Iraqi Gov't seems to have taken the upper hand.

[The Lone Bolt]

The mood Monday on the streets in Basra was quiet, said al-Askari, the prime minister's spokesman. Shops opened in the morning, and the movement of people was almost back to normal in the center of town.

Troops and police, whom the U.S. and Britain have backed, are in control of much of Basra, and local security forces are going house-to-house in some districts to confiscate weapons and chase "the outlaws and the criminal and smuggling gangs," the spokesman said.

The Shiite militia members that were in the streets have withdrawn, al-Askari said.

There had been an all-day curfew in Basra during the operation. It was lifted Saturday, and the normal curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. is in place.

The fighting in Basra spread to other southern cities, such as Kut, Karbala and Diwaniya, and it raged in Shiite regions of Baghdad.

Authorities in Baghdad also reported a quieter situation in the capital, where there have been no reports of clashes, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said.

There were several instances of "indirect fire" at the area commonly known as the Green Zone, a U.S. Embassy spokesman said, but there were no reports of deaths or injuries. Indirect fire is a reference to rocket and mortar fire, and the U.S. military suspects that hard-line Shiite militants stage such attacks.

Authorities in Baghdad eased a stiff, citywide curfew on Monday, but a vehicle ban remained in place in Sadr City, Shula and Kadhimiya -- three neighborhoods seen as al-Sadr strongholds. The usual 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew is in place citywide.

Mohammed, the Iraqi commander, also said the situation was quiet in other southern cities where fighting had been reported.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/...ef=mpstoryview

If the central Iraq gov't closes the deal and takes control over the entire country I will be very impressed. This is a big step towards a stable Iraqi government.

Even the critics of the war here should be pleased to see this turn of events.

[Rohirrim]

Yep. They're doing a great job. Time for our boys to come home.

[The Lone Bolt]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Yep. They're doing a great job. Time for our boys to come home.

Probably not right away, but this may get us a lot closer to that day.

[TailgateNut]

Pack up the duffel bags and get ready to touch down on american soil.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED....PART DEUX!

Sequel to be released in November.

[cutthemdown]

I think Sadr is being smart. The only way for him to turn his power to his advantage is to not have his followers fight to the death. For sure his militia powerful enough with support from Iran to keep Iraq destabalized for a very long time. But if he uses that power to show Iraqi govt he can control his people, that could mean a very big voice in the govt power structure.

Hopefully somehow the Iraqi govt and these powerful militias can figure out a way to let the Iraqi people live in peace and spread the oil money around enough to make people happy. Still though it's a very fragile situtation in Iraq. Without the threat of support from the American military the Iraqi army still is missing a row of teeth. We can't just pull out, we are turning the corner and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

It's not the time to quit but to push ahead. The biggest thing is dividing that oil money up. People with food, water, security and a little money will be far less likely to blow themselves up and kill innocents.

I agree though it looks like Iraqi army is getting a little better, hopefully that means less work for our boys.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by The Lone Bolt

Probably not right away, but this may get us a lot closer to that day.

I agree little things like this point to a time where the Iraqi army will be more powerful. Right now though they still need the threat of American military support to have any teeth.

Hopefully Sadr will keep his line of trying to consolidate his power and use it more for a place in the govt, and less for just killing people and flexing his Mehdi armies power.

[cutthemdown]

Critics of the war will say quit and give up no matter what.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Critics of the war will say quit and give up no matter what.

That's right.

It's the same emotive dribble that has clogged up the minds of the average liberal loudmouth since Vietnam.

We arent leaving any time soon. We will be there in 50 years, just like we are still in Korea and other conquered nations for the forseeable future.

Dont be mistaken, Iraq is clearly a conquered nation. We're not warring now, were policing our territory.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by angryllama

That's right.

It's the same emotive dribble that has clogged up the minds of the average liberal loudmouth since Vietnam.

We arent leaving any time soon. We will be there in 50 years, just like we are still in Korea and other conquered nations for the forseeable future.

Dont be mistaken, Iraq is clearly a conquered nation. We're not warring now, were policing our territory.

I agree the comparisons to Vietnam to me is an insult to our military. We never controlled Vietnam like we are controlling Iraq. Iraq has been tough but it's a sliver compared to over 50 thousand killed in Vietnam. Our military kicked the crap out of the Iraqi army. It was a total rout and it still is. You can't beat the American military by killing 1000 of them a yr. As callous as that sounds it will take a lot more then that. It seems that may be enough for Americans to compare things to Vietnam and grow weary, but in reality it's no where close.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I agree the comparisons to Vietnam to me is an insult to our military. We never controlled Vietnam like we are controlling Iraq. Iraq has been tough but it's a sliver compared to over 50 thousand killed in Vietnam. Our military kicked the crap out of the Iraqi army. It was a total rout and it still is. You can't beat the American military by killing 1000 of them a yr. As callous as that sounds it will take a lot more then that. It seems that may be enough for Americans to compare things to Vietnam and grow weary, but in reality it's no where close.

