If anyone would like a nice flow chart of the “progress”
of the war, go to www.bringthemhomenow.org
where we have archived
five stories a day for months related directly to the war, including an
excellent collection of photographs (published under “Fair Use” of
course). Just click on the daily
news roundup. From there, just hit
the “previous” button to scroll back into July 20, when we started
the site. It’s quite a slide
show, and it fast forwards you through the daily minutiae to see the real
trajectory of this war – which is an unmitigated disaster for US power. The retention and recruitment crisis is no
longer latent. Only the “Stop
Loss” program is stemming a “manpower” hemorrhage. The next anticipated rotation in Jan-Mar
will increase Reserve components to 40% of the force, dramatically reducing
combat proficiency in theater even as it dramatically increases the political
liability at home. This outflow is
exacerbated by a steady stream of casualties, and now possibly 1,700 desertions
by troops on leave. Over 2,000 have been
treated for mental illness. Morale
is reportedly in the shitter. The guerrillas have
effectively truncated any effort to employ international support for the
occupation. Russia appears to
be forming a condominium with Europe and
possibly China. A European trade war is on the horizon. The Japanese leadership has had its arm
twisted to send troops in the face of overwhelming domestic opposition. The Iraqi resistance is growing in
strength, sophistication and popular support as the occupation force
intensifies tactics that serve to recruit more into the resistance. The Israelization
of the occupation has only thrown gasoline on the fires of Arab humiliation and
rage. A draft is not feasible
before the 2004 election. Afghanistan is a
fragmented heroin-zone. People are
fighting for reconstruction contracts that none of them is likely to carry out
as long as Iraqi fighters decide they won’t allow it. And one third of the “new”
Iraqi army just deserted after training.
Probably left a thank-you note on the table for the
new weapons, equipment and knowledge of US doctrine as they went to join their comrades.
As they say in chess, “Check.”
Stan Goff
http://home.igc.org/~sherrynstan/
"Praying for peace is like praying for
a weedless garden."
Bring 'em home!
End the occupations!
Impeach!