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Most Americans Say "Afghanistan = Vietnam" - NO MORE TROOPS!


US Politics & Gov't  (tags: Afghanistan, Vietnam, USA, war, politics, death, destruction, human sacrifice, stupidity, government, terrorism )

David
- 46 days ago - justforeignpolicy.org
CNN reports. 59 percent oppose sending more U.S. troops. Of those opposed, 28 percent want Washington to withdraw all U.S troops, 21 percent are calling for a partial American pullout, and 8 percent say the number of troops should remain the same.
Comments

Gorilly Girl (371)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 7:05 pm
Personally bring them all home...

Big gorilly Hugs
 

Gran Pat (226)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 7:24 pm
What a picture. If this little sweet girl doesn't send her message....God, what will??
 

Simon Wood (299)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 8:57 pm
Make love, not war : )
 

Casey Reed (37)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 8:59 pm
Hasta Siempre! War Injustice division Greed Avarice !Viva la Revolucion de Humanidad !

Obama shows his sincerity by not sending troops, as bush did every time the generals bark for more meat...

There will be a new strategy and an end to the war, as we know it now. I especially feel encouraged because the Taliban is fighting the Pakistani's now and there is conflict in Iran with factions that normally just fight U.S. Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. That is the nature of bush&co's economic mess, even though Regan started the deregulation and tax breaks for the rich, while he sold cocaine to pay for arms to Iraq's enemy Iran... Anyway bush&co left U.S. with this huge economic crisis, wars, and crazy Fixed Snooze energizing the crazy base of the repug party.

So when you say end the war, you are really saying end the corruption of the last 4 decades since Nixon, to Regan, to bush, clinton, and bush where they gave into the Military Industrial Complex and Corporate America's corruption of our government to dominate here at home and the rest of the world. That is what must end to stop this war and any new ones they invent.
 

Brad C. (33)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 9:35 pm
America is speaking and the leaders need to start listening.
 

Raymond S. (23)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 11:23 pm
Casey,
What does Bush have to do with the fact that this madman (Obama) is leaving our troops there to DIE????? This is no longer "Bush's" problem........ HELLO..... like it or not it is OBAMA who is NOT making decisions here!!!! NO reinforcements, that they desperately need, NO withdrawals, just LET OUR BOY'S DIE! And now he has put off making this decision AGAIN!!!!!:

http://www.care2.com/news/member/514833197/1282027

Will he not be happy until America is down for the count? How about you?
 

David Buchan (161)
Tuesday October 20, 2009, 11:28 pm
Don't know about you Raymond but I, for one, won't be happy until America gets the hell out of Afghanistan and minds its own buisiness...

Obama inherited a heap of Bushco's problems, and given time will sort them out?
 

Brigitte T. (52)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 1:48 am
What about all the Americans who don't oppose sending more troops? Haven't they learned anything?
Shame on them.
 

Kristmas Kat Purrr-fect Holidaze (338)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 3:37 am
Uhmmm, Brigitte....that leaves 41% who don't oppose. Maybe we should just round that percent of Americans up and let THEM take over in Afghanistan. Have we learned anything? Of course, we have....we've learned that no matter HOW much military we can send to a place (yanno, like Vietnam?) that you just can't win a war!! Shame on YOU for not remembering that!


-----
This may be a little bit off topic, but is anyone watching The Amazing Race this season? Guess where the cast is? Guess where we get to watch how normal life is 32 yrs. later? Guess how....no matter HOW many people died (in vain), life continues to go on because PEOPLE continue to go on.......
------------------------
Here's just a "bit" of the tour so far this season (and what war sights we are being led through....) Tokyo,J apan (including Konno Hachimangu Shrine).

Onto Vietnam (including Ho Chi Minh City, rural village of Cai Be, the Mekong Delta, Reunification Palace). One contetant said: "Being in Vietnam reminded Marcy about her father, a pilot, whose plane was shot down during the Vietnam war in1968. He was then rescued. On how her father survived this harrowing ordeal, Marcy said, “Sheer adrenaline, will, and determination. I’ve always thought that’s what I am made of.” She also commented on the people of Vietnam, saying, “The people are beautiful. It really does make one stop and feel emotional about all the people who died here.” ~~oh, btw, she was one of the only contestants to even REMEMBER Vietnam!~~ Anyone know what the vietnamese word DOCLAP means? (independence) ...something the Americans had to try to figure out.

Next stop: Cambodia (Phnom Penh - Foreign Correspondent’s Club, the Hotel Le Royal where Jackie Onassis styaed on her only official visit to Cambodia in 1967.) They all had a picture of her visit, BUT very few racers could identify one of America’s most famous first ladies. - one even thought she was Queen Elizabeth! Contestants also saw the Russian Market, Wat Tuol Tom Pong, and Wat Phnom, a Buddhist shrine built over 600 years ago.)

