Posted on 06/25/2010 3:02:37 PM PDT by 444Flyer
LAKE GEORGE - The parents of Army soldier Benjamin Osborn said Thursday that U.S. Bill and Beverly Osborn say that new military rules of engagement are making soldiers on the ground more vulnerable to attack, including they say, in the final battle that took their son's life.
"They were ambushed they were under attack and they couldn't fire until they were ordered to do so," Ben's father Bill Osborn said.
Wearing black armbands, a gold star pin, and grief fresh from burying their son, Bill and Beverly Osborn are speaking out about the circumstances of their son's death.
"Ben said that the tactics were wrong. There's one long road to bring supplies in. The Taliban's up there shooting down at them and they have to shoot up," Beverly Osborn said.
It comes as the family welcomed friends to a celebration of Ben's life, with his wife of only five months comforted at the event.
But amid their grief, his parents also questioned whether new military rules of engagement put their son's unit at risk, by restricting use of firepower and the ability to call for backup, a strategy designed to minimize civilian casualties.
"The rules of engagement have put our son at risk and everyone that's over there," Bill Osborn said.
"They are laughing at us. The Taliban is laughing at us," said Beverly Osborn.
The Osborns support General Stanley McChrystal, who was just forced to resign after openly criticizing the Administration's strategy. Instead, these parents laid blame at the President's feet.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnyt.com ...
"We have to win the war first. The only way to do that is to have someone in charge who's a warrior, not a flower child," Beverly Osborn said.
Hope Petraeus will put a stop the insanity. Prayers for these folks in their time of loss.
12-13-09
“Rules of engagement killing U.S. soldiers”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406897/posts
11-16-09
“U.S. TROOPS BATTLE BOTH TALIBAN AND THEIR OWN RULES”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387602/posts
6-04-10
“New Obama Military Rules of Engagement:, Don’t shoot back”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2384383/posts
9-09-09
“OBAMA’S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN COSTING OUR TROOPS LIVES”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335891/posts
9-24-10
“THE RULES MURDERING OUR TROOPS”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347085/posts
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http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/official_texts/Tactical_Directive_090706.pdf
Under McChrystal“...I recognize that the carefully controlled and disciplined employment of force entails risks to our troops...”
“...The Taliban cannot militarily defeat us - but we can defeat ourselves...”
This is all that comes to my mind when I read that:
“We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. We’ve lost today,” Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latter’s repeated demands for helicopters.
“’We’re pinned down:’ 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335142/posts
____________________________________________________________
“Obama orders Miranda rights in Afghanistan”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2388364/posts
“Reading Miranda Rights to Terrorists Is ‘Crazy’ and ‘Stupid,’ Say GOP Congressmen”
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=49738
“Miranda rights for terrorists: Next, toothbrushes and teddy bears!”
Liberals either get you killed or drive you into bankruptcy. Ever thus.
The current ROE’s are broke. Fix them!
“Petraeus to Modify Afghanistan Rules of Engagement, Source Says”
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/25/petraeus-modify-afghanistan-rules-engagement-source-says/
We will never forget.
....the Muslim Bowboy, makes the rules. Notice the libtard media has suddenly lost it’s casualty count?....but they can tell ya who’s on the WH party list.
Bump that!
WT!!!
You might be interested in this, please read it all.
This is from an AP report that is not good in my estimation;
At a Pentagon news conference Thursday, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hinted about possible changes in the rules when asked about troops who feel “they’re being asked to fight with one hand tied behind their back.”
“Any new commander, Gen. Petraeus included, will go in, assess his command, and what it is going to take to achieve the mission,” Mullen said, adding that the general “certainly has the flexibility to make changes that he thinks are necessary.”
But Mullen also said that doesn’t “portend changes” in the rules. He noted that Petraeus, who was McChrystal’s boss, is “very aware of the tactical directive” and was involved in approving it as commander of the
U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I wish this fallen warriors parents comments were on the front page of every newspaper and the top story on every news program in the US, but sadly I know better. The chosen one must be protected at any cost.
I hope that’s true!
Bowboy can't upset his Muslim brothers
Cindy Sheehan is the only gold star parent the MSM knows.
Let’s see if the poser in chief is capable of “firing” these parent. At the very least, I’m sure he’ll sic the IRS on them to cause them problems for daring to question his arrogant way to govern the military.
His KIA numbers are through the roof.
For how the ROE came about please take a few minutes to read the speech at either #9 or # 14 post. Everything explained there.
Related:
“Fox News Alert: Petraeus to Modify Afghanistan Rules of Engagement, Source Says”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541558/posts
“General Petraeus Adjusts Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2541658/posts
“Petraeus to Modify Afghanistan Rules of Engagement, Source Says”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541585/posts
Petraeus’s speech was in 2006......and the ROE talked about then are much more restrictive NOW.
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