tvashtarkatena

Funny how seldom such pundits advocate such a policy as a means to right an injustice.

Then we're in agreement.

If we do that, what would the U.S. use as a primary ground base for Middle Eastern operations? Or should we even maintain such a base of operations? If not, how would that effect our policy towards Iran? The world is only simple for the simple.

I think it's always more challenging and interesting to ask the question: What would YOU do in this situation? Rather than carp about how cynical Obama is (basically the message from most of the conservative posts since the election), what would YOU DO, given our massive budget deficit, and the political unpopularity of our presence in Iraq? How many troops would you leave in Iraq, for how long, to achieve what objectives by when, at what cost to our economy and to our military effectiveness? The posts somehow don't come so easily when you put yourself in the Prez's shoes...in the real world, not your idealized, single-issue version.

Style points are the very heart of our calling. They have been from the very beginning. When it all goes wrong, when hope is flagging, when the call comes to sever your earthly tether and soar, hopefully not earthward, you can always fall back on your deepest, inner need to log style points. This core principle has brought more climbers in trouble back to the world of the living than 1000 essentials. Even the most sensible librarians among us, even the dyed in the wool Mounties leadership, begrudgingly admire those who can extract themselves from the jaws of death with elan.

Only one 'p' in 'apropos'. Sorry, but this kept me up all last night. There's so much misspelling out there....

As I stated, 20 to 1000 is a widely accepted MINIMUM number, based on studies of past insurgencies around the world (something I daresay probably exceeds the limited, anecdotal experience you never miss an opportunity to wave around as a way to legitimize what's essentially a form of online masturbation). Obviously, various situations can require more troops. I hate to spoonfeed, but some students require it. Someday, you may actually post something that will reverse my disappointment in your intellect. But so far, I doubt it.

It never ceases to amaze me how the idea of retracing your tracks back up the damn hill never seems to come to mind in these situations.

We'll have to legalize pot first to clear the court dockets. 100 years from now we may well have made a dent in the project.

Oh, I would love to hear the background on this fantastic data. Then you might love to get off your lazy ass and Google it. It's all over the place; a very commonly known number in military circles and the subject of much headline/popular debate since our invasion. Why you're not aware of it is probably a simple training issue.

I should note, however that the absolute minimum troop levels for maintaining stability, assuming a relatively inactive insurgency, is 20 per 1000 population. Magically, that equates to 50,000 troops for Iraq. So, that leaves two questions: 1) how stable is Iraq right now? Some here have argued that it is more stable than reported, some less. As far as we're concerned here, those differences in opinion reqpresnt more differences in perception than reality. And 2) How many troops will Iraq provide for stabilization? This has been conveniently omitted from AKA's posts. If, in fact, Obama does decide to leave 50,000 troops in Iraq for a while, that would indicate that he believes that Iraq still has the lowest level of insurgency, and that he believes we should provide the minimum recommended level of stabilization, with Iraq providing the remainder. I may not agree with our overall presence in Iraq, but this course of action seems to prudently navigate the political and military realities that prevail. And yes, I've seen 50,000 people. I've seen 200,000 people in one place at one time, actually. Um, yeah, that's a few. How that's supposed to inform this discussion remains a mystery, however.

You may not call 50,000 a residual force, but that's what it's called. For comparison, here are some other current troop deployment numbers for US Troops stationed in: Germany: 70,000 Japan: 33,000 South Korea: 29,000 Recommended deployment required for stabilizing an insurgency, given Iraq's population, (famously, at this point) is in the several hundred thousand range.

'Titan' telescoping magnet part-getter ($4.99) with the last two sections cut off. Lash straight backed biner to end of Titan with surveyor's twine. Wrap lashings in rubber grip tape. Secure with electrical tape. Extends reach 15". Compact and light. Works well in testing.

America's suffered from a series of massive strokes. Many of the little brain cells are still dead.

What do I know? I'm just the guy behind the video camera.

Every child is a gift from God, but oftentimes its an angry, vengeful God.

I can't promise that.

The supreme court doesn't applaud if any one of their members happens to be beating off. Scalia's usually the culprit.

Not necessarily a sound prediction. Many states have already legalized pot for medicinal use, in direct conflict with federal law. The feds have had little choice but to back down in the face of these extremely popular (70 of WA voters favor medicinal marijuana) measures. The feds will likely drop their anti pot statutes and stance due to the same financial drivers that states are responding to as well as a wave of strong public opinion.

The few hobbyists who grow their own tobacco and brew their own beer don't put much of dent in tax revenues. And so it will be with pot; the sophisticated growers (it's not that easy to grow modern quality stuff) will sell to legal outlets, a few amatuers will grow their own (and pay sales taxes for all the fancy gear they buy to do so), but most people will just hop on down to the local space cafe and lay the plastic down. As elsewhere, pot cafes will become destinations in themselves rather than simply pot distribution points. A pastime, and industry to support it, will be born. You can bet on one thing: all jackets will come with arm pockets.

The hauteness should forbid such sport.

According to The Atlantic, Bush's artistic side is coming out. He actually paints, dogs mostly, but they're apparently pretty good; each one with its own anthropomorphic smirk. He also sketches in pastels.

Borrow a moto, bitch. I'm headed down there this spring on the bike. Sierra f'n road triop.

Pass that to me, Mr. President.

fuckface.