Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

leslie, plumerville, arkansas — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:21:34 GMT

I want to have a discussion but I don't even know what a "seed" is, much less where to find the greenhouse on newsvine, so I'm going to approach this from a different angle. I'd like to know if the peace effort can be traced in Iraq, first; and then I'd like to know if not then why, because why gets us evidence; and I want evidence. I would like it to be a civilized conversation across ethnic and geographic lines.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

leslie, plumerville, arkansas — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:34:45 GMT

This is the stupidest war, ever. And because it is, likely the last, one way or another, so I'm looking at the forest, not necessarily the trees, for a solution. I want people looking at every one of those trees, though; people who uphold the law, starting with the tallest ones. And also, I'd like to note that this culture thing needs to be respected. So far, I think the only way to do that is pull out. I'm willing to listen to anything, though. I think respecting the culture thing, for example, would be to understand that widows and orphans (under normal circumstances) get taken care of over there. They keep getting paid. Now, wouldn't it be interesting to see if that procedure continues when it's not American dollars, not that our dollar means a lot right now. Well, except in Iraq. See, I want the FBI in on this.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Dan Williams, Baghdad, Iraq — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:30:39 GMT

Three things on this drivel:

1. Only report that is an official report from MNF-I on ISF Trained and ISF Assigned is published quarterly. The reports are public knowledge and open for anyone to read. They are at: http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/Iraq_Reports/index.html

2. The estimate of 600,000-646,000 end strength was derived independently by four different group. They are: MOD study that the Iraqi leadership conducted, a study conducted by MNSTC-I in the in-stride assessment, third by MNC-I leadership in the fall of 2007, and the fourth was by the Center for Armyt analysis. All four studies made the same or similar conclusion that the right size force for Iraq is a total combined Iraqi Police and Military strength of between 600,000 and 646,000.

3. As for the dead (martyrs) still being included in the roles of those assigned, this is one way the families of the dead security forces are assured to receive their due martyrs pay is for them to remain on the pay role until the family is paid. This is the same as an American Soldier's family being paid their due compensation from the Soldiers Group Life Insurnace Policy.

Those like this author who are quick to jump with out asking us for the rest of the story are prone to get it wrong.

If you want to know the rest of this story, you can call me at (914) 360-2494 or email me at daniel.t.williams@us.army.mil

I am LTC Dan Williams, the MNSTC-I PAO.

No one from any media outlet has called to clarify or ask if there was anything more to add.

I am glad to assist and will enjoy the opportunity to discuss.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

George McPheron Johnston City Il. ghorgemcpheron@hotmail.com — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:06:54 GMT

Why are you suprised by the antics of the Bush Adm.
They have proven that then don't have a passing relationship with the truth.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Jim Wilson, Rowland Hts, CA — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:48:35 GMT

Please tell Senator Dorgan not to fret. At least one of the candidates is willing to commit to 100 years to get it right.

The 30 Years' War, which seemed so daunting in history books (remember Wallenstein's Lager?) will appear to be not even a benchmark.

Or maybe it will be like the 1200s when the Duchy of Moscow had 263 different wars in slightly over 175 years.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Tom Kleinecke — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:22:24 GMT

I was initially suprised when there were no comments about an article that had been written 2 days ago.
After thinking about it I realised that most readers were seeing it as more of the same - People like myself had no faith in the reports provided by our government.

