Why would we ever leave you there, Kevin?

Excellent reply, Beth!

You go girl!

This is an article telling of two possible hostages and you, KEVIN, make a d!ckhead comment like that. There is no point in you saying something like that. Has NOTHING to do with the sad news being reported here. What an ass. And even tho Beth had a good comeback, I think we SHOULD leave you there.

Obama - Over 100 Americans have died in your War this month alone! Now some have been taken prisoner! You promised in your campaign to end these Wars - Its been two years now and you have not kept your promise! Thier blood is on your hands ! You Lied!

End the Wars now!!!

Vote the Bums out in November!

liberal morons like youself are a cancer to America. first of all we were attacked. we have not rid afghanistan of terrorist organizations yet, which is because of liberals like you whose whining causes congress to send less troops than we should have, thus not accomplishing the job if we went in full force, henceforth why we are still here (why i am in Afghanistan right now) 8 years later. we chose to come here, we chose this life. and we defend your rights to say stupid things. you know nothing of war, and nothing of what we do. shut up, man up and let us do our jobs. p.s.- i bet you have no one close to you here, therefore shut up. -A Proud Afghanistan War Veteran serving in Kandahar Province.

Hey stormy. If the towelheads blew up buildings in NYC and killed 1000's of innocents, what do you think is gonna happen to you and your if we dont stop them???? FYI, Terrorists always win!! Thats how we won the revolutionary war!!!! Did the British Come back after we kicked their butts using unconventional warfare!!!! Not as of today.......unless your a stinkin muslim.........

why in the good lords name would we ever want to pull our troops out of this WAR? life isn't all peachy and freedom doesnt come free.. i want nothing more than world peace but to give up the fight and let the terrorist @!$%# heads win? no. no. no. that would cause more destruction than we could ever imagine. if you think mankind is going to survive longer than 2 years we have got to get this @!$%# on lock.

Yeah, maybe bush started it, but obama plans to continue if not escalate this stupid conflict.

Removing troops means less money for the Military complex and thousands of jobs lost. Obama isn't going to let that happen. He's having enough difficulty creating jobs like he said he would when he ran for president.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I'm a Viet Nam vet and the only reason we were there was to die, and you are in the same boat as we were, you are there only to die, do you really think the damn goverment gives a chit about our troops hell know, mines, snipers,booby traps, and hit and run you cant win a war like that, I love my country but I hate our leaders, I hope you make it home safe, take care .......................

Area52, are your numbers correct? I never hear about casualties since Obama took charge.

Gay or straight? WTF? Why would you bring that into the conversation? Lets just add Democrat or Republican and Muslem or Jew as well!

Green Day got it right! American Idiot.

Area52, are your numbers correct?

I was going by the morning news on the radio this morning.

You're an idiot, why would do feel it neccessary to add a political statement about homosexual service in the military, when the discussion is about two missing Soldiers. There isn't a black or white , male or female, straight or gay, there are just Soldiers. Period!

Area 52:

Vote the bums out in November. I think if I hear that stupid ass comment again I'm going to scream. It is positively the dumbest piece of advice I can imagine. Vote the bums out? And what, vote your style of bums in? I don't think so.

Thank you to US soilders serving abroad. We probably won't get these soilders back, but they'll never be forgotten. Our civilian (political) leadership needs to get their heads out of their asses and let us fight to win so these men and others do not die in vain.

Vote the bums out in November. I think if I hear that stupid ass comment again I'm going to scream. It is positively the dumbest piece of advice I can imagine. Vote the bums out? And what, vote your style of bums in? I don't think so.

No the dumbest thing is to keep voting in the people that are corrupt and evil - Maybe the next guy voted in will be just as bad - I don't really know. What I do know is that doing nothing is not the answer.

They say the definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results - Well just maybe that should apply to voting also!

The only problem with 'voting the bums out' is that each and every one of us of legal age and registered to vote have a say in who holds two seats out of 535 in congress. One is the representative of the district you live in, the other is whichever of your two senators is up for reelection next. Other than squawking really loud and hoping you'll influence someone outside of your district and/or state, you, as a voter, have absolutely NO say over 533 members of Congress.

The way it always seems to work out is that everyone else's representative or senator is an abject loser who deserves to be homeless, but that your guy is a peach because he keeps bringing home the bacon. Now, don't take me too literally on that, but that is the long and short of it. Realistically, unless you truly believe your own congressmen are really the bums who need to go, speaking out in this manner is probably going to be wasted breath.

Anyone who wants to reiterate the 'vote the bums out' cliche really should mull this point over a little bit, first.

You are forgetting that it is all volunteer military. Anyone who enlists know there is a chance that they might have to go over there. And you seem to forget that they are fighting for OUR freedom from terrorists. If they arent stopped on their soil, they will have to be stopped on or soil, something which is already happening. That being said, I an in agreement with you that if we are not going over there to win, then being them home. We can use them on our borders.

**************************************************************

Witchking - First the village idiot Bush (the worst president IN HISTORY) creates the Afghan morass by his failure to get Bin Laden and his failure to destroy the Taliban.

This has never been about the US Military getting Bin Laden. As US Congress has always stated the US No Assassination Policy as far back as President Clinton, when the Teams verified they had him in their crosshairs (multiple snipers) and were told to stand down. As not to turn him into a martyr. Even capturing him would cause Islam to have an international jihad against the persecution of the Islamic "Believers" Sura 2.190. With the result being the 1.5 Billion Islamic Believers, including in the US arming and fortifying their Mosques.

So what does the Idiot do he invades Iraq based on a pack of lies (let’s face it folks it was all for oil) a country that wasn’t a threat,

Because the Declaration of the current War At Iraq was fully funded by Congress pre 9/11 2001. This Law demanded the US Military Overthrow of the Iraqis President and the Iraqis Parliamentary (Democratic) Government (aka Regime Change Law (Act)) to Liberate the Iraqis People (aka Iraqis Liberation Law (Act)). This Law, H.R.4655, was originally was demanded by President Clinton in his 1998 State of the Union Address which first used the term WMDs. Due to President Clinton's demand for cut to the bone a Reduction In Forces (RIF) of the US Military, Congress did not fund this Law in 1998, the RIF eliminated many cheap US Military Positions (Jobs) and created the niches for the current expensive US Contractors. The closure of 14 US Military Installations created near Great Depression Era Economies in the surrounding US Civilian Towns and Cities (reference 2009 Congressional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Study).

Than the idiot takes one of the biggest government surpluses in history and turns it into a deficit, runs the economy into a ditch and than gets out of dodge.

Nope the "surplus" was spent by Congress even before President Clinton was impeached, and "surplus" is the difference between the money spent and the money allocated by Congress. The real indicator is the National Debt and the Interest paid on the National Debt, source DNC (Democratic National Committee) "Misery Index":

Interest Rates on government debt were significantly better under Bush (2.59%) than under Clinton (4.40%), and average monthly Interest on the National Debt under Bush was only $16.6 Billion, versus $18.9 Billion under Clinton.

And here we are 9 years later still in Afghanistan because of the Conservative’s faliuries.

FYI Bush (43) was the President for 8 years, term limits. And the person that originally got into Afghanistan was Senator Charles Wilson Democrat Texas (who did the right thing, but Congress wimped (cheaped) out and now here we are again for Congress not allowing US to finish was was started in the 1980s).

***********************************************************************

Eric, Salinas, CA,

You have no idea that you are posting NON FACTUAL BALONEY.

Having spent the better part of their young lives conceiving, gestating, feeding, raising and educating morally, intellectually and spiritually a twenty some year old offspring which could all be ended by a lone AK-47 Bullet sending their young pride home in a body bag or in pieces left from an IED (improvised explosive device), Parents are very worried that their kids might get sucked up into this whole middle east mess and Don't KNOW What To Do????????

MOMS and DADS LISTEN UP!!! If your Son or Daughter or both have just returned from a Fun Stint at the local Army Recruiter's War Games Video Arcade, using the Latest virtual firepower equipped weapons which have them in awe and thoroughly infecting them with "War Fever" and wanting to SIGN UP -EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! -Take it Easy Mom - Take It Easy Dad! - HERE IS WHAT YOU DO: CALMLY have Him or Her or Both sit down with you in front of your DeskTop or Laptop, whichever you have in your home, and then Go To GOOGLE and Type IN: "US Armed Forces Enlistment Contract" and Presto! up pops the devil himself! It is Free and there for all to view and read. Now go over this contract making sure Your Kids are reading it with you. They will SOON see that the Army promises NOTHING and can put your offspring into VERY Dangerous Parts of the world grunting around with a rifle. This armed forces enlistment contract MUST be signed by anyone who Joins Up at which point they are indentured servants to the whims of the Army officers who themselves are the offspring of the wealhty elite or republican club cadre politicos. They consider your Son and/or Daughter property of the army and will do whatever they wish with them. Now Once you have gone over the Army "Contract" with your kids, you have done your job and responsibility for protecting them. If they still have The Fever and insist on "Joining The Core" Well, at Least you have made sure They KNOW What They Are Getting Themselves into. And THAT, Moms and Dads is ALL you can do to keep your kids Out Of Harms Way....

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gentlemen,

What about that other young American soldier who was taken captive by the Taliban not long ago. I can't remember his name now, but I think he was from Iowa. I never heard or read anything in the news about whether or not we ever got him back. Does anyone know?

Hello,

He is still a prisoner.

Be Well,

Witchking - First the village idiot

Who was it that said, "It takes a village to raise a child" Well, she was married to the village idiot.

IRAQ. President Clinton demanded the US Military Overthrow of the Iraqis President and Iraqis Parliamentary (Democratic) Government in his 1998 State of the Union Address and first used the term WMDs, Declaration of the Current War At Iraq:

Together we must also confront the new hazards of chemical and biological weapons, and the outlaw states, terrorists and organized criminals seeking to acquire them. Saddam Hussein has spent the better part of this decade, and much of his nation's wealth, not on providing for the Iraqi people, but on developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. The United Nations weapons inspectors have done a truly remarkable job, finding and destroying more of Iraq's arsenal than was destroyed during the entire gulf war. Now, Saddam Hussein wants to stop them from completing their mission. I know I speak for everyone in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, when I say to Saddam Hussein, "You cannot defy the will of the world", and when I say to him, "You have used weapons of mass destruction before; we are determined to deny you the capacity to use them again. - President Clinton 1998 State of the Union Address

US ECONOMY, President Clinton eliminated the Laws to prevent another 1907 Depression and 1929-1939 Great Depression, the Glass Steagall Acts. The writers of the Glass Steagall Acts after the 1907 Depression until 1933 found out you cannot regulate the causes of the 1907 Depression and the Great Depression, so they made them illegal. This was successful from 1933 to 2000, until President Clinton eliminated the Glass Steagall Acts. So now here we are. This is why the attempts to regulate those causes will not work in the President Obama Financial Reform Act (Law) as these concern people making profits of over $600 Trillion USDs (they will not let him interfere with them making these profits).

