Has Baghdad Captured Petraeus?

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/13/1858/

Has Baghdad Captured Petraeus?
by Stuart A.P. Murray

snip//

Have President George Bush and the “Neoconservatives” and our leading military commanders walked into a trap of their own making in Baghdad? Just like Sir Billy Howe in Philadelphia?

More important, more crucial: What if the Iraqi puppet government collapses, and with it go the army and police - essential allies in any block-by-block contest? And if the Iraqi insurgents make it too costly in terms of truck drivers’ lives and helicopters to supply those thousands of duty-bound soldiers in their scattered outposts, how do we extricate them? As with Howe in 1777, the main American supply bases are far away - mostly to the south, in Kuwait and other client states. Vital American supply lines are vulnerable to being cut by roadside bombs and calculated, determined insurgent attacks.

An “exit strategy” from Iraq that depends on fighting rather than political agreements will wash Baghdad’s streets in blood this summer. Much of it American blood.

What then, as the question goes, are we fighting for?

To avoid a humiliating and bloody retreat from Baghdad? Is this what our soldiers are killing and dying for? Or to prevent a defeat that has been brought on by corrupt leadership at the highest level of our government? Or to prop up an incompetent administration in Washington until the next election?

Historically, the result of such misguided policies is always the same: Dead fighters on both sides. Many more dead civilians. And humiliation for the invaders, no matter how brave or patriotic they might be.

Now is the time, before it is too late, to lay the groundwork for all parties concerned with the destiny of Iraq to forge a truce that will permit General Petraeus and his army to leave Baghdad with some semblance of military honor. Otherwise, so many American soldiers will be stationed in vulnerable posts throughout the city that it could be said Baghdad has captured General Petraeus.

Just as Philadelphia once captured General Howe.

[gatorboy]

1. Bush will let every last soldier die before he admits a mistake.

This is what makes these folks so dangerous. They have no problem throwing soldier after soldier at this mess in hopes that this thing will turn around for them. Just to save face.

[aquart]

2. And then he will say, "We can't let them have died in vain..."

And send more.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Dien Bien Phu -- nt

[DinahMoeHum]

4. The "Green Zone" = "Dien Bien Baghdad"

:evilfrown:

[MasonJar]

5. Bush wants the Iraqi oil, signed, sealed and delivered. They are fools if they give it to him.

[bemildred]

6. Kut.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/kut2.htm