Gates recommends Afghanistan surge.
By on Jan 14th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Gates recommends Afghanistan surge.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates today forwarded his recommendation to President Bush that approximately 3,000 additional U.S. Marines be sent to Afghanistan to “augment NATO forces” and “thwart an expected spring offensive by the Taliban.” A Pentagon spokesman said that they are still “waiting” for a response from the White House.
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No longer a recommendation, by now they’re already there.
.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pmmaybe this will pacify those war-mongering urges…
January 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pmthink?…
Waiting for a response, yeah, just like he responded to being told that AQ was gonna hi-jack airplanes and fly them into the World Trade towers, or that New Orleans could drown, or anything else for that matter.
Buck Fush
January 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pmWould the purpose of this surge be to deal with the Taliban? I thought we already beat the Taliban. Maybe the point is to deal with al Qaeda. I thought that we “had al Qaeda on the run.”
When is this administration going to be held accountable for its long, sorry record of lies and distortions to the American people?
January 14th, 2008 at 6:07 pmkaty, don’t forget, there’s still Iran, Syria, parts of Lebanon and Pakistan, France, China, et al.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pmAh, the British colonial army could not conquer Afghanistan, the Russian communist army could not conquer Afghanistan and now the Bush Imperial Royal Occupation force has been in Afghanistan longer than the German Nazi armies occupied Holland, Belgium and France in the 1940s. Heck of an illegal imperial occupation, Bushie!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:12 pmRipper, the operative word is “had”. 6 years ago, Al Qaeda were on the run. Now they’ve run back. And we’re not there anymore.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pmWe do need more troops there. They are bad guys. It was right to go into Afghanistan. We’ve done a pretty horrible job there and need to make it right.
Anyone notice the sheer number of military recruitment ads on TV during the NFL Playoff games this weekend?
That’s YOUR TAX DOLLARS paying for that propaganda to send more troops into the kill zone.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:18 pmMISSION ACOMPLISHED NUMBER 349.000!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:18 pmAnyone notice the sheer number of military recruitment ads on TV during the NFL Playoff games this weekend? t by plunger — January 14, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
January 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pmplunger-love your posts, especially yesterdays. Thanks. And yes, our entire family saw noticed the up=tick in military ads.
O. Bigfoot, were you born stupid or did you suffer a brain-damaging accident? Your post hoc ergo propter hoc argument about Petraeus and the surge is one of GDumbya’s greatest hoaxes. It ranks right up there with “mission accomplished”, “we’re turning the corner” and “we’ve got them on the run”.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:26 pmOh yeah… that place.
That place we should have been instead of…..
January 14th, 2008 at 6:28 pmLeftcoast:
Thank you for the thank you.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:32 pmAfghanistan is an after-thought for Bush. This was just his knee-jerk reaction to 9/11 that grew beyond his capability. And then his handlers said, “Use this to take care of Iraq. Pulls troops from Afghanistan. Disaster in the making. Bush is disaster in the making.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:35 pmBush’s “Poppy” is the world’s largest heroine producer, and he’s having a terrific year:
Heroin is made from opium. The Taliban had largely eliminated opium production in Afghanistan (although the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration later claimed the Taliban did this only to raise the price of the large stockpiles of opium the Taliban had in warehouses). In 2001, the year when we began military operations against Afghanistan late in the year, opium production in Afghanistan was down to 74 metric tons. (P. 155.) Largely because the warlords who did most of our fighting for us wanted opium grown so that they could make gazillions from it, opium production soared after we threw out the Taliban. It rose to 1278 metric tons in 2002, then more than doubled in 2003 and nearly doubled again in 2004. (P. 155.) By 2004, “Afghanistan was producing 87 percent of the world’s opium supply,” which “generate[d] $7 billion worth of heroin.” (P. 156.) (Nice record George/Dick/Don.). We turned a blind eye, since our buddies, the warlords, were doing it.
Afghanistan became, and apparently is today, what Risen calls a “narco-state.” (Pp. 151,155–166.)
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/velvel5.html
LEARN ALL ABOUT THE ACTUAL HEAD OF THE CIA AND ACTUAL PRESIDENT / CRIME SYNDICATE LEADER, GHW BUSH:
http://www.yourchristianpresident.com/DaddyBush.htm
He’s still using CIA jets to run drugs – every day.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pmBigfoot: “Gen. Petraeus’ masterful handling of the Iraq War, including what is known as the “surgeâ€, has shown what positive results the change in tactics can accomplish.”
This guy just never quits with the mindless repeating of administration political messaging. Once more, the “surge” was only presented as a means to an end. The end was supposed to be Iraq reaching political reconciliation and unity. That hasn’t happened, so the “surge” is, by definition, so far a failure. Sorry. I know the truth hurts but there it is.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:37 pmplunger-how do you piece this stuff together?