US JOBS/US MANUFACTURING. Legalized the Outsourcing of US Jobs and US Manufacturing in exchange for Chinese Campaign Contributions, called "Chinagate" during his Impeachment. Also the other Free Trade Agreements and Amendments. Still getting major donations to the Clinton Foundation from the Chinese.

And of course being married to the "village idiot" some wore off on her.

As SOS Clinton was told NOT to give $900 Million USDs Aid to Palestine as this would be seized by the Hamas Warlords (like Somalia again). She did it anyway, with the Hamas Warlords seizing and hording the $900 Million USDs Aid. The Hamas Warlords then used this $900 Million USDs Aid to force more neutral Palestinians to join Hamas or starve and face daily beatings. These new recruits to Hamas are then sent to Iran for training and being equipped to kill the Islamic "Unbelievers" (Jews and Christians Holy Koran (Quran) Sura 9.30) worldwide to prove their loyalty to Hamas, Allah and his Prophet. In exchange for these Hamas Foreign Fighters, Iran provides additional weapons and equipment to Hamas thru Turkey. With the money given to Israel being used by the Israel Defense Force to interdict the Hamas Foreign Fighters (including their "visits home", to train more Hamas Foreign Fighters.). The weapons provided to the Hamas Foreign Fighters are manufactured at China (stamped into the weapon) of current Russian Federation designs, China gets Iranian Oil in exchange for weapons and technology.

Eventhough, the $900 Million USDs Aid was a failure another $400 Million USDs Aid July 2010 was given to Palestine again.

These Hamas Foreign Fighters have been captured at Iraq (killing US Military), Afghanistan (killing US Military), South and Central Americas, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, Russian Federation (with the Chechen Foreign Fighters), etc. attempting to kill Jews and Christians. Fortunately, they have not completely read the rest of the Holy Koran (Quran) that states kill or subjugate everyone else that are not Islamic "Believers".
And now this administration says we might be stuck here until after 2011.

Something to think about. The vast Lithium at Afghanistan. The new Battery Manufacturing Plant at Michigan to build electric car batteries (lithium). So we are stuck here forever. Reinstate the Draft as stated by Candidate Obama during the Presidential Debates, so that everyone has a turn getting their resources, Candidate Obama, "US Citizenship is not an entitlement". We are tired of low pay to do your dirty work, US Military 1 Million of 303 Million (Working) Population. Your f**king turn to get low pay and risk you life. As the 2010 Defense Budget and 2009 April Defense Budget Cuts reflect less cush jobs like USAF and USN, and more Ground Combat Units (guess what you will be drafted into, Ground Combat Units).

Another grenade troll from Phantom Blast ,what a shock!!

I hate to say it Greg but you're exactly right,although these issues may be on a unit level it may be time for an Army wide directive. I know if any soldiers in my last unit left the wire in anything smaller than about a 10 vehicle convoy it would be THE END of their a$$ and likely their careers. One of the things that really bothered me about "The Hurt Locker" was the soldier's little solo adventure outside the wire and that in the movie it garnered him absolutely no penalty. In 2nd Brigade 1rst Armor he would have been the one in "The Hurt Locker". Procedures and policies are there for a reason and in a combat zone there IS ZERO TOLERANCE for "interpretation" and absolutely no "gray areas" ,it's all black and white.

From a chain letter floating around:

"I'm freezing my ass off on this stupid hill because my lap warmer is running out of juice, and I can't recharge it until the sun comes up in a few hours. Oh yeah! You like to write letters, right? Do me a favor, Bizarre. Write a letter to CNN and tell Wolf and Anderson and that awful, sneering, pompous Aaron Brown to stop calling the Taliban 'smart.' They are not smart. I suggest CNN invest in a dictionary because the word they are looking for is 'cunning.' The Taliban are cunning, like jackals and hyenas and wolverines. They are sneaky and ruthless, and when confronted, cowardly. They are hateful, malevolent parasites who create nothing and destroy everything else. Smart. Pfft. Yeah, they're real smart.

They've spent their entire lives reading only one book (and not a very good one, as books go) and consider hygiene and indoor plumbing to be products of the devil. They're still figuring out how to work a Bic lighter. Talking to a Taliban warrior about improving his quality of life is like trying to teach an ape how to hold a pen; eventually he just gets frustrated and sticks you in the eye with it.

OK, enough. Snuffle will be up soon, so I have to get back to my hole. Covering my tracks in the snow takes a lot of practice, but I'm good at it.

Please, I tell you and my fellow Americans to turn off the TV sets and move on with your lives. The story line you are getting from CNN and other news agencies is utter bull@!$%# and designed not to deliver truth, but rather to keep you glued to the screen through the commercials. We've got this one under control. The worst thing you guys can do right now is sit around analyzing what we're doing over here, because you have no idea what we're doing, and really, you don't want to know. We are your military, and we are doing what you sent us here to do. "

Saucy Jack , Recon Marine in Afghanistan , Semper Fi

MeHere,

Thanks. I hadn't seen the hidden text of the article. It was Spc. Bowe Bergdahl of Idaho I was referring to. I hope they get these guys back alive and well!

This is a sad development, taking hostages. I hope they come out alive.

As to all these comments about politics and war. It is easy to criticize a president for "getting us into a war" What wartime POTUS was not criticized. No President wants war, Bush didn't and neither does Obama. Bush made a decision based on the information he had. There was no monetary incentive, oil, Haliburton etc. Everyone thought Saddam had WMD's, because Saddam wanted that misconception, that is how he kept Iran away. Plus Saddam invaded other countries, killed his own people, and sponsored some terrorists (not Al Qaida, but he did pay families of Palestinian suicide bombers). He deserved removal.

Afghanistan clearly had to be invaded. After we removed the Taliban they faded into the crowds until they saw the opportunity to re emerge. That would have happened sooner or later

From Bush's perspective he had to invade both countries. Candidate Obama criticized the wars. President Obama realized he had to stay the course. Both countries have a developing Democracy in place with a lot more improvement to go. But in modern times Democracies don't attack democracies, so the development of a democracy is good.

So as to all you anti Bush and anti Obama people, be an American. We are in WWIV against terrorism, be it Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, or against al Qaida, Taliban Hamas, Hezbollah. If we are not proactive they will attack our allies and then us. Nationbuilding is difficult but will work.

1stSgt USMC Greg in Oceanside,

Us old folks know what happens when you tell the young troops not to do something.

Especially when they think with the head between their legs, instead of the one between their shoulders (note: I was like that a long time ago before: Selective Service 1970s Field Artillery, then LRRP/Ranger, I matured real fast back then. And now I am the Commander administering the Article 15s and UCMJ.).

Hey Greg in Oceanside I think we both missed something. These two were sailors. I'd say something smart about that but the bottom line is I'm praying for their safe return. If they do return there should be an immediate urinalysis and UCMJ action if appropriate for both of them and their superiors (again if appropriate).

Witchking you are a moron. The way Clinton balanced the budget was to cut all military spending. When Bush came into office he gave the military it's money back to bring it up to speed and that's where the surplus went. Remember Clinton also gave away for free the leases in the Gulf for oil. So let's not talk about the worst POTUS. Vietvet you are right these fellas are just there to die for Politics like the war in Vietnam. When we do leave the Middle East the Taliban will step up and this nonsense they will be able to police themselves by 2014...so how long will we be there. Carpet bomb them or bring the boys back home. And the stupid statement that if Bush got Bin Laden the war would have never happened-that is why no matter who dies Saddam, his sons, his other leaders and yet someone fills their shoes. Do you really believe that Bin Laden is running this show then you are dumber than what drops out of the back of camels on the ground.

Greg in Oceanside....these idiots were sailors. THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY. The same Department in which you are under. As a USMC 1SG you should be checking your facts, then double checking them.

Everyone, please remember that while our service members are the best trained and generally the most competent and professional of any nation's armed forces thus far, the bulk of them are young adults, and a lot of them are privates, airmen, and seamen who are only 18, 19, or 20 years old.

Think back to when you were that age. Remember how easily you got bored, and how curious you were to check out new things? As you aged, it became much easier to settle down and focus on things, and you got wiser and less likely to stick your neck out in places one really doesn't want to do that.

Many WWII combat infantrymen, that is, ground war survivors, versus 'infantry experts' who are well trained but haven't lived through actual hostilities, have told me about all the times they watched fellow soldiers killed because they couldn't stay behind cover. Often, 'I want to take a look!' was their last words before they stood up to take a peek and got hit.

One case I know of involved a platoon that encountered a 'Panther' or 'Tiger' tank that had broken down. German armor was famous for mechanical shortcomings, but these troops had never seen an intact one up close, only ones that had been destroyed. Next thing you know, you've got 25 guys climbing all over this abandoned German tank, opening hatches, checking it out. The first sergeant and and maybe even the company commander see this and ordered those men to get the #!*^ away from that thing. Only moments later, shells start streaking in from some gun position hundreds of yards or even several miles away. Next thing you know, two dozen US soldiers are wounded and killed because curiosity got the best of them.

That's one reality we'll never escape. Young men have the physical strength and stamina to be the 'grunts', but it's the young man personality that no amount of training ever seems to fully overcome that can be their greatest weakness.

As the old saying goes, you get your head straight about the time your body starts falling apart...

AfghanVet728

liberal morons like youself are a cancer to America. first of all we were attacked. we have not rid afghanistan of terrorist organizations yet, which is because of liberals like you whose whining causes congress to send less troops than we should have

First off let me say Thank You for your service.

Having said that you couldn't be more wrong on anything you said. It was President Bush and his Republican Congress that ran the war for over 5 years that didn't demand the support you needed because they were more interested in the Iraq war. Then Iraq turned to @!$%# and we couldn't send the troops we needed to Afghanistan because Iraq was such as mess. It was Obama and Democrats that are sending you the help you need,try remembering that........

BTW don't ever think that only non liberals fight in wars for this country you ignorant moron. I happen to know some of them who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan.

What you really are is nothing more than a pawn for a corrupt government and they are using you to do their bidding - Somewhat of a whore in other words!

--Area52 #1.13

You know, I am all for freedom of speech. But at some point, dont you need to get out of the trailer in the hills of idaho? My god man, there is a whole world out there, and you seem to be caught in this late 60's anti-government movement. At some point, almost everyone grows up and realizes that we DONT have silent helicopters, we DONT put computer chips in your brain and Jimmy Hoffa is NOT playing golf with Elvis just outside of Reno. Oh, and as far as the comment about being on a computer and not protecting, just like in your trailer, our living quarters have internet hookups now....Oh and one more thing, watch what you say to the people who volunteer to protect you, something tells me if it was up to you to protect us, we would all be speaking something other than english right now.

