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Afghanistan

Posted: Dec 2, 2009

Thoughts on our plans for Afghanistan anyone?

I'm never pro-war, but a sudden pullout could be very dangerous for us as well as the Afghan people. I would very much like to see American aid based on "performance". Karzai may have been elected, but he's corrupt and inept.

Hawks are uncomfortable with a timetable being announced. I like it, myself. It gives the Afghan government an incentive to get their poo together, get people trained. It puts the cards on the table for everyone to see. Now Karzai has to ante up. There's no use for us to be there if he's just going to diddle around, raking in aid money while his country goes down the tubes.

Interesting times. Isn't that a curse?

;

Afghanistan - Cheryl B.

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It also gives Al Qaeda the info for how long they have to hold out. Heck they can probably hold their breath that long. A time table is one thing, announcing it loudly in public is another. Personally I think the government should just shut up and do what they have to do.

It is amoral to not get in and get the job done as quickly as possible. There should be as many troops sent as needed to get the job done. I have very strong views as my SIL leaves soon for Afghanistan.

I was just thinking this morning.... - Vikefan

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War and killing have been a part of mankind since the beginning of time. We've just gotten better at it (which is very sad) and now we have the media access to know every single thing about it - something we didn't have much of during Viet Nam and before that. I'm not too pro-war myself here, even as a conservative, but I think we need to keep our country strong, lest we end up the ones needing the troops from other countries over here.

What I wonder about is . . . . . - emanon

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would our allies really be there should we really need them? Where are they now? Why is the US incurring 90% of the cost of these wars?

Potential answers - Vikefan

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Question one - I was thinking same thing and I doubt we'd get much support outside of part of Europe. Maybe Israel, though they've got enough on their plate just being where they are. I did hear something that made me want to cry. Apparently, Kenya, having lack of communication with the rest of the world, found out about 9/11 nine months or so after it happened and wanted to lend their support. They offered to send something like 6 cows to us. Now isn't that sweet? This place has virtually nothing, are dirt poor, but they were willing to give what they had. Question 2 - allies? Poland just agreed to match our 30-some thousand troops by sending 600. Snicker. Sorry. I'm sure they're sending what they can. Question 3 - it seems like we always end up incurring the cost of these wars. How many countries still owe us from WWII? No wonder why I hated government and history class so much in high school. Now I wish I had paid better attention. ;-)

What is most worrying to me is what's going on in Iran this whole time? I don't think there's any way we can afford 3 wars. I hate to say this about any country but if a nuke were ever to be set off again, it should probably go there. Ahmadinejad has something up his sleeve. He's even stated he's willing to speed up Revelations. I don't think he otherwise would be bragging about his nuclear facilities.

2 cows and Revelations... see my post below about keith olbermann - Lindawordlady

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Hey viking fan. I just responded with 2 posts down below to you and emanon about the conversation started last nite with Keith Olbermann. When you said that Kenya wanted to help us and send us like 2 cows... that is SO sweet. I talk below about it is the poor helping the poor, not the rich, not the hawks that want war. I am glad there is a Politics board on here now and I plan to visit it often as that is my main interest in life, well... and the Vikings of course.

My thoughts - gourdpainter

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I have a nephew in Afghanistan. I am pretty much anti-war except for absolute necessity. I am not in favor of peace keeping efforts nor in "wars" like Operation Iraqi Freedom. If other countries want freedom, let them get it the same way America won her freedom. When and if war is absolutely necessary then get in, get the job done and get out without taking a lifetime to do it and bankrupting the country in doing it. Furthermore, I think it should be a requirement that the "Commander-In-Chief" serve a tour of duty in active military service. 9-11 begged for a declaration of war. Unfortunately bin Laden is as free today as he was on 9-11 and likely will continue to be so.

I am absolutely with you on one thing... - Kendra

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we should NOT have a Commander-in-Chief with no military experience. As for the war, I do think it should be fought, but if we are not trying for absolute victory--if victory is not what we are after--we should not even waste our time and resources, particularly our military members' lives.

wacked - singasongalldaylong

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As I recall the last president had "military experience." NO THANKS, I will take the intelligent, moral guy with no military experience trying to extricate us with the least damage.

and I would take the previous president.... - Kendra

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all day long, even though I am not his biggest fan, but when your husband lays his life on the line as active duty, I will take you opinion more seriously.

Wait until your son does, then you'll really - know

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Having a child in a war can really changes a person's views.

I would guess that with the extensive.... - Kendra

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amount of family history in the military, at least one of my sons will. I will be scared for him, just like my husband, and I will be very very proud!

It won't be just like your husband if you have a mother's love. - But it is one of those

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things you will have to experience before you can understand.

I did not mean it would be just like my husband... - Kendra

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What I meant was that I would be scared for him, as I am scared for my husband. Not everyone with a son in the service feels the way you do. My MIL does not. I would feel proud that my son is brave and patriotic. Do I want my son to go to a war - of course not. Do I want my husband to go to war - of course not. Am I proud of the sacrifices that our whole family make for this great nation - YES.

No disrespect intended, but I said nothing about pride. - I am proud of all of my

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children and relatives. I am a Daughter of the American Revolution. All of my great grandfathers, my grandfathers, my father, and my son were/are military and most were long before there were the benefits of being so as there are today.

and hats off to your son... - Kendra

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for defending our right to have this "conversation". I appreciate both of your sacrifices.

Thank you. I'm just letting you know that there are - those of us who have

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"a rich military history" who do not think the way you do.

and there are those of us who... - Kendra

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do not think the way you do. No disrespect to you intended, but believe it or not, I am well aware that not everybody shares my opinions. Aren't we lucky that so many have fought to allow us to voice them, as different as they are?

