It would be nice if we could collect all the pertinent posts regarding policy decisions made during this war by the past administration and this one. That, however, would be a monumental task as they're spread through a variety of related threads.
I offer this-
Bob Woodward's Book Portrays A Great Divide Over Afghanistan-WAPO Editorial Sept. 29, 2010
I've been opposed to this war since the fall of 2007 when it became clear to me that this government, in sum, was incapable of reversing conditions in Afghanistan. I'm dismayed to read from Woodward that James Jones, in late May or so of this year, suggested we can't succeed so long as sanctuary exists in Pakistan.
Really? Only now?
The permutations of thought driving this administration's rationales for our current policies, despite the extended period of analysis last fall, were unsurprising in their conclusions and unsophisticated in their offerings. Half-measures to appease all sides without firm resolve to fall on one side or the other of the central issue.
We've offered up our armed forces to dubious ends. I'm frankly very disturbed by the news of sport killings and dope in Afghanistan coupled with charges against the murder of two soldiers in an argument in Iraq. Not the first time we've heard or read of such in our armed forces of late and, perhaps, a trendline of decaying ethical standards and base talent among our troops while used as the instrument of our political indecision...again.
This war needs to end. We've an enemy in the GoP that are called an ally. Maybe some among them but certainly not its army nor ISI. Their nat'l objectives diametrically opposed at the core to ours in Afghanistan. Their civil administration is even more vascillating and corrupt than ours. So too our Afghan partners. None of this will change.
For the families of our soldiers killed this year and all the years prior in Afghanistan we must offer our abject apologies. Their deaths were functionally meaningless when measured against our true intent. For this, our past and present leadership should be deeply ashamed.
There are no greater geo-political realities that aren't understood by the general public. Nothing here is beyond our comprehension. It is, simply, what it appears to be and has been for some interminable time. Our government's sole obligation is to secure the safety of this nation and do so in direct fashion. We've failed to do so while wandering in a forest of indecisiveness and policy confusion for nearly a decade. Last April's abortive attack in Times Square proves our vulnerability is as great as ever. Only good fortune saved the lives of many then.
We may not prove so lucky the next time. None of that, however, is affected in the least by what we've failed to accomplish in Afghanistan.
I offer this-
Bob Woodward's Book Portrays A Great Divide Over Afghanistan-WAPO Editorial Sept. 29, 2010
I've been opposed to this war since the fall of 2007 when it became clear to me that this government, in sum, was incapable of reversing conditions in Afghanistan. I'm dismayed to read from Woodward that James Jones, in late May or so of this year, suggested we can't succeed so long as sanctuary exists in Pakistan.
Really? Only now?
The permutations of thought driving this administration's rationales for our current policies, despite the extended period of analysis last fall, were unsurprising in their conclusions and unsophisticated in their offerings. Half-measures to appease all sides without firm resolve to fall on one side or the other of the central issue.
We've offered up our armed forces to dubious ends. I'm frankly very disturbed by the news of sport killings and dope in Afghanistan coupled with charges against the murder of two soldiers in an argument in Iraq. Not the first time we've heard or read of such in our armed forces of late and, perhaps, a trendline of decaying ethical standards and base talent among our troops while used as the instrument of our political indecision...again.
This war needs to end. We've an enemy in the GoP that are called an ally. Maybe some among them but certainly not its army nor ISI. Their nat'l objectives diametrically opposed at the core to ours in Afghanistan. Their civil administration is even more vascillating and corrupt than ours. So too our Afghan partners. None of this will change.
For the families of our soldiers killed this year and all the years prior in Afghanistan we must offer our abject apologies. Their deaths were functionally meaningless when measured against our true intent. For this, our past and present leadership should be deeply ashamed.
There are no greater geo-political realities that aren't understood by the general public. Nothing here is beyond our comprehension. It is, simply, what it appears to be and has been for some interminable time. Our government's sole obligation is to secure the safety of this nation and do so in direct fashion. We've failed to do so while wandering in a forest of indecisiveness and policy confusion for nearly a decade. Last April's abortive attack in Times Square proves our vulnerability is as great as ever. Only good fortune saved the lives of many then.
We may not prove so lucky the next time. None of that, however, is affected in the least by what we've failed to accomplish in Afghanistan.
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