Hello,

Sad, so very sad. When I think of the things we discussed when humping the bush, silly stuff like conservative or liberal never came up. We cursed whoever was president (I served under two), we cursed those in the rear, and we cursed you silly civilians. Some of you assert you are veterans', you, better than civilians' understand the need for our forces to remain constitutionally correct and serve the will of the politicians and not the will of the military To my Nam vet brother, welcome home, however, we both know we never had everything we thought we needed, nor could we always do what we thought was necessary. That has been true from the beginning of our nation until now.

We can always move to one of those beautiful little countries where the nation serves the will of the military. To my conservative brothers and sisters, they are considered conservatives. We have men and woman suffering and bleeding and you are arguing politics? Nam vet, do you remember how we cursed those clowns back "in the world?" My point, and it is my only point, is that we need to at least act like patriots and stop acting like pestilent little children. Pray for those in the field and pray for those at the mercy of murders.

Be Well,

Everyone, please quit the blame game and become united to bring our troops home now!!!

I am ashamed that the country I love. And I served for. I and served a tour in Afghanistan thinks we should just leave cause soldiers die. Its part of war. I lost friends. I still have nightmares. But we are fighting an enemy that attacked us for no reason on a civilian target and killed 3000 people going to work. And now when soldiers die in the resulting war we should just leave and say ok. You got us. Next time ya do it we wont even come cause more of us might die. I am not talking Iraq which was a personal war we were lied into. But in Afghanistan I am ashamed people want to let a counttry that attacked us on our soil to just be left alone. War is hell people die. This generation hasnt seen it so its a shocker. What would have happened if after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and we went and battled them Island to Island. What if after the first Island where we lost 15000 people at compared to the less then 3000 total in Afghanistan we said man we lost 15k people for a little Island we will never win without losinf a few hundred thousand and they only killed a few at Peark Harbor. we should just stop fighting. 9/11 was Pearl Harbor. And I will be damned to just say ok taking to long bye even though jobs not done and you will do it again. Iraq is a mistake. This was is not. And I served 13 months there and would have died with honor and with I could have traded places with friends cause they did it going after the people that killined 3000 people going to work on a tuesday morning and bringing down to landmark civilian buildings. We finish the job there, Whatever it takes. Iraq I carelss about

Hello,

tw, welcome home and thank you for serving. I also hear you sharing. You will always be a warrior, but you will, in time be fine. What these posters will never understand, is the suffering does not end because we make it home. It took some time, but like I tell others - and in time you too will understand. "I'm home."

Be Well,

David-

You have a few facts incorrect. Clinton never got impeached, it was in court but never ended up happening. He was right there to turn over the reigns to W.

Not sure if you are too old to remember the actual facts about what has been going on butyou sound like a bashing Republican who is either blaming Obama or Clinton. Don't you recall the televised speech by W. stating that HIS intelligence informed HIM of the WMD's and then after the smoke cleared and it was clear that there were no WMD's that he stated his intelligence was wrong but continued to use the same informants.

Osama Bin Laden was a close family friend to the Bush family, loo it up. It was in the 80's when he was getting funding while he co-operated but when his usefullness was over Bush turned on him and wanted to deny any former connection.

As far as I'm concerned, when I had to deal with the oil fires in Kuwait, I did my duty found out firdt hand how vets are treated. I blew out both knees while serving and they told me I could no longer perform my duties so they had me sign a stack of documents and then denied I was ever in the military but yet I have my records and DD-214.

These wars are and have been more than what the gov't. wants to admit. The personal agendas need to stop and we need to either carpet bomb the caves they hide in and make sure they never see the sun again or leave. How many service personnel have to die before the full force of the US military is used. I also don't like the price tag of $10 billion a month in a war that the politicians want to play political games with.

The men and women who are dying for our country are heroes and it doesn't matter what they are on their own time, they are still service members protecting your sorry butts and you want to yap about it. Why not do something besides type it on here. I wonder how many would be arrested if we started protesting , which is our right.

This country has fallen to a new low...American lives are not worth what they once were and the politicians and bankers are untouchable thanks to the OLD generation playing by the good 'ol boy rules. The constitution and the Declaration of Independance have been so twisted by either bible thumpers or complet liberals. How come nobody wants to be in the middle somewhere????

I pray everyday for our military personnel to come home safe.

stormy,

I agree with you. For sure we know how to make war, but do we know how to live in peace? We've been told the only way to change is through war, through chaos. That is a false arguement we've fed into. It's simply not true. After a lifetime of living, I can more than see how foolish and myopic this really is. Maybe the best thing we can do for these soldiers and the people who live in Afghanistan is pull our military presence out of the country. No one loses like that, everyone wins and the lives of all those lost will have meaning.

Enough of this war, to war, to war machine. Lets create a feeding machine. Let's create a water and air purification machine. Let's concentrate on planting trees that bare fruit. Let's concentrate on real alternative energy. We really have the technology, really. I don't care if we all have to build it in our garages; if we all, or even a small % of people do this, it will happen. Build it in your garage or, demand disclosure from your government. Forget the conflict! We need real answers for living. Stop the disinformation. Stop giving credence to those who want to fight or suppress. That's the change we seek.

Live and let live.

Why would you throw in the comment, "gay or straight"..?? Are you kidding me? What the hell does sexual orientation have to do with fighting a war, you idiot? Grow up.

david-475776 wrote

Because the Declaration of the current War At Iraq was fully funded by Congress pre 9/11 2001. This Law demanded the US Military Overthrow of the Iraqis President and the Iraqis Parliamentary (Democratic) Government (aka Regime Change Law (Act)) to Liberate the Iraqis People (aka Iraqis Liberation Law (Act)).

When actually H.R. 4655 states in part: (this is a paste from the LIbrary of Congress) Authorizes the President, after notifying specified congressional committees, to provide to the Iraqi democratic opposition organizations: (1) grant assistance for radio and television broadcasting to Iraq; (2) Department of Defense (DOD) defense articles and services and military education and training (IMET); and (3) humanitarian assistance, with emphasis on addressing the needs of individuals who have fled from areas under the control of the Hussein regime. Prohibits assistance to any group or organization that is engaged in military cooperation with the Hussein regime.

Notice that nothing is stated in this bill pertains to a military overthrow of Iraq. Mr. David 475776 check your facts before you type.

AfghanVet728 you are blaming liberals, but let me refresh your memory, for 7 years one of the most right-wing, macho man, conservative president ever, had the chance to use in Afghanistan the full military force you are talking about and he decided to use it in Iraq, which didn't attack us on 9/11 and didn't have weapons of mass destruction either. So, even if I agree with the war in Afghanistan and I surely wish Osama's head on a platter, don't be so quick in blaming liberals and blame your own kind.

Yes Greg, your absolutley correct. I am an army vet, and I was cav. I did also where a stetson. The real problem is not with the Army, Marines, Navy or Airforce. Its the jackass' that they are enlisting. Going the wrong way has supposedly cost one man his life and will most likey cause the other his. As senior leadership we should not be on here trash talking other branches of the service. As I can remember many instances when I was over there when certain marines were sleeping in OP's while dicks were planting IED's on the road beneath them.

you sir are a stupid fool, I am a vet and a military retired and this war is not our war we will never win and more troops will not help as we learned in vietnam a hit and run war is very hard to fight and win. and to send in more troops to die is not worth it.

Area 52. Nice bait job. What's your agenda?

This isn't a war, this is a "politically correct" police engagement!

If this was a war, Afghanistan would be sand piles, there would be a draft, and the US would "overwhelm" Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The US Military Industrial Complex controls America, Politicians, Jobs and the US Economy. Without these "police engagements", the current US "ruling class" would lose their wealth and power, that is not going to happen in the US.

Who do you think is the #1 purchaser of OILl is in the world - the US Military Industrial Complex.

Americans = Brainwashed!

I think everyone should realize that without a strong military and an overseas commitment that this country would have probably had several major wars in its own territory by now with 100,000's of civilian casualties.

It's the fact that we have a strong and dedicated volunteer military that allows some of the hateful speech that is posted on this message board everyday. Remember that the Islamic Militants would love to put their brand of law all across the world. That is there ultimate goal. Have any of you even read a single part of sharia law? I doubt it! All you can do is talk about how awful the other side is and how they are all that is wrong with the US.

Stop listening to the left and the right, go educate yourselves about who we are fighting and why. Not just what the political idiots tell you!

President Clinton ABSOLUTELY WAS Impeached, he just wasn't removed from office. I've always considered that a ridiculous distraction and it very possibly may have been a factor in the success of 9/11. As much as I dislike the current occupant of the White House there is nothing he's done yet that rises to the level of impeachment, although I am furious about the border situation if failing to secure the border were an impeachable offense the last 6 Presidents if not more would have been impeached!!!

Afghanvet-

I am also an afghan (oef) vet and I am a LIBERAL. You are just like all the warmongering, hateful conservatives. I am ashamed to serve with intolerant, bigoted people like yourself.

The ONLY way to win this war is to do what we should have done on September 12, 2001. NUKE THE BASTARDS INTO OBLIVION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will never change and the money we are spending over there might as well be flushed down a toilet!

I don't care if your right or left or Dem or Rep or whatever, we are all AMERICANS FIRST but congress and the President do not have the stones to do whats right, no matter what party is in control! NUKE "EM!!!

To all you preachers of peace and understanding understand this, this is a Jihad and it wasn't the U.S. that declared it and it sure as hell wasn't declared in 2001!! October 1983, 241 U.S. Marine peacekeepers MURDERED by Hezbollah an Iranian supported ISLAMIC TERRORIST organization. December 1988, 270 people MURDERED when Pan Am flight 103 was blown out of the sky by ISLAMIC TERRORISTS over Lockerbie,Scotland. February,1993 6 people MURDERED and 1042 injured (with a goal of 50,000,the same goal as 9/11) when ISLAMIC TERRORISTS make their first attempt at destroying the World Trade Center. October,2000 17 U.S. Navy servicemembers MURDERED when ISLAMIC TERRORISTS attack the USS Cole (DDG-67)

Those are just the big events there are plenty of much smaller ones, but the point is we didn't start this. 1 sailor dead and 1 held captive by the Taliban in this latest incident. This is the same Taliban some people think we need to have talks with. Well the only language you can talk to the Taliban with is ordnance heading down range in their direction. Anything else and there will be a failure to communicate !!

Fred,

You are correct that this didnt just start in 2001. But I am sure you are also well aware we cannot declare war on an ideology (extreme islamism). Believe it or not, not everyone in Afghanistan are Islamic extremists. The majority of them we oppressed by the taliban and hate them, too. Another case of how the few ruin it for the many, just as not all muslims are out to destroy America.

John-1283964

Right on, well said!

Why make it a @!$%#ing gay versus straight issue? @!$%# man, two US soldiers are missing! Leave it at that!!!

Dennis-371507, 480volt,

1. President Clinton was IMPEACHED. He was just not booted out the door.

2. H.R. 4655 as Congressionally funded pre 9/11 2001.

3. Operation Desert Fox December 1998, under provisions of H.R.4655. Indescrimate USAF attacks of Iraq by USAF from RAB (Ramstein Air Force Base) ZAB (Zwiebruken Air Force Base), etc. Blew up non military targets in poor neighborhood of Baghdad.

