When the Enemy Smells Weakness
Via DrudgeReport and DayByDay:
WE’RE KICKIN’ ASS, BUT WE LOST MORE GUYS THIS YEAR WITH OBAMA THAN 2001-2008 COMBINED. THE PAPERS’LL BE ALL OVER THAT ANY DAY NOW. – Zed
Data: 2010 http://www.icasualties.org
Casualties more than doubled in 2009, and that number jumped 50% this year. As a civilian, being out-of-the-loop, I can only guess at causes for the huge jump in total casualties for 2009 that continued into this year:
– Morale of the enemy and their hopes for success; they smell weakness in CINC and DC?
– Rules of Engagement that cause US troops undue risk and that deny the enemy the full costs of their actions?
Godspeed to our troops and support people over there. This “Hope and Change” rot is killing them. From a purely moral standpoint we owe our troops fundamental respect: If we send men and women on a mission, then let them do the job in the way they know best.
Anyone familiar with the military side of this, please feel free to comment.
Si Vis Pacem 
They’re just following the advice of a dead white guy: “Advance as with a bayonet. If you encounter mush, proceed. If you encounter steel, withdraw.” Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (a/k/a Lenin).
Off topic, Happy Hanukkah to the RAN family!
Thank-you L.!!
Yes, indeed. Very happy. Shall be in CT over Christmas. Hope to see you again over beer.
Cheers!
Very enlightening and sobering post, Ran. No matter what we know, when we see it on paper (or monitor) it is stark. I believe you are exactly right, and we know that before Petraeus in Afghanistan we were sending women Marines out with hijab.
I say stop all foreign aid not to democratic countries and add it to the pay checks of those serving in hazard zones.
Also wanted to say Happy Chanukah to you and your family, Ran.
Many thanks Maggie!
Hanukkah is a celebration of the smaller miracles… I think America has just witnessed the beginning of a great and mighty one.