Afghanistan experts say John McCain and Barack Obama are clueless

New York Daily News ^ | July 19, 2008 | James Gordon Meek

[Deagle]

Most of the information that the President would provide may not provide classified details, but a summary would be provided (if nothing else, to prevent stupid and possibly dangerous responses to questions regarding US national security).

[Berlin_Freeper]

I agree with political overview, we have opportunity here.

But I don't trust Obama on fighting terrorists so I still hope McCain wins.

[EBH]

It seems to me the story is only half accurate. Based on the title one would think that both campaigns had reps. present. Media bias would result in only telling one side of the story about the Obama rep. being there.

The author called it a “brainstorming session on how to win,” closer reading indicates it was more likely a summary briefing to update both presidential candidates regarding existing conditions, before they make too many campaign promises on a topic they have been ignorant in regards too.

Lastly if both candidates are clueless about Afghanistan, then what is the rest of Congress?

[Nathan Zachary]

"Do you really want us to stay there as long as it takes (maybe 20 years or so)? When you are fighting terrorists, you can’t win outright - only slow them down enough that the locals can keep them under control. I really don’t want the US there many more years."

Well we will be, whether you like it or not. Just like we are still in Korea, Germany (and all over Europe) Japan, the Philippines, some "Stans" Iraq, And a hundred other places.

Don't fret, the population of the USA is always growing. We will stay there and play "wack a mole" for as long as it takes. As long as they keep popping them out of their wombs to play jihad, we'll keep wacking.

If we don't, and run away from this battle, then we are doomed. It won't take long for this particular enemy to regroup, and you can bet next time, there will be no place to run away to.

[Deagle]

Well, all I can say is that I hope you’re wrong. I want the locals to fight the good fight. When things get out of hand then we come in if needed.

You understand though that with the current birth rates and immigration, massive changes will occur. I doubt that your attitude will prevail for very long... Let’s see, Bosnia, Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, Philippines...and more I’m sure I’ve missed... Do you really think that we can continue to police the world without local help?

[iopscusa]

Yep, Afganistan has never had enough troops, the feckless NATO commanders/troops have also been a problem...plus the place is a shiite-hole with all the drug $$ that supports the bad guys.

[daniel1212]

“Both candidates putting so much emphasis on troop numbers in Afghanistan have illustrated they have not grasped what the problem is,” said New York University scholar Barnett Rubin,”

Writer jjv responds,

“LOL, Experts? This Rubin guy is a PAID Obama advisor. And BTW, this is exactly the argument we heard before the successful surge in Iraq. All the liberals screamed that more troops would only mean more terrorists....”

[shadowgovernment]

” I really don’t want the US there many more years.”
>>>>>>>>>>>...........................
victory is a ghost when you will not attack and destroy the nest of the vipers-
Wars of attrition will wear down American resolve long before the enemy.-
Our political leaders have been programed to make token
wars, with no follow up on the leadership in Iran and Syria
and the tribal areas of Pakistan.
Who wants to be the last one dying for Political theater?
Viet Nam showed when you allow sanctuary for the enemy -
wars that could be won quickly -become bogs of endless
attrition of our best troops.
We have brave men fighting for cowards and in some cases traitors and fools in leadership- .

[randomhero97]

Yep, totally agree. There are too many keyboard commandos on this forum who can post stuff like “I hope to stay and kill as many jihadists as possible” while sitting in their air conditioned house.

[TomGuy]

victory is a ghost when you will not attack and destroy the nest of the vipers-

Wars of attrition will wear down American resolve long before the enemy.-

When wars become PC wars, they tend to run 7+ years, even decades. PC wars rush the diplomats in instead of attaining an absolute surrender of the enemy. Then, we have the State Department, rather than the Defense Department, trying to run the conflict. Bureaucrats like job security; thus, they have reason to continue the status quo and little incentive to end it.

[omega4179]

“get drunk and vote McCain”

[ExTexasRedhead]

McCain is clueless about how to fight Liberals, clueless about how to run a campaign, and clueless that thumbing his nose in the conservative base’s face will get him nowhere. IMO, this election is a national disgrace.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Did you see this one?

[Cacique]

btt

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“build a fence”
In the early days of atomics, there was talk of using a-bombs to trench out huge canals like the the Panama Canal. Maybe we should blast out a huge, radioactive canal between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[WoofDog123]

“Why are you so quick to end a fight against them?”

It is my understanding that ‘taliban’ has become a catch-all term for anyone the US fights there, while often conflicts or local or tribal. It is quite possible the ‘taliban’ the us fights in one place have little in common with the former government, and more in other cases.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Does anyone in their right mind think that WASHINGTON D.C.-Culture can grasp ANYTHING to do with the reality of the situation in far away places, particularly--even if factual--that information contradicts their own conclusions reached at Georgetown cocktail parties and from within the pages of Foreign Affairs.

[gonzo]

"...In the early days of atomics, there was talk of using a-bombs to trench out huge canals like the the Panama Canal..."

Was that called: "Operation Plowshare"?

Seemed like a good idea at the time. Would have made converts out of a lot of Soviet-sponsered assholes in the region ............... FRegards

[endthematrix]

Carpet bomb Quetta...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks,...just now catching up...