And the comments.

Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 - Declares that it should be the policy of the United States to seek to remove the Saddam Hussein regime from power in Iraq and to replace it with a democratic government.

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." -- From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others

"Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities" -- From a joint resolution submitted by Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter on July 18, 2002

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983" -- National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Feb 18, 1998

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." -- Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability." -- Robert Byrd, October 2002

"There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat... Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001... He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn't have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we." -- Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." -- Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

"Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people." -- Tom Daschle in 1998

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"The debate over Iraq is not about politics. It is about national security. It should be clear that our national security requires Congress to send a clear message to Iraq and the world: America is united in its determination to eliminate forever the threat of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction." -- Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Bob Graham, December 2002

"Saddam Hussein is not the only deranged dictator who is willing to deprive his people in order to acquire weapons of mass destruction." -- Jim Jeffords, October 8, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

"There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed." -- Ted Kennedy, Sept 27, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"The threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but as I said, it is not new. It has been with us since the end of that war, and particularly in the last 4 years we know after Operation Desert Fox failed to force him to reaccept them, that he has continued to build those weapons. He has had a free hand for 4 years to reconstitute these weapons, allowing the world, during the interval, to lose the focus we had on weapons of mass destruction and the issue of proliferation." -- John Kerry, October 9, 2002

"(W)e need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. ...And now he is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War." -- John Kerry, Jan 23, 2003

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." -- Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

"Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States." -- Joe Lieberman, August, 2002

"Over the years, Iraq has worked to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. During 1991 - 1994, despite Iraq's denials, U.N. inspectors discovered and dismantled a large network of nuclear facilities that Iraq was using to develop nuclear weapons. Various reports indicate that Iraq is still actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability. There is no reason to think otherwise. Beyond nuclear weapons, Iraq has actively pursued biological and chemical weapons.U.N. inspectors have said that Iraq's claims about biological weapons is neither credible nor verifiable. In 1986, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, and later, against its own Kurdish population. While weapons inspections have been successful in the past, there have been no inspections since the end of 1998. There can be no doubt that Iraq has continued to pursue its goal of obtaining weapons of mass destruction." -- Patty Murray, October 9, 2002

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"Even today, Iraq is not nearly disarmed. Based on highly credible intelligence, UNSCOM [the U.N. weapons inspectors] suspects that Iraq still has biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, and clostridium perfringens in sufficient quantity to fill several dozen bombs and ballistic missile warheads, as well as the means to continue manufacturing these deadly agents. Iraq probably retains several tons of the highly toxic VX substance, as well as sarin nerve gas and mustard gas. This agent is stored in artillery shells, bombs, and ballistic missile warheads. And Iraq retains significant dual-use industrial infrastructure that can be used to rapidly reconstitute large-scale chemical weapons production." -- Ex-Un Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter in 1998

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources -- something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Saddam’s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq’s enemies and against his own people. He is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration’s policy towards Iraq, I don’t think there can be any question about Saddam’s conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors; and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the facts." -- Henry Waxman, Oct 10, 2002

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REWRITE WHAT HAPPENED.

My involvement with the "Middle East" as a US Military Officer since the 1980s. Currently conducting US Military Asymmetric Mountain Warfare.

navy linguist I was very specific in my post and went to the trouble of spelling out ISLAMIC TERRORIST instead of the usual ISLAMIST I use,which seems to make many people think I'm referring to all Muslims when it is the extremists that I detest. I said Taliban in my final sentence and you can't be any more specific than that. I've always stated that the majority of the world's Muslims are not a problem, and that one of the keys to success against ISLAMIC JIHAD is getting that good mass to rise against their troublesome minority. Unfortunately that hasn't happened near enough but there have been some positive signs which I hope are a sign that that's changing!

Dennis-371507 The personal agendas need to stop and we need to either carpet bomb the caves they hide in and make sure they never see the sun again or leave.

As soon as you posted that, I know that you are uninformed. These are NOT CAVES. They are former MINESHAFTS going all the way back to the Roman Empire Era. These are hundreds of feet into and under the mountains, and thousands of miles in length going into many Countries.

How many service personnel have to die before the full force of the US military is used.

You can keep sending bodies here and that is what will come back in flag draped metal coffins, as sending Conventional US Military Forces to fight an Asymmetric Warfare is exactly what the USSR 40th Army attempted (more Military Forces than the US currently has). Along with carpet bombing everything here with more bombs and aircraft than the US currently has, massacring the inhabitants (chasing them into Iran and Pakistan), use of chemical warfare (mustard gas, Agent Purple, poisoning water wells, etc.), tank formations destroying everything man made over 1 meter high, use of thousands of tons of air dropped area denial weapons and thousands of tons of mechanically buried area denial weapons, air dropped anti personnel weapons (foil wrapped to look like candy), attempted to "hold the ground" with more bases built than the US can currently occupy, with those on bases becoming fixed in place, and fish in a barrel.

I also don't like the price tag of $10 billion a month in a war that the politicians want to play political games with.

In another post. I stated where the majority of that money is going. Payroll US Civilians and Civilian benefits, not payroll US Military. Then when you include the US Civilian Conractors, that increases the US Civilian Payroll and US Civilian Benefits.

And pertaining to the overall Defense Budget, this "political game" is played all the time to benefit US Civilians, NOT to the benefit of the US Military:

Pricey Jet Fighters Add Up To Local Jobs
CBS Evening News: Funding For F-22 Jets Is On The Chopping Block, But Building Them Keeps 95,000 People Employed

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/25/eveningnews/main4893248.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;2
Why do you think US Military is running around with 1960s designed Short range Jungle Warfare M-16s, M-4s (350 meters and 250 meters). As in a Mountain Warfare long range weapons are needed (3/4ths of this country)(same with the initial assault of Marjah). This required closing distance, before you can return fire, gets US Military killed. And before you start looking up charts for outdated weapons (of the Taliban, Al Quada, Hamas Foreign Fighters, Chechen Foreign Fighters, etc.) they are NOT AK-47s (400 meters) they are long barrelled (increased range and accuracy) AKMs with new cartridges (more propellent (range), new bullet design (accuracy)(600 meters).

U.S. reconsiders weapon. Rifle meant for close-in fighting lacks the range of Taliban's older guns.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100523/NEWS08/5230369?source=rss_localnews

And why don't we get everything needed, simple, not made in the right Congressperson's State(s).

And the M110 (same design as M-16 (5.56mm) except larger caliber 7.62 mm), with same problems (high maintenance, low reliability without high maintenance). By the way do you know what happens to aluminum and plastic in near arctic weather.

If you think I do not know what I am talking about. Like us the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) finally figure this out. See photo on article (that is an M21/M25 Rifle like what we have been using in place of the M-16s/M-4s for years and rejecting the M110 after a year of combat testing):

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38376084/

1st thing....Area 52, get a life. you dare talk freedom, and and then have the gall to cut down one of our troops? your words are those that come from your own arrogance, and have no clue to the word freedom. 2nd, the rags called us out to war, not by attacking our military, but innocent people, who never wanted war, were equipped to to wage war, or in any way defend themselves from being attacked. Those same people who hide behind a false prophet, (imo), and base those teachings as a means of waging war on people to this day, who dont even carry so much as a pocket knife to defend themselves, and to kill innocent womwn and children, who also in case you have not heard, have no intentions of fighting a war, any more than i plan on running for president when i wake tomorow morning.

Pulling out troops back saves only some $, remember, mostly reserves are in the fighting now, and when they return to no jobs, think its going to save any $? not a lot.

I support our troops, even ones from past wars like nam.... will give one the shirt off my back if i can to keep the chill off. I still dont think pulling out is going to solve 1 thing in any positive direction by any means.
Still, all of you as well myself, outside of a few vets who have been there need to know this.... the enemy taking prisoners, and death, go hand in hand with war, something were are in right now. yes, i finally got a job, for how long, is any ones guess... when i will be able to find a better one isnt much better of a guess either.... still, even tho i see our wana be president in charge now, no better than the last, actually, even worse than Bush, i still hold my head high being American over a Brit, or Afghan.

Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft. Let the rich fight the wars. Let the poor have a break.
Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft. Let the innocent fight against tyrants, no way in Hell?
Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft. People need to open their eyes. Its the select few starting wars, yet their kids never go. Their kids go to ivy league schools, they aren't raised in some East St. Louis slum having no other choice but to serve his nation honorably.
Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft. I served. I faught in Ramadi_Fallujah_Baghdad. Go, send the fortunate sons. Combat Infantryman 4 Life, 1st ID, 1st of the 16th Infantry Regiment for life. I'm never going again, unless I'm picking off china men from my doorstep. I will never fight again for this country. I'm 29.
Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft.
Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft, Draft.

Finally Yes Indeed Finally -

Not much of Obama bashing for doing his job and little Bush bashing for what is done is done, bashing Bush/Cheney feels good but we have to clean the latrines those Neo-Cons left behind them and the nation building they said we would not pursue.

This is one of most informative pages I have seen in some time, there are many informative posts and honest differences of opinion that is constructive rather than a bunch of name calling. I think I will read and learn. You get yourself into a world of doo by not doing following protocol and expect others to lose their lives for your total screw up? It does not work like that. I still am not absolutely certain these sailors are at fault or not, I don't believe everything I read from the start. There must be a few Taliban prisoners we can fork over and be done with this or implement those targets that are just inside the safe zones within Pakistan or up in Waristan (pardon the spelling) start slow and build up and up and up. You can't tell me after all this time and "intell" we don't have just off-limits targets that are now with, lets say, with-in limits all of a sudden. Some one said what these Taliban understand is a rocket headed down valley in there direction. What about a volley of armaments headed right down upon those targets that are now on the target map. Was it Sherman that said war is hell and I intend to give them hell?

If we can read a license plate from a satellite orbiting the earth we can hit them hard, harder and even harder. What does Israel do when one of theirs is taken hostage? There is hell to pay and soon an exchange of prisoners. Winning hearts and minds can wait a while and ratchet up the rockets now not later. I am not one for diplomacy with the Taliban, sorry.

There are fine well thought out posts tonight I have a reflex reaction which is to strike, strike and strike again. After which some diplomacy then resume the strikes. If our intell does not have a so-called target list for use as leverage for this type of situation or for an attack on our soil then pull down the tents pack up and lets come home.

Good Night.................Finally a host of excellent posts...Finally

David 475476 - only a snip it of the lies and the "rush to war". Remember David Kay?

LEVIN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And let me join you in welcoming Dr. Kay to the hearing and stating our thanks for his work on the Iraq Survey Group.

Dr. Kay's recent reported statements, for example that the intelligence community was wrong about their being stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq before the war; that it is the intelligence community's consensus, he recently said, that the two alleged biological trailers were for hydrogen production, not for producing biological warfare agents; and that Iraq had not reconstituted its nuclear weapons program, stand in sharp contrast to the statements made by the administration before going to war in Iraq.

