Is the US "surge" in Iraq proving successful? Doesnt look like it?

Question

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2007/08/01/july_american_death_toll_in_iraq_lowest_in_8_months/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+World+News

2024 civilian deaths in July 2007
Almost 400 more than in June

Most sane people would not refer to that as success.

Those are numbers from the Associated Press

Baghdad still has 20+ Shiite death squad killings per day

Answer 1

Before you can say that the surge has not been successful - you have to have some clue as to what the purpose of the surge is.

When you read a newspaper article that claims that the surge failed and do not even notice that the author very carefully omitted the purpose of the surge - you deserve to be fooled.

Answer 2

David: You REALLY NEED to read my article "Media Bias Analysis" http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DfkctJU7dK5B7LcNROoyVQ--;_ylt=AvKCmn92W_FCk0ugZGetFge0AOJ3?cq=1

First of all, the AP said May (with 1900+) was the "deadliest month since the surge began" followed by August when a single set of attacks killed 520 of the 1800+. (2000 would have been more but then again they didn't report that in the article, which clearly states that 1900+ was the most since the surge began)

Interestingly, they make no comment about the pre-surge levels being 3300 a month. That's called progress. They do mention that US troops deaths are down. That surprised me that they mentioned it, except THAT should have been the headline.

There are fewer attacks with bigger bombs making for "better" (for the anti war and media types) headlines but fewer casualties on the Good Guy side (Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and US military). Again, this is called progress.

The Sunni are turning against Al-Qaeda (who have primarily armed the Sunni insurgents) terrorists and Mugtada al-Sadr has called for a 6 month cessation of violence to purge the Iranian influences from his militia, hence the Shi'a are turning against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard(Shi'a foreigners in Iraq.) This again is called progress.

Sectarian Violence and Assassinations are down significantly.

Are you using the GAO/Congressional standard that only 100% success means success? That a 45% reduction in violence means failure? That 90% success means failure? Would you have graduated 2nd grade with such a standard? Last I saw 90% was an A, not an F! (See my article: "GAO Bureaucrats Call the Surge a failure")

If all of this does not change your opinion of what the Surge has done succesfully, there is nothing I can do for you. Mushrooms like to be kept in the dark and fed s*** and that is what the media is giving you.

If you want to know the truth from a combat veteran, backed up by Historical and Religious study, independent research and the personal experiences of myself and others that have BEEN THERE, read my blog: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DfkctJU7dK5B7LcNROoyVQ--;_ylt=AvKCmn92W_FCk0ugZGetFge0AOJ3?cq=1

Take a peak under the tent of truth and honesty.

Answer 3

Here's an example of the surge's "success":

The Iraq Freedom Congress (http://www.ifcongress.com/English/index.htm ) is a libertarian, secularist,non-violent, democratic, and progressive group that opposes Ba'athism, Islamism, and nationalism -- as well as the US invasion/occupation.

The Iraq Freedom Congress has organized a self-defense Safety Force that patrols neighborhoods in Iraq (population: 5,000) and has reduced sectarian violence there to zero. However, far from supporting this effort, US forces have assassinated the head of these Safety Forces (http://tinyurl.com/25yknr ).

News & Views for Anarchists & Activists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smygo

Answer 4

Perhaps the original intention was to do good (besides getting their hands on the petrol - and seeking those WMDs...) but it's time to get out and let those turkeys go on killing each other. Sorry, but that's also a form ethnic cleansing and they've been doing it for centuries in that part of the world.

Answer 5

The U.S. "surge" in Iraq is a huge waste of time and money! Everyday Americans get killed and we don't even know what is going on! Bush should have got out of this earlier but he is an idiot and dragging it out! I think he should be impeached for being an idoiot and our worst president. I have done research about Iraq for a class and just get angered by it! Why did we dive headfirst into this small small country and avoid a whole continent like Africa who is in poverty but we are willing to waste money in Iraq. We are nearly $9 TRILLION and debt and if we don't get out soon then our economy will be at risk for forcing a country in democracy and doing whatever we want in it! Just think, if Iraq was communist and they tried to make us communist do you think we would let it happen? Then why do we do that with other countires! RUDE!

Answer 6

No surge will end the violence the Iraqi government has to step up. We did the all the work so far, it's time the Iraqi's fight for their country and stop other nearby countries like Iran and Syria from stirring the pot.

Answer 7

it in itself is i'm sure, it's a fact that the us army can win battles when it wants, yet, the problem just moves on from the us held parts of Iraq. I think it alittle one sided to highlight the Shiite killers, killers seem to be rampant over their.

Answer 8

To a degree yes.

Answer 9

Well David K, do you mind if we listen to more authoritative and less political opinions than you or those who deem it important to judge, before they have all the facts and reasons ?

Answer 10

THANK THE HEAVENS THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH SUCH A MILITARY GENIUS AS YOU.

YOU'RE A REGULAR PATTON SAVANT.

BY THE WAY, DEFINE CIVILIAN IN YOUR OWN WORDS THEN LOOK AT HOW INSURGENTS ARE ARMED / CLOTHED, THEN LOOK AT HOW 'CIVILIANS' ARE ARMED / CLOTHED.