They were there providing medical treatment for those in a remote part of the country. They were killed because "they were spies for America and preaching christianity.


http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/07/medical-charity-americans-killed-militants-remote-area-n-afghanistan/


Is this more of a sign we need to exit this country now?? The killing of civilians there to help those in need will only increase in this rough and tumble country.

Wow 300. I saw this thread and I thought I must have started it. I agree. This is just another event that should shed more light on the futility over there. Our troops get up every day and have to sort out the good Afghanis from the bad. This is not practical nor doable.

how could you read that and think we need to leave there? to me, pulling out now would be like walking down the street, watching a girl get raped and just continuing to walk on by because its not MY problem.

Unfortunately we are there. Obama campaigned and got elected on "getting us out" but apparently even the Anointed One cannot evade political realities.

Staying is an on-going nightmare. Pulling out will eventually make those nightmares seem like sweet dreams. It's a lose-lose scenario.

Remind me why we entered the land.

I'll say this, I despise war as much as the next person, but I even more despise fighting any war politically. War should be a last resort. And then fought with one mission: Win.

Jason Bourne;444965 wrote:And then fought with one mission: Win.

That's the problem isn't it? But our "leaders" in DC lack the testicular fortitude to get it done.

Obama campaigned and got elected on "getting us out"

No. He campaigned about escalating Afghanistan, and getting out of Iraq, which he said was a mistake that caused us to take our eye off the ball in Afghanistan.

He has said all along since like 2002 we should have had more resources in Afghanistan. He was of the mindset we had no business starting another war in Iraq when we weren't winning the war in Afghanistan, which he saw as the worthwhile war to be fighting.

Anyone who listened to him campaign should not be surprised he has added troops and money to the Afghanistan effort as it is in line with what he spent the campaign talking about.

believer;445744 wrote:That's the problem isn't it? But our "leaders" in DC lack the testicular fortitude to get it done.

The war in Afghanistan was a just fight. Our leaders lacked the testicular fortitude to make a formal declaration of war. They issued a more politically palatable authorization of force. That usually results in a war fought with the same political palatability. If our leaders lack testicular fortitude when they start war, they will likely lack the testicular fortitude to win it.

We had the power when this war started to have every Taliban, Afghan, and those in Waziristan, pissing down their legs and begging for mercy inside of three years. But that would take some big balls. Our enemies know our leaders lack them.

majorspark;445801 wrote:The war in Afghanistan was a just fight. Our leaders lacked the testicular fortitude to make a formal declaration of war. They issued a more politically palatable authorization of force. That usually results in a war fought with the same political palatability. If our leaders lack testicular fortitude when they start war, they will likely lack the testicular fortitude to win it.

We had the power when this war started to have every Taliban, Afghan, and those in Waziristan, pissing down their legs and begging for mercy inside of three years. But that would take some big balls. Our enemies know our leaders lack them.

Ditto, major.

When we had Bin Laden cornered at Tora Bora, we (BUSH for those that want to retort) was more interested in political "righteousness" than killing the S.O.B. We all know how it turned out and the rat bastard is still among the living. If we would just try to win and not be politically correct, we'd have been long gone by now.

BGFalcons82;445812 wrote:Ditto, major.

When we had Bin Laden cornered at Tora Bora, we (BUSH for those that want to retort) was more interested in political "righteousness" than killing the S.O.B. We all know how it turned out and the rat bastard is still among the living. If we would just try to win and not be politically correct, we'd have been long gone by now.

and that all goes back to the American people. just look at how many people on this board who would just pull out immediately. its those people who the politicians are trying to appeal to instead of getting the job done.

There is still hope. This war is not lost until Harry Reid says so.

^^^Or at least until he's unemployed come this November.

believer;445744 wrote:That's the problem isn't it? But our "leaders" in DC lack the testicular fortitude to get it done.