Dr. Kay's recent statements raise serious questions about the accuracy and objectivity of our intelligence and about the administration's public statements before the war that were supposedly based on that intelligence.

LEVIN: Before the war, the administration, in order to support its decision to go to war, made numerous, vivid, unqualified statements about Iraq having in its possession weapons of mass destruction; not programs, not program-related activities, not intentions, actual weapons is what the administration's statements focused on.

For example, on August 26th, 2002, Vice President Cheney gave a major speech about a threat from Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. He asserted the following, quote: "Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us," close quote.

Vice President Cheney was not talking about programs or intentions. He was specifically referring to existing weapons that were being amassed for use against us.

Here's what Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld said in his testimony to this committee on September 19th, 2002: "Saddam Hussein's amassed large clandestine stockpiles of biological weapons, including anthrax, botulism, toxin and possibly smallpox. He's amassed large clandestine stockpiles of chemical weapons, including VX, sarin and mustard gas," close quote.

"Notice again, not programs or intentions, it's stockpiles that Saddam Hussein was said to have amassed."

The lies and deception to wage war are undeniable, the statements you quote are based on manufautured lies meant to pursuade those congressional members to go with the flow and support war, though many you quote would eventually vote against war. The lies and fabrications are well documented and the Neo-Cons that have brought us to this point in our nations history have the blood of thousands on their hands, the war profiteering and the total lack of preperation for the total aftermath of the war can be laid at their positions of power and influence. You dredge up an argument that is well settled and those that have studied this fiasco know the truth from the Neo-Cons self-serving fabrications of fact that were not fact but fiction. Myth and fiction to pursuade a country to wage war when war was not needed. History will judge these war mongers and the verdict will be unkind.

Good night.....................

your whats wrong with out government. they are fighting a force that wants us american dead. if we leave and do nothing to confront extremest groups, look what happens; 911 and the bombing of the cole. it shows how stupid ypur comments r. as well as others like you on this blog. these soldiers really r fighting for your freedom but some of you r to stupid to recognize it

Eric, Salinas, CA...Wow that was certainly a history lesson. You forgot the part where the Bush Administration was paying informants to tag Al Queda members. In the process many unscrupulous people pointed out those they had personal grudges against which led to the imprisonment of quasi innocent people.

I suppose by the text of the article it seems that Obama is continuing more Bush Policies. The failed ones no less. With his own personal favorite of buying compliance no less.

I suppose what we will be witness to are several "innocents" being killed based on bad intellegence.

Bush de-escalation of Afghanistan was so to target Al Queda and the Taliban without devastating the civilian population. Seems with this administration devastating the civilian population is their version of "spoils of war". With Obama at the helm we have seen incremental increase of mistrust and waning support from Pakistan. But then when you campaign on the premise of attacking an allied foreign nation via drone attacks without including that nation in the plan you are probably going to further the resistance instead of quell it.

As for Iraq...Saddam was a tyrant but the fear and threat to Iraq, the ME and the world would have been the rise to power of his evil spawn. The met their fiery deaths as it needed to be. If the people of Iraq ever wish for the "Democracy" they wanted before the war it is damn sure their time to stand up and make something of it.

President Obama hasn't done anything to destroy al Queda or the Taliban. He has made their stronger. Once he has accomplished the withdrawal as per the pre announced and advertised plan. Both factions along with others will rise and become so oppressive we will never know to what extent they have employed genocide on the masses.

in whose world...dream on. The Taliban has made the largest resurgence since the war began in the past 18 months.

I agree too,bush and cheney blew it

Learn something about the topic before you make idiotic comments Salinas.

If The Bush Administration Lied About WMD, So Did These People...

Since we haven't found WMD in Iraq, a lot of the anti-war/anti-Bush crowd is saying that the Bush administration lied about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Well, if they're going to claim that the Bush administration lied, then there sure are a lot of other people, including quite a few prominent Democrats, who have told the same "lies" since the inspectors pulled out of Iraq in 1998. Here are just a few examples that prove that the Bush administration didn't lie about weapons of mass destruction...

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." -- From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others

"Whereas Iraq has consistently breached its cease-fire agreement between Iraq and the United States, entered into on March 3, 1991, by failing to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program, and refusing to permit monitoring and verification by United Nations inspections; Whereas Iraq has developed weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological capabilities, and has made positive progress toward developing nuclear weapons capabilities" -- From a joint resolution submitted by Tom Harkin and Arlen Specter on July 18, 2002

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983" -- National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, Feb 18, 1998

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." -- Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability." -- Robert Byrd, October 2002

"There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat... Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But the United States right now is on a very much different defensive posture than we were before September 11th of 2001... He is, as far as we know, actively pursuing nuclear capabilities, though he doesn't have nuclear warheads yet. If he were to acquire nuclear weapons, I think our friends in the region would face greatly increased risks as would we." -- Wesley Clark on September 26, 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." -- Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

"Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people." -- Tom Daschle in 1998

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"The debate over Iraq is not about politics. It is about national security. It should be clear that our national security requires Congress to send a clear message to Iraq and the world: America is united in its determination to eliminate forever the threat of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction." -- Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Bob Graham, December 2002

"Saddam Hussein is not the only deranged dictator who is willing to deprive his people in order to acquire weapons of mass destruction." -- Jim Jeffords, October 8, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

"There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein's regime is a serious danger, that he is a tyrant, and that his pursuit of lethal weapons of mass destruction cannot be tolerated. He must be disarmed." -- Ted Kennedy, Sept 27, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"The threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but as I said, it is not new. It has been with us since the end of that war, and particularly in the last 4 years we know after Operation Desert Fox failed to force him to reaccept them, that he has continued to build those weapons. He has had a free hand for 4 years to reconstitute these weapons, allowing the world, during the interval, to lose the focus we had on weapons of mass destruction and the issue of proliferation." -- John Kerry, October 9, 2002

"(W)e need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. ...And now he is miscalculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War." -- John Kerry, Jan 23, 2003

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." -- Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

"Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the United States." -- Joe Lieberman, August, 2002

"Over the years, Iraq has worked to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. During 1991 - 1994, despite Iraq's denials, U.N. inspectors discovered and dismantled a large network of nuclear facilities that Iraq was using to develop nuclear weapons. Various reports indicate that Iraq is still actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability. There is no reason to think otherwise. Beyond nuclear weapons, Iraq has actively pursued biological and chemical weapons.U.N. inspectors have said that Iraq's claims about biological weapons is neither credible nor verifiable. In 1986, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, and later, against its own Kurdish population. While weapons inspections have been successful in the past, there have been no inspections since the end of 1998. There can be no doubt that Iraq has continued to pursue its goal of obtaining weapons of mass destruction." -- Patty Murray, October 9, 2002

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"Even today, Iraq is not nearly disarmed. Based on highly credible intelligence, UNSCOM [the U.N. weapons inspectors] suspects that Iraq still has biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, and clostridium perfringens in sufficient quantity to fill several dozen bombs and ballistic missile warheads, as well as the means to continue manufacturing these deadly agents. Iraq probably retains several tons of the highly toxic VX substance, as well as sarin nerve gas and mustard gas. This agent is stored in artillery shells, bombs, and ballistic missile warheads. And Iraq retains significant dual-use industrial infrastructure that can be used to rapidly reconstitute large-scale chemical weapons production." -- Ex-Un Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter in 1998

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources -- something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Saddam’s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq’s enemies and against his own people. He is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration’s policy towards Iraq, I don’t think there can be any question about Saddam’s conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors; and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the facts." -- Henry Waxman, Oct 10, 2002

Eric It must be terrible to live so in the past., Everyone of your posts no matter the subject always refer back to Pres Bush who has been out of office for 19 or 20 months.

I guess when this POTUS leaves office in 2012 you will still be talking about the Bush years.

Quick Eric...we should surrender! I was going to say what a stupid comment you made but then I saw that you were from California.

You have got to be kidding . He will turn out to be our greatest mistake

That's it...? That's all...? That's all the documentation you have showing what a bunch of scurrilous hypocrites the Democrats are? Only 26 examples of quotes or written letters...come on.....That's nothing....Bush lied for gods sake.

Eric, You must be a liberal dumb a@# just like the rest of the a%#-holes that voted for Obama. F%^k Off.....

Some common misinterpretations,,,,,,,,,,,,The Taliban was never friendly with Al-Q and actually offered to destroy Al-Q and presecute Bin Ladin, Bush refused that and instead attacked the Taliban who had been supported US allies against Communism for 50 years, A lot like Iraq, We never had a reason for attacking the Taliban other than to get people minds off of Bin Ladin and Al-Q which were the actual targets we were supposedly after.

Are you serious Eric, You definitely don't know what you are talking about. I suppose you voted for the non American in the elections too. I don't see where the non AMERICAN President Obama has done anything exceptional in the War on Terror. The only good thing was when he as a Senator voted Yes to send US troops to Iraq, and I was proud to serve there as well. Bush was straight forward he did what he said he was going to do. he didn't pussyfoot around.

Pretty hard to for Bush and Cheney to finish a job when their term was up. As for Obama, what can I say? He has taken away many ROE's from the troops and tied up their hands to fight this war. Furthermore, lets take a long hard look about the president pulling out the troops. Ain't gonna happen for the simple fact that the attacks will continue on us and at afganistan no matter what! Remember, we didn't start this. Like the country song goes, "Have You Forgotten"?

Revisionist history does nothing for the problems of the present. Apparently, Barry can't, either.

Eric, liberal Bill Clinton missed Osama before 9/11! Stop blaming Bush and get your" Kid with a credit card" to send more troops.

Who really cares what or when, lets keep these soliders safe; they are fighting for you and your liberal finger pointers! Wake up these lunatics hate the USA; lets get them before they get us!

Another uninformed and/or misinformed chair jockey that apparently lacks the intellect and/or ambitions to gather the facts at the source, but instead rides the coat tails of the media’s proven bias and agenda driven puffery. Why don’t you go do something constructive and helpful for the country and yourself like planting a vegetable garden or something else to improve the quality of your neighborhood.

Eric - Predator drones....?! Are you freakin' kidding me? Obviously you've never put on a uniform, nor know much about military history.

Wars aren't won by air power - they're won by 'boots on the ground' - ask Gengis Kahn, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, etc, etc... Drones kill sporadically... and can't do what a sniper with a 50 rifle can do at 1/2 mile range.

If we had persued Obama (ooops, I meant Osama) when Clinton was in office maybe we wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. - oh and wasn't Clinton a DEMOCRAT who was also in office for 8 years??!!

Go back to your ignorance.

Eric, you are an idiot! You and your loser homies go back to eating cheetos while watching gay porn!

It began in the Clinton administration! Another uninformed and/or misinformed chair jockey that apparently lacks the intellect and/or ambitions to gather the facts at the source, but instead rides the coat tails of the media’s proven bias and agenda driven puffery. Why don’t you go do something constructive and helpful for the country and yourself like planting a vegetable garden or something else to improve the quality of your neighborhood.

you are so out of it, why dont you go over there and let them cut your head off because it seems to me there is nothing up there anyway. @!$%#.

