Posted on 10/19/2009 11:13:15 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Those who believe that President Barack Obama should ignore Vice President Joe Biden's advice about a "small footprint" and give Gen. Stanley McChrystal additional troops to complete the administration's mission in Afghanistan have been slow to make one of the strongest arguments: More means less.
That is, sending more troops likely means less risk for the troops already there. Currently, there are about 66,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and McChrystal has recommended that Obama send more — perhaps as many as 40,000 — to help carry out a counterinsurgency strategy.
So I was glad that Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., cited the issue of protecting the troops while supporting a surge during a recent appearance on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
"I don't know how you put somebody in who was as crackerjack as General McChrystal, who gives the president very solid recommendations, and not take those recommendations," Feinstein said. "If you don't want to take the recommendations, then you "... put your people in such jeopardy, just like the base in Nurestan. We lost eight of our men. We didn't have the ability to defend them."
The senator was referring to the Oct. 3 assault on two Afghan-U.S. outposts near the Pakistani border by what the military says were 300 enemy fighters representing multiple extremist groups. In addition to the American deaths, four Afghan soldiers were killed.
You have to wonder why Feinstein's point hasn't been made more often in this debate. ...
But what about the lives of those 66,000 U.S. troops who are already on the ground in Afghanistan and who could use some reinforcements? Who is going to bat for them while Obama mulls his options? No one but McChrystal.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
One brilliant writer in the comments section of this article compares the author to Rush Limbaugh. All because the guy gets it, got permission from DiFi to get it, and then told the truth.
Let’s send some of Rubin’s Illegal Immigrant buddies to Afganistan to clean the toilets and take a few bullets!
Ignorance is now acceptable in the public discourse. In fact, it is de rigeur.
Ruben Navarrette is like Rush???!!!
not even close.....
Navarrette is a leftist Race whiner....
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