Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!cbnews!military From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: Listening to the Gulf Message-ID: <1991Jan21.034500.2038@cbnews.att.com> Date: 21 Jan 91 03:45:00 GMT References: <1991Jan19.042136.5495@cbnews.att.com> Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego Lines: 35 Approved: military@att.att.com From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman) >From: Will Martin > > Most disappointing news item I've heard so far: "Saddam Hussein was >seen on the streets of Baghdad this morning touring the damaged >installations." Not only was he still around, but the streets were safe >enough for him (or anyone) to come out from their holes. I would have >hoped the bombardment would have continued on a random and irregular >basis, so that the streets would not be safe anytime, daylight or >dark... Guess that would be a mite expensive... WM AND politically damaging! If you'll notice, the primary targets at this early stage in the war have been strictly military in nature. I heard a report on CNN on the 18th that some 25 Iraqi civilians were being treated for minor injuries due to being in the general vicinity of a bomb blast. Casualties on BOTH sides have been extraordinarily low to this point -- a testament to Hussein's inability to strike with ferocity and the Coalition's ability to strike ACCURATELY. Even the SCUD shots at Israel haven't caused any severe casualties (to this point at least, as of 19 Jan 91), despite being targetted at civilian areas. (Further evidence that Hussein has such a blatant disregard for human life.) This war so far seems like a victory for the defense contractors in this nation, whose reputation has been diminished due to "cost over-runs" and "failed tests." I'd much rather see a $1.2 million cruise missile get shot down than a jet with an American pilot.... -shane "Welcome to the '1991 Iraqi Invitational Gulf Tournament'!"