Sanders Calls for National Dialogue on Afghanistan Exit Strategy

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has joined Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold is declaring that the United States needs to start thinking about how to extract its military from Afghanistan.

While almost 100 members of the House (including many conservative Republicans) have signed on to Massachusetts Congressman Jim McGovern's call for the development of an Afghanistan exit strategy, Feingold has been a relatively lonely Senate advocate for a rethink of the eight-year-old occupation.

At the annual "Fighting Bob Fest" gathering in Baraboo, Wisconsin, however, Sanders drew loud and sustained applause from the crowd of 8,000 when he said, "We need to take a very, very hard look at our war in Afghanistan. We need to be clear in our goals and we need a real discussion about an exit strategy to bring our troops home."

Sanders made his statement at the largest annual gathering of grassroots activists in the Midwest, where there was no question of the crowd's enthusiasm for the "Health Care Not Warfare" message that was promoted at the festival by activists with Progressive Democrats of America.

Prior to coming to Wisconsin for the event, Sanders explained his views on the need to rethink Afghanistan in a video produced as part of the Brave New Films "Senator Sanders Unfiltered" project. Responding to a question from British singer Billy Bragg, Sanders said:

My major concern about the war in Afghanistan, and why I voted against the recent defense authorization bill is tat we seem to be getting sucked into a quagmire without the kind of debate, without the kind of discussion that this country desperately needs and that the people of our country are entitled. What we know now is that the number of troops that the general are requesting is going up and up. We know that we... have already poured several hundred billion dollars into Afghanistan; that number is going to go up. But we don't know what the goals of our efforts in Afghanistan are or what kind of exit strategy we have.

I worry that Afghanistan will be another Vietnam. I worry that Afghanistan will be another Iraq. We've been there eight years already, and how many more years are we supposed to be there? How many more American troops are supposed to die? How many more American troops are supposed to die? How many more tens and tens of billions of dollars are we supposed to be spending at a time when we have a record-breaking deficit? I find it amusing that some of my more conservative friends are saying, 'Well, we can't afford to spend more money on health care in this country. We can't afford to spend more money on education or environmental protection. But, yes, we can afford to pump tens and tens of billions more into the war in Afghanistan.

Sanders says: "We need a real national discussion of an exit strategy, a real national discussion about what our goals are. We haven't had that and the American people should be demanding it."

Sanders is doing his part to open the discussion. And the muscular reaction to his statements made it clear that the American people are making the demand.

Comments (43)

1. The Obama govt, like its predecessor, doesn't want a national debate, neither do the Pentagon & its suppliers. This is no surprise, as Obama ensured continuity, not change, at the Pentagon by retaining the same leadership installed there under GWBush.

   The US is in the Afghan quagmire & will remain there, sinking ever deeper, killing more Pashtun, trashing its reputation even further, to no defined end, as happened in Vietnam.

   Obama a one-term president like LBJ.

   End of US empire, transformation of the US.

   Posted by sloper at 09/13/2009 @ 8:18pm

2. Come on, Johny Nichols!

   Forcefully tell Feingold & Sanders to Give Magic a chance! I mean, this has only been his Good War for 8 months.....the Repubs are mostly patient and wants to see him do well, seriously, on this Goodest of Wars!

   We've got to at the very least, see how Big O's mini-Surge is going.....and if need be, followed by a real Surge.

   YOU do realize that the first black POTUS can never live down Cut-and-Run after campaigning to run this Goodest of Wars, right?

   Posted by Happy at 09/13/2009 @ 9:23pm

3. Bernie and Russ are right. How long and how much money do we have to throw at Afghanistan. How are we going to change the way people live there. Certainly not by showing them how good we are at killing. We are already trying to go bankrupt with our Iraq nation building disaster. Let's stop this disaster before it snks us.

   Posted by whatizz at 09/13/2009 @ 9:29pm

4. Lay off Obama...he's got TIMETABLES laying around somewhere...

   Posted by urmygyro at 09/13/2009 @ 9:52pm

5. Even though Afghanistan is ripe for the same weepy, sappy, redneck, flag, fear MSM pseudo-patriotic blather as Iraq, you don't hear even of fraction of it.

