|
|
|
|
@tomic
Administrator
USA
4607 Posts |
 Posted - 03/12/2003 : 16:38:00
|
Did anyone see the report today that Donald Rumsfield claimed that talks were going on with some Iraqi leaders and that some had "pre-surrendered" in the event the US attacked. While thereis some slim possibility this is true it strikes me as being propaganda designed to add uncertainty to Saddam in the hopes he will pull some of his experienced staff at the exact time they are needed.
It just doesn't seem like something he would announce publicly if it was true because you would want "pre-surrendered" staff to remain in place. Right?
@tomic
|
Gravity, not just a good idea...it's the law!
Sportsbettingacumen.com: The science of sports betting |
|
|
LordofEntropy
Skeptic Friend
USA
85 Posts |
 Posted - 03/12/2003 : 18:41:34 [Permalink]
|
| Interesting psychological warfare. Like many absolute dictators, Saddam seems to be pretty paranoid. Saying something like this could likely end up resulting in the deaths of officers as Saddam tries to seek the traitors out. Even without there actually been any officers "pre-surrendering." |
Entropy just isn't what it used to be.
|
 |
|
|
ktesibios
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2003 : 23:15:36 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by LordofEntropy
Interesting psychological warfare. Like many absolute dictators, Saddam seems to be pretty paranoid. Saying something like this could likely end up resulting in the deaths of officers as Saddam tries to seek the traitors out. Even without there actually been any officers "pre-surrendering."
IIRC, the Nazi government helped provoke Stalin's purging of the upper ranks of the Soviet military establishment during the '30s by feeding the NKVD disinfo implying disloyalty among his generals.
The loss of these professionals had its effect when the Germans attacked the USSR in 1941... |
"The Republican agenda is to turn the United States into a third-world shithole." -P.Z.Myers |
|
|
|
filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 05:18:35 [Permalink]
|
I read about it just a few minutes ago. Haven't had time to really think about it, yet, but at first glance, I smell snake fuel.
If it's true, why publisize it? It makes more sense to me to keep quiet until it's a done deal, then claim the 'victory'.
There's so much outright crap coming out of this administration, I've come to take none of it at face value.
 |
"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
|
|
|
|
LordofEntropy
Skeptic Friend
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 05:32:40 [Permalink]
|
| I would guess that it is made up, intentionally leaked specifically for the purpose of making Saddam second guess some in his ranks. From many accounts being second guessed by Saddam can bring unpleasant consequences. It is a sound ploy with very little effort to do. Even if just 1 or 2 experienced officers end up dead, pretty good results for leaking a 3 paragraph report. |
Entropy just isn't what it used to be.
|
|
|
|
gezzam
SFN Regular
Australia
751 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 06:21:11 [Permalink]
|
I don't know if any of you guys are interested, however our PM made his speech attempting to validate our position on the war. Transcript here if anybody can be bothered reading it....
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/13/1047431139664.html
Gezza |
Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from.
Al Franken |
|
|
|
walt fristoe
SFN Regular
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2003 : 16:49:41 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by @tomic
Did anyone see the report today that Donald Rumsfield claimed that talks were going on with some Iraqi leaders and that some had "pre-surrendered" in the event the US attacked. While thereis some slim possibility this is true it strikes me as being propaganda designed to add uncertainty to Saddam in the hopes he will pull some of his experienced staff at the exact time they are needed.
It just doesn't seem like something he would announce publicly if it was true because you would want "pre-surrendered" staff to remain in place. Right?
@tomic
Apparently it's not just the generals who are surrendering, so are the front line troops! Is this hilarious, or just pathetic? If this is a preview of what's to come, it will be very reminiscent of Gulf War I.
|
"If God chose George Bus of all the people in the world, how good could God be?"
Bill Maher |
|
|
|
 |
|
Topic Locked
