Glenn Beck with the shocking truth...

[finnbow]

Yep. Those ragtag zealots have fought us to a draw in what is now America's longest war.

[Rex E.]

Originally Posted by Bigerik

These would be the same rag-tag zealots who fought the Soviet Army to a standstill.

With almost limitless U.S. cash, training and weapons, right? (and who knows what other classified things)

Originally Posted by finnbow

Yep. Those ragtag zealots have fought us to a draw in what is now America's longest war.

Only cuz we don't have the stones to take care of business like we should. WWPT, what would Patton do?

[Bigerik]

Yeah, but they seem to be doing fine without the US money also.

Say what you will about them, but those boys have balls.

[Rex E.]

Originally Posted by Bigerik

Yeah, but they seem to be doing fine without the US money also.

Say what you will about them, but those boys have balls.

Sure they do, enough to hide in schools and churches. Shame we didn't have the same balls, enough to level those churches and schools. Things might be very different then, eh?

[Big_Bill]

Originally Posted by Rex E.

With almost limitless U.S. cash, training and weapons, right? (and who knows what other classified things)



Only cuz we don't have the stones to take care of business like we should. WWPT, what would Patton do?

Well Rex,

Patton did not believe in paying for the same real estate twice !

And that is the mistake we made in Vietnam and now again in Afghanistan

These people are using the same tactics that we used during the Revolutionary War, hit and run.

If you do not, or can not hold the territory that you have taken, you will have to pay many times for that territory, as the enemy will move back in as soon as possible.

We had a hill in Vietnam that we took three times, and since we did not hold the surrounding area we had to leave as the enemy regrouped. If we did stay they would have over run us at night inflicting very heavy casualties.

Taking a town and moving back to a base camp without securing the town is stupid. If you now that you cannot hold the town don't take it until you can.

And yes, the VC and the Zealots both use the civilian populations for cover, preventing air and artillery support.

And the worse thing that can be allowed is to have a politician decide how to fight the war !!!!! Especially one with no military background or one like Wrong Way Kerry.

Bill

[piece-itpete]

Rex, excellent!

Pete

[neophyte]

what would Patton do?

If Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan (among other great invaders down through history) couldn't make it stick, there's no reason or basis to think Patton would do more than scratch the surface before leaving with his tail tucked, just like others far greater than him.

[Big_Bill]

George was a great student of military history. He was very aware of the other greats failures and mistakes.

Genghis was my very favorite General, he knew how to wage a war. Demand surrender, and if refused, destroy the enemy, totally ! No fooling around with Genghis !

And Genghis left nothing behind him unconquered, no one to harass his flanks or rear supply lines. What a guy !

And I believe George showed this same tenacity in the European Conflict, World War the second.

As all that underestimated him found, you just don't mess with George !

Bill

[Dondilion]

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan plains

And the women come out to cut up what remains,

Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains

An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.

R. Kipling

[neophyte]

Originally Posted by Big_Bill

George was a great student of military history. He was very aware of the other greats failures and mistakes.

Genghis was my very favorite General, he knew how to wage a war. Demand surrender, and if refused, destroy the enemy, totally ! No fooling around with Genghis !

And Genghis left nothing behind him unconquered, no one to harass his flanks or rear supply lines. What a guy !

And I believe George showed this same tenacity in the European Conflict, World War the second.

As all that underestimated him found, you just don't mess with George !

Bill

do you actually find war that glorious an endeavor? most unsettling.

I get that Patton is a rah rah figure from WW2 and all that for America, but, let's not forget a few things from the time he led the 3rd Army on all those conquests. Germany was a depleted and defeated entity, cornered and making their last stand against a far fresher foe with overwhelming numbers, abundant supplies and mobility, and air superiority so absolute they could darken the skies with all manners of attack aircraft in passable weather. Now, add in the small matter of a few million very pissed off and well outfitted Russians dropping the hammer on them from the rear, and I believe you have what could be called an overwhelming tactical advantage. He did good, but, he was well positioned to do so. Had Germany not been under such pressure from the rear guard action, who knows how long and costly the assault from the west would have been. Thankfully, we will never know.