   None of the MSM echo-chamber of Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, Powell and all their lackeys: shock n' awe, taking the fight to the enemy before they take it to us, spreading freedom, war on terror,

   keeping Windsurfer gay fake-medals Fonda-fondling swiftboat loser and all opposed to war in check, aiding and abetting the enemy, cut n' run.

   Whys Because Obama doesn't dare hand this opportunity over.

   Good ol' mega-corp MSM more conservative than media in England, Scotland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, etc.

   Obama knows the USA MSM would lynch him if he gets too progressive on Afghanistan. They'd swift-boat-beat him down all the way to 2010 and all the way to 2012. Hell, he can't even tell schoolkids to wash their hands and not drop out.

   But he may work a bead to bring about the 80/20 (aid:military) goals, behind his commanders, and in consultation with Russia and China to mediate a little of the inevitable.

   Posted by winyahn at 09/13/2009 @ 10:13pm

6. YOU do realize that the first black POTUS can never live down Cut-and-Run after campaigning to run this Goodest of Wars, right?

   Posted by Happy at 09/13/2009 @ 9:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   Easy Happy, after all, he is a Demoncrat and they do have a history you know. (ie. vietnam for jfk and lbj) Lets sit back and see how a GOOD regressive Demoncrat's RIGHTEOUS cause war is fought in the 21st. century!

   You know that this is what they "claimed" they hungered and thirsted for while they claimed Bush was blowing it by centering on Iraq instead of Afghanistan! Let out the long rope over the high branch!!!

   Posted by BigPasture at 09/13/2009 @ 10:22pm

7. You know that this is what they "claimed" they hungered and thirsted for while they claimed Bush was blowing it by centering on Iraq instead of Afghanistan! Let out the long rope over the high branch!!!

   Posted by BigPasture at 09/13/2009 @ 10:22pm

   Wish I saved some of those posts....would be priceless HAPPY fodder!

   Posted by Happy at 09/13/2009 @ 10:41pm

8. Well this is a good example of 2 numb skulls are better than 1. Nobody hungered for this installment of make Red China rich. No, that's not true you and your pals littlE p wanted another shot at 21st century nation building. This time you want Obama to goof up so you can criticize him. I think you 2 are right,JFK and LBJ realized we had made a huge mistake and wanted us top get out of Vietnam. Unfortunately ,Nixon and future war buddies Rummy and Dick were involved in a massive lying campaign about the destruction of Cambodia.This was quite a help in the American peoples mistrust of their governments handling of the war. It also helped the American peoples mistrust of their returning troops who they looked at as lackeys of the government. Lets keep spending money on the military manufacturing sector(Lockheed Martin,General Dynamics), it will keep the economy humming along. You have noticed how well things are going haven't you?Just think in 7 days Obama will have been in charge of the GWBush Titantic economy for all of 9 months.

   Posted by whatizz at 09/13/2009 @ 10:55pm

9. Posted by whatizz at 09/13/2009 @ 10:55pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   sooo...... you must AGREE that Bush being in office for only less than 7 whole months should NEVER be faulted for his response to the threats of an seemingly anemic powerless radical rich Arab named Bin Laden, right?

   Posted by BigPasture at 09/13/2009 @ 11:12pm

10. I don't no what his response was do you? I believe his father has extensive contacts within the Saudi Arabia government. I think GW was warned and did not know what to do.I think we have been in the cross hairs of Middle Eastern radicals since 1990. Do I personally fault George? No,I don't think he was the man for the job and we as Americans voted him in twice. His 8 years were a disaster for most Americans.Our standing in the world has suffered,and to be honest I have liked his approach after he left office. His sidekick is a different story.

    Posted by whatizz at 09/13/2009 @ 11:25pm

11. I keep asking, but seldom, if ever does the left respond.

    What was our exit strategy for WWII? Korea? The Balkans (I believe we are still there)?