And...next stop - Dubai along the Persian Gulf, etc. etc. etc.
---------------

I guess what I wanted to bring to everyone's attention by all this narration is that...who knows? 32 yrs. from now Iraq, Afghaistan. Iran, So. Korea - we may all be running around on a tv game show - not remembering a darn thing, and noticing that - no matter how different a person looks, no matter how many people died in a seemling-important war at the time....life goes on, people remain people, and that it's only those who bother to read their history books will even care what the world is doing next.

I got kinda sick to my stomach watching the Vietnam episode, but it was a kind of peaceful life-goes-on ache. *sigh*



 

Ch Hardy (18)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:14 am
I think its sad that Obama put General McChrystal in charge of Afghanistan and now that McChrystal didnt tell Obama what he wanted to hear he is making it harder on our Troops that are already there who need help. I wonder if there will be any Mothers going to the White House each day or camping outside of Obama's house as Cindy Sheehan did with Bush for their sons/daughters who may be killed due to Obama's lack of making a decision.
 

Raymond S. (23)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:26 am
The point is people SH** or get off the pot!!!!! Yes David we should not be there at ALL! Obama's decision to go after Al Qaida and NOT the Taliban has only reinforced the fact that he is an irresponsible pres. every day there are more Americans killed and with every one killed the need for reinforcements grows, IGNORING this problem is saying that he HOPES more of us die!! Every decision that he has made regarding Afghanistan has sentenced more of our troops to death. If he can not send the backup that we need to get the job done THEN GET THE HE** OUT!!!!!!! Since I believe that a 3rd grader could make that very basic deduction, WHAT IS Obombma's PROBLEM???
As far as your post goes Wicked.... maybe if it were YOU that needs help someday and the person in charge of seeing that you get it just laughs, maybe you will rethink your last comment.
and when your dilemma is all over you can listen to everybody say *sigh* hearing your problems makes me sick.
Some of us actually have friends and family over there that we would like to see again!
 

Huda A. (41)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:42 am
The troops have to stay home to protect the USA from the terrorists who are threatening it!

http://world911truth.org/ex-cia-chief-james-woolsey-handed-down-gag-order-to-91
 

David Buchan (161)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:55 am
"Some of us actually have friends and family over there that we would like to see again!"...

If you mean see them ALIVE, not in a body bag Raymond...Stand up for your rights and bring them home now...Before it's too late.
 

Charlene S. (46)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:55 am
Obama inherited this mess from Bush (both of them)but I agree he needs to pull our troops out for the reason I will show below. Do you know what our boys are "really" dying for:
Most Americans now understand that the U.S. war on Iraq had nothing to do with the stated reasons. Afghanistan was sold to the public on multiple fabrications, including defeating al-Qaeda, building democracy, stopping heroin, fighting terrorism, and liberating Afghan women. Not one of these reasons is remotely close to the truth.
The 2001 U.S. invasion and occupation of Afghanistan has never been the "good and necessary war" defended by President Obama. Although you never read it in the mainstream media, Washington's primary motive is control of oil. Here, it's not Afghan reserves but Central Asian oil and gas. A long planned $7.6 billion, 1,050 mile oil pipeline running from Turkmenistan to India is called TAPI for Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India. Turkmenistan has the third largest natural gas reserves in the world and Afghanistan is the crucial transit corridor.
Asia Times journalist Pepe Escobar notes that TAPI goes back to the mid 1990s "[W]hen the Taliban were wined and dined by California-based Unocal -- and the Clinton machine." According to insider accounts, negotiations broke down because the Taliban were demanding too much in transfer fees. (Recall that the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and Osama bin Laden were created by the CIA).
This pipeline would bisect Afghanistan's volatile Kandahar province. It also would permit bypassing Iran, one of Washington's key geopolitical objectives. For this to occur, a reliable client regime needs to be established in Kabul, hence the U.S. invasion, occupation, likely escalation. Escobar adds that the possibility of establishing permanent bases "right at the borders of geopolitical competitors China and Russia" is a closely related motive. This is why Afghan civilians and U.S. soldiers are dying.
The slogan "Enduring Coffins for Pipeline and Profits" doesn't have quite the (pseudo) patriotic call to national sacrifice touted in "Operation Enduring Freedom"
Well folks it's oil again and I hope every person in Washington who votes to continue this war has to answer for the flood of every soldier who dies.
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:56 am
Huda - I read your article and Im sorry - I just dont see how the amount of people and supplies it would have taken to bring down those two towers hasnt been exposted as of yet. There is no way everyone that would have been involved would have kept their mouths shut this long - there would have been blackmail and lord knows what else....
 

Charlene S. (46)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 5:57 am
Sorry, that last sentence should have read "for the blood of every soldier who dies".
 

