It's Not Over

[Arizwx]

Good Morning.
I have noticed as of late some well deserved good feelings in the Media reports and on this MB.Yes,Pfc Lynch rescued in smart fashion.The outstanding 36hr siege of the Airport at Baghdad.The weather improvements.Supply lines being re constituted.The Brit offensive in Basrah and the de-mining of the waters UmmQasar Port and the Civilain Aide ships arriving safely.Another 100K fresh troops inbound with roughly half of the Mechanized Divisions offloaded.The Kurd's victories over Al Qaeda and rogue Turk insugence.The Aussie Spec Ops victories in the North.Our Air Superiority.The Medina Div of the Reg Republican Guard,disabled or destroyed.Air Strikes resuming day and night to key Bathe Party targets.Their C&C severly crippled.Our Spec Ops securing the Bridges at the Euphrates and Tigres which had been rigged with C-4.
Wonderful progress.Our Troops within 6 miles of Baghdad in record time with very few casualties,and respect for civilian and historic well being.The non use of Bio/Chem on our forces or the Iraqi civilian population.No attacks on Isreal.Patriot Pac 2 and Pac 3 systems working beautifully as did the early warning systems in Kuwait City.

However.This Euphoria reminds me of the early hours and days of the War,which was not so very long ago.The early victories.The assumption that those wishing to surrender were all 'friendlys'.The belief that most,if not all SCUD,Al Samoud II and SUN4 Silkworm Missiles capabilities had been for the most part disabled,or our Patriot Systems would handle anything they threw at us.That the Wx would hold.That our supply lines would be safe from Guerilla Attack.That our Choppers were good to go,with Triple A Fire a no lo contendre.That our Fighters were immune to SAMs.That POWs,if any would be treated as per the Geneva Accords.That the Brits would have the C&C over ride commands to avoid our own Patriots.That the deep water Port of Umm Qusar would be secured and Mopped up..and Basrah would follow suit with the excellent Brit forces.
That Nasariah would collapse in chaos.That Saddam and Co..including Chemical Ali and his Kiddies uday and "E-Bay" would not have thier ilk re use the torture and rape rooms.It all seemed so ...clinical.
Of course..we know what happened.The setbacks.The second guessing.Peter Arnett!Iraqi State TV hanging on like a summer cold.
Ups.Downs.War.Manic Depressive.Bi-Polar in the scheme of things.
We are currently..back 'UP'.Euphoric.A well deserved shot in the arm.And it shows.Glib jokes about the Flintstones and Saddam's Viagra.Cute.
Let's be careful.The slide down is the next Bio Chem attack away.We are MOST vulnerable now.Close.So close.Too close.147,000 Elite Republican Guard...with orders to use VX gas...at close range.3 Tank Div intact.Suicide missions forced upon the young males by the Fadayeen Thugs.1+Million ppl still residing with the city.Supposedly,3-4 Million had fled the city.Who really knows?
Is Saddam in Charge?His Sons?His Legion?Who Knows?
This is the Battle that is waning.The siege of Baghdad.This IS the War.
It may be bloody..very bloody.Worse.It may be a killing field of desperados loaded with VX.
Let us not be so Euphoric..not yet.It ain't over..till it's over.The next 72 hrs amy rewrite Military and World History.Let us pray...and God Speed!

[azskyman]

DJ...I couldn't agree with you more. There is a certain cunning that seems a bit out of sorts right now. Yes, there have been major battles and our air superiority has dominated to date, but Baghdad is a city of 5 million people and countless ways to play its cards.

It would, of course, work much in our favor if Saddam himself would be brought out on a platter early. Even with such a moment, there are still plenty loyal to his cause who have nothing to lose but their lives...and we all know how much they value that!

So these are dangerous days and hours ahead...and it will be the saddest and darkest time. Indeed the outcome is known, but we cannot predict the cost nor the pain it will take to finish the job.

[Steve H.]

How do you know the Elite guard has been given orders to use VX nerve gas We're finding what looks like boxes of chemicals left behind. Yes, the going will be tough as we approach the city...a lot of chaos. But I'm not so sure now they'll use the gas. It would be suicide. I don't know if many of their guard are up for that.