Yes and I also respect the opinions of those whose husbands do not - have their lives on the line

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I don't say, "I'll listen to you when." But, that's just my America I guess.

Never said, "I'll listen to you when" - Kendra

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I said I did not take the opinion seriously. Perhaps it has to do with the tagline being "wacked". But I am not obligated to take anyone's opinion seriously, nor are you.

Semantics - I guess

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you can't see. Anyway, it is admirable that your husband is employed by the military, but it makes you no different than any of the rest of us. You seem to believe it does. Maybe I'm wrong, but you sure do reference him a lot.

But it does make... - Kendra

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make us different than those who are not military families. We move every few years, he misses important things like births, birthdays, anniversaries, et cetera, that your average banker or auto mechanic or whatever does not. I never said it makes us better or worse, but the fact is, it does make us different. Our experiences are very different. I am not sure why different has to be a good or a bad thing.

As for referencing my husband a lot, he is my husband and a very big part of my life. His military career, for now, pretty much shapes our lives, so why shouldn't I reference it. What happens with the military affects my entire family greatly on a day to day basis and is important to me, as it probably is to you. Why does that bother you?

You chose that - life

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I guess it does bother me that you would expect special consideration for something you chose. Not a very conservative attitude.

I didn't ask you for anything... - Kendra

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or anyone else, for that matter. I said I did not take someone's opinion seriously and I don't.

Your previous reply says it - all

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and remember, no one asked you for anything either. We're paying you for a job that you took of your own free will. Our military men and women and their families are appreciated very very much, and most of them do not keep reminding us that their lives are on the line for our freedoms and they do not keep reminding us of their sacrifices. We already know these things.

Your husband did volunteer, right? - styper

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I agree with the fact that you are always mentioning your husband. I also agree with the poster who respects opinions of people with nonmilitary family members. You talk about your sacrifices constantly but I believe they are consequences of your choices. The fact is your opinion is not worth any more or any less than others who visit here.

Well folks, it's been lovely, but my work for today is done... - Kendra

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and I am going to enjoy my weekend. Hope you both do, too.

Military husbands - Cheryl B.

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Dear Semantics: Yes it does make Kendra different from the rest of us. She is a military wife, the hardest job in the world. Until you are a military family (as I am now, did not choose), you cannot understand. I did not say better or smarter or whatever, but "no different than the rest of us".... I beg to differ in that opinion greatly.

You are SO wrong. Absolutely no different - than the rest of us

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I do happen to know, and it is a choice. I was a military wife, though not for long. My husband lasted 3 years in the Viet Nam war. I am a military daughter and mother. There has been loss of life in my family in the military. I do not wave these facts around as if my opinions count more than other's because of them, and I also do not assume that others do not have and have not had husbands, sons, daughters, fathers, etc. in the military and speak to them accordingly. I do not talk down to people and make statements regarding their freedoms as a "remember who you're talking to" gesture.

It is now a choice to be military and it is a job that a person is paid to do which comes with many benefits. It's a choice. If your husband chooses to be in the military without your consent, it's your choice to stay with him or leave.

Sincerely,
Semantics

kudos to you. Military is a job. Everyone has - BM

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hardship in their lives. Nobody better than anyone else.

I don't believe anyone said anyone was... - Kendra

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any better or worse (I rejected an opinion, just as you all seem to reject mine and that's okay), but military is not just a job. Yes, my husband chose to join the military when he was 17 and has since decided to stay in and, yes, I did choose to marry him, but it is not just like any other job. The pay is less than what the pay is in the private sector and this job often consists of being away from his family for months on end. Also, whereas you can choose to quite your job at any time and not be faced with prison time, military members cannot. If you choose to delude yourself into believing that noone sacrifices for this country, go right ahead, but you are wrong.

I believe they tell you that upfront don't they? - I think they give

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you the conditions of employment to consider before you take the job. If they didn't tell your husband about the contract, then I think you may have a reason to whine.

The pay is less, but the free housing/housing allowance is nice isn't it. The tax breaks and the hazard pay is good too eh? On the job training and the GI bill isn't too shabby at all. How about that military discount at the grocery store, and all the places of entertainment that give you a discount? Oh, and how about that partial disability and all the other lifelong benefits you can get? I don't need to mention how folks who have been in the military get extra consideration when applying for a job in the private sector do I? I could go on, but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

I don't think anyone here thinks you don't make sacrifices. We know you do, so you can stop telling us now.

Yeah, well let us know when you find him! - nm

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nm

I saw a commentary yesterday between 2 retired generals - Sheeples

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Or at least I think they were general status. Anyway, one pointed out that the terrorists and infidels have the internet with which to recruit and that occupying physical space in other countries was pretty much a moot effort. The other gentleman pointed out that occupying physical space was indeed important because of training needs. Very interesting thoughts, IMHO.

The internet certainly has changed the warring landscape. One has to wonder if the former gentleman had a really good point. Training grounds can go from country to country (depending on bribes, etc.) at any given time, but the internet has a real staying power for communication and recruiting. Now add in strong religious ideologies and, well...I just don't know.

Ultimately, I think that the fact that Americans still can bear arms on our soil, that will discourage attacks on a small scale. I expect we'll see bigger attacks such as 9/11 after we pull out of Afghanistan and they can organize a bit better.

I definitely don't see us "winning" anything ever. We'd be better served by controlling our borders and strengthening our country right now. Our biggest threat IMHO is our economy and the value of our dollar (or lack thereof).

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