Raymond S. (23)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 6:54 am
THANK YOU DAVID!!!
Huda, your article does have some merit, on;y the names have changed, the biggest threats that we face today is our own leaders, MOSTLY in only the name of GREED!
And the pipeline???? Don't make me laugh, how long do you really think that a pipeline will last there??? If they are not blowing us or each other up it will BE the pipeline, the pipeline is just another excuse to remain in an inexcusable war!

"for the blood of every soldier who dies".
Well put Charlene!
 

Huda A. (41)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 7:38 am
http://world911truth.org/911-blueprint-for-truth/
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 7:43 am
Huda - I read what that website says but there are so many ways for anyone to get information out without having to use their real names - Im sorry I just dont see it happening. You can believe that big bad Bush and Cheney schemed up 9/11 and that they are monsters but I dont see it. I dont see how all that would be involved would keep such a secret - especially now that Bush is no longer President. Please those would be scrambling to get the info out.
 

David Buchan (161)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 7:53 am
"You can believe that big bad Bush and Cheney schemed up 9/11 and that they are monsters but I dont see it."...

There are none so blind as those who cannot see...Didn't you read the irrefutible evidence that 9/11 WAS an inside job, believe the media garbage you read (and believe?) and generally do not think at all?...

It's there for all to see and anyone, having seen the evidence and still in denial...Denial is not just another river in Egypt!
 

Huda A. (41)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 8:07 am
Ch!
its OK, you don't need to see or believe any thing. Believe what they are telling you.
It is safe for the mind !
we don't believe no one, we look and search and question every news! till we get convinced other wise! bad brains we have can't rest idle! beside the one who stand in that lecture is no Cave man with a long beard! he is a very respectable American! and Bush was a little puppy in a big litter! the boss is not the president the Boss is CIA they are still alive and kicking , trust me I know!
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 9:51 am
Here is an article on Popular Mechanics that debunks the 9/11 conspiracy - to assume that one who doesnt believe as you do doesnt read is wrong - I dont believe what I am told - I read over your post and heard what was said but I also talked to Law Enforcement who was there on the day & after who dont feel the same way - so you choose to believe what you do and I choose to believe what I do - I dont say your wrong for what you believe - I just dont see it.

Here is a good debunking article - please read - and I dont ask you to read to change your mind - just read for more education value. If it makes you feel better to think the CIA did 9/11 - OK...I dont see it.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/1227842.html

 

Chaz Gaily Berlusconi (253)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 10:10 am
Thannnxxx.. sucha controversial subject.. I personally would like all Americans to cme home to their families... but what if like a multiplying virus these terrorist regroup.. whilst no one is sailing the ship.. this is something that has to be sorted through and the safest method used... I do not believe that the local army is strong enough to pull this off...
 

Huda A. (41)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 10:38 am
Chaz!
Here is some thing for you, if you have time to watch it! and see for your self who is starting the bio-war! who in the world have the money and resources t do it! and watch how the name Rockefeller keeps coming up every where!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA1JRA9t6Ck
 

David Gould (146)
Wednesday October 21, 2009, 4:54 pm
No one has ever won a war in Afghanistan...not even Alexander the Great.

Among those who have lost numerous troops there since include, Britain (two whole armies) France, India, and of Course the Soviet Union (which hastened its end as a Union) The Afghan soil is full of our dead men's blood and grows the best Heroine Poppies in the world.

So far the USA have spent eight tortuous years there and lost many of its young people for no actual gain. Britain ditto. Please note that this so called war is costing Afghan's lives as well as they become 'collateral damage'.

The army commanders on the ground have all said that this war is not winnable but need more troops and equipment that we all have to pay for...and which our young people give their lives and limbs for. And still no one will win. And the dithering leaders of both the USA and of the UK delay decisions about sending more troops or withdrawing.

This war has delivered not one of its objectives to date after eight years.

Time to bring them all home and rethink the policy of foreign wars.
 

Wild Cat (3)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 9:18 am
Raymond S, well said:

"NO reinforcements, that they desperately need, NO withdrawals, just LET OUR BOY'S DIE! "
 

Huda A. (41)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 9:23 am
Idiots shall die for their own stupidity, they started the death walk , so they shall walk out of it! what goes around comes around! tough life!
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 10:06 am
Huda - what are you trying to say? That our Troops are idiots for doing the job they signed up to do? Or are you talking about Bush/Cheney for sending the Troops there - I truly hope your talking about Bush/Cheney when you say what comes around goes around.
 

Huda A. (41)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 10:41 am
Frankly Ma'am, I don't give a damn" all i care is they get out in body bags, or on the last train! U.S.A Blood is not much more red than others Blood, and U.S.A children are not much more valuable, than others! and who signed up to dip his bread in blood, have done that on their own free will! they are paid army , Mercenary!! who have been leading them, its whom the U:S.A citizens have elected and found fit an willing to lead them!( Made in USA) the U.SA Citizens , have been crying kill baby kill, drill baby drill for 8 years, no one said, what is going on! they have seen the good Girls and boys, torturing the innocent people and having porno show on their account, and they laughed there head wow the kids are having Fun! why should any one have mercy or compassion for your blood, when the rest of the world blood is cheap for you? answer me that! when we have wild cats , and stray Dogs, are trying to silence us when we are expressing our pain for what is going on, in a world gone mad? Namaste! peace be with you , if they know what the meaning of peace!
 

