The 'what's he doing?' game.
 

Funny, for all 'open discussion' Obama promised, and how 'king' George was so secretive, back during Georges 'reign' if I read section A of a major newspaper cover to cover I'd know what was going on (Bush used 'background' info to reporters a lot).

So, what's Obama doing about Afghanistan? Is he being the serious Leader, weighing options and praying heavily for the lives of men? Perhaps, but it's not the reason he hasn't moved.

Is he pretending to be doing the above as so to mollify the peace-at-any-pricers who voted for him? (btw, where's Sheenan and MoveOn been lately?) I strongly doubt it, although any secondary gains regarding this will be done by proxy.

Is he waffling? I think not, seriously.

Is he beating Karzi over the head with the threat of NOT adding troops to get his way? Dingdingding! imho anyway.

Is it realpolitik? Absolutely. Is it the kinder kind of foriegn policy (meaningless) he campaigned on? No.

He's already long decided to increase troops levels - I guarantee it.

Pete

Why should we even be there? We have the assinine 'War on drugs' here at home and in Afghanistan we have the worlds leading supplier of drugs.

Legalize the drugs tax the heck out of them and we could still sell cheaper than the Mexican drug lords or the Taliban - bankrupt them both.

Too practical. The right wing would see blood, and the Dems would be afraid to suggest such an "immoral" thing as legalized drug trade.

Regards,

D-Ray

Sounds like Russia is a major source of revenue for the drug lords.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7935527.stm

Yes, almost all Afghanistan's smack ends up in Europe. Ours comes from South America and the Far East.

John

Oh, its about DRUGS now,,, and here I was thinkin we was fightin muslim terrorists,


*dripping with sarcasm*

Maybe that is why it started, but ever since we dumped that crook Karzai into Kabul he has gotten everything so corrupt we are just wasting lives. Stop and think, a country of 28 million people can only scare up about 20,000 volunteers for an army? That tells me they don't like their government and figure the Taliban is the lesser of two evils, and with all their drug money the Taliban probably pays better.

Oh, and what did Bush have to say about Karzai?
But now he's a crook?

I'm pretty sure he is, and always has been.

Dave

Actually Amsterdam is a quite pleasant city, some areas I would probably not visit but I can say the same thing about many of our own cities. At least there is very little chance of being hit by a stray bullet over there. The Netherlands is one of my favorite places to visit, except now my travelling days are over.:(

No comment on our leader of Change changing his tunes?

Pete

Increasing our troops simply means sending them back for a fifth and sixth tour, we don't have any more new troops.

Well, he's in between a rock and a hard place. No matter what he does he's going to take some heat.

It looks to me like he has no choice other than to send in more troops. At least at this time.

Personally, I'd be looking for a way out.

Chas

Could not agree more. From my myopic little view, it seems this issue is getting equal or more press than healthcare at the moment. Perhaps what he is really considering is the impact of his actions on Nov 2010, yes?

Precisely what he should be doing. Stop pussy-footing and just jerk the damn plug. See, this is what makes me nuts about the guy;

All that tough talk and now it's nothing but compromise after compromise. And the Republicans did the same thing when they had the reigns.

Is there anyone out there that has any stones at all? This not not a comment on who I think is right or wrong, it's just an observence that NONE of our leaders have any balls anymore. Could you imagine LBJ acting like this? You may not like LBJ, but that guy shoved his agenda through. When he barked, the sheep moved and the GOP stayed the fuck out of his way. And Reagan had his ways too. But now? And this ditz from Alaska is the best anyone can come up with? (I dunno if she's really gonna run or not, but to me she seems to campaigning already.)

Well they are sayin' Obama will increase troop levels by 30K.

And will 'pressure' do-nothing Europe for more. 1500??!! from France? Bah.

Find out tonight.

Pete

Considering that some jockeys from the Air National Guard bombed the Canadians over there I trust they have the good sense to get out and stay out.

I am getting just a bit tired of the whole lot, they moan about how they are treated when they emigrate to foreign countries. Do they ever try the when in Rome do as the Romans do approach? Hell no, do they ever let Christians build churches in their countries? Yeah sure. If you want to keep your women in Burkas and observe Sharia then stay home.

Out of a country of 28 million the best they can come up with is 20,000 army volunteers, screw them.