Off-Topic: Big ears...bigger mouth

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	Name:	Talullahhound -
	Subject:	Big ears...bigger mouth
	Date:	11/13/2008 6:24:05 PM

I'm in favor of a strong defense, so if Obama starts cutting defense I'll be dam*ing him as loud as anyone on this board. And in the back of my mind, I know that it could happen. And I know what happens as a result and in the long run it costs us dearly. We end up with a hollow military.

I'm mixed on the Missile Defense. For one thing, I think it needs to be reined in a bit, because the money was flowing like the mighty Mississippi, and I'm not convinced that the planning by the Missile Defense Office was all that great. Every one wants to get the foreigners on board and promises get made that just can't be brought to fruition. There are a lot of serious technology transfer issues (some of which may have been solved by now, I don't know) but I do know the MDO was acting like the 500 lb gorilla as long as they thought they had WH backing. Not to say that is all bad, because sometimes it takes that to move the program forward, but some analysis is necessary. They have had their successes with the technology, but they've also had some real problems. And once you get foreigners on board, it's really had to put things in reverse or even slow it down. Air Force has been very successful in using this strategy when they want to do stuff that is expensive and might not be otherwise approved.

I highly recommend you read the latest Woodward book about the surge. It's very interesting, and I think it's pretty clear in the book that we had to do the surge. And probably should have done it much sooner. Lots of behind the scenes shaking and baking. I'm still not sure if Petraus is a military genius, or a huge opportunist.
I guess I'm just not optimistic about Iraq, because I don't think they really care. You would think the population would be pressing their government to get on with it. You know when they say "enshallah" (and I'm butchering the spelling), it really means, "don't bother me with this now". In other words, it's okay as long as some else is doing it. (the Central American collarary "manyana" (again apologize for the spelling) doesn't really mean "tomorrow", it just means "not today". ) And conventional wisdom is in the Middle East is never let an Arab tell you his problem -- because now it is your problem and he just walks away.
I agree, Saddam and his sons were horrible to the people.