    This whole exit strategy politics is nothing but BS. And I do blame George Bush for introducing it in politics during his first presidential campaign.

    We have never had exit strategies for war, except either victory or defeat.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 12:36am

12. Other pointless wars (no point on the timespace continuum).

    War on Terror

    War on Drugs

    War on Poor Grammar, Hygiene and Cut-0ff Jeans

    Exit strategies presume existence on the timespace continuum.

    Posted by winyahn at 09/14/2009 @ 03:25am

13. Santi- So in other words we should go to Afghanistan,kill some people,win over their hearts ,and have a strong Christian presence there. Why do we have to be there? That's right the rich Saudi Arabian Radical is hiding out there. In 8 long years we have not found him. We have about 16 experts on this part of the world now. We have no one with common sense in either political party. That must be the case because I have a religious commenter who thinks we should go there and fight the infidels. I am on the left and I think we should leave. Let's help these people understand that women can play a much larger role in their society. That should be our role. Let's build roads and schools. No more killing. Let's use that money to help care for our own people. Nothing lofty,just help your neighbor. Santi start thinking that way again,start believing in the scripture you read and I will see it in the language you use.

    Posted by whatizz at 09/14/2009 @ 08:41am

14. leave Afghanistan? you heard it here first.

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/14/2009 @ 08:50am

15. Posted by Happy at 09/13/2009 @ 9:23pm

    Ever notice how "Magic" and Obama being black...

    ALWAYS seems to come up eventually with HAPP?

    Posted by Mask at 09/14/2009 @ 09:01am

16. Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 12:36am

    And again, ask Larry to define SPECIFICALLY what "victory" is....and if he would impose ANY restrictions on the amount of time he's willing to let other people's kids die to achieve it?

    Posted by Mask at 09/14/2009 @ 09:03am

17. Posted by BigPasture at 09/13/2009 @ 10:22pm |

    If you'd listened to any of the advice from the left and world before plowing into Iraq unprepared, Afghanistan would be a very different kettle of fish today, idjit.

    Posted by snowball777 at 09/14/2009 @ 09:10am

18. Certainly there needs to be an exit strategy from Afghanistan, regardless of whether one believes the US should get out now, a year from now, or even later. No exit strategy = unending deadly, expensive quagmire.

    Posted by syfriendly at 09/14/2009 @ 09:33am

19. Ever notice how "Magic" and Obama being black...

    ALWAYS seems to come up eventually with HAPP?

    Posted by Mask at 09/14/2009 @ 09:01am

    Just like the conservative pair that's on a mission to expose ACORN as the black Mafia funded with tax dollars, I think I am adapting some of Alinsky's methods w/out even trying.....but Saul's book is on my hunting list next time I cruise the used book stores!

    Posted by Happy at 09/14/2009 @ 09:43am

20. Posted by Happy at 09/14/2009 @ 09:43am

    Just noticing, HAPP. Either "Magic" (with the "other word" naturally "understood" by ditto-heads such as yourself)...

    or some mention of Obama's race.

    All the time.

    Probably just a co-inky-dink.

    Posted by Mask at 09/14/2009 @ 10:00am

21. Posted by whatizz at 09/14/2009 @ 08:41am

    Can you cite where I have ever made those statements? I have never said our goal or plan should be to kill people, win over their hearts, and have a strong Christian presence.

    We are there because that's where the core was for the 9/11 attacks. In case you forget, President Clinton sent some missiles into Afghanistan (and I supported him on that).

    You seem to forget that these people were not only targeting us, but destroying their own people. They were destroying historical relics like the Giant Buddhas carved into the side of a mountain. They were flogging and executing women for going outside the home without their husband or father. They prohibited women from going to school. They banned all secular music, even in the privacy of one's home.

    Since we ousted them, the Taliban have resorted to suicide attacks and genocidal attacks on women and children who dare to violate those draconian measures they had once ruled by.

