.......hmmm, on top of my list of the 'defiances'>
Logic, Generals, public opinion, reason, the message from the November elections..... etc.

Well let's see what you folks think about this; Why is Bush 'going for it'? Is the cost worth it? Is there a true chance of breaking the staus quo- long or short term? Is he going stir-crazy out of desperation?

He reminds of our former canadian prime-minister Brian Mulroney in the 1980s, who was a conservative- came in on a landslide, was in for 2 terms, but succeeded in leading the country into[i] a double recession defied everyone to hell- had a leadership popularity of 15% at the end and his Conservative party actually ended up renaming itself just to wash away the bitter taste Mulroney had associated with the old party.

My point here is some leaders don't know when to jump off the road to ruin.

I didn't listen to his speech, so I don't know all the details. If he's bringing in the extra troops to help train Iraqi's and not to go on any missions, than fine. As the soldiers there point out, they don't want any more guys sent in. I heard an interview where the Band of Brothers episode about replacements was mentioned. The soldiers there know that the new guys coming in are more likely to be casualties and that doesn't help anybody.
Although even with this troop "surge" we will have fewer troops in Iraq than a year ago, I have to say this is Bush's last attempt to show that he is in control. Hopefully after this he will start listening to people that know what the hell they are talking about.

Well, here's my take on the situation.

Iran is the main concern. If we leave Iraq, Iran becomes the new power in the Persian Gulf. The people watching out political show right now is the Iranian govt. They want the Dems to take control and move all the soldiers out so they'll have easy access. I have a few friends over there and from what they've explained to me lately is that some of the insurgents that they're capturing have Iranian govt/military ties. Kind of interesting.

So Bush going on tv, right after the House officially moves to the Dems, and saying that he'll be sending another 20,000 troops in is basically his way of letting Iran know that he's still in charge. He's still going to do this whether or not other politicians oppose him.

Now on the troops, I'm split. I have friends there and I have one buddy out of boot camp going into Airborne training who would most likely be sent over. Majority of my mind thinks that more is better, but I still don't want any lives to be lost. But you figure, D-Day wouldn't have worked with limited troops. So if they concentrate multi-thousands of troops on Baghdad and clean up house to house, it could work.

I think it takes a lot for Bush to admit his mistakes and now he's attempting to finish what he started. Not a huge Bush fan, but I'm liking him a lot better in his 2nd term than his 1st.

I really hope it works, but such surges in Iraq in the past never worked. His Generals Bush promised to listen to say it's likely a pointless venture. So if it's all just for some face-saving I think he shouldn't attempt it at the cost of soldier's lives. The Insurgents I suppose will likely keep their heads down and be biding their time until they've given the impression all is quiet. Once the US troops pull out of Baghdad it'll be the same old same old in my opinion. As to the amounts of soldiers being put in for such a final blow, the Generals said 200,000 troops are needed for that kind of effect- not just the 20,000 being brought in to bolster the 135,000 there now. That kind kind of hammer blow needed at the start of the war to consolidate gains. As much as Rumsfeld's strategy of a swift light piercing advance into Iraq was very impressive it backfired and the whole op. stalled. A bit like the Allies fast breakout out of Mormandy bogged down due much to overstretched supply lines. Anyway- we'll see in 6 months what happens.

This is another I voted for it before I voted against it. My goodness will they please make up their mind what they believe in and stand for? I keep trying to figure it out.....

Iran voted against their president in the midterm elections too. Maybe we should get together over coffee and talk...

i have to say as much as i don't agree with a lot of things about this war ,i can say we DO need to send more troops there.these kids are not equipped and under manned and need the help.i personally think the politicians and the MEDIA are getting in the way,alot of young soldiers will pay the price (again)so they can further their careers. didn't the us learn this lesson in a previous engagement?