Gorilly Girl (371)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 10:47 am
Oh myyyyyyyy oh you just said that...in body bags I am one of peace and dont wish for anyone to leave in damn body bag come on.....um and other people are just like us then their the ididots that get their ownselves caught up in supid as beleifs that just kill...CH I really think its talking about our kids and fathers not cheny and the likes of him...

Big Gorilly Hugs

Now most of you know why I dont post on this crap...one thinks they are better than the other and they are not and never will be..both sides kill and both leave in body bags...I guess the better hunter will prevail.
 

Past Member (0)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 10:50 am
You cannot currently send a star to Huda because you have done so within the last week.

i have a relative who has served multible terms not for the good of the cause or to protect americans from way the h3ll over there mind you -he does it for the 10,000 a pop. capitalism=imperialism which is far more ruthless and deadly than socialism over the course of history.
 

Past Member (0)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:02 am
p.s. i do not wish for any body bags either -some went in the right of hearts -they just were not privledged to the truth -so young and very much lied to in school -we've mistakingly made it an honor to kill overseas in the "name" of saving ourselves -such an upside down myth. but when our troops can't tell the difference between the innocents and terrorists -we do NOT need to be there shedding blood period -we are part of the problem not the solution. if more were actually protecting our home land right here where we need them -we wouldn't be considered an enemy to so many.
 

Gorilly Girl (371)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:08 am
We just need to stay out of peoples crap and let them kill theirselves and their own countries...stop blaming our kids for what the government does...just like everyother military out there they obey orders may be crappy orders and ones they dont want to fullfill but still the same all military men and women obey their commaders on both frickin sides and both sides will always lose.......

Arrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh

BigGorillyHugs
 

Gorilly Girl (371)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:08 am
Sending a Green Star is a simple way to say "Thank you"
You cannot currently send a star to Misses because you have done so within the last week
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:14 am
HUDA - I truly hope what you posted was a mistake - you want our troops to come home in body bags - so I'll make sure I pass that along to my friends and family that are over there. If you dont like our Troops and the jobs they are doing - then please leave the US and dont let our door hit you in the a$$ on the way out. You then compare their lives to dogs and cats....what? I dont get that? You care more about cats and dogs then human lives that sign up for a job that not a lot of people will do to protect YOU and your rights...how dare you wish they come home in body bags or on the last train. Your sick and you may need to start visiting some of our Soldiers - no better yet please stay as far away as you can from any of our Soldiers.

HUDA - I will pray for you - that seems to be what you need the most of.

I dont want to see any SOLDIER come home in a body bag - I want Obama to stop having meetings on the same subject and make up his mind what he is going to do. He can't make everyone happy so hurry up and piss someone off and get the job done. Obama make up your mind already & send our Soldiers help - dont leave them looking for help and none come. What happened to "NO MAN LEFT BEHIND"? Obama your being a bad American right now - step up to the plate and bat alraedy.
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:17 am
Misses - so he does it for $10K a pop? Big deal - $10K is not alot if he pays with his life and for the job he does when he is there. Have you ever stopped to listen to his stories? I live with a soldier and trust me - $10K is not a lot of money - plus when my hubby went he didnt get $10K, he got paid his monthly pay but he never got an up front fee of $10K to go? Not sure what branch of service your relative is in but that doesnt sound right.
 

Gorilly Girl (371)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:21 am
Ch I think he is one of the off the board types...not like a seal but more secret...Is that how Im getting it my sweet misses and really we do not need to know you know...

Big gorilly Hugs
 

Huda A. (41)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:28 am
What i say Is! they can opt to whatever they will, don't tell me they are defending USA sovereignty in IRAQ or Afghanistan, in Kuwait, or Korea, in Saudi Arabia , or any where else in the world! they chose that, job, for money, not because they love, God, homeland , and Humanity! so its up to them to do what they want , and their blood is not much valuable than any blood! and that remark was initially to the wild cat, who is going in every thread and pissing his poison uncalled for! I never wished no one any ill, the nature law says, what goes around comes around! life is tough! that is what I initially said, so if you are not getting what i say! please stop being hysterical , and read it calmly!
P.S I wouldn't touch that blood soaked land , even if I am dying! peace lady!
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:35 am
HUDA you are aware that once a man or woman signs up for any branch of the Military - they are committed to that branch. If they are told to go here or there THEY have to go or they face many years of jail and most likely to never ever find a job anywhere b/c of their dis honorable discharge from the Military so NO your wrong when you say they choose to go - they have to go. Yes its a job they sign up for but for many reasons - money towards education, benefits for their families, to get away from a rough neighborhood or family.......many many many reasons....but that is not to wish any of them harm. I never said their lives were more precious then any other Countries soldiers.

