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RE: War in Afghanistan - 9/27/2009 6:44:23 AM
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buckifn
Posts: 1651
Joined: 5/23/2006
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Our so called system of "justice" is long past the failing point. I don't think we can ever stop the civil war tactics these countries such as Afghanistan are engaged in. There have been cultural wars going on there between the tribes for MANY years and our arrival on the scene has not stopped it. It seems to be a fantasy that we can ever solve their problems.
One thing for sure- we aren't doing to well solving our own countries problems at this time.
Everytime I see a story about another one of our sons/daughter's dying over there a part of me dies too.
My prayers are with our Military families night and day.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 9/28/2009 1:52:00 PM
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phreddy
Posts: 260
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quote:
ORIGINAL: cow451
It depends on a long-term strategy. That's one reason for some hesitation about authorizing more troops while the current levels are still rising (the last increase will not peak until the end of the year). A counter-insurgency strategy may not require the level of troops being asked for.
It would be nice to hear the President say this, but I guess he is kind of short on air-time.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 9/28/2009 3:24:39 PM
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Kath
Posts: 17759
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quote:
What are your views on the war in Afghanistan?
What are our long term goals and how do we achieve it?
What are the risk with staying or, on the other hand, pulling out?
This is the topic for this thread. Please stay on topic. Please do not attempt to hijack it by bringing in other topics or by posting inflammatory remarks.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 9/29/2009 12:04:28 AM
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tinydancer2
Posts: 576
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People, look what I found..pics from Afghanistan and soldiers life day in day out and etc.
Michael Yon journalism and pics
_____________________________
1 Peter 1
A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation.This hope an anchor to the soul. Blessed be the Triuno Lord Almighty.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 9/30/2009 7:11:53 PM
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Mollymouser
Posts: 5854
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: california, land of the happy cows
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LINK TO FULL STORY
(excerpt)
43 U.S. Troops Have Died in Afghanistan Since Gen. McChrystal Called for Reinforcements
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Another American died in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the final day of September--and exactly one month after the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan sent a confidential war assessment to the Obama administration, warning that more forces are needed--soon. The as-yet-unnamed American serviceman who died on Wednesday was caught in a suicide attack in Khost Province, in eastern Afghanistan, press reports said.
On August 30, Gen. Stanley McChrystal sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates a war assessment in which he said more U.S. troops--and a new U.S. strategy--are needed if the U.S. is to defeat the insurgents in Afghanistan. Since that Aug. 30 date, a total of 43 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have died in a war that is now the subject of much discussion--and apparently some confusion--in Washington.
_____________________________
 MARRIED TO A MILITARY PILOT  PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 9:53:55 AM
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cow451
Posts: 3514
Joined: 5/6/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Harvie
LINK TO FULL STORY
(excerpt)
43 U.S. Troops Have Died in Afghanistan Since Gen. McChrystal Called for Reinforcements
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Another American died in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the final day of September--and exactly one month after the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan sent a confidential war assessment to the Obama administration, warning that more forces are needed--soon. The as-yet-unnamed American serviceman who died on Wednesday was caught in a suicide attack in Khost Province, in eastern Afghanistan, press reports said.
On August 30, Gen. Stanley McChrystal sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates a war assessment in which he said more U.S. troops--and a new U.S. strategy--are needed if the U.S. is to defeat the insurgents in Afghanistan. Since that Aug. 30 date, a total of 43 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have died in a war that is now the subject of much discussion--and apparently some confusion--in Washington.
Shoddy writing would imply that the deaths are somehow connected with the request and consideration of it. Deaths are up because the Taliban have grown stronger and there are more US troops there. Adding more troops will cause an increase in combat casualties in the short term.
