LAT: 'Stay the Course' in Iraq? No Way, U.S. Panel Says

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.latimes.com:/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-planb16oct16,0,4775251.story?coll=la-home-headlines&vote25918918=1

A commission backed by President Bush that is exploring U.S. options in Iraq intends to propose significant changes in the administration's strategy by early next year, members say.

Two options under consideration would represent reversals of U.S. policy: withdrawing American troops in phases, and bringing neighboring Iran and Syria into a joint effort to stop the fighting.

While it weighs alternatives, the 10-member commission headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III has agreed on one principle.

"It's not going to be 'stay the course,' " one participant said. "The bottom line is, isn't working.... There's got to be another way."

If the panel recommends overhauling Bush's approach to Iraq, it could give a boost not only to critics of current policy but also to officials in the administration who have argued for broad changes.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. The Emperor may not be amused.

We'll see if Bush uses the Military Commissions Act to toss Baker and the other commissioners in the dungeon and throw away the key. I just hope Torquemada isn't down there with them.

[Clarkie1]

2. Still, one has to wonder if shrub will listen to the recommendations

of his own panel.

[Journeyman]

3. WHAT officials in the administration have argued for broad changes?...

Who among the Bushistas has been so bold as to even question the policy, let alone argue for something else?

[calimary]

4. SO great to see this story getting more attention. They were going

to try to keep a lid on this report until after the election.

It would be even more hilarious to see the bushies turn on Baker - the very guy who "fixed" the 2000 election so they could get in and start wrecking everything in sight, in the first place. They owe him EVERYTHING. And they're gonna trash him, too. Let's hear some of them call Baker a traitor or appeaser or a cut-n-run weenie. They wouldn't even be where they are now, without him. No honor among thieves, that's for sure.

[maddezmom]

5. "Stability First", "Redeploy and Contain" or GW's fav: "Stay the Course...

In its most recent closed-door meetings, the commission focused on two options drafted by experts outside the government.

One, titled "Stability First," calls for continuing to try to stabilize Baghdad, boosting efforts to entice insurgents into politics, and bringing Iran and Syria into plans to end the fighting.

The other, called "Redeploy and Contain," goes further. It calls for a gradual, phased withdrawal of American troops to bases outside Iraq where they would be available for strikes against terrorist organizations anywhere in the region.

The experts also prepared an option called "Stay the Course, Redefine the Mission," and an alternative urging a quick U.S. withdrawal, but the panel appeared less interested in those plans, participants said.

[creeksneakers2]

6. Iran to stop the fighting how?

That sounds crazy to me. Iran already has far more influence than it should.

If Iran wants to cooperate by using its influence to get factions to come to the peace table that would be great. If the new plan is to bring Iranian troops into Iraq, that's nuts!