Personally I think that the most important parts of his speech were 2 things:

1. Bush accepting responsibility (Can't believe I heard that but I did)
2. Making a clear statement that America's support is not open-ended (a clear deviation from his earlier statements until now)




>It did sound like more of the same to me. Except for the Patriot missile systems mention, the additional carrier strike group, and some renewed statements directed at Iran & Syria.
>
>>Brilliant! Let's throw more troops at the problem! (rolling eyes madly)
>>
>>The militia groups are already gearing up for an increase in hostilities. Bush's plan is going to make the situation in Iraq even more unstable, not less.
>>
>>
>>>What did you think of the speech (and the stated plan) last nite?
>>>
>>>>The additional troops are going so hopefully congress will not stop the funding at this point because it will not bring home the troops but will only limit the ability to pay for the necessary equipment and hurt the troops.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>A recent article about the supply of armored humvees:
>>>>>
>>>>>http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/iraq/bal-te.armor10jan10,0,2049191.story?coll=bal-iraq-headlines
>>>>>
>>>>>>The accidental deaths should be shocking, but it is not really when you look at the fact that there are how many troops in Iraq? Compare that to a city and the typical statistics of a city as far as cancer, vehicle accidents, suicides, etc. The explosive device deaths are not surprising simply due to the fact that it is the weapon of choice over there. If it wasn't explosive devices then it would probably be gunshot deaths. All of it is tragic, but what concerns me is the 340 not reported. Why were they not reported? Are they civilian deaths (contractors)? I see no means of military deaths going unreported greater than 30 days because every military death is reported and investigated. Even during peacetime there are deaths in every unit due to vehicle accidents, drinking and driving, cancer, strokes, heart attacks, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Showing where the casualty is from. This appears to correspond to population density.
>>>>>>>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/static.php?f=wherecamefrom.php
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Pie chart of casulties by age group. Also shows age distribution in the dept of defence.
>>>>>>>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/static.php?f=age.php
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Pie chart by gender
>>>>>>>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/static.php?f=gender.php
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Pie chart by race
>>>>>>>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/static.php?f=race.php
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Listing of type and cause of death
>>>>>>>http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/static.php?f=typecauseofdeath.php
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>What is shocking is that almost 700 deaths were accidents. As well 340 deaths had the causes "not reported". 4 drug overdoses. 8 from stroke, 4 from cancer.