I haven’t spoon fed anyone the NYT in a while. I might be losing my edge.
BAGHDAD, Nov. 29 — As Iraqi refugees begin to stream back to Baghdad, American military officials say the Iraqi government has yet to develop a plan to absorb the influx and prevent it from setting off a new round of sectarian violence.
The Iraqi government lacks a mechanism to settle property disputes if former residents return to Baghdad only to find their homes occupied, the officials said. Nor has the Iraqi government come forward with a detailed plan to provide aid, shelter and other essential services to the thousands of Iraqis who might return. American commanders caution that if the return is not carefully managed, there is a risk of undermining the recent security gains.
“All these guys coming back are probably going to find somebody else living in their house,” said Col. William Rapp, a senior aide to Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, speaking at a two-day military briefing on measuring military trends for a small group of American reporters in Baghdad.
“Somebody’s been eating my porridge. Somebody’s been sitting in my chair. And, somebody is sleeping in my bed. I hope they cleaned my AK47!”
December 1st, 2007 at 10:06 am
MD,
What gives? Are you okay? I mean, this is actually a real issue that wasn’t pulled out of someone’s fourth point of contact (if you know what that term is I’ll be impressed)!
December 1st, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Aubrey
That’s out of Army “Jump school”. Not that I went or anything, but I did go skydiving once and am good friends with an ex-army guy. Lot’s of good memorable quotes from him:
“Prior planning prevents piss poor performance”
“Pull your head out of your fourth point of contact.”
“You ain’t haaad Cowaaa”
(you’re not hard core)
If there were some “feel good” quotes he kept them to himself. But I seriously doubt it.
December 2nd, 2007 at 8:53 am
Nicely done, Bill.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
Aubrey,
Looks like Bill had my ignorance covered.
MD
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Oh yeah here’s another one:
“What the f-ck, over?”
(It’s sorta funny when there’s no radio around)
December 4th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I met David Brooks, NYT right-wing columnist, yesterday. He said Democrats will pick up 5 senate seats and “more” in the house.
Dems have a 60-65% chance of winning the White House, and Hillary has a 60-65% chance of being the Democratic nominee.
- - - - -
On GOPers, he said the Republican’ts have totally lost the under-30 year-olds.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
David,
Seems only fair. That the GOP has lost the under-30’s.
That demographic has seen the Glory days of the Grand Old Party.
“What if this is as good as it gets?”
The GOP, regional racist party.
MD