of the army and the marine corps.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&e=1&u=/afp/20041121/pl_afp/us_iraq_troops_041121220623

Barbara and Jenna are free. I'm sure George and Laura would understand... and the girls can't even use the excuse of getting out of duty to work on a political campaign.

[Massacure]

1. It's getting chilly in here.

:scared:

[durablend]

72. "Freedom Fighters Initiative"

Coming January 21st to a neighborhood near you!

[xpunkisneatx]

2. :sniff: I smell a draft coming!

50,000? Thats a shit load of troops. Glad i began collecting my concientous objector papers months ago!

[Cadence]

61. What is the age range for

the draft anyway?

[mseang]

64. 18-26 when I registered.

[Lizzie Borden]

3. Can you say

DRAFT?:mad: :mad:

[sonicx]

4. Jesus will send troops, i'm guessing...

[VivaKerry]

5. Okay, time for some REAL activism:

Take fliers and picket ALL the fundie churches in this country. Tell them to send out their kids to fight their almight bush's war!

We need to tell them to support their war president!!

[NNN0LHI]

6. Better yet, get on your draft board and make sure their kids get drafted

[rndmprsn]

19. how does one do that...

interesting idea.

[NNN0LHI]

22. Go here

http://www.sss.gov/fslocal.htm

[NVMojo]

27. thanks, i signed up....repukes first.

I can be as cold as they are ...

[Liberal Veteran]

7. There will be no draft....so stop saying that!

There will merely be a mandatory recruitment program initiated to among the general populace.

[matcom]

8. send 'em

this country voted for it.

unfortunately, we should be sending them to SOMALIA

[ozymandius]

48. Hey Matcom, what does Dadcom think about another four years Bushit?

You mentioned his defect from the Republican party. I am curious what he thinks about the direction Goss and Bush are taking, Plame matters and a potential CIA revolt...

Thanks :hi:

Ozymandius

[Sterling]

65. I think I agree.

It is clearly what the country wants. Yes the election was stolen but many even here seem fine with that so I say, let her rip, let Bush do his worst. If we all survive then maybe we can build something from the ashes but most likely we will all be deservedly dead.

Who knows maybe Bush will over run the world and bring home untold treasure for American consumers to buy at the mall? Whatever the result it is clear I am only a spectator at this point. Here to mock the process and possibly get the fuck out in time to survive if I can hook up the $ and conections.

Who else will be laughing as the ICBMs start flying to our shores as a result of PNAC fumblings?

[xray s]

9. It's gonna take a lot more than that

Iraq is a big country, and you pretty much need a squad of troops on every street corner in the country to control the chaos Bush has unleashed in his unholy War For Oil.

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

10. Didn't they keep saying this

about Vietnam?

[struggle4progress]

40. Yes. "Just a few more troops and it's in the bag." eom

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. They might as well get them from the Republicans.

Since they own all three branches of government, they might as well take the whole damn military too.

[Tab]

14. Using Republicans does make the most sense

<sarcasm>
Since, of course, liberal pussies are afraid to fight, why would you want them in a war zone with you? Might as well send the french!
</sarcasm>

[Zorra]

38. Yeah, come to think of it....has anybody ever seen a freeper post

that says "Guess, what freeps, I just enlisted and can't wait to get to Iraq!"

I have never heard of one. Probably because the freeps know that the war is just a scam for the defense corporations and shareholders to make money on, and they deliberately use the troops as cannon fodder so they can line their pockets on the profits of war. The freepers cheer the troops because they are dying to make freepers rich. And the freepers hate the liberals for wanting the troops to come home, because we would be cutting freeper defense industry profits.

Otherwise, if the freepers really believed in the war, they would be lining up to enlist by the thousands.

Murder for profit by proxy. The freeper credo.

[m_welby]

12. They need more troops in iraq?!!

Really, I can't believe it. George never lies to me and he said we had enough troops. In fact we've already won haven't we?

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Yet, Bush still has visions of invading Iraq and Syria

and he can't even get Iraq under control?

