Syria May Expel Some Iraqi's (US officials say) -AP

Sad that they couldn’t exchange it for Chinese Drywall or Chinese Salmonella Toys since China can’t build her own carriers and has to use trickery like " hey were turning it into a gambling casino" to get ex soviet era carriers out of the Turkish straights.

@General:

And another side note civilians lose wars not the American military.

Agreed, terrible policy has been the bane of the US fighting man for over half a century. (or longer even)

We give the people all the battle wins, and spineless leadership and ineptitude takes those victories and squanders them.

From one trooper to another “Brave Rifles!” and thank you for your service!

Seeing Hooker was never going to take the offensive, Lee pulled two more Divisions, those of South Carolinian RH Anderson and Georgian Lafayette McLaws from in front of Hooker and led them himself against Sedgwick in conjunction with Jubal Early. It was to be a day of frustration for Lee, as he could not prod McLaws forward and get the 3 division attack going. Sedgwick withdrew over Banks’ Ford when he lost Marye’s Heights to Early.(Early had a great battle.)
This was the cue for Hooker to call the campaign over and he withdrew over US Ford on the 5th. Casualties were high for the four day battle: 13000 for Lee and 17000 for Hooker. Lee’s proportion was too high, considering he only had 60000 to start with.
Lee and the South had bettered an army twice the size of their own and given Virginia breathing space. Lee’s next move, as it had been in 62, after a victory, was to move North.
Gettysburg awaited.
Jackson would never again be Lee’s “right arm”’ as he passed away on the 10th from complications from his amputation.
His last words were: let us cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees.

thanks for the clarification thought you were a cow fan

sorry that was bad

Thanks for finding time to comment Cromwell.
The 30th Jan, and this event,is not an anniversary I forget: it is Al’s father’s birthday. He has always enjoyed its place as he  is  anti-monarchist and anti privilege, despite his (state funded) public and Oxford education. It is funny as his wife’s parents worked in the colonies after the war, so politically they do not see eye to eye!

I am impressed with the maturity and growth shown by everyone here.

(sigh!)