On 11/12/09 6:39 AM, Tom Francis - SWSports wrote:
“You know that scene in the movie ‘Blazing Saddles,’ when Cleavon
Little holds the gun to his own head and threatens to shoot himself?”
asked Ronald E. Neumann, a former ambassador to Afghanistan.

“The argument that we could pull out of Afghanistan if Karzai doesn’t
do what we say is stupid. We couldn’t get the Pakistanis to fight if
we leave Afghanistan; we couldn’t accomplish what we’ve set out to do.
And Karzai knows that.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/wo...karzai.html?hp

Organizing neighborhoods is not international diplomacy nor does it
give you the abilities to run a war. Do nothing is not a strategy.
And it sure as hell isn't "Smart Power". More like "Dumb Ass" power.

Heh - how about that.

D'oh:


The US ambassador to Afghanistan has dramatically intervened in the
debate about troop reinforcements, warning President Obama against
committing tens of thousands of extra troops to the country.

Karl Eikenberry, a retired army general who commanded US forces in
Afghanistan from 2005-2007, detailed his concerns in two classified
cables last week.

Yesterday President Obama questioned Mr Eikenberry about his views by
video-link during a meeting of his White House war cabinet, as he
continues his lengthy deliberations on the question of troop numbers for
Afghanistan.

Mr Eikenberry's concerns reportedly focused on the behaviour of Hamid
Karzai, the Afghan president recently re-elected for a five-year term in
a poll tainted by allegations of systematic fraud. He is said to have
questioned Mr Karzai's suitability as a long-term strategic partner,
because of widespread corruption in his first administration and the
presence of warlords and drugs smugglers in positions of influence.

- Times of London


Frankly, I think you and all the other mustered out old military farts
here who want expanded war should head over to Afghanistan and take the
point on patrols into Taliban turf. Those of you who can still walk,
that is.

Warmongering assholes, all of you.




--
If you are flajim, herring, loogy, GC boater, johnson, topbassdog, rob,
or one of a half dozen others, you're wasting your time by trying to
*communicate* with me through rec.boats, because, well, you are among
the permanent members of my dumbfoch dumpster. As always, have a nice,
simple-minded day.