Glad this is coming out now instead of after the inauguration.

[grumpy old fart]

15. Every RED American who voted....

for this flaming chimp a-hole needs to pony up their kids, right now! Oh, Johnny has a football game? Muffy has a cotillion? Too G.D. bad...off to war with your sorry "W the president" SUV butts!

[JennC]

16. Bush did say he has a "plan" for job increases. 50,000 *sigh*

[ekelly]

33. Since Bush wants to give jobs to illegals......

This is PERFECT!

He wants to allow illegals to "work" here, right?
He wants them to become contributing members of our society, right?
He says as long as there are people who want to work, and employers who need to fill jobs that Americans don't want, then illegals should be allowed to do those jobs, right?

Sign 'em all up!!!!

Considering how many there are, it should more than satisfy the troop requirement.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

36. Me, I think Republicans should go first.

If you don't like that option for reasons of self-interest, I understand.

[GRLMGC]

55. Excuse me?

Are you being sarcastic? I understand that illegal immigrants shouldn't be free to just come into this country but sending them to die in an illegal war is cruel. They just come to this country to take the shitty jobs that nobody wants to send crumbs to their families.

[ekelly]

73. Yes, I was........

Yes, I was being sarcastic. Of course I don't wish death upon anyone.

However, if illegals want to come here and partake (for free) of healthcare, education and virtually every other social service offered in this country.......they have to share the responsibilty as well.

Anyone know how many 18 yr old, male illegals are registered with Selective Service?

And how many of them pay State and Federal income tax on their wages?
You can't file a tax return if you don't have a social security number.

Lots of Americans would take those shitty jobs if they paid higher wages.
If there were no illegals willing to work for peanuts, the employers would have to pay higher wages (to Americans) and improve working conditions if they wanted the work to get done (either that, or go out of business).
Then maybe those jobs wouldn't fit so well into the "shitty" category anymore.

Illegals shouldn't be here at all.
The ones who ARE here are being taken advantage of by "employers".
And we are all being screwed in the process.

[LauraT28]

17. Yea..Can't wait for the Repig kids get sent over!!! :)

Call me cynical...

[L84TEA]

18. The upside of being drafted....

Ya wont be in the States when N. Korea gets pushed over the edge by Chimpy and his pals and blows us to smithereens!

:eyes:

[tabasco]

20. No way! GWB said we had enough troops before the election!

A moral man like GWB would never mislead the American people!

[skordane]

21. The Fulluja offensive was supposed to clean out everything

Not

[Straight Shooter]

23. The "maverick" Republican senator

If he were a Democrat, he would be referred to as the "eccentric" Democratic Senator.

I hear the sound of distant drums, and they're ever closer, getting closer.

Something wicked this way comes.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

35. I think we should put * on the carousel.. n/t

[Zhade]

24. I used to not care...

...but how are the Freepers taking this news? It seems they will provide us with much amusement in the coming months (and years, assuming the election fraud remains untouched) as we watch them slowly realize their government has been lying to them.

Well, at least a couple might see it.

[MatrixEscape]

25. Yeah, at least a couple ....

maybe four or five, even!

[NVMojo]

26. McCain, Bush's messenger from hell

[geomon666]

28. Sorry but...

I will not be killing any poor people so you and your moral friends can make money. I suggest you send your own kids Senator or better yet, send yourself. At least then you'll be good for something again, at least to your peers.

[still_one]

29. maybe mccain could go

the asshole supported *

[Postman]

30. McCain's never seen a war he didn't like....

because this guy spent time in the Hanoi Hilton and suffered as a POW he is afforded a certain amount of "respect" by people in the media and politicos.

Never is it also mentioned that what he was doing in flying those missions in Vietnam was killing civilians.

This guy reminds me of Dr. Strangelove who has an insatiable urge to jolt his right arm up in the arm with his palm facing out.