[azsnowman]

I have to agree 110%, the fat lady ain't even close to singing. We have NO idea, this war could go on for months, even YEARS. As it's been said, how many loyalists will go into hiding, waiting for the major offense to blow over, come out and let us have it with VX, Mustard, Anthrax. I'm afraid we have made a commitment that will last well into the future, it make take a permenant force to be rotated out every 6 months from now till the end of time.

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

CENTCOM has intelligence from several sources, incli uding radio "chatter' that VX or another bio-chem may be deployed; this has been increasing in frequency as we moved ever closer to Baghdad.

As to the list of opponents inside the city; a female Iraqi Shi'a former judge had phone conversations with family in the city, and she was told that "the fedayeen are here, in every house to 'protect' us from the invaders". Add the unknown numbers of suicide bomber imports, the several competing security agencies Saddam has/had, even to the "Lion Cubs"...boys taken at 6 years of age and taught to fight with auto weapons....add that to the army and RG personnel, plus the fear of the people that Saddam just might "win"...in a city of 5 M people...you do the math.

[Lindaloo]

How do you know the Elite guard has been given orders to use VX nerve gas We're finding what looks like boxes of chemicals left behind. Yes, the going will be tough as we approach the city...a lot of chaos. But I'm not so sure now they'll use the gas. It would be suicide. I don't know if many of their guard are up for that.

Do you actually think they care about dying? Intelligence from within says they have received orders to use the chem or bio weapons. This regime is dying and from Husseins past records, he will do anything to survive. His mentality is "What have I got to lose?" He is not the one dying. He has also been known in the past that if the enemy is closing in on Baghdad, then he unleashes those type weapons.

Latest tactic of that regime... using that poor pregnant woman as a human explosive!!!

[M2]

As I said in another thread, mad dogs don't make nice pets for a Saturday walk. It's almost Saturday there - Friday night ATM - and they continue to threaten with dire rhetoric. A few more hours will tell...

[Rainband]

I say being desperate makes using any means possible a likely scenario..They figure they have nothing to lose :o Lets Pray for our troops!!!

Johnathan

[Arizwx]

How do you know the Elite guard has been given orders to use VX nerve gas We're finding what looks like boxes of chemicals left behind. Yes, the going will be tough as we approach the city...a lot of chaos. But I'm not so sure now they'll use the gas. It would be suicide. I don't know if many of their guard are up for that.

You're correct.I suppose maybe they will use spitballs from Bic pens.Or throw Camel Turds rolled in the suspicious White Powder.Hell,maybe it's flour.I have no verification on these methods either.I'll wait for the troops to remove thier Mop2 gear,that way we'll all know for sure!

[Stephanie]

You're absolutely right DJ. It has been said over and over that the fighting hasn't begun yet and Baghdad will be the toughest. The good news has been a major shot in the arm for all of us but we must remain realistic.

Actually, with our troops not facing any real "force" from the Republican Guard as of yet, I can't help but think that it will only be a matter of time. It feels like a trap is being set up.

[Arizwx]

You're absolutely right DJ. It has been said over and over that the fighting hasn't begun yet and Baghdad will be the toughest. The good news has been a major shot in the arm for all of us but we must remain realistic.

Actually, with our troops not facing any real "force" from the Republican Guard as of yet, I can't help but think that it will only be a matter of time. It feels like a trap is being set up.

I agree Stephanie.
I have been concerned about a trap for quite sometime.It seems the Rep Guard still has the Tank Div within Baghdad,no coordinated counterattack as of yet and the eerie 'find' of Bio Chem suits,the suspicious Powder near the airport complex and the cleverly timed Iraqi State TV tape of the supposed Saddam.Baghdad will not fall easily,IMO...however,you know how ConstructionWx feels about my opinions.

[Steve H.]

The propaganda machine is dying, the defense "minister" that is left holding the bag says he will use unconventional means tonight. But many of them may see the reality of the situation and bail. They know if they don't die they will be tried as war criminals if they use gas. I certainly wouldn't want to be in that situation. I stated the first day that Saddam would draw us into his lair and might carry out some dastardly attacks. All I'm saying is I'm not so sure they have the infrastructure left to do it, at least on a large scale. Like ya said AZ, we'll find out soon enough.

[Stephanie]

You're absolutely right DJ. It has been said over and over that the fighting hasn't begun yet and Baghdad will be the toughest. The good news has been a major shot in the arm for all of us but we must remain realistic.

