Insurgents return, again and again, Marines say

[struggle4progress]

Sabrina Tavernise, New York Times
June 26, 2005 IRAQ0626

<snip> The issue of troop levels is so delicate that the commanding officer here, Col. Stephen Davis, refuses to allow their true numbers to be publicly released. If insurgents learned the figure, he says, it would pose a safety risk for his Marines. He does acknowledge what is widely known -- that most of the 300-mile border with Syria, a major entry point for foreign militants, is unguarded, and the most important crossing point, in Husaybah, a town near the Euphrates River, has been closed for seven months because troops simply cannot control the flow. <snip>

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5476331.html

[bemildred]

1. Gee, who could have predicted this???

:banghead::banghead:

[jmcon007]

2. they need to be called resurgents. But, they're in their last throes.

[reality based]

5. Now, now, you'll give Dick another angina attack n/t

[jmcon007]

6. and your point?

[Frances]

3. Why is Rumsfeld still in office?

Rumsfeld got rid of the general who spoke the truth about the number of soldiers needed in Iraq.

When Teddy Kennedy asked Rumsfeld why he hadn't resigned, Rumsfeld said he had offered to do so twice and Bush refused his resignation. What does that say about Bush? Every death in Iraq should be laid at the door of Bush because he is responsible for Rumsfeld.

[oblivious]

4. Sounds like you can declare a new victory in the same spot 7 times a week.

Not sure if that's good for morale or bad for morale.

U.S. Marines climbed atop the collapsed roof of the final house to be searched this week in an operation to clear this desert town of foreign militants and declared victory. Almost one hour later, they left.

When asked if the foreign fighters would be back, Sgt. Wayne O'Donnell of Company K, the unit that made the final push to the tip of the town, replied in a tired voice as he walked away, "Oh, definitely."

[Cool Hand Luke]

7. declaring victory in the same spot 7 times

This aspect is remeiniscent of the Viet Mam War. The enemy would fight run away and then return. How many time was the same hill assailed taken and retaken.