Replies to post #11231 on Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[Zeev Hed]

I think that the "shock and awe" campaign will not be against Baghdad, but directly against, the Iraqi airforce, CCC elements and armored divisions. This time they will avoid even hitting infrastructure (except power, and maybe strategic bridges). I think that the collateral damage will be minimal.

Unfortunately, the French have now pushed me into the Hawks camp. I no longer think that it is possible to disarm Saddam Hussein peacefully. The last British proposal should have been backed, that would have opened the door for a severe inspection campaign and regime for many years to come, including a UN force on the ground guaranteeing the Freedom of the people of Iraq, without a single shot. The French have done great disservice to the cause of peace by announcing they will veto the British proposal even before Saddam turned it down. What a shame.

Zeev

[Tom K]

The intention of shock and awe is to force immediate surrender of the Iraqi regulars and decent within the Repubican Guard. The U.S. isn't going to "crater" Baghdad. It irritates me to read arguments that this administration is blood thirsty, or wrecklessly disregarding civilian life. My brother is in the Marine Corps, in CENCOM in Qatar. I can tell you that he and his troops aren't a bunch of murderous thugs. They're people Sarai, real people with families and morals. I know this is hard for you to understand. You can't even begin to appreciate the care and scrutiny our forces take to minimize civilian casualties - sometimes at their own detriment. Pull your head out of your anti-American disposition. We're not over there to kill a bunch of people.