Originally posted by svt4stv:
you asked how can Sandman PROVE the CIA is lying. how can a regular person "prove" this? how can anyone "prove" this when the CIA is considered THE "authority" on these figures.



I understand and I agree. The question is: how many Iraqis are insurgents with fingers on triggers? The only number's I've seen are the CIA or CPA ones (5-50k) and Sandman's theory - which is that every Iraqi male over the age of 17 has an AK47; implying that they are combatants. Well, I did the math and asked the question - could there be as many as 4 million Iraqi males shooting at coalition forces?

It doesn't seem plausible to me, but let's accept it for the sake of argument. If there are that many (or even 10%!), doesn't that point to an official deception of incredible magnitude? If someone at the pentagon come out and said that the insurgency is much bigger than we thought - we are now facing millions of hostiles - how long would it take for the American public to force a withdrawal? If I were an American, I think I'd like to know the true answer to that question.

Originally posted by svt4stv:
does anyone have any speculations as to where this conflict (the entire conflict) is going to end up? what the end result will be? i would like to hear some theories as to where this situation will be in 5 years from now. I have no clue. I dont see any good results in pulling out or in remaining.


According to the Veterans for Common Sense group which is openly against the action in Iraq (and other sources) claim that the insurgency is growing in strength, and as seems clear, not lacking in resources. Their assessment is essentially the same as yours, that it will become increasingly difficult and costly to either defeat the insurgents or withdraw - and they don't think victory is a foregone conclusion.