    You may find that tolerable or acceptable, but I don't. That's why in fact that I do believe this action is fully in accord with scripture. Romans 13 says that governments are given the sword to execute justice against those who practice evil. Seems clear to me.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 10:07am

22. Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 10:07am |

    And too bad for the civs collaterally damaged by all this `revenger' business, right?

    You think they appreciate being destroyed to 'be saved' (pun intended)?

    Posted by snowball777 at 09/14/2009 @ 10:32am

23. We are there because that's where the core was for the 9/11 attacks.Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 10:07am

    At the core of the 9/11 attacks are American Imperialism, War Profiteering and a twisted hubristic belief that the United States is somehow empowered to address through military force, it's view of curing injustice.

    If we were to try and address all the "injustice" in the world through the use of military force and the spreading of Democracy at the point of a gun we would soon destroy ourselves.

    It is strange that the only places we deign to excersise this great and supposedly honorable quest for justice is in countries that have some value in the resources we need or strategic significance that would benefit the War Profiteers, Corporations or some "Christian" theological agenda.

    Your arguments never hold water on closer scrutiny. Doesn't that bother you on some level?

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 10:41am

24. Your arguments never hold water on closer scrutiny. Doesn't that bother you on some level?

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 10:41am

    If someone were to debunk my arguments, it would bother me.

    However, you certainly haven't. All you've done is regurgitate the marxist/leftist dogma that the US is bad.

    I've yet to see any conservative, myself included propose that "all" injustice be dealt with militarily.

    But you do have to deal militarily with people who themselves are using weaponry and force to kill others. Especially when they have declared war on us. Or do you propose that when someone declares war on you and follows it up with actions that kill Americans, we simply ignore them and hope they go away?

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 10:56am

25. If we were to try and address all the "injustice" in the world through the use of military force and the spreading of Democracy at the point of a gun we would soon destroy ourselves.

    this is indeed what has happened. look around. America is a shell of what it used to be.

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/14/2009 @ 10:58am

26. "However, you certainly haven't. All you've done is regurgitate the marxist/leftist dogma that the US is bad."

    "Or do you propose that when someone declares war on you and follows it up with actions that kill Americans, we simply ignore them and hope they go away?"

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 10:56am

    On your first point. I don't "regurgitate" dogma. I have my own ideas that have been developed over many years of thought. Also, you constantly bandy about the terms "Marxist" or "Communist". I am neither. However you are correct that I'm a "Leftie". And I don't think the U.S. is "Bad". Although I do think it's policies suck.

    On your second point. What sovereign nation has formally declared War on us?. None that I know of.

    Maybe a few "Terrorists" or Religious Extremists have declared a war of Ideology. But terror is a tactic. And a tactic cannot declare war. If that was true, then the extremists in our own country who are advocating the overthrow of the government and are undermining a duly elected government through subversion should also be considered "Terrorists", and as such subject to the law's of war.

    I don't think we want to cross that line. Do we?

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 11:28am

27. If we were to try and address all the "injustice" in the world through the use of military force and the spreading of Democracy at the point of a gun we would soon destroy ourselves.

    this is indeed what has happened. look around. America is a shell of what it used to be.

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/14/2009 @ 10:58am

    Nonsense JR and you know that. We have not and do not resort to military force and democracy at gunpoint to address "ALL" the injustice in the world.

    Are the billions we give towards AID's treatment and prevention in Africa done militarily or at gunpoint?

    How about all the rest of the billions that USAID distributes and spends to help around the world each year.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 11:38am

28. We have not and do not resort to military force and democracy at gunpoint to address "ALL" the injustice in the world. Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 11:38am

    Congratulations! You have just attained the #1 position in the "Missing the Point" competition for this Blog.

    If you continue in posting Points that Miss the Mark, you may well be today's Winner!

    Keep up the good work!

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 11:46am

29. On your first point. I don't "regurgitate" dogma. I have my own ideas that have been developed over many years of thought. Also, you constantly bandy about the terms "Marxist" or "Communist". I am neither. However you are correct that I'm a "Leftie". And I don't think the U.S. is "Bad". Although I do think it's policies suck.