A 50 year old sceptic.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Sean S, Seattle, WA — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:51:56 GMT

I feel the ultimate question here is:
Who, if anyone will ever be held accountable for the obvious incompetence, obfuscation and outright fraud involved in the training of Iraqi military forces? A trained and competent Iraqi army remains the primary component required for significant U.S. withdrawal from combat operations.
• Who is paying the bill for the soldiers who are killed or AWOL yet continue to remain on the government payroll?
• Who is accountable for 100% of the Iraqi forces showing up for duty?
• Finally, how long will it take the American people to learn the true cost of this ill conceived escapade and the actual nature of the follow on consequences?
This story is an excellent example of the sorts of mismanagement that has unfortunately dogged this war and continues to deteriorate our ability to fight it effectively.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

B.James Voorhies — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:50:51 GMT

This is just another example of a continuing problem: the Iraqi leadership are not serious about (or incapable of) taking control of their own country. Their "military" and "police" are just paper forces who refuse to follow orders, desert when asked to stand up to actions against their tribe or sect, and seem to be in the service mostly for the paycheck. Iraqi military or police service seems to be little more than a US financed WPA project used by a corrupt Iraqi leadership to put down political opponents. Only when we are not there to prop them up militarily will the leadership get serious about a true compromising political solution. Has no one seen Lawrence of Arabia? There are few if any statesmen: just Jimmy Hoffas, Al Capones, and Sitting Bulls , with a bunch of Khomeinis thrown in to stir up the pot. Until those people get some Washingtons, Jeffersons, and Lincolns (and maybe some FDRs and Eisenhowers), they'll stay a devided nation of thugs, robber barons, and zealots. And the average Joe Iraqi (who doesn't seem to be unhappy enough to kick the rascals out) will pay the price. Why should American mothers send their sons into that cesspit? I'm all for supporting the good guys, but I'm not seeing any white hats yet.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

JGBHimself, Olyberg, WA — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:41:32 GMT

In Political Science this one was very early identified as "The Theory of the Expandable Forum" - which basically means that if you cannot win an election/war/controversy within the size of the forum you are in..., simply expand [or contract] the forum.
Example, GOTV/Internet efforts by Obama,etc
AND 80 Fl election where BOTH political parties actively sought to exclude "bad" voters - D's military abs & R's blacks.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

John Praytor, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:04:23 GMT

I wonder how loudly the Pentagon and Congress would howl if only 70 percent of U.S. troops showed up for duty. As usual, this administration keeps changing the criteria to justify continuing a boondoggle.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Sal Akbani, O'Fallon, Illinois — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:02:26 GMT

Mission accomplished was moved to defeating a few dead enders to estoblsihing deomcracy in Iraq or defeating Al-Qaeda to containing Iran to defeating Al-Sadr to defeating Sunni malitias to etc etc etc. Like a bad gamblers, GWB, Cheney and neo cons will continue to thorw good money and lives after bad. But them again, they are not playing with their money and the lives of their loved ones.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

IRFAN MIAN. Chicago IL — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:44:55 GMT

It was very disturbing knowing about the false reports of training of security forces, re-construction program and dead people on payroll in Iraq and "OUR" money spent...or should I say the tax payer's money being pockted by few..high officials (the blue eyed people) by not completing even children hospitals is nothing but a matter of shame. The false reports on number of security forces being trained, the deads on payroll and the re-costruction not completed...and the list goes on, I wonder what else could be going on which has not come into lime-light yet..
My question is....IS THERE ANY-ONE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO CAN GET HOLD OF THESE CRIMNALS AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE" or we all fall into same catagory ? I always thought this country was the best on this plannet and have not changed my mind yet, because I am very confident and determined to see some-one bring "CHANGE" and putting these bunch of crooks where they realy belong.
An advise to the "AMRICANS"...BEWARE OF THESE MASKED FRIENDS...WHO ARE THE REAL ENEMIES OF OUR COUNTRY.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Joe Hardin, Milton, WI — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:33:32 GMT

I thought that we learned in Vietnam that we can't depend on an American imposed and trained indigenous fighting force to cover our asses when we withdraw. Wake up Bush!