You're just misinformed or living in another world,I have a son the military they loved president Bush and most hate obama.How could they have cut and run,the constitution would not allow them to run again.Something obama does not respect !

i believe the best way to handle the world and other countries, is to pull out all our millitary from all countries, cut off all forien aid except to iserial, let them handle their part of the world, and tell the rest of the world if you kill one american ,and we find out who is responsible we will wipe you off the map, but i dont think our self serving ,condensending ,not knowing how we true working class people of the united states live and scrape by, has the guts to make this happen. we have no leadership and no leaders anymore, in eather party, i dont have the answers, but maybe some day if it isnt to late,our goverment will get its act together ,before we crumble and fall like the Roman empire fell.

Are you kidding?

Our insurgent president Obama Bin Laden has screwed it up far worse than our previous dumb*ss president Bush could ever hope to do

We are screwed

Keep drinking that Kool-Aid Eric..Obama has put our troops in grave danger in Afghanistan by not providing the numbers needed to do the job..That's why we are losing close to a hundred American soldiers a month in that country. We are not attacking them anymore they are so bolden by the lack of commitment and the ignorance and lack of stratagy of the Obama administration that now they are attacking us and killing our soldiers everyday. If we are going to win we have to be fully commited to winning and quit playing politics with our soldiers lives.

This is a great discussion thread. Very little usless name calling with a lot of intelligent thought and substance.

You are so full of s&%t, your piece of sh&t president is destroying this country while these brave Americans are doing what you would never do..., don't like this country, LEAVE!

Eric,

President Obama has done more to destroy al-Qaeda and the Taliban in 1.5 years than War Criminals Bush and Cheney did in over 7.5 years. Barack has tripled Predator drone attacks in Pakistan above what the two war wimps ever did.

We were short on drones as AF leadership pressed for front line fighter upgrades (which we need as well). The Bush Administration recognized the need for increased drones and ended up firing the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Air Force as they were not as enamored with drones as they were front line fighters. Once they were gone, a new SAF and a Chief who grew up in Special Operations got on drone production and began the drone fight in earnest. THIS is the reason the tools are in place for Obama, who has undercut the requirements for troops in the region, is able to use drones. We have been whacking them with drones since 2006 (and before)...so stand back from your misrepresentation.

Had War Criminals Bush and Cheney not outsourced killing their BFF Osama bin Laden to the same Afghans who were backing Osama and put enough US ground troops on the ground at Tora Bora Osama would have been dead for over 8 years.

Kinda like the McChrystal request for 80K was ignored and 30K was the answer? 30K is actually 10K short of the numbers identified by the combatant commander to HOLD GROUND. In addition, the "Outsourcing" as you put it was to the Afghans comprising the Northern Alliance...sworn enemies to the Taliban and AQ...evidently you know little of the region.

AC

Eric you are probably a coward who has never served and you sound very un-American. We could live without you here I guarantee!

Eric your an idiot and a traitor. What a fool.

Thank you Colonel. Some here, I am afraid, lead a very sheltered life with only an umbilical cord to the media as a source of information. They are on the internet but don't really known how to use the internet.

he's 100% on this, but you neo-con fight the war from DC got no idea wat negative effects this would have for the region. The intel was false, and thier "Golden Boy" Chalabi had his-and Irans interest at heart. Wat a piece of sh*t this "man" is and Cheney&Co bought it hook line and sinker. OBL was cornered at Tora Bora and they let him escape. Why no QRF? 18 hrs wheels up..? They pounded us with fear and almost put this country on its knees. Now they block the CIC plans at every turn. Are they "good Americans?" We really opened the 21st Century with the wrong people in charge, and people actually will vote for a REPUKE this cycle. Are you 4 real? WHY???!!! LOL!!!

Enough already with the Bush bashing and blaming! You must be an OBAMA "it's always somebody else fault" liberal!

Sadly, one of our biggest problems in the Middle East would seem that our reputation preceded us. Too many people knew all too well what our capabilities were and weren't, and it doesn't take a genius to figure it out, just a good listener and observer who can do some critical thinking.

Our specious 'allies' realized that our destructive capabilities were the stuff of their dreams when it came to avenging the death of their great, great, great, great grandparents at the hands of their tribal enemies' ancestors. A lot of essentially innocent people have been killed over there because of all the eager 'informants' telling us that they were al Qaeda and Taliban when in reality they had nothing to do with either group. Sad, really. It would be similar to just being able to call the cops and report that your neighbor is a drug dealer and by the end of the week that neighbor's door is getting kicked in and he's being hauled off in handcuffs, no questions asked. If you manage that here, you get in a heap of trouble for filing a false report, among other things. We won't even go into the trouble the PD would be in for just acting on your 'tip'. I'm not aware that any of the false reports in Afghanistan or Iraq have had any adverse consequences to the party who instigated them.

Thank God law enforcement here has much stricter rules and the means to conduct an honest to goodness investigation before acting on tips from the public. Unfortunately, that does not happen halfway across the world. If it did, we'd never get anywhere in most investigations (no one genuine really wants to talk to us, for some reason...) and if we did, the opportunity to act would have long since passed. 'Action' and 'Security' tend to be very mutually exclusive. If no one's going to get hurt, just stay home! But if you just stay home, nothing gets accomplished, either. Being proactive will always carry considerable risk. But so does not responding, which is why all the 'little' attacks from al Qaeda in the 1990's culminated in 11 Sep 01.

arent obama and osama related?

Are you insane? I have a cousin in the Special Forces.. He is a Captain.. He HATES Obama.. He loved Bush.. He has a list a mile long of when he can shoot and when he can't...lol..Under Bush he shot anything that looked dangerous.. The number of OUR guys dying has gone up a ton since Obama was elected..FACT!!!!... Why? He is a douche bag lib who thinks the enemy has just as much of a right to live as an American does... Bush gave them the green light to kill the bad guy and if they killed innocents they weren't taken to court.. Screw Obama.. The war in both countries has gone much worse since Obama.. You are delusional.

One of many "big lies" of the anti-war left is the "we let Bin Hidin' escape at Tora Bora" fable. It doesn't matter to them that there was no proof Osama WAS THERE, only some evidence he MAY have BEEN there. Funny how those who claim that never seem to be actual combat veterans. I wasn't there but I do know this, EVERY service member (with the exception of a couple of RADICALIZED Muslims) who has served since September 11th,2001 WOULD DO ANYTHING to be the man (or woman) to put a bullet in Bin Hidin' That goes from the lowest never got promoted private to the 4 star Generals!!

Eric,

Exactly! Thank you for speaking the truth.

It never ceases to amaze how seemingly otherwise intelligent people, like Greg from Oceanside, can make such complete fools of themselves when it comes to them trying to shirk blame for Bush's mess onto Obama. How many years did Bush ignore Afghanistan while diverting limited resources from the soldiers in that battlefield to a counterproductive and unnecessary invasion of a country that never attacked nor threatened us. F'in unbelievable how gullible these RWNJs are.

He complains about the Left attacking Halliburton, a war profiteer that steals from the military if there ever was one, which proves to me he's never been in the military. No soldier I have ever met would defend a war profiteer that puts soldiers at MORE risk for corporate profits (of a Dubai company at that since it cut & ran from taxes and laws in America!).

Maybe he was one of the guys who rapes Americans girls and then locks them up in shipping containers while they decide if they should kill her. I hope not, but with that level of arrogance, ignorance, and entitlement, who knows.

Still, you gotta love anybody who can blame the longest running war in our history and one with the least support from the previous admin that started that war, on the incoming president. For the amusement of course.

ceo-722851 - That's it...? That's all...? That's all the documentation you have showing what a bunch of scurrilous hypocrites the Democrats are? Only 26 examples of quotes or written letters...come on.....That's nothing....Bush lied for gods sake.

Bush obeyed the Law passed by President Clinton and Congress. see post#1.26.

Dangr,

Still, you gotta love anybody who can blame the longest running war in our history and one with the least support from the previous admin that started that war, on the incoming president. For the amusement of course.

Korea is still just a cease fire and if you are paying any attention at all...remains hot.

AC

LegalRouge,

Did not get that from the internet...got that from three tours controlling aircraft.

Postalguy, Don't tell Eric to go back to eating cheetos and watching gay porn...He'll have to steal the cheetos and use his stolen camera to film his gay buddies, then play it on the TV he will steal to watch it.

that is the stupidest thing i have ever heard

Read Bruce Fein's new book he seems to understand exactly what the goals of this endless war are

As i support the troops i donot trust anyone from washington..what will the US do if these soldiers get WAterboarded?? a combat veteran

what make me mas is the government said they would give only 20,000 dollars for the troops release,you mean our government pit s price of such a little amount for our fighting forces and will give 25 million for Bin Ladin-something is not right here,20 thousand is way to cheap and insulting to our troops.Gold bless them all

AfghanVet728 writes "...which is because of liberals like you whose whining causes congress to send less troops than we should have, thus not accomplishing the job if we went in full force,"

Do you really think congress doesn't send more troops over because of liberal whining? It is because of their stupid rules of engagement that we can't get the job done. They don't want to offend any of these 3rd world countries by appearing to be too imperialistic. We are supposed to be a "police force" not expeditionary conquering forces. If our military leaders were given a free hand we could have wrapped this whole mess up in under a year. That is exactly what G.W. told congress when he first sent troops over. But then he shifted focus to Iraq and used the diversion to go after Husein. The rat bastard lied to congress and the American people and still managed to get re-elected.

Our poor soldiers are over there fighting with their hands behind their backs because of politics, not because of liberal whining.

Grottoblog....are you kidding me. These soldiers have been taken by a radical faction that has no part of NATO, rules of engagement or kind and generous treatment of captives. You wish to blame Bush for anything that happens to these brave men?

Our soldiers, every one in a foreign country is a target. Each knows their risk and it is appropriate to pray for all to return safely.

These soldiers are targets because this President is continuing policies that are dangerous with no specific target. This president has escalated the attacks on civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan over and above that of the Bush Administration.

These Brave Soldiers were taken because they are serving in a war zone. The unaffiliated faction of thugs and drug lords that took them will do what they will not because of any prior action of the United States or any other country but because they are depraved and oppressive bastards.

They didn't learn from the US they learned for centuries of war lord rule.

I guess you missed the whole VietNam war and what was done to our soldiers at that time in that horrific war. How many never came home from that so please save all of your blame as if we are the creators of all the ills in the world.

That is a sick faction over there and while you are railing you may want to ask Daniel Pearls family what they thought of the treatment given their son. Long before what you are railing about ever happened.

