Some grist...

More than 10,000 troops medically evacuated from Iraq [1] out of 130,000
in only 9 months, the worst casualty rate for the U.S. in wartime, ever.

In the first 8 months of the war (Mar-Nov. 2003), US deaths (now over
500 for Iraq only) surpasses those in Vietnam's first THREE YEARS
(1961-1963). [2]

The Army is "near the breaking point." [3]

Although still a relatively-small war, The National Guard and Reserves
are being run to exhaustion. [4]

The troop rotation in the Mideast will involve the equivalent of 8 1/2
of the Army's 10 active-duty divisions. [5]

The Army has issued orders prohibiting 7,000 troops from leaving the
service when their voluntary tours end. [6] This is a disguised draft.

Last November (2003), 128 House members wrote Shrub demanding he
"significantly increase the number of people on active duty in the
military." [7]

Shrub and Washington, DC say "Iraqification" [8] will happen this summer
and the impression will be made the WAR is winding down.

But on Jan. 9, the Pentagon admitted it reopened Incirlik Air Base in
Turkey for operations in Iraq. [9]


Question: Why the expense of opening another base, if the WAR is winding
down?


US Armed Forces in the Occupation of the MIddle East
(as of late January, 2004)

Over 760 days in the occupation of Afghanistan.
Over 288 days in the occupation of Iraq.

Total Dead: 504

Total Dead since the infamous "Bring 'em on" (Shrub) announcement: 299


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[1] AP, 'U.S. Troops Committing...', by M. Kelley, Jan. 15, 2004; quoting
Dr. William Winkenwerder, Asst. Sec. of Defense for Health Affairs, Jan. 14

[2] Reuters, 'U.S. Mortuary Sees No Let-Up from Iraq War Dead,' Jan. 11,
2004

[3] Washington Post, 'Study Published...', Jan. 12, 2004

[4] Washington Post, 'Army Reserve Chief...', Jan. 21, 2004

[5] AP, 'Iraq-Afghanistan Rotations', Jan. 9, 2004

[6] USA TODAY, 'Army to Force...', Jan. 6, 2004, p. 4

[7] 'Defense News', 'Is the U.S. Military Too Small?", Jan. 12, 2004

[8] 'Iraqification': a replay of Vietnamization. Turning ground-combat
duties over to a puppet Iraqi government and Iraqi army.

[9] AP, 'Turkey OKs US Use...', by James Helicke, Jan. 12, 2004
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