    On your second point. What sovereign nation has formally declared War on us?. None that I know of.

    Maybe a few "Terrorists" or Religious Extremists have declared a war of Ideology. But terror is a tactic. And a tactic cannot declare war. If that was true, then the extremists in our own country who are advocating the overthrow of the government and are undermining a duly elected government through subversion should also be considered "Terrorists", and as such subject to the law's of war.

    I don't think we want to cross that line. Do we?

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 11:28am

    1. You have in the past identified yourself as a communist.

    <I'm a commie, but not a Democrat. But I still thought that was a very good post you made there..

    Posted by chaoszen at 07/06/2009 @ 09:38am

    http://tinyurl.com/oyt2kz>

    2. as to the war declaration. We have multiple FATWAS declaring war on the US including from Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Now you may not think that qualifies, but their efforts as just as deadly.

    If only 1/2 of 1% of Muslims share this attitude of war towards us, that represents approx 900,000 people capable of inflicting death and/or destruction up us. That is larger than the armies of most nations in the world.

    Finally, anyone in this country who is advocating the overthrow of this country could be and probably should be charged with insurrection. I don't care if they are from the left or the right.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 12:52pm

30. And again, ask Larry to define SPECIFICALLY what "victory" is....and if he would impose ANY restrictions on the amount of time he's willing to let other people's kids die to achieve it?

    Posted by Mask at 09/14/2009 @ 09:03am | ignore this person |

    --I wonder if President Barack Obama is willing to answer those questions?

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 2:05pm

31. At the core of the 9/11 attacks are American Imperialism, War Profiteering and a twisted hubristic belief that the United States is somehow empowered to address through military force, it's view of curing injustice. If we were to try and address all the "injustice" in the world through the use of military force and the spreading of Democracy at the point of a gun we would soon destroy ourselves. It is strange that the only places we deign to excersise this great and supposedly honorable quest for justice is in countries that have some value in the resources we need or strategic significance that would benefit the War Profiteers, Corporations or some "Christian" theological agenda. Your arguments never hold water on closer scrutiny. Doesn't that bother you on some level?

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 10:41am | ignore this person | warn this person

    --does it bother barack obama?

    add it to your complaint list when you go on your bus tour!...when's that again?

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 2:08pm

32. If we were to try and address all the "injustice" in the world through the use of military force and the spreading of Democracy at the point of a gun we would soon destroy ourselves.

    this is indeed what has happened. look around. America is a shell of what it used to be.

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/14/2009 @ 10:58am | ignore this person | warn this person

    --you mean it was better when we were taking the land from the Indians and forcing them onto "reservations"?...or when black people were slaves?...or when women still couldn't vote?...or when 9 year olds were still working in coal mines (right mask!)...

    emile ignores history when it suits him...

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 2:11pm

33. choszen: "On your first point. I don't "regurgitate" dogma. I have my own ideas that have been developed over many years of thought."

    --even if so; his own ideas have become his "dogma"; against the religion/philosophy he supposedly practices wherein he's supposed to continually challenge his own beliefs...heheh

    chaoszen: "Also, you constantly bandy about the terms "Marxist" or "Communist". I am neither. However you are correct that I'm a "Leftie". And I don't think the U.S. is "Bad". Although I do think it's policies suck."

    --don't think it's bad? haha! a perusal of his posts from even just the past month would reveal dozens of hateful posts toward america and americans...also, isn't chaoszen leaving america behind for costa rica in 6 months?...

    chaoszen: "On your second point. What sovereign nation has formally declared War on us?. None that I know of."

    --so why is Obama leaving troops in Iraq and Afghanistan again? why is Gitmo still open? why is rendition still occurring?...

    chaoszen: "Maybe a few "Terrorists" or Religious Extremists have declared a war of Ideology. But terror is a tactic. And a tactic cannot declare war. If that was true, then the extremists in our own country who are advocating the overthrow of the government and are undermining a duly elected government through subversion should also be considered "Terrorists", and as such subject to the law's of war. I don't think we want to cross that line. Do we?"