January 14th, 2008 at 6:39 pmThe results in Iraq have not so much come from the surge as they have from (1) pre-cursor conditions that have developed over the past three years and (2) contemporaneous decisions that were made at the time of the surge which could have been made years ago and would have had the same (albeit temporary) effect.
The ethnic cleansing, emigration, segregation of neighborhoods are examples of the former.
As to the latter, the biggest error that is being made is to believe that certain warlords and religious groups are supporting the government and arming them. In addition, don’t forget that alSadr is still sitting on the sidelines. All of this can and will change in the coming years unless the central government gets its act together. The chances of that appear to be somewhere between slim and none.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:40 pmCaptain Mantastic: “He also felt confident that troops would be redeployed in 2008 (Probably many to Afganistan where things have gotten worse).”
Let me remind you that the Bush administration has claimed that they already won in Afganistan. They have claimed that the Taliban was “vanquished” and al Qaeda was “on the run.” Doesn’t there come a time when supporters such as you, who clearly have the ability to think, begin to question the veracity of this administration? How many lies and distortions does it take before you start questioning their basic honesty in dealing with the American people?
January 14th, 2008 at 6:41 pmand it’s 1, 2 3, what are we fightin’ for?
January 14th, 2008 at 6:41 pmDon’t ask me, I don’t give a damn.
Next stop Afghanistan.
plunger-how do you piece this stuff together?
Comment by leftcoast — January 14, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Massive research – it’s all online if you dare to think like a criminal and go find it.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:41 pmplunger: “The Taliban had largely eliminated opium production in Afghanistan (although the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration later claimed the Taliban did this only to raise the price of the large stockpiles of opium the Taliban had in warehouses).”
If you remember, this was the reason Rice pushed for and got a $40 million aid package for the Taliban government in early 2001.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:42 pmComment by Marcus Aurelius — January 14, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
“barb, barb, barb, barb Iran” -MCcain
January 14th, 2008 at 6:43 pmComment by plunger — January 14, 2008 @ 6:41 pm-
January 14th, 2008 at 6:44 pmrealize that this is all on-line. Thanks. You do well.
What are you on about now, with your idiotic posts?
There will not be an end to the “hostilities” in Iraq until the hostile party (us) leaves. We have done an evil deed in Iraq. Positioning yourself to believe that more evil will result in good is the height of intellectual dishonesty and mendacious wingnuttery.
You appear to be self-deluded and corrupt.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:45 pmIf you remember, this was the reason Rice pushed for and got a $40 million aid package for the Taliban government in early 2001.
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — January 14, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
Seems like enough to get a Chevron Suezmax-class tanker named in your honor, no?
http://www.diosa.net/art-net/CondoleezzaRice-tanker.jpg
Chevron redubs ship named for Bush aide
Condoleezza Rice drew too much attention
Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer
Saturday, May 5, 2001
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2001/05/05/MN223743.DTL&type=printable
January 14th, 2008 at 6:50 pmIf the same type of “surge†in Afghanistan means a quicker end to hostilities there, then we should all support it.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
There are nations on this earth which will always have unrest and instability – Afghaninistan is such a place. No matter how many O. Bigfoots go a and fight over there, there will never be peace – never. The Afghans have been battling some of the worlds largest and best fighting forces the world has ever known, but they always seem to throw out the invaders. We will be no different.
Bush, again, is simply killing more and more soldiers because he cannot admit his failures. If you support the “surge”, you are encouraging the death and pain of countless men, women, and children to save Bush’s ego.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:59 pmplunger: “Seems like enough to get a Chevron Suezmax-class tanker named in your honor, no?”
Well, now we’re getting to the heart of the matter – the same reason Texans brought a bunch of Taliban representatives to Texas in the late 90’s and wined & dined them – an oil pipeline through Afganistan to the “stans” north of there which sit on one of the world’s remaining large oil reserves. American oil corporations didn’t want that oil going north through Russia. They wanted it going south to a loading station on the Indian Ocean.
The drug thing was just for show.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pmOT – BREAKING NEWS
DENNIS KUCINICH MAY BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NBC NEVADA DEBATE!!!
A judge sided today with Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich and said he will allow him to take part in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas.
Alternate District Judge J. Charles Thompson said he will grant a preliminary injunction allowing Kucinich to take part in the debate and will sign the order around 4 p.m.
Attorney Don Campbell, who is representing NBC Universal Inc., which is hosting the debate, said after the hearing that it was too early to say what NBC will do if the order is issued.
Kucinich’s attorney, William McGaha, said he was pleased with the upcoming ruling. “It’s in everybody’s interest to have the debate and with as many different political viewpoints,†he said.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:19 pmKucinich? Whatever. He lost my respect when the petulant little a-hole told his people to go with Obama instead of Edwards, who is the only frontrunner even close to his positions. The little prick wants to be the only populist in the contest and he just can’t stand the fact that Edwards steals his thunder.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:23 pmThe primary contender for Kucinich’s seat has put up “MISSING” posters all over Cleveland.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:27 pmYou appear to be self-deluded and corrupt.
