I have to say I empathize with President Obama on this one. I think he's doing the right thing. Afghanistan is a mess and always has been. I think the only path to victory would have been to say, "We're in it forever. We will never leave. We will fight the Taliban and AQ every single day for decades. They will be the ones who give up and leave, not us."
Other than that and without a generation or three to remake the local culture, the thing is probably unwinnable.
His endless whining about President Bush is way past its sell-by date, though. He looks like a crybaby when he does it. His grasp of history has always been terrible, so I guess it's too much to expect for him to realize that every president has inherited messes of one kind or another. Still, someone ought to let him know that the pouty little child act isn't very attractive.
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So are you ok with the time table for withdrawal? Is there actually a point to staying if its only less than two more years? I just wonder what can be done in that time given the central government is so broken.
I'm fine with the timetable for withdrawal. You've doomed the whole effort by giving it in the first place, but unless you stated that you were willing to stay until the end of time, you weren't going to succeed anyway.
The timetable is just another case of the nincompoop showing his cards to the enemy. I swear, if you played poker with him, you'd never have to work another day in your life.
You are right, everyone knows what is happening and we lack the resolve to fix things the proper way.
I look for Afghanistan to fall into turmoil AGAIN just like it did when the Russians left. Once they were gone, we had no interest, so the Taliban filled the gaps.
Unfortunately we need leaders (on both sides of the aisle) who are willing to do the RIGHT thing, not the popular thing.
If American soldiers weren't getting killed during this delaying tactic, I would agree. But Kelly nails it. If there's no possibility of victory in the next 18 months, and the effort is doomed (and, like you, that's my take), bring 'em home. Now. Why sacrifice even one more life?
Otherwise, do a Churchill.
A grand compromise may be fine in domestic politics, but this baby bleeds when it's cut in half.
He's sticking it out for political reasons. The soldiers are going to die so he doesn't come across as a wimp and a quitter.
KT....you might well have guessed by now that I'm rather hawkish.....BUT.... what this pResident is doing is using our Troops for political gain.
Pull them out in 18 months?
Just before the Elections come up again to re-endear himself to his left wing base?
I call Bull*** on him.
No Blood for Votes!!!
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