I want to blame Bush for us being there in the first place, We have no reason for war with Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Taliban, We are supposed to be after Bin Ladin and Al-Q

A good soldier is never a target,Grottoblot. If you doubt that, just remind me you wrote post #4 on this vine and I'll be happy to demonstrate a few unarmed combat moves!! I can't begin to explain how angry your post makes me!! WE showed them?? Are you high?? Did we show al-Zaqari how to saw Daniel Pearl and Nick Berg's heads off for Al Jazzerra and the internet?? Did we show Abu Nidal's boys how to roll a disabled U.S. citizen to his death off the side of a Cruise ship in a wheel chair??

Bo we had every reason to remove the Taliban and send in the dogs of war to hunt for Bin Hidin' The provided safe haven for al-Qaida HQ on their soil and after 9/11 were given the option to turn them over. When they refused it was their a$$es plain and simple. Do you really think our SF troops could have wandered the country side looking for Bin Hidin' if we had left the Taliban in charge???

Hello,

Thank you Fred. What we showed our enemy? Have you noticed all of our enemies from WWII to present will murder their own and anyone else. Even when there was a draft, our military has proven it demands moral behavior in immorral conditions. Lean the meaning of "Lawful Order.

Be Well,

I've got several honorable discharges and a chestful of awards that show I know the meaning of lawful order very well,thank you.

Hello,

Uh Fred, that comment was not for you. Only the thank you was for your comment. As you were "swabbie" ;-) I am Simper Fi.

Be Well,

Bo-1925019 - I want to blame Bush for us being there in the first place, We have no reason for war with Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Taliban, We are supposed to be after Bin Ladin and Al-Q

Why because you were told to blame the wrong person(s).

Afghanistan: 1980s Senator Charles Wilson. Visited the Afghan Refugees at Pakistan and demanded US involvement. Was not allowed to finish, since Congress Cheaped out. Resulting in the Taliban massacring the Pro Western Afghan Muhajeen trained by the US Military Training Teams from Germany (as asset to the Agency) during the Afghan Civil War, after the Pro Western Afghan Muhajeen defeated the USSR Occupation (USSR 40th Army). So no we (US) did NOT support the Taliban as they did not exist until after the USSR Occupation.

Currently a UN Mission.

Iraq: 1980s US Military Training Teams sent from Germany to Iraq to train the Iraqis during the Iran Iraq Wars. US sent US Military POMCUS stocks to Iraq and Pakistan (to the US Military Training Teams training the Pro Western Afghan Muhajeen).

Currently a UN Mission.

Note: According to the Holy Koran (Quran) Sura 33 anyone that collaborates with the Unbelievers (Jews and Christians, Sura 9.30) is "to die a horrible murdering"

This is why they need to reinstate the Draft into US Military Ground Combat Units so that Bo-1925019 can see the truth first hand, and share the hardship as a Civic Duty of US Citizenship. As stated by Candidate Obama, "US Citizenship is not an entitlement".

MeHere I'm a dual service veteran but my most recent service is U.S. Army.

Hello,

Fred G, I did it right the first time. lol

Be Well,

Grotto, you're the biggest dumbass alive.

Torture has been going on since the beginning of time. Radical groups are the most keen to torture out of any.

Just because the US retreats like wimps and hands over the Middle East to the Taliban doesn't mean they are going to stop, if anything they will be emboldened that we've given up. These Islamists don't want to stop until the entire world are Islamic women-hating extremists, or until they are droned-down like the dogs they are. Why give them a bone now?

Wow, that is almost an equal comparison. Lets see, both the Nazis and Japs had national armies that declared war on the United States. Did Iraq or Afghanistan's armies declare war on us? No, they are actually fighting with us, albeit there are basically worthless. It is much easier to "steamroll" an adversary of war when it is easy to pick a target. Here we have to hung them down in small groups. Try to understand that when you consider this war strategy as inconveivable.

Bagman you are so right!!!!! We are the most powerful nation on earth with a fantastic military force. I say this is WAR and stop worrying about civilian casualties and drop all we've got on them. This would dissuade others from attacking the United States. To hell with these idiots that don't get it - more than likely they haven't a service member over there!

I agree Bagman,

Obama's new rules of engagement should outrage every American. Our military must give notice to the villages, telling them when they will be coming in for a sweep. I understand trying to minimize civilian casualties, but this makes our troops a sitting target for insurgents who now have time to set an ambush.

I thought giving aid and comfort to the enemy during a time of war was treason.

Branden, Diana and Machinehead,

Get your collective heads out of your butts. Your "steamroller" mentality demostrates your idiotic belief that we can run and win a conventional war in the middle east. We were not attacked by the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan, we were attacked by radical, fundamentalist islamic terrorists. Perhaps supported by these governments but not a part of those governments. Even if we wipe these two nations off the face of the earth - something we have no political will to do - the terrorists will just move on to the next country to gain support and we will have done nothing. Killing the extremists does not have the effect would expect looking at the world through your American Judaeo-Christian lens. Killing extremists doesn't reduce the number of extremists it only increases the number. Increasing the civilian casualities Diana will not dissuade these people from attacking the US it will only enrage them to greater acts of terrorism. The only realistic course of action is to end these wars that we cannot win, see to the protection of the homeland and work through moderate islamic factions to have them defeat the terrorists. Anything else we do will only perpetuate this unending cycle of escalation.

yeah, the ROE is we have to given them a weeks notice and then go to the door and say "pretty please" to look for the POC that took these soldiers and have killed so many in Afghanistan these past few months. Whether you like McChrystal or not, he said we couldn't win this war w/o the amount of soldiers he needed, and a change of the ROE- looks like he was right after all.

I agree. If we MUST be there, we MUST win it with 100% effort! Let the full force of the USA and its allies be a message to the world that we apply the full force of our laws and military when threatened or attacked. We need a real deterrent, not just "BS" diplomacy. In certain countries, war, evil acts, and murder go back thousands of years and are unequivocally part of their genes. (It is called epigenetic.)

Steam roll'em like Vietnam...

I used to think we needed to take out the soldiers, but now I believe steam rolling in all of the places these ragheaded bastards live is the only answer. They teach their kids on a daily basis how to HATE anyone who is to them an infidel. It won't get better until we reduce their numbers. I have always supported the President through right or wrong (I am retired from 22 years military service) but in my heart I feel the American people made a huge mistake in letting Obama take office. It is like we put the trust of our lives and country into someone that is on the side of the enemy. The older generation did not vote for him, there were too many young liberal voters and unfortunately hindsight is what is learned by age. To have fired all of the generals that he did was not the fault of them (other than being politically incorrect), but it is the failure of Obama, he lost the faith of the commanders under him. It is his leadership that they doubted. And we should too.

Wyogirl said, "we put the trust of our lives and country into someone that is on the side of the enemy"

What kind of sick, uninformed comment is that? How or why would you believe our President is siding with the Taliban?

By the way, you should check the number of Taliba and Al Qaeda leaders killed by us since Obama became President. You will be pleasantly surprised because obviously you never took the time to check any facts.

I would rather fight a war in afganistan and Iraq than in the United States.

Sounds like you're a coward.

this war will NEVER be won !!! it is just like korea or vietnam. get our troops out.

Jack: So are you going to go to all of the countries where they have Muslims and destroy them.? Good luck with that. They are in almost every country in the world. That is why we will not win this war fighting them there. Did I think we should have been in Afghanistan?? Yes. But now it seems like we are fighting a losing battle because the Afghanistan's will never be able to take care of themselves.

Pull your head out Verno. He said Extremist Islam. Amazing how people just want to hear or read what they want to hear or read. Kinda like the media.

Rob, so what you are saying is you'd rather it be here? We already did that on 9/11.

Hello,

I love reading the rants of no nothing civilians. Fact, The Chinese were defeated during their last "spring offensive." Fact, the NVA and Vietcong were militarily defeated during Tet of 1969, but Walter Cronkite told you the war was un-winnable. My humble point is often the military does not fail its mission, but civilians fail the military.

Be Well,

Well Said MeHere!!!

Great post MeHere (and it's know nothing civilians)!!! As for verno attacking Jack Todd there are many of us who go out of our way to ALWAYS separate ISLAMIC EXTREMISM from the Islamic faith and yet we get attacked. So are you saying (by attacking us) that there's NO DIFFERENCE between mainstream Muslims and their radical brethren?? I don't want to believe that but it makes me wonder....

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, kill it!

Semper Fi!

And we were in Nam for what reason?

Hello,

We were supposedly in Nam for two reasons.

First to thwart communist aggression and expansionism.

Secondly and probably most importantly was to demonstrate to our allies we were willing to fight for them.

Be Well,

Thank you for your response, MeHere. I believe we took it out of the French Imperialists' hands, and it became our Waterloo! Sure glad to see how well it worked out. But my question still stands, perhaps revised: Was there an actual goal to achieve by defending a nation(s. vietnam) w/ no more strategic interest to us than Cambodia or Laos? God bless all the boys that fought and died there, as well as the countless that brought back their multiple tragedies of Agent Orange, heroin addiction, and PTSD to name a few. It sure seems sad we keep policing the world where we aren't wanted except by hose that gain a buttload of $$$ for themselves.

I appreciate the civil discourse.

Be well!

Hello,

Actually, Waterloo was a military defeat for Napoleon. During Tet of 1968, our forces militarily defeated the NVA and destroyed the Viet Con. (That would make Tet their Waterloo.) However, Walter Cronkite told you the war was unwinnable. Yes those that experience combat suffer, but that has been and will always be true for us.

At one time, the Pentagon's studies thought South/East Asia was needed to project our strategic interest. Da Nang was the largest Marine facility in the world and the airport was one of the worlds' busiest. Note, we suffered less drug addiction than the general public - it was just publicized.

I do not think Afghanistan is an ally or any kind of protectorate. It is, in my humble opinion, the war we should be fighting. It denies a safe haven for terrorist organizations. Part of the complications are the reality of Taliban's three natures. They are terrorist, they are Islamic extremist, and they are a legitimate political group. We have a new Hamas and we have not been as ruthless as the Israeli's. We do not need a Somalia in this part of the world, especially considering the Taliban is is also a horror in Pakistan (A nuclear power).

Be Well,

Though I am 48 yo, I once had three Viet active dutiy vets as roommates in Tampa. Two were stil Horse Riders, the other had gotten off the Horse. All three, God Bless them, were absolutely nuts! The flashbacks of Nam sent them into various degrees of depression and grief, and sometimes pride. The two that were ground troops and killed the enemy, were worse for wear than the third (Air Medic), but all had some wild stories, though telling them wasn't their pasttime. Walter, God rest him, didn't really have an impact on me, but my Dad(Navy Vet) and Mom(British-Jamaican Colonialist) were never vocal against the war, but did watch Walter.

Can't judge the entire populace by your own account alone. Again though, I always appreciate views of those who are credible, which you appear.

Be well

Hello,

I did not intend to appear argumentative. As an Old Corp. Nam vet, please tell your friends an old Gunny says welcome home. However, we Nam vets hear we lost or we failed while the citizenry ignores that in demanding an end, they failed the military.

