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Zylka
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If Iraqi citizens are not permitted to flee the capital, does that make them human shields?
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Zylka
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Right, because we all know it's in American interests to murder Iraqi war refugees. Gotta get the oil somehow, ya know...
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Demerzel
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quote:
Originally posted by LaRusso
some of my friends told me that any antiwar discussion on american campuses has been discontinued ever since the war started. is that self-censorship or political corectness? |
I'm guessing, that just maybe, they consider any anti-war discussion to be disrespectful at a time when their nation's servicemen are losing their lives?
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Chemical Ollie
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Bored of this board
Jan 2002
time: 06:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Demerzel
I'm guessing, that just maybe, they consider any anti-war discussion to be disrespectful at a time when their nation's servicemen are losing their lives? |
Why? Didn't every single one of them volonteer?
Last edited by Chemical Ollie on 24-03-2003 at 17:05
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Demerzel
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I think it's fine to discuss anti-war things pre-war but when the troops are actually in there and are laying down their lives if necessary, then you should be getting behind your country's fighting men and women.
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CerberusIV
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quote:
Originally posted by LaRusso
some of my friends told me that any antiwar discussion on american campuses has been discontinued ever since the war started. is that self-censorship or political corectness? |
There was a programme on TV here last night about the increase in scholarships funded by the US military. Being a cynical sort of person I guess the US education industry would not want to be too critical of a source of money.
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Demerzel
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We've been discussing it for months, is there any need when the fighting has started?
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Flubber
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With a view of the Rockies
Aug 2000
time: 22:27
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Looking at the population density maps, its unfortunate the US does not have better access to Western Iraq. It looks like there is uninhabited land until you get mighty close to Bagdad. Since most of their problems seem related to urban environment, staying out in the uninhabited areas would likely be welcome
I am totally unsuprised by recent events. The speed at which the US advanced, combined with the possibility of military hidden within the " civilians " they bypassed, meant that there had to be some enemy forces in their rear.
As for any stalling at a specific city, this was to be expected as well at some point. It takes time to secure and consolidate supply lines and it was only sensible that the Iraqis choose to make a stand somewhere. The real test will be whether the Iraqis can hold their ground against a concerted and determined assault.
My fear about this war has been realized if the Iraqis are using civilians as human shields. I salute the US restraint if they are actually refraining from attcking in the face of such tactics but this restraint could be a fatal flaw in the war plans. To win some battles, the military MUST bomb or shoot even in the face of such shields
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MichaeltheGreat
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Apolyton Grand Executioner
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mooning the house that Ruth built.
Oct 1999
time: 21:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Flubber
Looking at the population density maps, its unfortunate the US does not have better access to Western Iraq. |
We own it. H2 and H3 airfields are in western Iraq. There's probably in excess of a million gallons of fuel there already, munitions, 24 hour flight ops, and a security zone that keeps everyone out. About 3/4 of the way from H2 and H3 to Lake ar Razazah, you can expect a forward refueling and resupply base has been set up by aviation elements of 101 ABD. That can be done in a couple of large heavy lift movements in about 6-8 hours, with 101 ABD troops securing that area. That's where 3 ID will likely refuel, as the right flank of XVIII Airborne Corps.
quote:
It looks like there is uninhabited land until you get mighty close to Bagdad. Since most of their problems seem related to urban environment, staying out in the uninhabited areas would likely be welcome. |
The bigger problem isn't the relative level of resistance, it's observation. We want to move and shake out units into new axes of advance without being observed.
quote:
I am totally unsuprised by recent events. The speed at which the US advanced, combined with the possibility of military hidden within the " civilians " they bypassed, meant that there had to be some enemy forces in their rear. |
That was accepted as part of the plan, no doubt.
quote:
As for any stalling at a specific city, this was to be expected as well at some point. It takes time to secure and consolidate supply lines and it was only sensible that the Iraqis choose to make a stand somewhere. The real test will be whether the Iraqis can hold their ground against a concerted and determined assault. |
For the most part, they won't have to. 
quote:
My fear about this war has been realized if the Iraqis are using civilians as human shields. I salute the US restraint if they are actually refraining from attcking in the face of such tactics but this restraint could be a fatal flaw in the war plans. |
If you're referring to the south and south-center of Iraq (an Nasariyah, Basra, al Faw and Umm Qasr), the main reason we're not attacking in force is that most of those forces we'd attack with are long gone to the north. The trouble with cult of personality thugocracies like Hussein's is that the political, economic and military centers of gravity are all in one spot. All we need to do outside there is leave enough forces to establish an effective security zone, and move the bulk of the forces up to where the big dance is going to be.
quote:
To win some battles, the military MUST bomb or shoot even in the face of such shields |
One of the imperatives of the fight for Baghdad is to be able to hit if from all sides, and limit the Iraqis ability to defend against an attack on one or two axes. That's why I think I know pretty much what the whole plan is from what I've seen.
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24-03-2003 14:46
The only remotely on-topic and interesting post was about whether or not the American forces had actually made as much progress as advertised.
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