    --chaoszen has, many, many times, on these boards, called for a violent upheaval, or revolution, in this country. but he's a "patriot" of course! (oh, wait, he's fleeing to costa rica!)...heheh

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 2:16pm

34. We have not and do not resort to military force and democracy at gunpoint to address "ALL" the injustice in the world.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 11:38am

    Congratulations! You have just attained the #1 position in the "Missing the Point" competition for this Blog. If you continue in posting Points that Miss the Mark, you may well be today's Winner! Keep up the good work!

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 11:46am | ignore this person | warn this person

    --like Obama saying he's not looking to put insurance companies out of business--you agree with that, right? like obama leaving troops in Iraq and Afghanistan--you agree with that, right?

    heheh

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 2:18pm

35. Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Somalia, Iran.

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/14/2009 @ 4:38pm

36. Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 12:52pm

    Too far gone for redemption.

    When I said you could refer to me as a "Commie" or a "Marxist", I was enjoying a joke at your expense. Due to your ignorance. I thought you got it. Apparently not.

    Then you say:

    Finally, anyone in this country who is advocating the overthrow of this country could be and probably should be charged with insurrection. I don't care if they are from the left or the right.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 12:52pm

    The hard right wingnuts like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and a host of other crazies are advocating the overthrow of our government and are promoting insurrection.

    Since you claim to be against this kind of thing, how about we round up these "Terrorists" and jail them as traitors?

    They are attempting to undermine our Democratic process. They are preaching insurrection. They are attempting to overthrow a legally elected government.

    And not only them but a significant number of co-conspirators within our legislators. Like John Boner, Lindsey Graham and Joe Wilson. We should round them up and jail them. Along with a host of others who would subvert our Government through advocation of insurrection. And as far as the media that supports this Anti-American insurrectionist activity, all the broadcasters of Fox News. Which is a hotbed of Traitors and Insurrection.

    These are "Terrorists". And should be dealt with! They are enemies of Democracy according to your definition.

    Put them in the stocks, for all to see, these enemies of Democracy.

    Glad to see we agree on something my friend..

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 6:54pm

37. The hard right wingnuts like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and a host of other crazies are advocating the overthrow of our government and are promoting insurrection.

    Since you claim to be against this kind of thing, how about we round up these "Terrorists" and jail them as traitors?

    They are attempting to undermine our Democratic process. They are preaching insurrection. They are attempting to overthrow a legally elected government.

    And not only them but a significant number of co-conspirators within our legislators. Like John Boner, Lindsey Graham and Joe Wilson. We should round them up and jail them. Along with a host of others who would subvert our Government through advocation of insurrection. And as far as the media that supports this Anti-American insurrectionist activity, all the broadcasters of Fox News. Which is a hotbed of Traitors and Insurrection.

    These are "Terrorists". And should be dealt with! They are enemies of Democracy according to your definition.

    Put them in the stocks, for all to see, these enemies of Democracy.

    Glad to see we agree on something my friend..

    Posted by chaoszen at 09/14/2009 @ 6:54pm

    You weren't responding to me. You were complimenting another leftist blogger.

    <1.Posted by nathantankus at 07/05/2009 @ 3:37pm

    I'm a commie, but not a Democrat. But I still thought that was a very good post you made there..

    Posted by chaoszen at 07/06/2009 @ 09:38am

    http://tinyurl.com/oyt2kz

    Not a single one of those whom you listed has advocated the overthrow of the government. You are really full of yourself today.

    Posted by antisocialist at 09/14/2009 @ 7:04pm

38. You weren't responding to me. You were complimenting another leftist blogger. <1.Posted by nathantankus at 07/05/2009 @ 3:37pm I'm a commie, but not a Democrat. But I still thought that was a very good post you made there.. Posted by chaoszen at 07/06/2009 @ 09:38am http://tinyurl.com/oyt2kz

    --chaoszen's just so mentally inept he doesn't know who he is or what he says half the time.