Be Well,

You and Nam Vets have done nothing except to proudly and honorably serve. Thank you.

My old friends disappeared from my life after one extreme bad flashback/relapse session never to be heard from again. But I wish I could pass along your wishes.

Peace

Hello,

You need not wish, pass it in your prayers. Simper Fi.

Be Well,

Will do, sir. Thanks for the reminder.

Peace

What does the Taliban have to do with 9/11?

Michelle,

I cannot tell you how tired I am of people who say if you don't agree with me get the hell out. You have heard of free speech right? Just because we might say that we don't think the continuation of these wars makes any sense does not mean that we think the US is so horrible, it just means we have a different opinion. An opinion that is not less valid than yours.

What does the Taliban have to do with 9/11? EVERYTHING!! They were the recognized government of Afghanistan and allowed it to become Osama Bin Hidin(in a cave)'s HQ!! After we were attacked we gave them the opportunity to cough up al-Qaida's leaders they didn't and the price was their a$$!!!

yeah yeah yeah fred!you believe all the Bull that is spoon fed to you.joemike404 last i heard we still had rights to express our opinions in this country.so if they differ with anybody elses. too dam bad.you joemike are correct.

i for one don't believe all the bull$hit these wars carry with it. these wars were orchestrated the only thingv i'm pissed off about is that all these people are dying and for what?

I believe all the Bull that's spoon fed to me? Last time I heard I had the right to express MY opinion but rest assured it's supported by FACTS, not TINFOIL CONSPIRACY THEORIES !!!!

Where is the love?

Actually that's fairly tame. I had to leave another vine where the anti-war/anti-military/anti-U.S. gang (I respect the first,will generally tolerate the second if lies aren't used to make the argument,the third one I have issues with but especially when the points are based on lies) had me in danger of the dreaded Newsvine time out !!

Ha ha! I feel ya, Fred!

EXACTLY..Do we want to win or not?

I'm not an Obama supporter the guys a clown doing all he knows which is damage control.

I am a republican, but this is not the way to win any 'war'

Does anyone really believe we couldn't overwhelm this country with a million and a half soldiers, reinstate the draft this would be over in 3 weeks of operational combat

so when do you ship out?

Served my time, but I'm glad I'm retired because the more comments I read the more dismayed that these are the people I took shrapnel in the calf for I'll tell you that...

over and OUT

i agree with u Grottoblot. there is way to much troop bashing these days and not enough thank you's.

SO THANK U TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE

Do we want to win or what,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,What the heck could we win if we kill every Taliban on the planet?? Not to mention the Taliban never did a thing to us until Bush attacked them

Would you stand by and watch while an extremist killed your neighbor? The fight against evil is never over. Look at the comments of some of the ghost on this blog for example.

Michelle,

Explain to me exactly how a terrorist attack on the United States does anything to our freedom. Given, as many have said, that we have the most powerful military force in the world, it seems unlikely that a foreign nation could successfully attack and subjugate the United States. If that's the case then that leaves the federal government of the United States as the only force powerful enough to take away our rights. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance - not only by our government but of our govenment.

We had the most powerful military in the world when Japan attached Pearl Harbor also. It wasn't much of a deterrent was it? If you don't believe it affected the Freedom of U.S. citizens on our soil then you are ignorant to the history of the time.

Grottoblot, if you were in the military you obviously were not an RTO or had much to do with communications. ""Over" means "go ahead and talk" while "Out" means the conversation is finished. You never say "over and out".

And, when one serves his/her country, they aren't really selective about which part of the citizenry they are protecting. They are protecting our freedom to post nearly anything we want to on these blogs.

"fighting the taliban" - similar to kicking an ant pile while wearing flip flops. The more you kick, the more ants end up biting you and then more ants show up in their defense and then you've pissed off the whole ant community. The ants are dug in and have tunnels and have been successful at being ants forever. We just keep on kicking piles.

The Taliban were buddies while we were giving them cash/weapons against the Russians. Mujahadeen(sic) will take help/$ and keep biting us.

I am still waiting for the Secret Arc attacks, when for the first time Afghans will attack the US proper. War Mongers always get their fight, they just never fight it.

God Bless America. Even Bushbama.

joemike404.... "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." A quote from Ronald Reagan

Its not $20,000 for the return, its for any information. So hypothetically, 100 people could get 20 grand for giving tips on where they are. I'm sure the "reward" for return is much greater, they didn't release the amount for return. Get your facts straight.

Well, let's see...we offered $25 million for Bin Laden and that remains unclaimed...hence...we haven't captured the POS...so, not sure who is going to risk their life for $20,000 (peanuts)!

I'm sure the "reward" for return is much greater, they didn't release the amount for return.

There is no mention in this story about any specific reward for return - that is merely speculation on your part. "Get your facts straight."

We were already in Afghanistan.

How were we lied to to go into Afghanistan?? Unlike Iraq there were no questions regarding the actions of some of the people we went after in Afghanistan. The Taliban allowed al-Qaida to use the country they were in charge of as terror central, we were attacked,we gave them a chance to cough up the a-Q leaders,they didn't, the end (of the Taliban's rule)!!

WMD were only one reason for entering Iraq not the only reason. Like the media you seem to believe that if you tell a lie long enough it will become the truth. Don’t forget Iraq did have WMD’s. Sadam used them to exterminate his own countrymen. Oh that’s right you forgot that part, it isn’t conducive to your agenda.

I didn't support our decision to enter Iraq at the time because they weren't a dire threat and I felt it would distract from completing the mission in Afghanistan. I'd say the situation we found ourselves in in Afghanistan last year (with a resurgent Taliban not only starting to take back Afghanistan but having become a threat to take over NUCLEAR armed Pakistan) validates my concerns. Find one post where I've ever bought into the left's WMD arguments!! I've never played that card because I don't buy it. I think Saddam very likely hid his WMD's in Syria thinking worse case he'd endure a humiliation like in '91 and get them back after he surrendered and "cooperated" with the U.N.

I'm an Iraq combat veteran and I'm proud of the part my unit and I had in putting the Iraqi people in a position to determine their future. I'm just not sure if our 2003 invasion couldn't have been delayed until we finished off the Taliban and al-Qaida.

may your son/girl come home soon...thank them for there service.
danny semper-fi retired

You are not really buying into this super right wing @!$%# are you/ We are allready fighting it here so what the hell are we doing there? let them fight for themselves, what have they ever done for us but kill our people. Isolationism is alive, screw everybody else, its about time this country took care of this country

david1262 - you're joking right. Unless the Americans pull up stakes and leave Afghanistan, which I don't think will be happening any time soon, you'll be having this same conversation 10 years from now.

momofamarine, pass a hearty Semper Fi on to him/her from an old timer!!

USMC 1973-'77

I agree with you 100%, BTW.

Why in the world doesn't the United States Military have GPS devices imbedded in each soldier's uniform...that way, we wouldn't have to "search" for them when they are missing or have been captured...we will be able to track them...and if captured, we would also be able to track the movements of the enemy....the those talaban idiots (noticed I did not capitalize "talban", because of how pathetic they are.

So you want them to come over here on our soil to fight! Just let them in the fort and fight on the inside! Aren’t you just a brilliant strategist! However I do agree with changing the rule of engagement. No hiding behind women and children. Women Children and your Men, don’t let them hid amongst you. Run or hit the deck when the Marines come rolling in.

Thank you sn0w, I will pass your message on to him. And thank you for your service to our wonderful country.

LegalRouge - no need to be rude, not proclaiming to be a stretegist- I don't want them to have to fight on our soil, I just don't want them to have to stay there to fight without being given what it takes to win because they are just being killed when we have the power & the ability to kick a^& - it's like going to a gunfight without a gun!

And I support you in that position in the second half of my post.

Just for the record. I have three Sons there. 1 Marines, 1 Army & 1 Air Force and one Son-In-Law, Marines.

Scott-2060525- you obviously have little knowledge of taliban culture and language- they dont use capital letters in their language, so you, by refusing to capitalize the 'T', are not actually insulting anyone.

And don’t forget the over 1 Trillion dollars to the banking industry.

bingo

Keet you have a strong point

you should be shot as a treasonist war criminal yourself thank god you are in america

what the hell is wrong with you?the guys is right.there's no winningnthere,you cannot turn 3,000 years around, time to get the hell out of there.we should never have been there in the first place.stormy007 is right.those two a holes and a miriad of others are war criminals. they should be accountable for all the deaths in these two miniacle wars dreament up by them. these bastards lied about iraq, and they lied about afghanistan. they went there out of pure Greed and self gratification and used the the military to do so as their front men. nothing more nothing less..

i don't a flying $hit what you say. that's the long and the short of it.2 wars started by the corporations and the maniacs. anybody saying anything different then i say stuff it.right on stormy007

i hope they can get those poor men back.

WMD were only one reason for entering Iraq not the only reason. Like the media you seem to believe that if you tell a lie long enough it will become the truth. Don’t forget Iraq did have WMD’s. Sadam used them to exterminate his own countrymen. Oh that’s right you forgot that part, it isn’t conducive to your agenda.

look at your words!Sadam used them to exterminate his own countrymen.no haven't forgot that part. remember the words his own countrymen. it doesn't make it right,it's murder, but he was in his own country, not yours. yeah so the iraqi war is all bull$hit, a lie, a scam, and all the other list of words to go with it.whether you want to believe or not. hell believe it if it makes you feel better.doesn't change it.

Saddam had 12 years to comply with U.N. agreements he signed to end Operation Desert Storm and he refused. Saddam had 12 years to COOPERATE FULLY with U.N. weapons inspectors and he refused. Saddam violated 16 U.N. Security Council resolutions from 1990-2002. I may have opposed the decision to go into Iraq in 2003 but that doesn't change the fact that there several very legitimate reasons to do so.

Bush an chenney war criminals? are you that stupid!!! let me guess you voted for obama??

yeah they are freaken war criminals.perhaps you've been suckered into believing in all the snake oil and propaganda you have been sold. yes snake oil.you've been had, perhaps you don't realize it, perhaps you don't want to realize it, or perhaps you just can't or won't face it thinking that can't happen in this country.so you pretend!well i have news for you it has happened in this country and at the cost of thousands of lives!these two and their cohorts are responsible.you just don't get it.wait, we'll see whose stupid.

THIS WAR WILL NEVER BE WON!!!. all you ignorant people should know that. our troops are wasting their lives and freedom. bush and cheney are war criminals and they should be held accountable for every lost soldier.

Now my day is complete. Stormy has spoken and once again made me laugh. Thank you stormy. Oh, one thing though, please go back to your board of education and demand a refund.

stormy: bush and cheney are war criminals and they should be held accountable for every lost soldier

Sorry but, as of Jan. 20, 2009 Obama/Biden took charge so every death after that date are on their shoulders. Do not forget Obama became Commander and Chief of all the Armed forces on that date.

slam-

we don not live in a fascist country- stormy has the right to voice his/her opinion. That is the beauty and glory of America.