I still think your comments are wrong and I truly hope there is not a Solider on this site reading what you said - I will continue to pray for you.
 

Huda A. (41)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:58 am
Thanks for the enlightenment! and the prayer much appreciated! mind you what ever reason made them join the killing machine, its their own reason! prison is much better than dying for a dishonest cause! or to follow orders, from a mass murderers! there is no justification for that at all! by the way, most of the body bags coming home, are friendly fire! not in honor of the Great USA! Cave men , don't have nukes! or sophisticated killing machines! so get mad at your own! who have sent your man for 2 cent to die for their cause!it would be kind of them after they return to give them a band aid, and not leave them die under the bridge, in middle of winter! or stop chasing their ghost in their head! isn't that what your Government does to your brave girls and boys? or did i dream that up?
 

Gorilly Girl (371)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 12:05 pm
Oh the other govenments are right in what they do???? I am seriously confused if one thinks that...

Big Gorilly Hugs
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 12:34 pm
My boyfriend at the time served 8 months in Iraq - he came home and is now my husband and we have a 3 year old SO NO that is not what our Govt does to all our Soldiers. If Soldiers come home with mental or physical issues they are provided help - the mental one's need to find the help b/c most dont know there mental - they go through testing when they are home but sometimes their Post Tramatic Stress does not show up right away - it would be on the Solider just as it would be on you - to get help. No one can do it for you....

Huda - let me ask you this - would you rather just do away with all Militaries? I mean you say they sign up for the killing machine - of course they do - what Country would be what without their Military? Or you still think we can all live in peace - well that is proven it doesnt work.

I have to say this - I dont agree with your way of thinking - its delusional to me - I hope I understood you correctly and that you dont live in the US - dont believe everything you read or hear in our Media - they only report what will make Bush look bad and Obama look good. If you want to hear good news go to FOX news - they will tell you both sides.
 

Past Member (0)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 12:49 pm
1 boyfriend that served for 8 months makes a know it all out of no one..many bases have cut back the funding for pts..and many many many serve more than 8 months..multiple tours and yes, many receive bonuses for extra terms towards plasma tv's and all..keeping up with the jones isn't just for civillians any more. a lot them don't make enough wage for choosing to kill and die true..but niether does a police man. some on here support the perversion of "righteous" war and some of do not -one requires thought and diversty...the other requires bloody hands with no conscious -to each their own -we are all dead anyway -for some it will be caught in the line of fire..others..well..we'll call it the karma god.
 

David Buchan (161)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 2:30 pm
"HUDA you are aware that once a man or woman signs up for any branch of the Military - they are committed to that branch. If they are told to go here or there THEY have to go or they face many years of jail"...

Anyone stupid enough or so hard up that they join an organization that will teach them to kill their fellow man and are also stupid enough to follow an order telling them to KILL their fellow man deserves a long jail term for being so stupid!

Anyone who refuses to follow such an inhumane order deserves a medal.
 

David Buchan (161)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 2:39 pm
There is a lot to be said for the ten commandments, a very sensible way to live a decent life, religious or not..."Thou shall not kill"... Ring an evangelical right wingnut bell?...
 

David Buchan (161)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 2:48 pm
It is a well known fact that the army relies on the poor and unemployed to swell its numbers...Better poor and alive than rich and dead?
 

Brigitte T. (52)
Thursday October 22, 2009, 3:48 pm
From: The World Can't Wait.


Soldier: "We did things you shouldn't do to human beings"

It's inescapable to much of the world. Barack Obama is expanding troops going into the 8 years of US occupation of Afghanistan, and expanding a largely secret, ongoing CIA war of killing by robot drones in Pakistan. The debate among the deciders on Afghanistan offers two terrible options: expanding the ground troops by at least tens of thousands, or relying more on unmanned drones and special forces assassination ops.

Tuesday, we held a banner saying "US Out of Iraq & Afghanistan! The World Can't Wait!" as hundreds of people gathered across from where President Obama was to speak about health care in NYC. There were a many more suporters of healthcare reform than opponents of the wars, but the general public was coming up to us. I met a Special Forces sergeant who just returned from Afghanistan, and said, "I want to tell you what we did, but I can't talk about this. We did things to human beings you shouldn't ever do....the military is killing civilians, just killing people there. I don't know how to feel...I feel so messed up..."


We have to go out more widely than ever and help people know what to do, and even more importantly, how to look at why the US is doing what it's doing to be an unchallengeable empire, and not for "democracy." See Larry Everest's piece this week reprinted from Revolution, Behind the "Debate" Over Afghanistan: Suffering, Death, and the Needs of Empire.