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

karen smith, houston, tx — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:59:41 GMT

Let us Saddam needed a 3 million man army to keep Iraq under control I do not see any force smaller being able to do the job. Historically ten percent of the population is needed to keep the rest in line if they are opposed to the current government. Saddam had it right as far as the numbers go. We should have just put him back in charge as he seemed able to keep the peace. Deaths under his rule were smaller per year than under American rule a very sobering fact.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Dean, Cincinnati, Ohio — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:13:55 GMT

646,000 troops for a nation of 27,800,000. Of course, the miliary and police will be overwhelmingly male in Iraq. And let's not consider anyone under 14 (about 40% of Iraq's poluation is under 14) as a potential troop. So the 646,000 troops means that almost 1 in 12 adult (over 14) males will need to be in either the Army or the police. Egads!, this is a figure that will never be reached, because Iraq simply cannot afford to pay these people. I haven't even added other factors like the over 65 population, the disabled, or otherwise incapable.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Allen Crews — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:11:44 GMT

How ironic that the PAO sends in a message to contact him if there are questions on the reports. Hmmmmmm.... this guy works for the same machine that has produced so many blatant falsified reports it makes me wonder how stupid do they think American's are anyways? Maybe we can get another report on WMD's or find another Jessica Lynn or Pat Tillman. Better yet maybe we can get information on how Al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein had close ties. Get real there is no creditability to ANY report coming out of ANY agency involved with ANY thing to do with Iraq. It's sad to see how the higher (flag) ranks in the military either have to sell their troops and their nation out to keep their jobs or tell the truth and get instant retirement orders. Tells me a huge amount about the integrity and ethics of the Rumsfeld purged officer corps.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

david ionno hartford ct — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:38:02 GMT

to Light Bird Williams,
As a Viet Nam veteran and 16 yrs in the Green machine I do not want to be in Iraq and do not want you or any American troops there. The sheer arrogance of telling a 4,000 yr old culture, the cradle of civilization, how to live is insane. If david hackworth were alive he would fire all the perfumed princes from Petraeus on down. If the Iraqui army was here kicking my door down I would be wasting them in a hearbeat

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Dan Williams, Ali Asalem Air Base, Kuwait (on my way home) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:29:21 GMT

All who have responded, thank you.

I was wondering if anyone really cared at all that we are a Nation at War.

As you also may know, since you keep such good statistical data, that less than 1% of eligible Americans are actually in the US Military continuing to defend your freedom to express yourself.

I am grateful for your opportunity to speak up. I am delighted that this is a debate in the open and that some are actually interested in expressing their thoughts.

Drive on people. This is one of the reasons I serve in the Army.

Dan Williams

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Dr. J. Boost, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, China — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:17:45 GMT

More than 600,000 soldiers are needed NOW to keep an artificial state (like ex-Yugoslavia)together.
That is NOW. How many were there THEN? How many did Saddam Hussein need? Because it was the same tribal problem. The Sunni-Scjia one was not that rampant: He had Schiites in his Government. Women had no problems either: They could go to school, to university, to work - even into Government! But now they are liberated. The economy was not so bd off either: Hussein had created the most advanced modern -and secular!- state in the Middle East: an example for many Arab states and Israel - but one those didn't like to see.
So, once again: Why does one need such a density of military (or military-like, i.e. police) personnel and hardware. I mean, a tank at every corner and a humvie at every house door sounds impressive - but not at all democratic.
J. Boost

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

Ranger Hall, Riverside,CA. — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:06:46 GMT

David, Its good to hear a real soldiers name mentioned, Hack was one of the best. A real Soldiers Soldier. Theres still a few, But they will never make it past Col.

Report questions actual number of Iraqi troops

l. jenkins, red oak, Ia — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:26:23 GMT

My heart aches from this whole situation. To the soldiers who fight; I thank you. I appreciate everything that you have to say. To those who want reckoning and justice, you may never get what you desire; I am sorry. To all families who burry loved ones, there is nothing that can be said; it would seem petty. What has been started can not be undone; pulling out would make Iraq worse, and so will staying there. There are no right answers, so be cautious when you here someone screaming them from a rooftop.