http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspxBy Lt. Rick Francona As expected, President Bush declared the deployment of five U.S. combat brigades to Baghdad and an additional 4,000 troops to Al-Anbar province.  While American troops are an important factor in resolving the deteriorating securityen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32349Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:33:08 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32349Daniel Moorman, West Chester, OHI expect to see an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear reactor sites by Memorial Day. U.S. troops will stand in the breach. Once again GW Bush will shift his cause to yet another diversion. He'll endeavor to collect his presidency for his and history's sake, looking for a reason to crush the Islamic Republic of Iran - for his babies...(throw-back to elections)! Al-malaki is a stooge of the Bush Administration's whose neck might as well also be in the noose. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32374Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:46:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32374Rosemarie Bonaci, LaPorte, TXI'm trying to get this message out to someone who will investigate and put it on the air. He (bush) lied to us again. He said he was sending 20,000 young people to Iraq. Today, I heard from my grandson, a young marine, in 29 palms. His commander told his unit, bush is planning on sending 40,000 and that has always been his plan. He'll do anything for a "win", if that's what killing means to bush. The man should be tried and convicted for crimes anaginst Americans.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32386Tue, 16 Jan 2007 01:22:16 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32386Jack, Scottsdale, AZAnyone who thinks the Iraqi government is truly "sovereign" or has any real power is deluded. This so-called government hides in the Green Zone under US protection and controls (sort-of) an army of ordinary Iraqis who are unwilling to fight as they are only in it for a paycheck. The fact is if the US military left, Al Maliki and the rest of the government officials would survive about 5 to 7 days. And that assumes they could hide for that length of time. They would be hunted down and killed as traitors for collaborating with the occupiers (us). The only way to find out who the real power in Iraq is is for us to leave and let the Sunnis and Shiites fight it out. Right now we are merely keeping the civil war down to a dull roar. Of course Bush cannot get our troops out of there as his real goals are permanent US military bases, a friendly puppet government, US oil company access to Iraqi oil, protecting Israel's flank, and a secure staging area for an attack on Iran (again largely to benefit Israel). All the talk about how much he cares about the Iraqi people and wants to promote "freedom" is just a propaganda smokescreen for the rubes who still believe him.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32389Tue, 16 Jan 2007 01:46:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32389DK705I think it is the best idea yet as far as the war goes. It should have been done a long time ago but when they have a person in the gonverment that wont let our guys do what they need to to HELP THEM it makes it real hard to get the job done. Now all we need to do is have the American people support this move and show their support for the troops in a proper way. All this president was trying to do is make it safe for them (the Iraqis) and us but getting rid of a problem dictator that felt he was above the law. Good show GW i hope you can keep the pressure on there leaders and make this work for everyone!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32408Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:15:17 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32408Ginny, Loveland, COThe question is not only will Al-Maliki allow troops to arrest members of the Maudi Army, but will members of the Iraqi Armed Forces who are Shia respond positively to this challenge. They have not in the past, and I seriously doubt that this will change. If this is the response, our sons and daughters will be in grave danger. This plan is insane and I believe that there are some ulterior motives behind the plan other than what Bush professes. Time will tell how much trouble he gets us into again. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32419Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:48:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32419Gary Schear, Bozeman, MontanaWill the American Brigade deploy as a unit within an Iraqi division or will its members be dispersed among Iraqi brigades? If dispersed among the Iraqis how will their safety be maintained given the high probability of questionable loyalty among the Iraqis? If the American Brigade deploys as a unit will they be kicking doors or providing support? If they are kicking doors can they count on the support of the Iraqi brigades? If they are supporting the Iraqis can they be sure that the Iraqis are kicking doors and killing insurgents? Can they be sure that the Iraqis aren't letting their brothers out the back door? If it were you doing the bidding of a foreign occupier would you kick your neighbor’s door in and kill someone you knew who was resisting the occupation? If this escalation fails how many more times will we try this? http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32426Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:07:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32426M.H. North CarolinaStrangely, I have to agree 100%. I only wish President Bush could have read this article and took it to heart 3 years ago.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32428Tue, 16 Jan 2007 04:21:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32428Robet Pike Canyon Country, CaliforniaAmericans better realize that taking out Muqtada al-Sadr would be like taking out an Arch-Bishop of the Cathloic Church. This act will seal the enternal hatred of the central government in Baghdad by all Sunnis and lite off a Sunni/Shitte war that may well spread through the entire middle east. Syrians, Saudi's and Sunni's throughout the middle east will see that act an assult on a religious leader who is fighting for his sect against the Shitte/American alliance. Of course the U.S. interest in seeing al-Sadr gone is to ensure that the Production Sharing Aggreements for the Iraqi oil fields in the Sunni region of the nation, in the final phase of negotiations, do not hit a snag.