And they have lacked the testicular fortitude since 1964. I am not one for war, but when it is necessary it should be fought hard and with an eye on the ultimate surrender of our opponent. If we can't do that in Afghanistan we need to leave immediately.

believer;446019 wrote:^^^Or at least until he's unemployed come this November.

That looked like a real possibility until Angle hit the campaign trail. Now that she is becoming better-known, Reid looks more like a winner in Nevada. The R's really screwed the pooch when they nominated her.

BGFalcons82;445812 wrote:Ditto, major.

When we had Bin Laden cornered at Tora Bora, we (BUSH for those that want to retort) was more interested in political "righteousness" than killing the S.O.B. We all know how it turned out and the rat bastard is still among the living. If we would just try to win and not be politically correct, we'd have been long gone by now.

Or if Bill Clinton wouldn't have turned down Osama in the 90's when he had to chance, this might have never started.

Sand + Heat = Glass ....and we all need new windows.

Tiernan;446188 wrote:Sand + Heat = Glass ....and we all need new windows.

Yes, but they must be energy star rated to meet the tax deduction requirements!

We are in these places because the Muslim terrorists still have the ability to do massive destruction in our country. It is the most difficult of all wars because it is between a country and an ideology. I suspect we will be in Afghanistan throughout my lifetime. This is one of the most difficult places on earth to fight. The Soviets went bankrupt fighting there.

The Soviets did not go bankrupt from their effort in Afghanistan.

Con_Alma;446544 wrote:The Soviets did not go bankrupt from their effort in Afghanistan.

Correct. I'm sure their system of government (communism) had something to do with it!

ccrunner609;446455 wrote:Screw them, screw there religion, let them live in that desert by themselves.

What a pleasant outlook on life and fellow human beings! Screw them savages, mirite!!?!?

BoatShoes;448232 wrote:What a pleasant outlook on life and fellow human beings! Screw them savages, mirite!!?!?

Yeah, but we're supposed to try and understand their point of view and be compassionate towards those that feel that way about us.
So perhaps we can try to understand CC's point of view and be compassionate towards his feelings? mirite?

ccrunner609;446455 wrote:This country is a lawless land, they have hung 7 year olds calling them spies, kill women and unarmed civilians almost daily.

There is nothing we can do here, we are waisting our time, efforts, resources and money.

Screw them, screw there religion, let them live in that desert by themselves.

Pull out all military, pull out all humanitiarian aid, pull out everything. The only way this place is gonna change is by the people of Afghanistan and Afghanistan only.

Sorry, I care more about the regional effects of a U.S. pullout than just saying screw them. Think through what would happen to the area if the U.S. would leave. How would the Afghani government react, what would happen in the tribal areas of Pakistan? How would both states react to a stronger Taliban with a nod to letting al Qaeda grow again? Would India allow Pakistan to fall into disarray? What and how would you do about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal? Would you cut ties with the Pakistani ISI?

U.S withdraw would have long lasting and destabilizing effects that could allow al Qaeda to reconstitute, with a nuclear Pakistan next door.
The loss of life is tragic, but much like during the Cold War, a sustained presence in the region, a containment of some sorts, prevents further damage to the U.S. homeland.
Yes, it is the fight them over there so they don't come over here, but the reality is, it is much easier to bring the fight to them than to reorganize and try and prevent attacks at home. (We have an awful track record)

CenterBHSFan;448243 wrote:Yeah, but we're supposed to try and understand their point of view and be compassionate towards those that feel that way about us.
So perhaps we can try to understand CC's point of view and be compassionate towards his feelings? mirite?

SMH...I never said any of that...jeez. Do you think CCRunner's post suggests a rational worldview in regards to most of the people in Afghanistan or any group of people anywhere on Earth for that matter? Enlighten us CCrunner as to why you've come to your grounded foundational beliefs in regards to the Afghan people?

BS, it was a dry-humor type of joke. That's why I used your "mirite". Kinda tongue in cheek thingie.