_____________________________
"It's an effort to elevate one's language to sound more academic, more scholarly," Lucas said. "I don't think I'd give her an A for anything."- Brad Lucas of TCU on Palin's refudiate gaffe
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 1:14:59 PM
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wing2000
Posts: 1198
Joined: 4/14/2005
From: ...the beautiful Sonoran Desert
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quote:
Shoddy writing would imply that the deaths are somehow connected with the request and consideration of it. Deaths are up because the Taliban have grown stronger and there are more US troops there. Adding more troops will cause an increase in combat casualties in the short term.
Agreed. Additionally, NATO forces have been on the offensive this year...and increased casualties are to be expected.
Ultimately, the President has to decide what our end goal is in Afghanistan....
If it's only to keep Al Qaida from establishing operational bases...then deploying another 30-40k troops is probably not the answer....
If on the other hand, we want a functional, centralized government...then the troops will be needed...plus at least a ten year commitment to nation building. Does America have the patience and resources for such an effort?
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 2:17:22 PM
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rlj
Posts: 3590
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quote:
Ultimately, the President has to decide what our end goal is in Afghanistan....
I was critical of Dubya for this so I'm going to be critical of B0: Isn't 9 months plenty enough time to figure out what it is you want to do there? 
quote:
If on the other hand, we want a functional, centralized government...then the troops will be needed...plus at least a ten year commitment to nation building. Does America have the patience and resources for such an effort?
Are we even prepared for nation building? Our military has spent over 200 years practicing, preparing, training, and conducting "linear war". These types of operations aren't what we're prepared to do. As long as politicians keep coming up with extended operations that are outside of the scope of what we're made to do and as long as they (politicians) continue to be ignorant of the cultures and areas they are going to send us to operate in then we will struggle. After WW 2 we have struggled in our non-linear conflicts(Vietnam, Iraq occupation, Afghanistan) and succeeded in our linear(Grenada, Iraq 1 and 2, Panama).
_____________________________
This is our new cat. He doesn't have a name yet though he got the undeserved nickname of "Evil Kitty" from the kids.
No sign of our old kitten. We got a couple of phone calls but they couldn't grab him for us. : (
--Roger--
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 4:00:51 PM
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letusreason
Posts: 554
Joined: 8/30/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rlj
quote:
Ultimately, the President has to decide what our end goal is in Afghanistan....
I was critical of Dubya for this so I'm going to be critical of B0: Isn't 9 months plenty enough time to figure out what it is you want to do there?
quote:
If on the other hand, we want a functional, centralized government...then the troops will be needed...plus at least a ten year commitment to nation building. Does America have the patience and resources for such an effort?
Are we even prepared for nation building? Our military has spent over 200 years practicing, preparing, training, and conducting "linear war". These types of operations aren't what we're prepared to do. As long as politicians keep coming up with extended operations that are outside of the scope of what we're made to do and as long as they (politicians) continue to be ignorant of the cultures and areas they are going to send us to operate in then we will struggle. After WW 2 we have struggled in our non-linear conflicts(Vietnam, Iraq occupation, Afghanistan) and succeeded in our linear(Grenada, Iraq 1 and 2, Panama).
Linear and non-linear asside, and instead of arguing the inverse, what are we "prepared" and "made to do"?
_____________________________
Proverbs 16:2
All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 4:37:08 PM
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rlj
Posts: 3590
Joined: 4/14/2005
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quote:
Linear and non-linear asside, and instead of arguing the inverse, what are we "prepared" and "made to do"?
For our armed forces to go and fight the enemies armed forces and defeat them, accept their surrender and to restore order while the final details are worked on. Iraq two is a great example of this. When the idea was to defeat the Iraqi army and usurp their government we won handily and rather easily in an absolutely brilliant campaign. It was the insurgency that proved difficult there.
When the conflict is more amorphous that is where we struggle. In Vietnam we were never able to fight the enemy head on and defeat him. Tet was as close as we got but even then since we couldn't control the population they were able to regroup. Since they were dispersed so thinly over the countryside we could never get a decisive win over them. Afghanistan is a similiar problem. Though we defeated the government rather easily, it really had no control over the Taliban which was the real enemy. They're all over the countryside scattered in small units. We can take areas for a time but when we move on the Taliban can take them back pretty much at will since we'll never be able to simultaneously hold the area they operate in.
