Disgusted with the Biden administration

posted by justincredible

I don’t know that I’ve seen ptown around since we gave him a hard time for his “conservative” Aussie friend.

Work and travel have me busy now a days. Also, a new dog. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

Work and travel have me busy now a days. Also, a new dog. 

Glad you're still here. Now, pics or GTFO.

posted by justincredible

Glad you're still here. Now, pics or GTFO.

Of the dog, not PTown. 

I bolded the dog in my quote. 

I guess we are watching the greatest airlift in human history and the Taliban are going to help fight climate change.  This Biden guy is a genious.

On Afghanistan and Biden: He deserves some of the criticism for not fully anticipating this Afghan Government would completely fold and thus lead to a full blown humanitarian crisis. But, let's not sugar coat it, there were no good options either way. 

No matter what, this was going to be a complete mess as we withdrew. 

I've gone back and started to listen to those who has been studying and know the region for decades. One of the people I used to work under, Steve Coll, has written some great works on the history of Afghanistan and the US presence there. His book, Ghost Wars, is essential reading on the lead up to 9/11. His other book, Directorate S goes into the failures during early years of the conflict under Bush and Obama. He, and other experts where saying in the spring and summer, hey we need to prepare to get this Afghan translators and others out of here. But, the administration drug and continues to drag their feet on approving things. 

What no one really figured was how quickly the Afghan government would fall. That is on the intelligence community and our military commanders on the ground. We knew for years, through SIGAR and the Afghan Papers the Post has published, about how corrupt and fragile the Afghan government was. The fact that was not relayed that it could mean the government will collapse as quickly as it did is a massive intel and military failure. 

One option could have been to keep Bagram air base open and not leave it as we did last month. The military said they left it because it was too big to defend at the time. Another thing to consider is as of June, the Afghan government did not want a lot of people to leave when the US withdrew.  So, the administration decided to listen to them and not start mass evacs. Still, this looks and is very bad now. 

Biden also had little option in terms of leverage with the Taliban. Trump, and really only a Republican could do is, signed a deal with the Taliban, without the Afghan government involved. Biden could have extended the deal a little longer past 8/31, but seems like now all the leverage is with the Taliban. 

This whole think has made me revaluate everything we have done there since 9/11. Every administration has screwed this up, just like Vietnam. It does seem like the only lesson we have learned from Vietnam is that American's do not like mass causalities. Other than that, we made the exact same mistakes as Vietnam. 

Which begs the question, when should we have left? You could say back after the Taliban fell in 02, but not sure the Bush administration could sell that argument at the time. One timeframe was in May 2011, after we killed Bin Laden, and Adm. Mullen said that VP Biden was in favor of that at the time. But, knowing this board, I'm sure Obama leaving Afghanistan and then it collapsing would have gone well here and by the Republicans. Trump could, and likely should have in 2017-2018. He even said he strongly considered it. But, how realistic was that option? Also, do you think Trump would be handling this situation better or worse than Biden? I'm not so sure. He would get the Americans out for sure, but Afghans themselves? I highly doubt that given remarks by Stephen Miller last week. 

It does make us ask pretty hard questions as we come upon 20 years since 9/11. Was it worth it? Did we accomplish anything? Are we safer today than before 9/11? I know for me, Afghanistan is now linked with Vietnam as the latest American failure. 

posted by majorspark

I guess we are watching the greatest airlift in human history and the Taliban are going to help fight climate change.  This Biden guy is a genious.

I saw that quote and apparently we all forgot about the Berlin Airlift? 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

I saw that quote and apparently we all forgot about the Berlin Airlift? 

"Don't underestimate Joe's ability to fuck things up"

The thing is, they've reported evacuating 30k over the last two days, and I think over 70k in total.

Doesn't really jive with some of the talking heads claiming it's impossible to get to the airport, or that the flow of people has slowed to a trickle.

There are obviously some horrible anecdotal stories, but it doesn't really appear to be that widespread.  It's chaotic, but I think if you're taking out 10k+ per day that seems like a pretty good operation.

Taliban also appear to be really, really good at trolling.

And people laughing about their pledge to fight climate change.  That's actually very rational - puts them in line for global handouts that they can then siphon off for themselves.

When you shit the bed it is good to know what really matters is how fast you get new sheets on the bed.

Wonder if anyone ever put new sheets on the Kurds' bed a couple years ago.

posted by Heretic

Wonder if anyone ever put new sheets on the Kurds' bed a couple years ago.

No.

Shit smells better when its weighed in the balance.

Two explosions at Kabul airport.  Minimum 3 US troops hurt that is known so far. Casualties unknown thus far.  

Appears that at least 4 U.S. marines are among the casualties. 

Fox is reporting at least 10 dead US servicemen.

He and his administration need to resign, along with a lot of pentagon and so-called "intelligence" people.

Here's a laugher...my girlfriend's uncle, who is a BLEEDING heart Liberal (wanted Bernie, settled for Biden but "anyone but Trump" mindset) took 2 of the guns that were left over from the estate of my girlfriend's recently deceased aunt because he feels there's going to be a "civil war." Hello, you voted for it.

This after struggling to fight back tears and a breakdown.  Not saying it's an easy speech or that many could have done better, but the leader of the Free World looked very shaken and weak.

And then after that he goes to questions with "first person I was instructed to call on..."  Goodness.  This guy really is not in charge.