Bad JuJu

If this is true the Army's top dog sure knows how to rain on one's parade. If the current rate of death and destruction reflects what we can expect for 4 more years we are looking at 3400 or more deaths and 26,000 plus wounded. Only Goddess knows how many more Iraqi citizens(50,000+?).

Does anyone seriously think that the country will allow this to go unchecked for this much longer? A better question might be how many election cycles will the neo-con rethuglicans allow this to continue. My guess is that after a disaster at the polls next year they will be bailing and leaving the mess for Clinton or Clark to clean up.

I seriously doubt we can sustain this troop level in Iraq without changing some of the laws about how long reservists and National Guard can stay mobilized. Many of the folks in Iraq right now on their second tour and are at the current legal limit for the length of time that they can be kept active. Four more years at this level means a draft for sure.

The Army is planning for the possibility of keeping the current number of soldiers in Iraq - well over 100,000 - for four more years, the Army's top general said Saturday.

In an Associated Press interview, Gen. Peter Schoomaker said the Army is prepared for the "worse case" in terms of the required level of troops in Iraq. He said the number could be adjusted lower if called for by slowing the force rotation or by shortening tours for soldiers.

Schoomaker said commanders in Iraq and others who are in the chain of command will decide how many troops will be needed next year and beyond. His responsibility is to provide them, trained and equipped.

About 138,000 U.S. troops, including about 25,000 Marines, are now in Iraq.

Schoomaker's comments come amid indications from Bush administration officials and commanders in Iraq that the size of the U.S. force may be scaled back next year if certain conditions are achieved.

(via AP)