The San Francisco Chronicle has an interesting article on whether Bush is planning a secret second surge in Iraq. He might be increasing the number of troops there -- up to 200,000 troops -- by redeploying more forces and keeping other troops in Iraq longer than their normal rotations.
The Bush administration is quietly on track to nearly double the number of combat troops in Iraq this year, an analysis of Pentagon deployment orders showed Monday.
The little-noticed second surge, designed to reinforce U.S. troops in Iraq, is being executed by sending more combat brigades and extending tours of duty for troops already there.
The actions could boost the number of combat soldiers from 52,500 in early January to as many as 98,000 by the end of this year if the Pentagon overlaps arriving and departing combat brigades.
Would you put it past him? I certainly wouldn't. It's not like he has any trouble with going beyond what he is authorized to do. And it's not like the Democrats ever hold him accountable (let alone the Republicans). Well, since this surge is going so well, why not try another? I'm sure we'll soon be hearing stories of how much progress we're making in Iraq because of the new and improved second surge.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. I would put nothing past this President and his administration (including striking Iran). This is the "Burger King President" or to take a Sinatra line, "I did it my way". He doesn't care what the vast majority of Americans think. I hope we don't see another one like him!
History is relevant and so is Jimmy Carter. Distance lends perspective Although a poor President, he is a good human being and his post-presidential record has been admirable. In twenty years, history will lessen his negative critique and be kinder to him in spite of his presidential ineptness.
However, this President will be judged harshly, and his project for a new american century will see a loss of power (in all respects) and influence throughout the world and a lower standard of living at home.
Dan at 11:02AM on May 22nd 2007
2. There is no evidence to indicate the last surge is working, in fact, quite the contrary. Two wrongs do not make a right, nor does two failures make a success.
Both Democratic and Republican Legislatures share the blame for allowing this mess to happen, but so do the American Voters who seem to put up with apathy and even corruption in our elected officials. ENFORCE OATHS MADE BY ELECTED OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS!!! Only that will clean this mess up!
Jack Anderson at 11:13AM on May 22nd 2007
3. You are a dork Dan. The only reason we will have loss of power and influence is if you libs surrender to the cowardly terrorists and show everybody we can be easily defeated by an insurgent terrorist bombing campaign. The only reason our standard of living will go down is because you libs will tax the hell out of everybody and surrender to terrorists until the middle east is one big terrorist infested cesspool and we can't get anymore oil. Do you really think the world hates us because of Bush? Did Iran hate us because of Bush when they kidnapped our diplomats? Did Hezzbollah hate us because of Bush when they killed 241 marines in Lebanon? Did al Quaeda hate us because of Bush in the 93 WTC bombing or 9/11/01? When you talk about the "vast majority" is that the "vast majority" that elected Kerry and Gore? You do remember that Clinton was bombing the hell out of Iraq for almost the very same reasons that Bush invaded them and took Saddam out of power don't you?
mob at 12:45PM on May 22nd 2007
4. we love peace and freedom and democracy so much we plan to cram it down every countries' throat whether they want it or not, because we are a peaceful and civilized country "led" by a religious fundamentalist
...the will of the people be damned
...the UN be damned
...if your belief systems dont jive with ours, we will kill you in the name of peace and freedom and democracy, glory be to God!
...we don't merely decapitate our enemies, we boil their body parts in water and let them die slowly
...bush and cheney--impeach and gitmo the war profiteers immediately
scott miller at 11:10AM on May 23rd 2007
5. President Bush believes that he is above any rules, regulations, or laws. He has placed himself on a
pedestal as a King not an elected official that is
only there by the will of the people and in his case
that will is debateable. I cannot believe that our
Congress will not carry out the will of the majority. Isn't our government based on the majority rule?
Peggy at 11:28AM on May 22nd 2007
6. I think it is about time that the US people stand up to this idiot and say enough is enough. If he is going to send more troops to die in a country that is hell bent on destroying themselves then we should say NO we are not going. I don't care how much we are supposed to help out. Why should our troops go and help them so that they can die when their own people continually kill each other.