[Greybnk48]

31. The Draft

If anyone has doubts about a draft, you may want to check out (google)--sorry I don't know how to post web sites yet--Project Censored 2005. My husband and I heard the author on PR. Note especially the bit about the Dec. 2001 Smart Border Agreement between U.S. and Canada in the event that draftees wish to flee.

Given the more recent Canadian opinion of this war, I think it would be a move in the right direction to begin a petition campaign or something like it to pressure the Canadian Govt. to refuse to honor this clause in the event of a draft. When they agreed to it they beleived that Saddam was a global threat--based on Powell's lies.

[jbm]

43. welcome to DU Greybnk!

and thanks for the project censored tip. :hi:

[Greybnk48]

60. Draft

thanks for the welcome jbm (I was offline for a bit)! I've been lurking for two weeks along with many others that I work with. You bloggers have kept us off prozac since the election. So thanks to everyone else as well. This is incredible--never knew it existed--and it's cheaper than therapy.

[ramapo]

32. Kerry wanted to add 40K+ more to the armed forces

And what if another 40-50k don't cut it. Then another 50k?

The American war machine is cranking up

[necso]

34. You would think that

McCain would realize that "troop deficits" just don't matter anymore.

Joking aside, does he think that anyone in power cares what he says, now that the election is past?

Even to "control" the Sunni Arab areas, many more troops are needed, and most Iraqi troops are basically useless, but the administration is unlikely to admit its mistakes. -- "Daddy" is never wrong, you know.

We are effectively fighting a civil war over there now against the Sunni Arabs (in addition to our other difficulties), with little support from the Shia, and with great risk of increasing "ethnic" tensions by using (largely? -- some?) Kurdish forces (I have seen only a little reference to this, so I can't be certain, but it makes sense).

What a mess.

I suppose that McCain is just doing CYA for the "record".

Thanks, Senator.

[OutsourceBush]

37. Draft those idiots in the red states first please

Give them a gun and a picture of Jesus. No need for pay, they are working for God now. lol

[pinkpops]

51. send me!

No send ME


Send US!

[OutsourceBush]

52. Dam, I see some serious nipple action there

What's got Bush twin #2 so turned on there any way? She get a bra tax cut?

[yorkiemommie1]

39. i keep writing letters to the editor

asking them to post the locations of recruiting stations so that the freepers can find them. when WWII happened lots of young guys rushed to enlist!

perhaps jenna and barbara can lead by example?

[cliss]

41. Here's what's really funny:

In the Oregonian newspaper, there was an article that said that the Armed forces is planning to recruit about 4,000 "older" servicemen. This would include men in their 40's and 50's who have just gotten comfortable in life. They've got a paunch. Life is good.

Then, suddenly: an order to report for duty. I've read they're going to start calling up people here in Oregon.

That includes......my notorious boss who's in his early 50's. He's pretty bloated.....enjoying the good life......voted for Bush because he says "I always pick the right man". Got into a big fight with me because I was pretty vocal about picking Kerry.

Wouldn't it be wild if he gets called up? He'd have a heart attack.

I could always say, "Well boss, they always pick the right man".

[lthuedk]

42. This is how the conditioning begins

The draft, and the Chimp's fall, begins shortly.

[drdtroit]

44. No problem ...

That's less than 1/1000% of his voting base, should be able to garner enough recruits from his loyal followers.

[Barkley]

45. They'll get 40,000 from immigration 'reforms'

Didn't Bush propose amnesty for illegals in the U.S.

If these illegals become residents and they 'volunteer' for
military service then their citizenship application gets "fast-tracked".

[arwalden]

46. But WHERE Will They Come From Dear Liza, Dear Liza...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

49. With student loans and grants cut,

Those who can't afford college will enlist or plan on working in WalMart for the rest of their lives.

[pinkpops]

50. From Texas from Georgia dear Henry dear Henry

From Alabama dear Henry from Mississippi dear Henry

[leesa]

47. You could pour a half a million soldiers into this mess, it wouldn't make

a bit of difference. We will still lose.