Its laughable to hear people comment on how we are in a "quagmire" and how we are "losing" the war.

Some people have zero perspective.

[cutthemdown]

I'm not saying it's not as bad as Vietnam for all the wonded and killed and their families. For sure it is. IMO however put into perspective we are doing a much better job in Iraq then we did in Vietnam. Different times, different terrian, different type of soldier. A volunteer army will always perform better then a conscripted army. The Romans prooved that a long time ago and lasted 2000 yrs.

I always chuckle when people compare USA to the Roman Empire in saying we are blowing it the same way they did. If we even get close to being the major power for 2000 yrs i will say we did pretty good.

[TailgateNut]

You two make such a wonderful couple!

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I'm not saying it's not as bad as Vietnam for all the wonded and killed and their families. For sure it is. IMO however put into perspective we are doing a much better job in Iraq then we did in Vietnam. Different times, different terrian, different type of soldier. A volunteer army will always perform better then a conscripted army. The Romans prooved that a long time ago and lasted 2000 yrs.

I always chuckle when people compare USA to the Roman Empire in saying we are blowing it the same way they did. If we even get close to being the major power for 2000 yrs i will say we did pretty good.

War is never good, but just as anything else in this rugged universe, sometimes it happens. When it happens, you better be ready and willing to defend your own.

I'm sure that if you asked those 4,000 soldiers if they would have wanted to be the ones to perish instead of their friends that you would find the anwers surprisingly honorable.

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by angryllama

War is never good, but just as anything else in this rugged universe, sometimes it happens. When it happens, you better be ready and willing to defend your own.

I'm sure that if you asked those 4,000 soldiers if they would have wanted to be the ones to perish instead of their friends that you would find the anwers surprisingly honorable.

Their answer would definately be more honorable than the actions of those who got them in the situation which cost them their lives and maimed and otherwised injured an additional 30000+.


I sure am glad we have patriotic cheerleaders like the two of you. You make the war sound so much more palatable.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

You two make such a wonderful couple!

it's better then the liberal group orgy you participate in.

[TailgateNut]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

it's better then the liberal group orgy you participate in.

You ought to try it once, you'ld never go back.
You get this real warm feeling inside when you start caring about others, not just your damn self!

[The Lone Bolt]

Originally Posted by angryllama

Its laughable to hear people comment on how we are in a "quagmire" and how we are "losing" the war.

Some people have zero perspective.

We aren't just "losing" the war, according to those folks we already lost. Aren't you paying attention?

[Dukes]

I think it's funny that people think we'll be out of Iraq next year just because a Democrate gets elected. We're going to be there much longer.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by The Lone Bolt

Iraqi Gov't seems to have taken the upper hand.

Geezus, they haven't taken control of anything. The only reason some violence has ebbed is because the Shia have decided it be so.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Geezus, they haven't taken control of anything. The only reason some violence has ebbed is because the Shia have decided it be so.

the only way for it to work is for Sadr's followers to do just that. The govt showing they have the power to cripple the Mehdi Army makes it wise for Sadr to try and calm the violence. It saves his power and gives him more influence in Iraq's future. Hopefully he is a wise man and will continue this course.

Still it is in part to the Iraqi govt exerting control over the Basra area. True at the peek of this fighting they only controlled about 30-45 percent or even less maybe of the city, but that was obviously enough for Sadr to feel it was smart to call in his troops to stop fighting.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by TailgateNut

You ought to try it once, you'ld never go back.
You get this real warm feeling inside when you start caring about others, not just your damn self!

that's total bull that dems have a corner on generosity. I give lots away I just don't think the govt should. It's up to us to be generous not the govt. Liberals are in fantasy land if they think they have a monopoly on caring.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

the only way for it to work is for Sadr's followers to do just that. The govt showing they have the power to cripple the Mehdi Army makes it wise for Sadr to try and calm the violence. It saves his power and gives him more influence in Iraq's future. Hopefully he is a wise man and will continue this course.

Uh, where did you get this? Do you even know what happened across Iraq during the last week?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by angryllama

That's right.

It's the same emotive dribble that has clogged up the minds of the average liberal loudmouth since Vietnam.

Nothing like a right-wing revisionist take on Vietnam from someone who isn't even old enough to remember the war.

Ditto Rush!

[Dukes]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

Nothing like a right-wing revisionist take on Vietnam from someone who isn't even old enough to remember the war.

Ditto Rush!

I never pictured you as someone who listens to Limbaugh.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Uh, where did you get this? Do you even know what happened across Iraq during the last week?

It's funny to watch them grasp at any straw they think might exonerate Bush (and, by extension, themselves) for an illegal invasion/occupation of a sovereign nation and the worst strategic blunder in U.S. history.