I saw yesterday that their president is here in this country at the Mayo Clinic to lose weight. So while our troops are in his country protecting it, and dying for not even our country, he is here on a diet. Bush is useless and only out to make himself and his father look better because he couldn't the first time back during the Gulf War and now he is trying to look like a man now.
Damon at 11:28AM on May 22nd 2007
7. Bush is a megalomaniac and a sociopath. He needs to be committed; his self medication by alcohol is not working!
John at 11:32AM on May 22nd 2007
8. What can one say, it's a total and complete mess, but what the hell, he's going to have it his way ,even if he has to kill eneryone over ther,right
ernest johnson at 11:35AM on May 22nd 2007
9. 'i am thee president of these here united states, you will do what the hell i say..."dubya.
the truth at 11:43AM on May 22nd 2007
10. I think President Bush while still young enough, needs to go to Iraq and fight side by side with our soldiers. We can rest assured that Vice Pres Cheney is capable of running the USA while he is gone.
Judy at 11:47AM on May 22nd 2007
11. Take a look around folks, America is on a collision course for destruction. We have an illegally selected administration, that has quietly taken America into a fight that it can not possibly win. bush and cronies did this without the benefit of debate, with lies and more lies, knowing that America, being a nation of laws and procedures, would follow along.
Now, that we know that the bush regime has used this against his own country, to circumvent legality and has conned a country into an illegal act. bush, cheney and crew should all be arrested and tried for treason, for their perpetuated fraud against America, it's people and the deaths of the US servicemen in Iraq, as well as the murder of innocent Iraqi's.
Even the late, dasdardly Saddam Hussein of Iraq did not put to death as many Iraqi people, as this present US regime has.
Then there are the American servicemen/wowmen, who are being used to try and work the bush delusional fraud....and for what? Hussein and Iraq was already a conquered country. Hussein even went as far as to offer his help in stabilizing Iraq once again, for a lighter sentence for him and his former staff. The bush regimes response to that, was to see that Hussein was hanged.
The rest is up to America and it's people. Remember the day when some 'tin-horn dictator' could not control America or it's people. Well that day is now and that person is gw bush.
Stavo at 11:56AM on May 22nd 2007
12. We are tired of financing a mission with no accountability. We have sent thousands of more troops to Iraq..the Iraqis are planning a 2 or 1 month vacation to thank all of us for more troops and the billions of dollars we will soon be sending to Iraq. Iraqis take full advantage of the Bush administration's unending commitment of monies and troops without accountability..not passing oil revenue laws..not resolving issues that divide them. We have funded their army for years..where and the hell is it? Can they act alone? Can they fight? Oh..they need another 2 years for an army..how many times have we heard that statement? We can't leave till the situation on the ground improves..how many years have we heard that statement. I blame Dems and Republicans in Congress for not setting benchmarks..timetables..and yes repercussions..stop the funding if the Iraqis do nothing. Redeploy our troops. Our troops cannot continue the work of the Iraqi government and their army. It is what all of us do in our own homes, our schools, and country..demand accountability..Iraq should not be treated any differently. The longer we do their work the Iraqis won't do for themselves..the Iraqis won't change.
Janet at 11:56AM on May 22nd 2007
13. Everyone was in agreement before we went in. Yes, mistakes have been made but I can assure you that we would have had MORE attacks within our borders if we were not there. Yes we need to leave, but do it right. Don't telegraph our actions to the enemy, they watch our news too.
Sean at 12:00PM on May 22nd 2007
14. I'm not a Bush lover any more than most of you...but my son is in Baghdad and he tells me that the "Surge" is having a positive effect and is long overdue. It's not to say what the end result will be...but it certainly is difficult for us to judge sittin here in the good ole USA.
Jack at 11:58AM on May 22nd 2007
15. I hope what we are preparing for with the troop surges is to have enough troops in place to attack Iran when we feel the time is right. Iran is our biggest threat in that area right now. I believe we are going to have to fight them sooner or later, because they have already declared war on the U.S., whether we are aware of it or not.Their president is an insane terrorist who plans to destroy us if he gets the chance. If he gets the bomb, he will use it against us or Israel with no regard to the consequenses. he has no regard for the value of human life. It makes sense to get him while we are right next door. I believe the Irianian people would support us if we decide to take him out.
albert storey at 8:45PM on May 26th 2007