Tough

U.S.: Courts no longer open to detainees - 20 Oct 2006 at 2:53pm - WASHINGTON -- Hundreds of detainees received notice from the Justice Department this week that because of a new law signed by President Bush, the U.S. court system is no longer open to them. Now it will be up to a federal appeals court, and ultimately the Supreme Court, to decide the fate of prisoners who have spent years arguing the government is illegally holding them at overseas military bases.

Bush to consult on changing Iraq tactics - 20 Oct 2006 at 2:43pm - WASHINGTON -- President Bush acknowledged Friday that "it's tough" in Iraq and said he would consult with American generals to see if a change in tactics is necessary to combat the escalating violence.

How about consulting to see if a change in strategy is necessary? What is the U.S. military objective in Iraq, again? If it's still to send just enough troops to overthrow Saddam, fine, our work there is done. If it's to maintain order in perpetuity, aren't General Shinseki's estimated 400,000 troops required? Would even 400,000 be sufficient, now? Or is the objective simply to ensure that it remains "tough" until Bush leaves office?

United States numb to Iraq troop deaths: experts - 20 Oct 2006 at 11:40am - NEW YORK (Reuters) - In a small box titled "Names of the Dead" on page 10, The New York Times recorded the passing of Cpt. Mark Paine this week, who died after a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle in Iraq.

Shiite militia seizes Iraqi city - 20 Oct 2006 at 7:12am - The Shiite militia run by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr seized total control of the southern Iraqi city of Amarah on Friday in one of the boldest acts of defiance yet by one of the country's powerful, unofficial armies, witnesses and police said.

WP: Major change expected in Iraq strategy - 20 Oct 2006 at 6:57am - The growing doubts among GOP lawmakers about the administration's Iraq strategy, coupled with the prospect of Democratic wins in next month's midterm elections, will soon force the Bush administration to abandon its open-ended commitment to the war, according to lawmakers in both parties, foreign policy experts and others involved in policymaking.

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