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From the Los Angeles Times:Such a proposal, military officials and experts caution, would be a gamble. Any chance of success probably would require major changes in the Iraqi government, they said. U.S. Embassy officials would have to help usher into power a new coalition in Baghdad that was willing to confront the militias. And the strategy also would require more U.S. spending to increase the size of the U.S. military and for an Iraqi jobs program.
Defense officials interviewed for this article requested anonymity because the deliberations over the Pentagon's recommendations were continuing and had not been made public.
"You are dealing with an inherently difficult undertaking," said Stephen Biddle, a military analyst called to the White House this week to advise Bush. "That doesn't mean we should withdraw. But no one should go into this thinking if we double the size of the military, the result will be victory. Maybe, but maybe not. You are buying the opportunity to enter a lottery."
The wild card in the Pentagon planning is Robert M. Gates, due to be sworn in Monday as Defense secretary. Gates had breakfast Tuesday with Bush and will participate, along with outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in today's meetings.
Read more here:http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-military13dec13,0,5635347.story
Why are we still gambling again? Didn't we go to the polls last month precisely because we didn't want to gamble any more? Our losses have become too great, remember? This is just like a gambling addict saying: 'Just one more time, please, just one more time at the race tracks or Indian casino and I'll be set. I promise.' Isn't this what our military is saying? Haven't we heard all of this before? Sure there is a chance you can turn it around, but it is slim to none! Our military leaders need to get their acts together and stop being a door mat for Bush/Cheney and the defense industry. And where is Colin Powell on this? Can you tell us if spending another 160 BILLION DOLLARS by the Democrats will bring us any closer to victory? Or will all that money go down into another drain into the hands of filthy insiders building things up so they can destroy them again. Over and over. Stop it please! We have had enough and if it turns out that the will of the people performing their civic duty to vote to win back both houses mean: NOTHING, then the hypocrisy runs deeper than any of us could have imagined, from both sides. Saying no to the war and continuing to fund it, is a disgrace and a sham and all those who goes on record voting for it will be remembered and held accountable. Do you actually think we can't tell when you speak out of both sides of your mouth?