Daniel Ellsberg spoke Saturday in San Francisco, and said something arresting, which he said I may quote: "I don't believe there is a single official in the Pentagon or CIA or in Afghanistan who believes that 40,000 more US troops or 80,000 more US troops would be enough to bring anything that could be called success in any sense. If Obama starts on this path of open-ended war -- as LBJ did in July, 1965 -- 40-80,000 troops would be only a first installment, with the limit at any time over the next decade set only by what can be made available. The Taliban will be growing stronger concurrently, whatever the body count."

As I was flying to Orlando this weekend to speak at the anti-war rally put together by Jeff Nall and others who have been receiving this e-newsletter for years, I read a story in USA Today on demoralization among the 10th Mountain Division, which has taken heavy casualties in Afghanistan recently. Joe Urgo, who was a leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, responds to the story in Colonel to Troops: I'm Lying to You:


"In response to this potentially dangerous situation, the commander of the unit, Col David Haight, wrote a letter to the Third Brigade on Oct 12. The Colonel starts his letter addressed:" To All Spartans", {a bloody warrior society in ancient Sparta that held slaves} and goes on to praise "the tremendous sacrifice of all......and it is appreciated." When he gets around to explaining the US military's mission in the region, it is full of "imperialist speak," the language of a condescending, invader bully that portrays the people as helpless pawns that the mighty US had to go in and save from the enemy - the Taliban and Al Quaeda.

Haight says Afghanistan has a "culture of corruption that runs deep in this society." Included in this charade is the phrase "execute projects to build economic and infrastructure capacity and increase the quality of life for the Afghans and create jobs." I think the majority of jobs that have been created are for the folks burying all the tens of thousands of civilians the US has killed on the ground and from the drones bombing mass gatherings of Afghan like wedding parties."


Jane Mayer asks in her New Yorker piece "The Predator War," why Congress investigated the Bush administrations' use of predator drones, but a widening effort by both the military and the CIA goes virtually unnoticed, and implicitly supported? One chilling paragraph, "The Air Force's fleet has grown from some fifty drones in 2001 to nearly two hundred; the CIA. will not divulge how many drones it operates. The government plans to commission hundreds more, including new generations of tiny 'nano' drones, which can fly after their prey like a killer bee through an open window."


This may be how the US occupation of Afghanistan/Pakistan is continued under President Obama. One of the poorest countries of the world, crisscrossed by the highest tech weapons the imperialist world has produced, all in our name. Unless we stop it!

Debra Sweet, Director, The World Can't Wait



World Can't Wait - info@worldcantwait.org - 866.973.4463 - 305 W. Broadway #185, NY, NY 10013

 

Ch Hardy (18)
Friday October 23, 2009, 5:08 am
David "Anyone stupid enough or so hard up that they join an organization that will teach them to kill their fellow man and are also stupid enough to follow an order telling them to KILL their fellow man deserves a long jail term for being so stupid!" Do you live here in the US? How un American of you not to support our Troops an to call them stupid for joining the Military - if you dont like the US - leave! Its that simple but I hate to tell you there is Military everywhere and in some Countries when you reach a certain age you HAVE to spend time in their Military - ours is volunteer.

David I am truly shocked that you would even say such words - How truly sad you must be. I feel for you.

Misses - my husband didnt just serve 8 months in Iraq - he gave 10 years of his life to the US Army & was on multiple deployments. All I stated is that he never received any bonus when deployed. If that is what they are doing now to keep moral up - good for them.

Back to you David - IF YOUR an American - whick I find hard but...we bring all our Troops home and then someone attacks the US - who do you think is going to be there to defend your butt? Those same Troops that you just put down in your above post. Would you ask those trained killers to leave and let you be? But see even if you wanted them to leave - they wouldnt b/c they actually care about your safety & well being - how sad you dont feel the same for them.

I just want to set a scene for some - you are in Iraq running a convoy mission to get supplies to remote towns that have been cut off by Sadam for years - on your way to this town you start to smell somethng that is just horrible - out of this world horrible - the more you keep traveling the worse the smell gets - you dont know what could smell so bad - off in the distance still several 100s of feet away you can see something but can't make it out but the smell is just getting worse and worse - closer and closer you get to this blob and the smell is making you gag and your eyes water - you try breathing through your mouth but it doesnt help - the smell is coating the inside of your mouth and throat...finally you see 100's of Iraq's standing there crying - you pull over to see what it is b/c the smell is coming from where they are - you get closer and closer and you notice a BIG HUGE HOLE in the ground - right there off the side of the road - and there are 100's of Iraq's in this big hole searching - not giving a damn about the smell but searching - you get closer to see why these Iraq's are going down into this big hole and what they are searching for - so you finally get close enough to see 100's of 1000's of dead bodies of men, women, and children - a death hole where Sadam would kill his fellow Iraq's if someone in their family spoke out against him and dumbed them into big hole in the ground - now that Sadam is out of power their familes are finally able to come and try to find their bodies for a proper funeral.

