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Panetta visits Afghanistan: Hundreds of Marines unusually asked to disarm before he speaks
The New York Daily News ^ | March 14, 2012 | Aliyah Shahid

Posted on 03/14/2012 3:41:30 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

Hundreds of U.S. Marines were ordered by an American sergeant on Wednesday to disarm before entering a tent where Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was set to speak during his trip to Afghanistan.

No reason was given and U.S. officials tried to downplay the move. But the highly unusual security measure comes amid rising tension in the country after an American solider allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians on Sunday.

Sgt. Maj. Brandon Hall told more than 200 Marines at Camp Leatherneck that they were to leave their weapons outside. Afghan troops had already been told that they, too, were not allowed to bring their guns.

"Something has come to light," Hall told the troops. When an Associated Press reporter asked about the order, Hall said all he knew was, "I was told to get the weapons out."

During his visit, Panetta promised U.S. troops would not change its course of action, despite recent flare-ups. The trip was scheduled before the bloody massacre which has spurred demands for officials in both countries that foreign troops leave more quickly.

Afghan-U.S. relations have frayed since the shooting incident, in addition to the burning of Korans at a military base in Afghanistan last month. That sparked nearly a week of violent demonstrations, leaving 30 dead, including six U.S. soldiers.

American officials later said the disarming order at the Panetta event came from top commander, Maj. Gen. Mark Gurganus.

He insisted to the New York Times that it had nothing to do with the massacre.

"You've got one of the most important people in the world in the room," he said. "This is not a big deal.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; obama; panetta; wot
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So this regime fears the military? Good!
1 posted on 03/14/2012 3:41:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Just lovely! See how badly this bunch has mis-managed Afghanistan?


2 posted on 03/14/2012 3:44:55 PM PDT by Tallguy (It's all 'Fun and Games' until somebody loses an eye!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

This administration has no backbone, or sense of pride.As a former Marine I find this disgusting..


3 posted on 03/14/2012 3:46:12 PM PDT by Ed25
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

It’s the new gay military.


4 posted on 03/14/2012 3:46:31 PM PDT by donna (Republicans won't change their ways until conservatives draw the line.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Total POS cowards. And what if a jihadi comes in with guns ablazing? The soldiers would not have been able to react, respond or even defend themselves. Like the Ft Hood guys. All disarmed. Except the Mad Muzzie Major. We are all suspect now. Except the ROPs


5 posted on 03/14/2012 3:47:52 PM PDT by shalom aleichem
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Afghan troops had already been told that they, too, were not allowed to bring their guns.
______________________________________

Hey Abdul dont take your gun...

The infidel American el jefe is the nervous sort...

What ??? Your bomb ???

Sure you can take that.

Nothing was said about concealed carry bombs...


6 posted on 03/14/2012 3:49:08 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana (Why should I vote for Bishop Romney when he hates me because I am a Christian)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Cuz’ he’s a filthy coward . . . and should be nowhere near our beloved soldiers. What a POS!


7 posted on 03/14/2012 3:49:17 PM PDT by laweeks
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To: shalom aleichem

Sounds like grouping all the planes at Pearl in tight circles in the middle of the runway, in case Japanese saboteurs snuck in.


8 posted on 03/14/2012 3:50:05 PM PDT by Williams (Honey Badger Don't Care)
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To: shalom aleichem
This reminds me of the scene on Aliens 2 where the coward commander tells the marines to turn in their ammo just before they enter the belly of the beast. Pendejo jerk-off!
9 posted on 03/14/2012 3:52:56 PM PDT by RoseofTexas
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Did W make them disarm???? Clinton is the one who disarmed our bases - so Hasan had unarmed victims for his “workplace violence”....

I’m living in a parallel universe.


10 posted on 03/14/2012 3:56:24 PM PDT by klb99 (I now understand why the South seceeded)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Rumsfeld or Cheney would never EVER ‘demand’ that, no matter what circumstance.

I hope the military men and women have the same trust level against these snakes as displayed here.


11 posted on 03/14/2012 3:56:46 PM PDT by Sir Napsalot (Pravda + Useful Idiots = CCCP; JournOList + Useful Idiots = DopeyChangey!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Gosh, I wonder if ol’ Leon is afraid that the troops might be a bit unhappy about the prospect of dying because of Zero's treasonous Rules of Engagement?

Whaddya think? Maybe their just a teensy bit upset?

12 posted on 03/14/2012 3:58:55 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The RNC would prefer Obama to a conservative nominee.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Lyin’ Pendejo.


13 posted on 03/14/2012 3:59:07 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Government is the religion of the sociopaths.)
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To: Carry_Okie
their = they're

Sheesh.

14 posted on 03/14/2012 3:59:45 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The RNC would prefer Obama to a conservative nominee.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet


15 posted on 03/14/2012 4:10:41 PM PDT by drpix
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Leon Panetta knows he leads without the consent of the followers. He's afraid. this is the same reason the left is against the Second Amendment; they know they cannot rule without the consent of the governed. The left is afraid of the citizens and it's military.
16 posted on 03/14/2012 4:13:11 PM PDT by LoneRangerMassachusetts (The meek shall not inherit the Earth)
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To: Williams

Let’s hope the election gives us change!


17 posted on 03/14/2012 4:13:37 PM PDT by MtnClimber (New 0bama cars to run on Higgs Bosons.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Panetta visits U.S. Unarmed Forces in Afghanistan


18 posted on 03/14/2012 4:17:42 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 (Panetta a poinsetta? Who knew?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I can’t think of many places I’d feel SAFER than in a room with 200 armed Marines. The guy is a wacko.


19 posted on 03/14/2012 4:20:12 PM PDT by Boogieman
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Panetta orders blocking of Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms in Afghanistan


20 posted on 03/14/2012 4:21:27 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 (Panetta a Pain in the ass? Who knew?)
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