    Posted by urmygyro at 09/14/2009 @ 9:57pm

39. A corrupt, illegitimate regime isn't going to cut it; all those American lives are being lost in vain.

    Posted by mtspence05 at 09/14/2009 @ 9:58pm

40. SAnti- Lets start at the beginning and that is all but 1 of the fake pilot associates were from Saudi Arabia. Granted you cant hide very easily in Saudi Arabia. Instead of applying real pressure at this source we put a large invasion force in Iraq and a token one in Afghanistan. Of course we had a strong" friendship with Pakistan(basically bribes) and they would help us capture Bin Laden. Now,Santi, we are not tuned in to Saturday morning cartoons but the follies of the Bush Administration.7 years later we have not finished the objective behind the huge undertaking. We have taken prisoner a large group of terrorists. We keep them off shore so we can deny them rights. This was part of the lefty vs George "AH"comments. That was still not right. There had to be a bad situation evolve somehow and the twenty year olds that beat the prisoners and took pictures fit that scenario. That just inflamed the Muslim world and conservatives said who cares. Lets fit Dick into the picture. We didn't allow "another" attack on our watch,we kept America safe. That was said by a guy from Wyoming who left the gate for the cattle yard open. Back to Afghanistan,Romans 13 also says,"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." I think the Taliban should think like that but they don't even respect themselves. The primer for us has been 60 years of Jewish and Arab strife. Why would we believe it would be different for us. Did we think our money and "charm" would get us an in within hostile territory? No, we need an exit strategy that we and the Afghans can live with. We need to do it before we have another country that we used as a test area for our weaponry.

    Posted by whatizz at 09/14/2009 @ 11:13pm

41. in a democracy a war becomes untenable when the populace does not support it. we have reached that point. roll over Beethoven and tell Obama the news

    Posted by emile duBois at 09/15/2009 @ 11:49am

42. You know that this is what they "claimed" they hungered and thirsted for while they claimed Bush was blowing it by centering on Iraq instead of Afghanistan! Let out the long rope over the high branch!!!

    Posted by BigPasture at 09/13/2009 @ 10:22pm

    Wish I saved some of those posts....would be priceless HAPPY fodder!

    Posted by Happy at 09/13/2009 @ 10:41pm

    What you both forget is that Bush made Afghanistan the forgotten war. Everything was focused on Iraq. Bush and the MIC media lied to us when they claimed victory over the Taliban, and that this one was in the bag. The perception was that given we weren't meeting significant resistance, why not stay awhile - especially since this was NATO operation.

    Later on, circa 2006, we find out that things aren't going too well, and Taliban has made a "surprising" resurgence.

    Bush and his cronies gave us bad intelligence once again.

    Now this doesn't excuse the progressive hawks wanting to continue the war in the present, but it does excuse historic support that has now evaporated and changed its position. Obama has leveled with us to extent that he has stated that this "ain't gonna be easy."

    Posted by OneVote at 09/15/2009 @ 12:34pm

43. Now this doesn't excuse the progressive hawks wanting to continue the war in the present, but it does excuse historic support that has now evaporated and changed its position. Obama has leveled with us to extent that he has stated that this "ain't gonna be easy."

    Posted by OneVote at 09/15/2009 @ 12:34pm

    Bush did not misrepresent the Afghan War.....he kept our hands in the cookie jar looking for, and maintaining pressure on, the remnants of AQ including OBL.

    He and his generals also knew of the strain on the military rotating folks into their 2nd, 3rd tours (or more) for Iraq. In case you didn't get this before, IRAQ has a bit of oil which in the wrong hands, say ?Iran? or ?Hugoland?, could cause a `bit' of troubles down the road, you think?

    The "progressive hawks" are the true chicken hawks....be careful of what you asked for!

    Posted by Happy at 09/15/2009 @ 3:21pm