That is some sick stuff - and that was done by Sadam to his people....
 

Lena Corkie Martino (167)
Friday October 23, 2009, 5:31 am
Oh Great!
Another Hate-fest to note...
Sick.
 

Rubywahini B. (14)
Friday October 23, 2009, 8:06 am
Ch, thank God George W. Bush took Saddam Hussein out!!! He raped, tortured and murdered his own people.....
 

Karin S. (30)
Friday October 23, 2009, 9:24 am
"ll i care is they get out in body bags, or on the last train! U.S.A Blood is not much more red than others Blood, and U.S.A children are not much more valuable, than others! and who signed up to dip his bread in blood, have done that on their own free will! they are paid army , Mercenary!! who have been leading them, its whom the U:S.A citizens have elected and found fit an willing to lead them!"

Huda, correct me if I am mistaken but I think you come from Switzerland where ALL male citizens HAVE to serve in the army


The Swiss Army

Swiss Army Switzerland soldiers military



"Switzerland is a politically neutral country, yet it has more soldiers per capita than any other Western democracy. Odd? The Swiss don't think so--or at least, most of them don't. According to Swiss military dogma, a powerful citizen army is the best way to preserve Switzerland's neutrality and keep neighboring countries from invading Swiss territory. They may be right; Switzerland hasn't been at war in 500 years.

In his 1984 book, La Place de la Concorde Suisse, acclaimed New Yorker author John McPhee quoted a Swiss officer as saying: "Switzerland doesn't have an army, Switzerland is an army." That statement may have been hyperbole, but the fact remains that nearly 400,000 of Switzerland's roughly 6 million inhabitants belong to the armed forces.

Conscription is alive and well in Switzerland. When a male Swiss reaches the age of 20, he must undergo 15 weeks of military training. Over the next 22 to 32 years, he'll attend a succession of two- to three-week training camps during until he's accrued 300 to 1,300 days of active service. (Service requirements depend on rank: the higher the rank, the more years and accrued days are required.)

Until 1996, being a conscientious objector didn't count in Switzerland. If you said "no," you went to jail. It's now possible to serve in a noncombatant role, although this isn't common. In rare instances, conscientious objectors may perform Zivildienst (civilian service) in a nursing home, sanitarium, etc. instead of joining the military, at the cost of serving 50% longer than they would in the armed forces.
A "good old boys" network

Swiss military service has its benefits. Like members of a volunteer fire department or a fraternal lodge, citizen soldiers tend to look out for each other in the business world. In some circles (and especially in smaller towns or villages), sergeant or officer rank carries prestige.

Swiss men who live in other countries don't have to serve in the army, but they're required to tithe 2% of their income to the mother country in the form of a military exemption tax. (The tax is also paid by men who flunk the physical or otherwise don't qualify for military service.) Women aren't required to pay the tax, nor are they expected to serve in the army--although, if they wish, they can can enlist as noncombatants."

So where do YOU get off saying that all soldiers are mercenaries?????? If it were a member of your family would you feel the same way about body bags? I am NOT an American but our boys HAD to serve for 3 years the same way the Swiss do and all three of my brothers fought in Angola during the terrorist war there. They had NO choice (as with the Swiss) and you should thank whatever gods you believe in that Switzerland has not been to war or had a war in their country forever. SOME people are patriots and believe that they are doing the right thing - AND FOR THIS YOU WANT THEM TO COME HOME IN A BODY BAG????

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!
 

Huda A. (41)
Friday October 23, 2009, 10:21 am
Bravo! you did some good work! but you forgot few things! they are the world only army on bikes, and they are the one who cray Swiss army knife! and they take their guns and the uniform Home,, when they finish the one month service! and they are fire fighters, who are not paid, and they are the rescue army when disaster hits, and they have never, spilled any ones blood or dipped their bread in blood!
and that they are not payed to join the army, and they pay their taxes as honest , citizens; and you forgot that 42% of the Swiss voted to abolish the army In 1987! and only because of some old goats, it didn't pass, but it will soon!
so bring your boys and porno girls back home before they go in bags! that is what i said!
and i stand by it! i didn't send them to their death! and it was not me who stood watching them cheering when they were going to their death and still asking to send more! wake up sweetie!
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Friday October 23, 2009, 10:34 am
HUDA - where do you get off calling our Military women, PORNO girls? I dont understand where you get that from? Just b/c your Country does not allow women in the Military and the US does....You can have your Switzerland and we will keep our USA!

The day Switzerland gets rid of thier Army is the day you will be invaded and taken over by Terrorists. So you go right ahead and live in your Peace World while others dont and see how far ya'll will get. I can bet the first Country that would be there to save your Country will be our Boys and "porno girls"....and if you didnt want them there - they would still protect you - with no thanks needed.

