Afghanistan, more troops, why?
I found a new blogspot called Brains and Eggs. They have a wonderful group of responses to the president’s 30,000 troop surge in Afghanistan. Among them was Eric Massa’s response:
And I would have to ask a question: Why 30,000 troops and not 40? Why 30,000 troops and not 20? Why 18 months and not 16 or 24? These are artificial time lines and numbers that have no true military significance as planners sit down and develop what’s called “troop to task” requirements. There is nothing that I heard tonight that would convince me that we are embarking on a strategic mission that is both vital and necessary. We invaded Afghanistan with less than 1,000 special forces personnel and killed or captured over 98% of all the terrorists that we could identify.
And now with the remaining few, less than 100 according to the national security adviser, we are going to deploy an army of 100,000 to rebuild a nation?
The president says, as one of his major points, we are going to act as a partnership with the Afghan government and yet we all know, anyone who has studied it, anyone who has his eyes and ears open, that that government is corrupt beyond malice. I think and I hold strong objection to sending American soldiers into harms’ way and combat to prop up a government that is more corrupt than Tony Soprano and his lieutenants. And so, no, I heard nothing tonight that would sway me against my absolute objection to what I consider to be a fool’s errand.
This man knows the Middle East. This man knows the military. I value his opinion, on this, above most others.
I’m beginning to think that my time, last November, would have been better spent in Corning, than in Cleveland.
Related posts:
Massa is wrong on this. If we leave, the Taliban returns to power unfettered in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban with nukes is not something we should debate.
Massa is wrong and he was wrong to vote against the HCR bill.
He’s lost my vote in the general and if given a choice in a primary, I’ll vote against him.
The President is making the right decision on this.
So, what exactly is wrong with this, zubalove? Again, what was the mission, or more accurately, what is the mission now?
Here is a suggestion - read juan cole, who writes on the weakness of the Afghan government. A government who managed to spend less money on its people, despite being given more.
http://www.juancole.com/2009/12/obama-partnering-with-afghan-govt-but.html
This is who we plan on turning the security of the country over to.
stlo7,
First let me say, I find no joy in going head to head on this with anyone who considers themselves progressives. Especially those of you on this site. I’ve read this page for many years, and I’ve posted my support from time to time.
But in this, I respectfully disagree.
First, the plan does not place the Karzi at the center. With the amount of corruption that exists in that administration, it’s a good thing it doesn’t. The emphasis in the plan on working with local and tribal leaders helps circumvent Kabul. I think it also allows takes some of the power away from Karzi by giving local leaders that want to work with access to better resources. Corrupt officials in Kabul will be less able to redirect or enrich themselves with our support.
And as far as the mission goes, what questions do you? Deployment schedules? Specific operations? He outlined what our intent was as well as the date we draw our forces out. I know you aren’t asking for a briefing from the joint chiefs in the Situation Room, but what details did you want that you didn’t get?
Again, I like you guys. And we agree on more than we don’t. As I type this that chowderhead Lonsberry is having people call Alesi’s office to get him to vote against gay marriage. I mean, we disagree on this, but we can’t hand over the guys to a guy like that because of it, you know?
So many typos. Damn you, caffeine.
We can respectfully disagree as I do with commenters from time to time. Keeps both parties honest.
In the end we are creating a nation in a place where a nation hasn’t existed. To do that we are overcoming years of regional issues (meaningless colonial borders and multiple invasions) and expect to accomplish that when? a couple of years?
We will need to train thousands of security forces who are run from a central government In a country where a strong central government hasn’t been the norm.
sadly, this is a generational problem.
It was back in 1941.
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in Lou’siana one night
By the light of the moon.
The Captain told us to ford a river.
That’s how it all begun.
We were knee deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, “Sir, are you sure
This is the best way back to the base?”
“Sergeant, go on, I’ve forded this river
About a mile above this place.
It’ll be a little soggy, but just keep sloggin’.
We’ll soon be on dry ground.”
We were waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, “Sir, with all this equipment,
No man will be able to swim.”
“Sergeant, don’t be a Nervous Nelly,”
The Captain said to him.
“All we need is a little determination.
Men, follow me. I’ll lead on.”
We were neck deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.
All at once the moon clouded over.
We heard a gurglin’ cry.
A few seconds later the Captain’s helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, “Turn around, men.
I’m in charge from now on.”
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the Captain dead and gone.
We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn’t know that the water was deeper
Then the place he’d once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
About a half mile from where we’d gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.
Now I’m not going to point any moral —
I’ll leave that for yourself.
Maybe you’re still walking, you’re still talking,
You’d like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers, that old feeling comes on,
We’re waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep, neck deep,
Soon even a tall man will be over his head.
We’re waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool says to push on.
Pete Seeger