Surge is a Success!!

[Uncle Timmy]

And I?ve been pretty clear what I think about your ability to disregard well-sourced, well-researched and well-documented newspaper and magazine articles and sworn Congressional testimony from folks long since stationed in Iraq with far more local contact, far more knowledge and far more deductive reasoning abilities for your own opinion based on a myopic world view and a vacation in the Middle East years ago. .

8 years in the Mid-East, hmm- that?s one whopper of a vacation.

The problem with your whole ?well researched and well documented? cut and pastes is that, embarrassingly for you ?they keep turning out to be wrong in the long term. Let?s revisit the Robert McFarlane article you posted:

The Iraqi 'Nation'
By ROBERT MCFARLANE
June 27, 2007

?They arrived clearly interested in fostering reconciliation among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, and in the process reducing violence, disarming the militias and enacting into law a framework for a fair distribution of political and economic power. Many of the participants are members of the parliament.

"Is it possible that the hatred and bitterness on display each day will ever evolve into reconciliation?" After attending this conference, I believe the answer is yes.?

Well I hate to point out the obvious but we haven?t seen any reconciliation or attempt at a fair distribution of political and economic power. And won?t.

You display a shocking inability to understand the difference between an op-ed and a truly well researched and well documented source.

 

[Uncle Timmy]

Don?t go opening your presents before Christmas. I have neither the time nor the inclination to stick around and argue with a narrow-minded brick wall about things that have not yet played out.

That only begs to ask the obvious then? Why did you show up talking smack then?

 

[Uncle Timmy]

You could not or would not answer a simple question which is ultimately the crux of this debate, so what?s the point?.

No, the ?crux? of this debate is in the following question:

Is the Surge going to shore up the existing centralized Maliki government to a level that the various factions will reconcile to create a unified, democratic Iraq?

 

[Uncle Timmy]

Since this message board appears to be most of what you have going for you, go ahead and declare victory while I step away to more pressing matters than the temper tantrum and self cheerleading of an anonymous internet message board poster who?s shtick is limited to ignoring simple questions that tear down his argument and moving the goalposts while standing athwart documented evidence yelling ?Wrong? and attempting to take an intellectual high horse to works cited.

Again, I was happily minding my own business until you can back here looking for a showdown. Now you got it and clearly don?t like the results.

Thanks, this truly has been the gift that keeps giving.

 

[6thGen]

Again, back to what I said a few hours ago, if you had an elementary grasp of military history, you'd recognize that it doesn't happen in six months except on computer games. I said it is pointless to argue when the events have not yet played out, even if target timelines are being met.

 

[rehdrahk]

Again, back to what I said a few hours ago, if you had an elementary grasp of military history, you'd recognize that it doesn't happen in six months except on computer games. I said it is pointless to argue when the events have not yet played out, even if target timelines are being met.

I have read through your arguments and still sit here confused?

What is it that actually constitutes success in Iraq?

 

[Uncle Timmy]

Again, back to what I said a few hours ago, if you had an elementary grasp of military history, you'd recognize that it doesn't happen in six months except on computer games. I said it is pointless to argue when the events have not yet played out, even if target timelines are being met.

Well, in the spirit of the Holidays; I promise to go and get a grasp of military history if you promise to get a grasp of reality.

It?ll be our New Year?s resolutions. Happy New Year.

 

[Bob]

As the old adage goes, if the shoe fits...First of all I am glad you assume the audacity to think I was referring to you when I mentioned examples of utter stupidity and lack of common sense. But sadly, I wasn't, though considering your attitude regarding Iraq, maybe I should have been. I do not consider you "stupid" by any stretch of the imagination. But when you say, "No, I never expected the Iraqis to do it.Period"., I think it says more about your lack of hope, consideration and general acceptance of the present situation in Iraq, than your 9 pages or so of posts on the subject. I appreciate your knowledge and dedication to your point of view. However, I have the right to think it is wrong and I do. Only time will tell which of us is right and I will be patiently waiting. I am not going to say anymore to you on this subject as both our positions are quite clear and we will never agree on this subject even though we have and do on others. I am not like 6th Gen. and wish to continue this for the pure enjoyment of debate, so, this will be my last words with you on the subject.

Do you think you learn more discussing issues with people who share your opinion on most things?

 

[Andy A]

Do you think you learn more discussing issues with people who share your opinion on most things?

Yes, because their slant on most things is usually more intelligent than that of those don't share my opinion. Chalk it up to long life and experience. By the way, my better half says this smacks of arrogance. If so, so be it.

 

[Bob]

Yes, because their slant on most things is usually more intelligent than that of those don't share my opinion. Chalk it up to long life and experience. By the way, my better half says this smacks of arrogance. If so, so be it.

I believe you're being honest, not arrogant. I however, have learned as I have aged, just how much there is I don't know, and that pride precludes discovery.