S-2

Big K is talking about this-

U.S. Senate Approves Partition Plan in Iraq

While non-binding, what's interesting is the bi-partisan nature of the vote. 26 republican senators voted for the resolution, to include a co-sponsor- Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) Texas. Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell and minority whip Trent Lott also were among the supporters.

"Under the semi-autonomous enclaves plan, Iraq's federal government would retain responsibility for foreign policy, distribution of national oil revenues and defense of the country's borders..."

That's a rather tame notion of partition.

__________________
"This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski

smilingassassin

I can see your point but you've already conceeded that Turkeys lack of support for the Iraq invasion really has hurt Turkeys chances of gaining U.S, support. What alot of people can't seem to fathom is while the U.S. really was blind to global terrorism against other nations prior to 9/11, that event sparked them to tackle the issue which garnered a rather cinical responce from those already suffering from terrorist attacks. The "where were you when we were getting hit" mentality has prevailed rather than the unity thats needed to deal with terrorism.

Unfortunately someone has to alter their possition if both nations are to improve relations again. The question is will cinics like Big K prevent that because of their pride?

Somehow I doubt the PKK has Abrams, M-60 or even WW2 Shermans at their disposal unles they have been captured from Turkey itself? How many Ex-U.S. weapons does Turkey still use or has used durring the PKK's existance?

__________________
Facts to a liberal is like Kryptonite to Superman.

-- Larry Elder

smilingassassin

Bi-partisan my ass, out of 75 votes on a resolution preposed by none other than a Democrat, Biden, 26 votes were Republican's.

Ucar

Turkish Armed Forces are a NATO force using primarily US/European weapon systems. During the fight against PKK some weapon systems were naturally captured by the terrorist organization. However, these are limited to small arms and support weapon systems; i.e. mortars, HMGs etc. The nature of the terrain where the operations are focused on makes the use of mechanized equipment very hard.

APCs and IFVs are used primarily in trop transportation and convoy excort duties. Tanks are placed in strategic strongpoints, and utilized as semi-bunkers. The nature of the terrain forces Turkey to rely on infantry units to continue the fight, supported heavily by artillery and air force/land aviation.
Naturally heavy weapon systems are not employed in the front line very often.

S-2

"Bi-partisan my ass, out of 75 votes on a resolution preposed by none other than a Democrat, Biden, 26 votes were Republican's."

So...since the Republican party holds less than half the seats in the senate, can we fairly say that more than half of the republicans voted for this resolution? How does the fact that the Senate Minority leader and whip voted with the republican co-sponsor of the bill factor into your "assessment"?

"Bi-partisan my ass" indeed.

smilingassassin

Nope, we can say a Democrat dominated senate voted for the resolution. Also note that Bidens the one who initiated the resolution that would be more disaterous than tyhe current administrations tactic of creating a secular democratic government. Creating 3 factions suscepatble to domination by either Syria or Iran is sheer folly...

S-2

"Nope, we can say a Democrat dominated senate voted for the resolution."

Well, I count 49 Republican senators, 49 Democrat senators and 2 independants- Bernard Sanders and Joe Lieberman. "Democrat dominated" eh?

26 Republicans voted for the resolution, Smiling Assassin. That's 26 out of 49 republican senators. The Republican Senate Minority LEADER and Senate Minority WHIP voted for this bill.

I stand by my statement that this is a bi-partisan resolution.

"Also note that Bidens the one who initiated the resolution that would be more disaterous than tyhe current administrations tactic of creating a secular democratic government. Creating 3 factions suscepatble to domination by either Syria or Iran is sheer folly..."

Did you read the link? Did you note that a national and sovereign Iraqi government would still stand on matters of international relations, oil-revenue sharing, and nat'l defense? This isn't a partition plan.

It's an expression of senatorial contempt for the Iraqi national government's inability/unwillingness to achieve discernable progress on issues of national reconciliation.

Anyway, thanks for your careful and well-conceived thoughts.

smilingassassin

I stand corrected, I was working under tha assumtion the Democrats just won more seats in the house and confused with the senate, still....

Care to list off how many Democrats voted for the resolution merely based on the idea itself or simply because it was another chance to stick it to the Republican government? Simple math can give you a good idea of how many Dems voted for it.

As a matter of fact I did...

....and thats going to amount to what? Its another waste of time IMO and another example of the Democrats life in a riverie.

Yeah well sorry if it isn't "intellectual" enough for your taste...

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"I stand corrected..."

Laughable. You didn't confuse the house with the senate. You just have math issues. Here's where you started with me-THREE POSTS AGO,

"Bi-partisan my ass, out of 75 votes on a resolution preposed by none other than a Democrat, Biden, 26 votes were Republican's."

Catch a clue. OVER HALF of the republican senators, to include the minority leader and whip, voted with a republican sponsor of this resolution. Google the facts the next time before leaping half-cocked.

You don't have to agree with their vote but you can't ignore it. What's important isn't what democrats did or didn't do. From your perspective that's sadly predictable. However, Republican senators voting IN DROVES for this resolution should be frightening to you.

I said "should". Not sure that it's yet gotten through to you. At this point, I'm not sure that it ever will. Check your head-space and timing.

smilingassassin

Hmm confused math huh? Wahts 49+26? You guessed it 75, again how many Dems voted for the measure if only 26 rep's voted for it? I think your merely spinning things as usual, I never denied that half the Rep.s voted yes I simply disagreed with your assessment that the vote was Bi-partisan but you sure can't wait to spin things like you do best....

...and you can go get stuffed, keep your personal attacks to your self jack***. The only thing thats laughable is your propoganda skills....

Parihaka

Calm gentlemen please

__________________
In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

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"You guessed it 75"

Hard to confuse with the House of Representatives.

"I simply disagreed with your assessment that the vote was Bi-partisan..."

Simple disagreement, eh?

"Bi-partisan my ass..."

Yeah. That's it.