[American liberal]

53. and no one has mentioned in this thread the 140,000 or so soldiers

who are already over there and need a BREAK! Instead, their tour has been extended an additional 2 months. Can you imagine? You spend 6 months or a year under the worst imaginable conditions (full armor in 90-degree heat and dust storms--carrying around heavy-ass weapons) and you're just counting down the days til you get to go home. And all of a sudden, with only 29 days to go until your tour's up, your CO tells you you gotta stick around for another 2 months. Now THAT would drive me completely over the edge!

Bring our troops home!!!

Peace,
AL

[Qanisqineq]

63. 90 degree? Try 120 degrees F

6 months to a year? Try a year to two years.

[lebkuchen]

54. Wasn't there a CIA memo over a year ago predicting the same need?

If memory serves me correctly....

But Rummy and Bush say that they would send more troops; however, the generals say they have enough soldiers. So who is the goat here?

[Endangered Specie]

56. I bet that if you add up the College and Young Republicans...

from all the universities in this country youd get more than 50,000... Send THEIR asses, start with NC first.

[Tight_rope]

57. Well the repukes better start lining up their children.

[The_Casual_Observer]

58. McCain is wrong. They would need millions more to suppress

the rebellion in Iraq. Sending 50K will simply extend the status quo.

[Dem2theMax]

59. Gee, funny how the article left out the fact that McCain also said

that a general said it would be more like 80,000 to 120,000 troops that would be needed. I was watching the program this morning and I'm sorry to say I can't remember the name of the person McCain was quoting. But I do remember the numbers very clearly.

[TXDemGal]

62. Lessee, we've got Jenna & Barbara

who don't seem to be doing anything much since their daddy clinched his second term as a White House squatter. That puts a dent in the 50,000! :7

[Supersedeas]

66. why didn't McCain get the cut-and-run Memo?

[blackhorse]

67. In truth,

... any amount they quote can probably be multiplied by 50% or more. Any troops in a combat theater will need other troops in Europe and the U.S. to back them up logistically, administratively, etc.

As the others note, the chill from that slight wind is getting noticeably worse.

BH

[cubsfan forever]

68. OK, I admit it, I'm wrong

Several weeks ago, I posted a message regretting the person McCain has become while stating that he was once a good person. No longer do I feel that way. He is a cowardly tool of the Fascists, and his continued support of reprehensible tactics whose sole purpose is to turn this country into Nazi Germany makes him a fool in his dotage who should be put out to pasture. ASSHOLE!

:nuke: this, John!

[Deja Q]

69. With more and more IT being developed offshore (thanks Intel), a military

job would look more appealing to some.

Take the * voters first, please. They're more likely to fight with spirit since they voted for * and defend his ideals.

It's a funny ol' world. :crazy:

[leftchick]

70. CALLING ALL COLLEGE REPUKES!!!!!

Uncle Sam wants YOU To Die for OIL!

[Massachusetts]

71. Hell no I won't go!

Yup, the heat is slowly being turned up by another inept administration who has to turn to good ol' John and Jane Doe one more time to bail the elite out of another tragic folly.

"For its one, two, three, whata are we fightin for
I don't know and I don't give a damn,
next stop is (make your choice,
And its five, six, seven open up the pearly gates....":hippie: :smoke: :silly:

[fedsron2us]

74. Do the math and you find another 250,000 is nearer the mark.

At the height of the troubles in the 1970's the British army deployed 30,000 troops in Northern Ireland to contain the IRA. The population of Iraq is 12-15 times bigger than that of Ulster. It is also geographically a lot bigger. This means you need a lot of soldiers to pacify the country. The argument that the Iraqi police and army can pick up the burden does not stand up to examination. The British had far better trained ancillary forces in the form of the Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment yet they still struggled to maintain any form of peace. Given that Iraq makes Northern Ireland at its worst look like a Quaker convention I calculate you would need at least 400,000 troops to stand any chance of success. There are no prizes for guessing how they are likely to be obtained.

on edit - http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/12/19/1728242