onethatcares
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:12 PM
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so we're in Afganistan for the long haul now, Why? |
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I was under the impression that the U.S. of A. was on the hunt for OBL in the tribal regions tween Paki and Afganistan, but we're spending alot more time tracking down the Taliban and AQ. The Russian were there for a long time too, it brought them to their knees and they left.
Is it the pipeline to the Caspian Sea being the real prize in this war action, or are we bringing democracy again?
This is a serious question. I just don't understand our motives for building schools and promoting womens' rights there when our country has been neglecting our educational system and still hasn't ratified the ERA.
Thanx.
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NightWatcher
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:14 PM
Response to Original message |
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er I mean, terror or freedom or something Nationalistic
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AzNick
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Mon Aug-03-09 10:25 PM
Response to Reply #1 |
20. Actually, this time it is working ... |
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Turns out that the Bush tactics did not work in Afghanistan, especially cutting and running.
The new tactics are better conceived and involves hurting the Taliban economically as well as cordoning Afghanistan from Pakistan.
Al Qaida is hurting even more, as they are suffering on two fronts: 1-they are taking casualties and 2-they are having issues replenishing their ranks, as Obama has appealed to the Middle East and to the Muslim populations in general for renewed relations with the United States.
It seems that showing people respect helps in your relations, somehow.
Eventually we will make a peace deal with the Taliban, bribe them, reduce Al Qaida to an insignificant level, and slowly get our asses out of there.
Before 2012 would be ideal and would add to the "lookie what I've done" list for Obama when he seeks his reelection.
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JuniperLea
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:22 PM
Response to Original message |
2. We're cleaning up the mess Bush left by abandoning our troops there... |
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And going after Iraq instead.
How soon we forget... jeez.
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Rick Myers
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:31 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
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BushCo abandoned our troops in Afganistan!!! Now we need to stablize the situation and GTFO, Get The Fuck Out!!!
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JuniperLea
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:46 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
14. We could have been in and out of there if Bush had stuck to what was important... |
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Instead of chasing Poppy's long lost enemy for NOTHING!
Remember how abandoned the troops felt? Man, what an ugly scene that was.
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applegrove
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Mon Aug-03-09 10:40 PM
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Karmadillo
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:24 PM
Response to Original message |
3. If we don't spend lots of money on war, people will want to waste it on health care and education. |
MichiganVote
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:25 PM
Response to Original message |
4. Not politically feasible to leave it as is---yet. |
jody
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:35 PM
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6. Why? IMO no one in Obama's administration has a rational answer. n/t |
dixiegrrrrl
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:31 PM
Response to Reply #6 |
13. which would suggest that a rational answer is not there, right? |
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Google" map of oil pipelines in Afghanstan" Google: same with "gas" pipelines google: map of military bases in the Middle East then look at map of PORTS where the pipelines end.
And you will see, as many did 10 yers ago, 5 years ago, 2 years ago and now, the same thing.
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jody
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #13 |
15. Understand but pipelines are very vulnerable and it's highly improbable any invading force could |
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protect a pipeline against the Pashtuns who are the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and compromise over 95% of the U.S. enemy, the Taliban.
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jody
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Mon Aug-03-09 09:42 PM
Response to Reply #15 |
18. Mea culpa, that should have been "comprise" and not "compromise". n/t |
ixion
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:43 PM
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7. Pax Americana... the Empire continues |
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despite the change in rhetoric.
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bemildred
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Mon Aug-03-09 06:47 PM
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8. Because "failure is not an option", just like always. nt |
maxsolomon
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:16 PM
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9. they do not want to leave a vacuum |
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that will quickly be filled by the Taliban back in power.
basically they want to fill in the hole bush and his gang of idiots dug there, without pointing a finger of blame at them.
they want to see if they can, by conducting a serious campaign in the afgan south, interrupt the flow of opium and cut off the Taliban's funding. also to "stabilize" the country enough to allow elections and win back the trust (or tolerance) of the populace by curtailing air strikes.
you have to do this in the summer because you can't travel as freely in the winter. the taliban will hole up, re-arm, and wait for spring. the less money they have to do that with the less fighters they can support.
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HysteryDiagnosis
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:27 PM
Response to Reply #9 |
11. Pictures of the place we presently still find ourselves, most of |
sandnsea
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:20 PM
Response to Original message |
10. Helping girls to get an education |
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is a far cry from passing the ERA.
That's the same kind of reasoning Republicans in Orange County use when they're trying to avoid paying for education in East L.A.
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latebloomer
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Mon Aug-03-09 07:28 PM
Response to Reply #10 |
12. I can't believe that people still think |
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that we are trying to do something altruistic in that area of the world.
It is about empire-building and control of resources. Just like it's always been.
It is an obscene waste of life and money that we can ill afford. Can you imagine what we could do for people, at home and abroad, if we shrunk this horribly bloated military budget?
Obama looks and sounds good, but if he had not agreed to go along with this travesty he would not have become a serious candidate for president.
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sandnsea
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Mon Aug-03-09 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #12 |
16. Those girls need education |
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Regardless of any other reason we might be there. The reason they hate us is because people like you are more than happy to use their oil, but don't give a shit about what happens to them otherwise.
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Fumesucker
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Mon Aug-03-09 09:27 PM
Response to Reply #16 |
17. Do you honestly think the US military gives a crap about these people? |
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The US will never, ever spend the kind of money on humanitarian aid that it will on bombing the ever loving shit out of people.
Not enough profit in it.
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G_j
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Mon Aug-03-09 09:45 PM
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wait, that was Bush's reason
EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING! they are about to add more troops, lots of contractors there too! :shrug:
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dysfunctional press
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Mon Aug-03-09 10:31 PM
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21. because pakistan is nervous about india. |
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