Shock & Awe?

RickC · 03-21-2003, 06:48 AM

I LOVE IT that intellectual men of action are in charge of the U.S. Military!!!!!

After reading Ralph Peters' articles of the last 10 years, and what I could find from Wolfowitz & Rumsfeld, I was a little confused as to all the talk about "Shock & Awe" - it seemed out of place with what they were trying to do with the modern military - i.e., make the whole Armed Forces of the U.S. light and nimble and specific like the U.S. Marine Corps.

We keep hearing that "Shock & Awe" is coming. I'm now betting that that's B.S.

What a great plan!!! Had me fooled.

Think about it from the point of view of a mid-level Iraqi military tank commander who's never liked the severity of his higher ups. For months he's heard that he's going to be pulverized by the U.S. Military. And he BELIEVES this in his soul because of the 1st Persian Gulf War.

But now we suddenly "change" our strategy and target very specifically at the generals and political leadership. This Iraqi will feel D*mned grateful that he'll probably live, and then think awhile about how the U.S. ISN'T hurting civilians, and then maybe - just maybe - whether he should help the American's find & hunt down the severe Iraqi leadership he's always resented.

It's doubtful that any mid-level tank commander in the Iraqi Army (or any army) cares more for his General than for his country. How cool is it that we are trying to exploit this?!?

I'm probably going to H*ll for thinking all of this, but if that's what we're doing, what a cool strategy, and what a great use of disinformation!!! Even better than the Marine Corps feint toward Kuwati beaches in 1991!

curtisaa · 03-21-2003, 06:59 AM

Hey Rick...the psycho-surrender theory is being tested in this campaign for a reason. There's another battlefield on the Eastern seaboard of Asia that will probably get thew next call..

As far as this Operation in Iraq: The "touchdown" pass on the first play was a stroke of genius. They took out the quarterback and his 2 wide recievers and maybe the a few coaches in the first minute of the game...

stray15 · stray15's Garage

I think they are doing a great job.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by stray15
I think they are doing a great job.

I agree, but if I hear one more enpty headed newscaster say "boots are on the ground" one more time I am going to f***ing scream.

The live sattelite "invasion-cam" on Fox news was kind of cool last night. You know that was planned by the psy-ops guys. Al-Jazeera is broadcasting the US live feeds to the whole Arab world.

Tom

RickC · 03-21-2003, 07:19 AM

"Boots are on the ground" and "target of opportunity."

Yea, despite the good looks discussed in the other thread, newscasters are very limited in expertise. Why they can't take the Pentagon press release and think about it for a few moments and put it into their own words is beyond me.

But it is kind of funny to see the difference between a scripted 1/2 hour newscast where everything seems so perfect and official, to an off the cuff 5 hours where they seem to be among the dumbest people on the planet.

My 6 year old could say more important and more coherent things – and probably with less repetition, which is saying something when you’re talking about a 6 year old!!!

tabs · 03-21-2003, 07:33 AM

"Shock and Awe" We are shocked and awed by whats going on...that we are using such a light touch.....

Remember the movie "Network" from 1975...Peter Finch screaming.."I am mad as He!! and am not going to take it anymore!!!" Well thats exactly what television news has become.....At one time TV news was a NOT for profit service.....the Broadcasting companies used the news and saw the news as a Public Service. The FCC requires that each of the networks devotes so many hours a day to Public Service Broadcasting. Then someoone got the bright idea of having the news turn a profit.....now it's all about ratings......and the quality of the news broadcasts has devolved into the National Enquirer mentality....if it bleeds it leads sensationalism......

And Oh boy are we up for manipulation......

RickC · 03-21-2003, 07:49 AM

Network - that was a good movie.

Where's Ed Murrow when we need him?

island911 · 03-21-2003, 09:09 AM

Spot on, Rick!

The first surgical hit, spoke volumes. The people of Baghdad still have water & power. Actions speak louder than words.

The part you left out is, why the ground troops are there. Truely they are a fleet of "inspectors." They are inserted for the primar reason of securing the WMD.

BlueSkyJaunte · 03-21-2003, 09:25 AM

I just hope Hussein doesn't have something really slimy up his sleeve, like waiting until a large portion of our forces are in Baghdad and then opening up with some chem heads or something.

Yes, I'm a pessimist.

RickC · 09:49 AM

Yea, there's always a chance that they're waiting for us to "come ashore" like Iwo and Okinawa. Let's hope not.

With their lights/TV's/radios still on their citizens can keep getting info that they're increasingly surrounded and we're getting closer. Like a paranoid "War of the Worlds" in 1939!

As to "Actions speak louder than words" - well, there's a reason our enemies around the world put their stockpiles next to hospitals and schools and daycare centers. They know we are different from them.

I wonder why so many others who ought to know better do not?

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

"Shock and awe campaign" has started.
-Z.

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

Just as a side comment...hearing the words "shock & awe" so many times by the news people already hurts my ears just as much as when every other word was "resolve" not too long ago.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-man
"Shock and awe campaign" has started.
-Z.

Accurate description.