[naturaherbal]

Eh? Cheney has no more Constitutional power to make decisions than bureaucrats in the Foggy Bottom (unless it pertains to breaking a tie in the Senate). The point that Wilkerson has been making is that bureaucracies are important for things other than giving favors to your political supporters. That a President's shouldn't only listen to a tiny circle of people.

[AlexClips]

It's pretty obvious that Bush has delegated a lot of his Constitutionally-authorized power to Cheney. That's the point. You were asking why this can't only be a "bad decision," and nothing more. The point is that the bad decisions partially originate from the fact that Bush doesn't listen to very many people.

[qd0vhq4f]

So.... what? I never claimed that he was the first person to make decisions autocratically, although I can't think of a more autocratic President of the US.

From dictionary.com
Greek autokrates 'ruling by oneself' If you can't see how this fits, I can't help you...

[Breeriacoirl]

Totally not what I meant.

Look at who our allies in the Iraqi gov't are. The Sadrists control the health ministry (edit: and some police forces), we give money to the Iraqi gov't, they shoot at us. We provide arms to Iraqi police and military, they find their way to the black market and into insurgent hands. The irony to this whole thing is that Iran's chief proxy in Iraq, SCIRI, happens to be exactly whom we support the most...

[masteryxisman]

So both American and Iran are funding the Iraqi insurgency. Why, then, can't they happily brothers in terrorism?

[c2siOlIk]

If you can't see how this fits, I can't help you...

I don't see why it should matter if the definition of the Greek root word fits. The definition of the modern English word doesn't...

Anyone wish to hazard a guess where the IEDs and these supposed "Iranian" weapons are coming from? Here's a hint: Not Iran.

Thank god we have you around to provide the definitive word on these matters from your desk chair.

[Xlkl9SFd]

Whatever dude...

[golozhopik]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Thank god we have you around to provide the definitive word on these matters from your desk chair. Please explain to us plebs what an "Iranian serial number" looks like...

[U5pz6B71]

Please explain to us plebs what an "Iranian serial number" looks like...

How would I know? I know as much about the subject as you do, i.e. nothing...

[provigil]

syria, hezbollah, russian rpgs. not iran. dummies.

[fount_pirat]

Most of the IEDs for the first several years where indeed artillery rounds pillaged from unsecured Iraqi military faucilities. I saw several of them while there.

The Iranians supposedly helped by teaching people how to make shape charges, providing money, and other training.

[Sukadrukanga]

...he'll decide to become a war profiteer and live like a king by selling arms to whoever wishes to buy. War is just as good for profits as peace is. Ferengi sensibilities.

[hs6KnlcW]

Upwards of 377 tons of ammunition (200,000 rounds of 156mm shells among other munitions) were lifted out does not equal this;

a vast Iraqi weapons depot with tens of thousands of artillery rounds and other explosives remained unguarded 10's of thousands /= 100's of thousands.

In either case, it hardly explains how the insurgents were able to move a tonnage found by calculating this;

Why don't you calculate the total weight of that, the volume needed to store it, and the number of trucks required to move it, and get back to me This would be where you ask you self "does this pass the common sense rule" before blindly posting it.

I do like how you revised your original estimate by at least ten times with the source you think supports your statement, did you realize this at the time?

by reports Monday that as much as 377 tons of highly powerful explosives had disappeared from a weapons So where did 377 tons and 200,000 rounds of 156mm rounds come from? Reports? What the hell does that mean anyways? Who reports? Where is this report?

The reason journalism sucks so bad these days is obviously no body is demanding quality. Reports, HA.

[UriyVlasov]

Upwards of 377 tons of ammunition (200,000 rounds of 156mm shells among other munitions) were lifted out Learn to read completely.

I am not arguing that Iraqi insurgents are not primarily armed with ex-Iraqi army muntions. This is actually to be expected. It is simple absurd to suggest the amount of material looted is on the scale D suggets. If you read his sources do they really do anything but suggest what was available to be looted?

[Shinegayboyx]

You are right, I did skim over that part, but look at the particular portion I responded to and it really doesn't matter. Contesting the total number was a noob, but trivial, mistake.

by reports Monday that as much as 377 tons of highly powerful explosives had disappeared from a weapons

[sandyphoebetvmaa]

Originally posted by MRT144
syria, hezbollah, russian rpgs. not iran. dummies. a) hezbullah = iran
b) hezbullah is much less involved in Iraq, since it is harder to reach.

The main involvement is by the Iranian revolutionary guards.
Who are also the real driving power behind Hezbullah.

[RalfDweflywex]

Oh be quiet, Oerdin. You're not an expert. You don't know what you're talking about... [/sarcasm]