Actually, with our troops not facing any real "force" from the Republican Guard as of yet, I can't help but think that it will only be a matter of time. It feels like a trap is being set up.

I agree Stephanie.
I have been concerned about a trap for quite sometime.It seems the Rep Guard still has the Tank Div within Baghdad,no coordinated counterattack as of yet and the eerie 'find' of Bio Chem suits,the suspicious Powder near the airport complex and the cleverly timed Iraqi State TV tape of the supposed Saddam.Baghdad will not fall easily,IMO...however,you know how ConstructionWx feels about my opinions.

No, actually I don't know how ConstructionWX feels about your opinions - I'll have to go back and read some of his posts. You know how I feel about opinions - each is entitled to their own, right or wrong. However, each other's opinions should be respected. Anyway, I've always found you to be, other than a nice guy (no, I'm not brown nosing! ), a wealth of knowledge. We're fortunate to have alot of experienced vets on this board to share their views.

[Rainband]

Thats what great about the United States..We are all entitlted to our own opinions...

Johnathan

[Arizwx]

You're absolutely right DJ. It has been said over and over that the fighting hasn't begun yet and Baghdad will be the toughest. The good news has been a major shot in the arm for all of us but we must remain realistic.

Actually, with our troops not facing any real "force" from the Republican Guard as of yet, I can't help but think that it will only be a matter of time. It feels like a trap is being set up.

I agree Stephanie.
I have been concerned about a trap for quite sometime.It seems the Rep Guard still has the Tank Div within Baghdad,no coordinated counterattack as of yet and the eerie 'find' of Bio Chem suits,the suspicious Powder near the airport complex and the cleverly timed Iraqi State TV tape of the supposed Saddam.Baghdad will not fall easily,IMO...however,you know how ConstructionWx feels about my opinions.

No, actually I don't know how ConstructionWX feels about your opinions - I'll have to go back and read some of his posts. You know how I feel about opinions - each is entitled to their own, right or wrong. However, each other's opinions should be respected. Anyway, I've always found you to be, other than a nice guy (no, I'm not brown nosing! ), a wealth of knowledge. We're fortunate to have alot of experienced vets on this board to share their views.

Thank You Stephanie,
I have always respected you as well.The time though may have come for me to leave this BB.Some rather unpleasant exchanges have taken place recently,and I for one will have none of it.I have been a target lately for whatever reason,maybe because I tell it like it is...or at least I try.
I will always respect you dear friend.
Be well.And Safe
DJ

[Stephanie]

Not you too DJ!

With the topics that we have around here, it is no wonder that tempers do flare. What upsets me is the lack of respect and the attacks on people's opinions as if they have no reason to feel the way that they do or there must be something wrong with them. The one thing I cannot tolerate is an arrogant know-it-all. Who the heck made them supreme over everyone else?? Bullies are that way.

Please reconsider staying friend. We need your knowledge and friendship here!

[Rainband]

AZ why are you leaving?? You are an asset to Storm2k. I hope you reconsider..If not Good luck!!!! Think about it.


Johnathan

[azsnowman]

Ah geesh ppl, isn't there ENOUGH garbage going on in the world already, come on, let's *shake hands* take a time out, take a deep breath here, NO ONE knows what lies ahead for our men and women over, no one, only time will tell. I agree, there is something VERY fishy going on and with them dumping Mustard and Cynade (sp) in the river systems in Baghdad, some BIG is fixing to happen.

Dennis

[Stephanie]

Ah geesh ppl, isn't there ENOUGH garbage going on in the world already, come on, let's *shake hands* take a time out, take a deep breath here, NO ONE knows what lies ahead for our men and women over, no one, only time will tell. I agree, there is something VERY fishy going on and with them dumping Mustard and Cynade (sp) in the river systems in Baghdad, some BIG is fixing to happen.

Dennis

AMEN!

[JetMaxx]

I have no enemies on this board, and no malice in my heart toward DJ or anyone else here. The enemy is in Baghdad...not on this board.

I may disagree with a friend's opinion...but they are still my friend.
I'm proud and honored to call both DJ and RP my friend...I pray for their safety every day; and thank God I have friends like them watching my back.

Perry W.