Posted on 12/07/2009 9:29:24 PM PST by DakotaRed
KABUL -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in this war-torn country Tuesday morning on an unannounced visit, prepared to offer U.S. troops a message from Washington after President Obama's decision to boost troop levels significantly: "We are in this thing to win."
"A big piece of it, of my conversations especially with the soldiers, will be just to thank them for their service, for their sacrifice and to tell them we are in this thing to win," Gates, speaking to reporters traveling with him, said before his arrival here.
Gates, the first senior U.S. official to travel to Afghanistan since Obama's announcement, said he will stress to President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan officials that the United States will not abandon them as it did in 1989, when the Soviet Union left in defeat. The United States had backed forces fighting the Soviets, but ended its support after Moscow quit the war, paving the way for Taliban rule.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Why do I not feel at all reassured?
(From Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Brave Sir Robin
Brave Sir Robin ran away.
("No!")
Bravely ran away away.
("I didn't!")
When danger reared it's ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
("no!")
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
("I didn't!")
And gallantly he chickened out.
****Bravely**** taking ("I never did!") to his feet, He beat a very brave retreat.
("all lies!")
Bravest of the braaaave, Sir Robin!
("I never!")
LOL!!
Restoring the Caliphate? Yes, I'd say you're closer every day.
From Sarah Palin's December 1st Facebook entry re. the surge:
"...We should be in Afghanistan to win, not to set a timetable for withdrawal that signals a lack of resolve to our friends, and lets our enemies believe they can wait us out. As long as we’re in to win, and as long as troop level decisions are based on conditions on the ground and the advice of our military commanders, I support President Obama’s decision."
Sarah Brings Out the Good in People.
What a hollow remark.
Rhetoric, Gates.
Barry ultimately determines such, not you.
As evident by BARRY, not you, he is in this to bag ass, not win.
Hell, the man cannot even bring himself to say ‘win’....who you fooling, Gates, yourself?
It's good to watch leftist foam at the mouth!
If I was going to be pragmatic, I would say that the Obama administration what put in a position (by a certain person) where they had to be optimistic toward the military.
We are in this thing to win...
...but our top priority is not to kill civilians, so no air or artillery support, even if it means more casualities. And don’t punch any jihadis in the mouth while capturing them, or expect a court marshall. And make sure any prisoners are read their Miranda rights in case they turn out to be Al Queda and need to be brought to the US for a trial. And...
The grand old Duke of York
He had ten thousand men.
He marched them up a hill one day
Then he marched them down again.
“We are in this thing to win.”
I can’t quote his exact words, but is not what he was saying a year ago.
Sorry Gates, you’re now part of the Obama administration, therefore anything you now say is very suspect.
And... Do it in 18 months before the 2012 election cycle.
I hope the American side is as motivated to win as Osama/Obama’s side.
You never win by naking your intentions known to your enemy. They will wait you out. they will waste you by attrition. Fifty percent of your casualties will by by something other than a battle where they risk any life (e.g. roadside bombs!!).
Gates is a turncoat...or maybe he was never on the right side.
Memo to Gates: Hussein, your boss, never used the word “win” or “victory” in his lameass speech at West Point.
Not by any external sign that I can see.
“ but our top priority is not to kill civilians . . .
As ever it has been.
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