I believe that any conflict that we can fight the enemy head on we can win and win handily. That is where we are at our best.
_____________________________
This is our new cat. He doesn't have a name yet though he got the undeserved nickname of "Evil Kitty" from the kids.
No sign of our old kitten. We got a couple of phone calls but they couldn't grab him for us. : (
--Roger--
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 5:01:53 PM
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tinydancer2
Posts: 576
Status: offline
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Well since I found the Michael link, I trully have a deeper care for the troops and realities of war. It helps my prayers for them also, I do feel more closer with them as Mike's journalism style and pictures from war front, has helped others also to have a new perspective. I guess my sentiments are good and somehow I wish more people felt closer to their Troops and that their causes is our same causes. They need our support and to know we do care and are around participating in their lives, while they are around the globe away from Home.
Last nite I found that * and I havent heard on the regular news..I have not been watching tv for a while than I do not know for sure. Trully moving stuff..that I am really proud off as a Christian woman and human being, people working together for commom good and to give a fighting chance to another human being to live!
*Do Americans care ?
As I am pensive and mellow thinking about soldiers and wars I will share a song with all..:here
_____________________________
1 Peter 1
A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation.This hope an anchor to the soul. Blessed be the Triuno Lord Almighty.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/1/2009 5:51:30 PM
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wing2000
Posts: 1198
Joined: 4/14/2005
From: ...the beautiful Sonoran Desert
Status: offline
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quote:
quote:
If on the other hand, we want a functional, centralized government...then the troops will be needed...plus at least a ten year commitment to nation building. Does America have the patience and resources for such an effort?
Are we even prepared for nation building? Our military has spent over 200 years practicing, preparing, training, and conducting "linear war". These types of operations aren't what we're prepared to do. As long as politicians keep coming up with extended operations that are outside of the scope of what we're made to do and as long as they (politicians) continue to be ignorant of the cultures and areas they are going to send us to operate in then we will struggle. After WW 2 we have struggled in our non-linear conflicts(Vietnam, Iraq occupation, Afghanistan) and succeeded in our linear(Grenada, Iraq 1 and 2, Panama).
...yes and the Bush strategy completely ignored this point when they weighed the Iraq invasion.
Afghanistan is in many ways even more complex than Iraq....as articulated in the recent report.
I suspect that in the end, we will opt to fight this war from a distance (drones, special forces, etc)...as we don't have the resources (in part due to 7 years of war in Iraq) or patience to fight a protracted counter insurgency war.
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/5/2009 10:11:40 AM
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wing2000
Posts: 1198
Joined: 4/14/2005
From: ...the beautiful Sonoran Desert
Status: offline
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"....Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, is pressing for a change in strategy that would shift troops to heavily populated centers to protect civilians and focus less on battling the insurgents in the hinterlands."
Link
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/9/2009 5:57:38 PM
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wing2000
Posts: 1198
Joined: 4/14/2005
From: ...the beautiful Sonoran Desert
Status: offline
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WSJ is reporting the highest troop option is 60,000:
The request for troops sent to President Barack Obama by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan includes three different options, with the largest alternative including a request for more than 60,000 troops, according to a U.S. official familiar with the document.
Although the top option is more than the 40,000 soldiers previously understood to be the top troop total sought by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. officer in Kabul, 40,000 remains the primary choice of senior military brass, including Gen. McChrystal, the official said.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125504448324674693.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop
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RE: War in Afghanistan - 10/10/2009 2:58:59 PM
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tsnody2001
Posts: 1019
Joined: 4/29/2008
From: Terre Haute, IN
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Where did the "Aimless War?" thread go?
_____________________________
Until He Returns (Rev. 2:17),
Travis
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. ~George Orwell
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