Posted on 10/04/2009 5:24:11 PM PDT by kristinn
MILITARY anger boiled over last night after Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth rebuffed a plea from front-line soldiers for immediate reinforcements in Afghanistan.
Mr Ainsworth had asked soldiers who have just endured a gruelling and bloody six-month tour what they needed. Without hesitation he was told: “More troops”.
But the Defence Secretary – in Afghanistan with Home Secretary Alan Johnson, ironically to boost morale – merely replied that reinforcements would “take time”.
Staff Sgt Kim Hughes, who will shortly return to his family in Shropshire, said: “It’s been a ridiculously busy, ridiculously hard tour. We have lost two guys.
“Clearly more troops are needed on the ground, but then the same could be said for equipment.”
The troops were backed last night by the new head of the Army, General Sir David Richards, who said sending more men to Afghanistan would reduce casualties.
Britain has lost 219 personnel in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001, including 82 so far this year amid the bloodiest summer of the campaign.
The majority lost this year were killed by roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices.
Defence chiefs are considering increasing Britain’s military presence from the current 9,000 to about 10,000.
SNIP
British troops complain that they can take ground from the Taliban but do not have enough men to hold it. They have to keep retaking areas over and over again, increasing the risk of casualties.
(Excerpt) Read more at express.co.uk ...
Ditto. Bump.
Stop the dithering.
ZERO SHOULD BE IMPEACHED FOR VIOLATING HIS OATH OF OFFICE. HE IS NOT PROTECTING US FROM ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. OUR SOLDIERS AND OUR ALLIES SOLDIERS ARE BEING SLAUGHTERED WHILE HE GOES ON DATES WITH THE FIRST HAG!!!! And, yes I’m shouting!!
Everywhere, dithering seems to be the word of the day..
This makes me BEYOND sick. Either PULL THEM OUT.....or FIGHT, dammit! I think Zero and Brown WANT our boys and girls to be slaughtered and claim a loss. That would gratify the left-wing base. Then they can lay the blame on Bush. That’s all they’re about. Laying it on Bush.......using our troops.
For Obozo, the men and women of the armed forces are little more than little plastic army men. He has no respect or understanding of the armed forces.
I believe you’re absolutely right....unfortunately.
It doesn't look like our elected officials will.
Where have we heard this before? Oh yea, Nam.
L
bump
Indeed. And the crap ROE do not help matters one bit. Obama wants to parley with the enemy and bow to them instead of making life painful for them.
Everywhere, dithering seems to be the word of the day..
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I was just thinking exactly the same thing!
I don’t recall anyone ever using the word “dithering” when George Bush was the Commander in Chief!
So.....Barry is pissing off our allies and reducing America’s image in the world, and is still blaming Bush for the very same thing? Bizzarroo World indeed!
HOW can our brave people fight with their hands chained behind the post modern rules of engagement?
Bizarre rules of honor used to fight a cunning suicidal and maniacal enemy. As history has shown with other great battles against muslims (and Nazis) - only total war will work.
You mean ACORN’s elected officials, we didn’t vote for him. They certainly did and all the people they paid to vote for him!
God please protect our soldiers and disable their enemies because our current commander in chief is more worried about TV and late night entertainment than our TROOPS!
If Obama is not going to give our men the supplies, assistance and reinforcements they need to win, we should not risk their lives, and bring them home.
The thing is I think that is exactly why Obama is not committing the troops.
Absolutely. Zero WANTS their hand tied simply because he doesn’t want them to win. Then he can blame Bush.
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