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32438Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:21:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32438Bucco Mert Privateer The execution of Saddam told the whole story.. Anyone whose been in the military would know that the honor guard gets these details. The honor guard is the so-called pick of the litter. To have these Sadr acolytes in the honor guard shows the corrupting influence of sectarianism as well as the corruption of the present government. For the sake of having a supine government that would allow Bush's Neo-con, unitary autocratic policies to make war on Iran, your furher and erstwhile constitutional president is willing to sacrifice THOSE who have patriotically volunteered their lives and services to be the precipitate of death for more Iraqis for whom Bush supposedly seeks to liberate for democracy.. Thank Providence that the French did not have the same cynical paternalism towards the colonies after Yorktown. Bucco PrivateerofPolemics@excite.comhttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32441Tue, 16 Jan 2007 06:09:39 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32441John Rogue River OregonGeorge Washington failed 3 times before he crossed the Potomac to Victory...As a Nation, I don't think we have Quit yet, why start now??http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32445Tue, 16 Jan 2007 06:31:10 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32445rick,kyLT, you are correct in quoteing the Arabic saying. The American public has tuned this President out & has turned 2 Our elected representatives for True Leadership. I just read a report from Newsweek that says the soldiers support of this Catastrophe has fallen from 80% down to 50%. Also in this report, about 1000 of them are contacting their elected Representatives & asking them 2 Put A Stop 2 this NONSENSE. If that is the case, maybe GWB will begin 2 listen, since he does'nt seem capable of listening 2 Ordinary American's. We ALL support our Troops. We just don't Support the way they are being used in this Ongoing Civil War.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32471Tue, 16 Jan 2007 13:33:23 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32471John Smith, Fort Campbell, Ky Where do you get your facts, the New York Times. There are way more than 5 American Brigades in Baghdad. The problem isn't going to be saved my Maliki 'stepping up' and it isn't just the Mahdi Army that's the problem. The infighting comes from all the different forces and the various factions; and American politics have infused itself into the command culture to the point that American forces are not making any headway. Iraqi forces cannot fix this since they are a large part of the problem themselves. If the press would educate itself on the culture and the environment everyone would have a better understanding why we are having so many issues trying to make this work. Baghdad is a quagmire that's got probelms in all sectors, not just Sadr City and the militias. I know, I've been there and seen it all from the top. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32486Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:39:42 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32486Angi HerringTo re-emphasize the last phrase in this blog, "...time to reassess our mission in Iraq." We have spent the better part of the past 4+ years reassessing Bush's mission in Iraq. It should seem that no matter whether Iraq's new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki shows conviction and leadership in battling the Muqtada al-Sadr death squads or he shows blatant disregard for U.S.'s request for stronger security from Iraq's Army, Our commander in Chief needs to let Iraq's Government decide what is right for Iraq. If that means an all-out Iraqi civil war, so be it. But don't let Americans fight the battle for them if they're not willing to fight for themselves, because then we'd be going against our main objective : helping Iraqi's stand up strong in a democracy for themselves. We can easily say we did everything we could do. We did not fail them. We gave them chance after chance as well as weapons and ammo and training to fight the good fight. Their own Government left their troops stranded without proper clothing, food, shelter, or weapons for fighting. America needs to tell Iraq's government what it needs to hear. We did what we could for you, Iraq. We can lead a horse to water, but we cannot make it drink. Iraq is one sick horse and America is one tired resource. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32496Tue, 16 Jan 2007 14:59:38 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32496Randy Carlisle, Nags Head, NCI agree 'talk is cheap'. The chances tha Al-Maliki will confront the Madhi and al Sadr are slim and none. I think slim already left town. The President has said that his plan to 'surge' is dependant on the Iraqi government steping up. While I don't think this is a good plan; a force of 1500-200 thousand would more likely be needed to clear out Baghdad, the Iraqis need to make the first move to put their force in place and begin action. They must commit before we move any more of our troops into a worsening situation.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32512Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:21:07 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32512R.J Mowery / Greensboro NCSo what if Malaki doesn't step up? What is Bush's definition of stepping up? So far all the rhetoric from Bush and Co. along with the media is "hibr ‘ala waraq" (“ink on paper,” similar to our “talk is cheap")Just what and when will Bush actually do something besides stall for time until he can sit back and spend some of the money he no doubt has made on this stupid endeavor.What is Bush's paln. When do we get to hear it? Bush got into this war with his "chaep talk" and lies. Now it's time for him to realize this is wasted, futile effort that any sane person would have not undertaken.It's time for "We the People" (Americans) to take charge! It's time to IMPEACH Bush and Cheney. Put someone in charge with authority and an IQ above 50 that also has guts and is fed up with this nonsense that is Bush's war.I care less about the Iarqi's and middle east democracy.This country's values, it's eductaion system, and it's infrastructure is falling apart faster than the Roman empire did because of Bush. It's time we focused on our country and "We the People" http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32549Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:38:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32549chad murphyWhat is it with this guy? I don't believe I've ever read one bit of military analysis from Mr. Francona, only political analysis and apologies for the Bush administration's aggression in Iraq. Now we have more of the same with an emphasis on how its the Iraqi's fault if Bush's plans for the so-called "surge" fail. What a maroon. How about writing about military affairs for a change? Leave the political analysis to MSNBC's regular stable of RNC wannabes. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32604Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:53:09 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32604Tom, Greensboro, NCIf the Iraqi government does not pull its weight on stopping ALL bad guys regardless of religious affiliation, then the US must withdraw.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/15/32202.aspx#32618Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:26:40 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:32618Sean, Torrington CTRick from KY hit the nail on the head. We know all of this was going to happen, and in 2003 I did not think the ends justified the means. In 2007 I KNOW that the ends do not justify these means. I don't care about Iraq anymore. My government hasn't listened to me for years. I'll pay my taxes and send care packages to the soldiers... ...but I will never support this conflict or any of the half-arsed 'solutions'. There is no solution. The only correct solution was to finish up Afghanistan first and then find better evidence to support an Iraq Invasion.