HUDA - you live in a glass house that one day will bust and the USA Military will be there to pick up the pieces. Remember that...
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Friday October 23, 2009, 11:46 am
HUDA - those links did not answer my question - why do YOU call our Military Women PORNO Girls?

All of the above links is for one incident that happened - BOY your basing your whole discussion off of a couple Soldiers mistake? Really? That is your whole argument? How pitiful. Its easy when your looking in from another Country isnt it and judging our Country - you can't see the GOOD that our Military has done - it has to focus on some bad seeds - well there is bad everywhere - not just here in the US.

Not that I think you would even care to look b/c it would prove you wrong but here:

http://whattorture.blogspot.com/

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/10/22/29163-army-researching-new-energy-efficient-technologies/?ref=home-headline-title6

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=49036

http://www.marines.mil/units/marforpac/imef/11thmeu/Pages/2009/Medicalpersonneltreat500thpatientinTimorLeste.aspx

http://www.marines.mil/unit/iimef/2ndmeb/Pages/CivilaffairsMarinesturnattentiontoimprovinglocalschoolhouse.aspx

http://www.marines.mil/unit/iimef/2ndmeb/Pages/NavycorpsmenteachAfghansoldierslifesavingtechniques.aspx

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26246407-2703,00.html

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/09/24/27842-members-of-us-army-south-team-treat-more-than-7200-patients-in-haiti/?ref=news-americas-title2

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/09/19/27584-panamax-teamwork-against-terrorism/?ref=news-americas-link1

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/13/24319-arnorth-nco-helps-donate-laptops-to-local-school/?ref=news-americas-title3

HUDA - I can post more good then bad on our Military so if you want to focus on one incident that happened go ahead and just remembe when Switzerland needs the help of the US - we will be there b/c that is what our Military does...
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Friday October 23, 2009, 11:55 am
HUDA - trust me if your Country got attached the first Country you would call to help is us - the USA. And if we answered with "were keeping our paws in our own pocket" like we should - the world wouldnt know how to react.
 

Dar D. (283)
Friday October 23, 2009, 12:28 pm
9/11 conspiracy theories have nothing to do with the war of AFPAK. In my humble opinion, 9/11 was another Pearl Harbor. A horrible event that affected many lives, which could have been prevented................It wasn't an "inside job" for goodness sakes.., think..., it was however, another "excuse" for another war that has a purpose of POWER and greed, beyond just the "oil." If ANYONE here has family in a official capacity of the U.S. military, you know.............., that "inside jobs" would only be performed with the cleanest action of the "least" collaterol damage. I wish people would stop following theories that people ASSUME from not having the actual knowledge. This hurts many families who have lost loved ones from that attack, so very deeply.

As for the topic of this article, Charlene gave an excellent comment to a reality that exists right now, in Afghanistan. I would just add that it is wayyyyy more than just about "oil."

I still pray for this President to stay safe and to start making decisions for the betterment of our nation, its people, and the world. This is all beyond BUSH, and this President needs to get these troops OUT of AFPAK. This President is stalling, because of the sway of the nation's feelings towards this war, but people are dying from this choice. He must do something, and my wish is to stop the killing and bring them home. We need to figure out how to help the women and innocence that are suffering and dying in Afghanistan, another way.

My family are retired AF and Army veterans, along with active Army, Navy, and Marines...., but I have been in a strained relationship with my family members, because of my position with war and my position against the darn recruiters that are stationed at every high-school in our area.

This President must ACT now, and stop stalling...., they are dying!!!

I am sorry if I offended anyone, which wasn't my intent, but I am very upset over this subject, and some of these comments are painful to read.
 

Ch Hardy (18)
Friday October 23, 2009, 12:32 pm
HUDA - Been to Switzerland - Im not blond guess again....your above posts shows how peaceful you are.
 

David Buchan (161)
Saturday October 24, 2009, 3:33 am
There are many personal attacks on Huda and others here...In my opinion, not justified at all...

Personal attacks are not tollerated by care2 support, or me...In fact, I find them an insult to the intelligence of man/woman...And certainly a sad insight into the sad minds of those who post them...

The topic is: Should we send more troops to Afghanistan, or not?
 

Spencer Selander (6)
Saturday October 24, 2009, 4:38 am
Bring the troops home. Instead, send them aid to rebuild/improve their country.

Since we can't rely on the corrupt government to distribute the aid money, just carpet-bomb all inhabited areas with bundles of cash. Cheaper than what we're doing now, and probably more effective.
 

Rebecca F. (131)
Saturday October 24, 2009, 6:32 pm
We need to get out now. The longer Obama delays, the more he's putting our good men & women in the military at risk. The delay in getting out & ,conversely,the delay of adding back-up is literally killing us. Obama, MAKE A DECISION!!!!!
 
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