Comment by Marcus Aurelius — January 14, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
“Appear”? I think the word you’re looking for is “are”, as in, “you ARE self-deluded…”.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:27 pmKucinich? Whatever. He lost my respect when the petulant little a-hole told his people to go with Obama instead of Edwards,…
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — January 14, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
You’re a tough man to please. So you agree with all of Edward’s positions?
January 14th, 2008 at 7:33 pmThe primary contender for Kucinich’s seat has put up “MISSING†posters all over Cleveland.
Comment by Wilco — January 14, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
Sounds like a losing strategy to me. I think he still has like a 90% voting record, the highest for all the Presidential candidates. Dennis is still doing his Congressional job.
I think the people of Ohio are smart enough to understand that Dennis is playing a crucial role running for President. He’s injecting ideas into the discussion that’d otherwise be buried. Ending the war, impeachment, single-payer healthcare. All these proposals would benefit the people of Ohio.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm2millionLightYears: “So you agree with all of Edward’s positions?”
Hey, no offense intended to you on Kucinich. But I do agree with the central premises of Edwards’ campaign – large corporations have far too much political power in our system and that power needs to be taken away, not negotiated with. Free trade is a bogus corporate bait and switch – we need to rebuild our manufacturing sector with tariffs. The tax system is horrendously weighted in favor of the most wealthy – as he keeps pointing out, Warren Buffett has offered $1 million in cash to any of the Fortune 400 who can prove that they pay a greater rate in taxes than their secretaries and none of them has taken him up on the offer.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pmCaptain Mantastic, I wasn’t really talking about disagreement on policy. I was talking about a record of almost continuously lying about policy, distorting facts for domestic political purposes and “bait and switch” type manipulations of message. Whether or not you agree with the policy, you have to notice that there have been lies and distortions about it almost from the beginning. There are numerous examples: we now know that they discussed greater evesdropping on the public with AT&T early in 2001, so when Bush says that the greater emphasis on this was a response to the 9-11 attack, that’s a lie; we’ve all seen the stated reasons for the invasion of Iraq change with the political landscape – how many changes have we seen so far? Four or five? It just goes on and on and I can’t believe supporters don’t notice.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm2millionLightYears: “So you agree with all of Edward’s positions?â€
Hey, no offense intended to you on Kucinich. But I do agree with the central premises of Edwards’ campaign
I agree with Edwards’ campaign stance as well. I’m just not convinced yet that he’s being honest. He certainly wasn’t the type of Senator he’s claiming he’d be as President. He voted for the Patriot Act correct? The Iraq War too? Did he undergo a transformation? If it’s a genuine transformation I’d be willing to vote for him when the day comes. I need more convincing.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pmCol.Jack Ripper, you realize your trying to talk sense to a Troll trying anything to sway anyone to the right. Only way to deal with this is to put him/her and other trolls on permanent ‘Ignor’.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:11 pmbigfoot and the captain aren’t happy with the death rate of American troops, since the Bushco buyout has worked a little. Send them to Afghanistan, then they can die in more satisfactory numbers for the blood-lust of coward republicans. the surge is not omnly a failure, but a clear indication that the whole invasion and mass-murder of innocents was a failure to begin with. republicans have on expertise: failure.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:15 pmIt just goes on and on and I can’t believe supporters don’t notice.
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — January 14, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
mass hypnosis is very effective on the slow.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:16 pmYeah, and Hitler thought the tide of war had changed when FDR died. Those who are delusional are just that.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:25 pm” He did suggest that the surge was/has worked and said the situation is much more stable.”
And yet we are no closer to peace, are we? A temporary dip in violence doesn’t mean anything. The Iraqi government is no more stable now than in the past 4 years.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:35 pm“I doubt you have noticed, LP, but there is consensus now that the surge has worked.”
Again, worked? How?
January 14th, 2008 at 11:35 pmArmy recruitment broadcasts during NFL games?
S**t man, watch Telemundo or Univision. During halftime soccer match, it is ALL Army ALL the time.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:06 amAdditional surges in Afghanistan, saber rattling against Iran, overly hyped “threats” from Iranian speedboats, threats of war against Iran from our Presidunce, Bush telling the Olmert he doesn’t believe the Iran NIE, increase in aerial bombardments in Iraq……all this while Bush is on a “peace trip” in the ME.
The surprising thing is that this type of shite still surprises me.
January 15th, 2008 at 6:22 amWhat a surprise! The middle east was always an unruly region but now, after seven years of Bush’s pacifying and democratizing it’s a political nightmare!
January 15th, 2008 at 11:45 am