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2003-12-01 Iraq

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Posted by mhw 2003-12-01 3:29:11 PM|| || Front Page|| [7 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Do you suppose they are getting short of it?

These are the hardest targets to attack, given that money shipments are always well-protected, even stateside. For them to hit money shipments, these guys have to be pretty desperate.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-12-1 3:39:39 PM|| 2003-12-1 3:39:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Keep in mind, there are stashes of Saddam money throughout Iraq. However, it is all the "old" Iraq money! With Saddam's picture.

Those guys getting paid $1000 to kill one of our guys, wants to be paid in "new" Iraq money.... cause soon, the old money will not be accepted.

Posted by Sherry 2003-12-1 3:57:05 PM|| 2003-12-1 3:57:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 LOL. They thought they were fighting the 4th ID, but they were really fighting the Federal Reserve. Don't dink with America if you don't understand money.

(And Nobody Expects The Federal Reserve)

Posted by Shipman 2003-12-1 4:19:38 PM|| 2003-12-1 4:19:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Once the old currency's out of circulation, the terrs are going to be left with whatever US cash they have. I suspect that's reserved for the higher-ups to escape, though.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2003-12-1 4:21:14 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2003-12-1 4:21:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Watching the CNN coverage of the inevitable PR counter-attack (only 8 killed, only civilians hurt/killed, a kindergarten damaged, no fedayeen, no Ba'athists to be seen), I heard the attacks were launched near banks that presumably were the delivery points for the convoys.

This raises a question: would the smarter strategy be to withdraw from the trouble spots in the Triangle, cut them off with roadblocks, let them feel the pain of being left off the reconstruction train as it starts to move, and if that yields nothing then just leave the final reckoning to Iraqi forces as they become available?

US officer to Samarra town council: "if you can't help us keep the place safe enough to deliver the new money, I guess you'll just have to do without the new money. Oh -- you say that would be a terrible hardship, as your old dinars would be worthless? Hmmm, I guess you have a situation on your hands. We're standing by to take out or imprison anyone you'd like to tell us about. Otherwise, good luck with that money problem, and also with the Kurdish/Shi'a forces likely to be visiting you starting next spring. Oh, one last thing -- all males 15 and older will now need photo ID and interviews to pass the perimeter we're setting up outside town. Have a nice day!"

Seems clear that Iraqis in the Triangle have made their bad choices already -- I question investing a single additional American life in a strategy of persuasion. It might be better odds to turn up the heat and possibly precipitate a messy resolution now, while we're strong and still have the occupier's status, than leave this seemingly unavoidable crack-up until later, when a fragile new Iraqi government has nominally regained sovereignty.

Perhaps we could even experiment with this strategy on one town, see how it goes? Crazy or impractical? Maybe -- but risking American lives so that the good folks of Samarra have new dinar notes deserves a second look.

Posted by IceCold 2003-12-1 5:11:22 PM|| 2003-12-1 5:11:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 would the smarter strategy be to... cut them off with roadblocks, let them feel the pain of being left off the reconstruction train...

Probably. Once in a while show up in the 'hood with M1A1s to kick some ass, do some reconnaissance, set some traps, and pull back. Reward good behaviour. The problem is, how do you confine the bad guys to their own little neighbourhoods.

Posted by Rafael 2003-12-1 9:19:06 PM|| 2003-12-1 9:19:06 PM|| Front Page Top

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