your guys to Afganistan

[margypops]

Okay we yelled at Bush , me too, when our troups wre sent to Iraq and kept there, , but so is it okay they now be sent tro Afganistan, so why is it so differabnt and how much is this going to cost..

[Barbarella]

But 68% of our military in an ANONYMOUS Poll said that they would vote for McCain.  

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/10/military_poll_100508w/

[PlateletGal]

The Bush administration has known all along where Bin Laden was hiding... this is nothing new. A few months ago, an elite officer who served in Afghanistan questioned a decision made by his superiors (and probably George W. Bush). They knew where Bin Laden was... but this officer was told to not go ahead with the mission in an attempt to kill Laden.

source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/02/60minutes/main4494937.shtml

We shouldn't criticize our commander-in-chief for "lack of experience", especially when Bush hardly served (AWOL) and considering the fact that Bush had never been out of the country until after he became president. Obama never supported Bush's war in Iraq and that was a wise decision.

What I'm concerned about is the troops. After 5 1/2 years.... they are exhausted and I'm concerned about their mental status. You know how many soldiers have killed themselves because of PTSD ? Many of these soldiers aren't comfortable with discussing their mental health status with their commanders. I agree with HelpinUtah.... despite our political differences, we need to support these brave men and women who are fighting for our country !  

[HelpinUtah]

Personally, I believe that when Obama was briefed on the middle east - that's when he changed his tune.  We aren't sitting in the oval office hearing all the real details!  But, what's interesting is that experts say they think Bin Laden is actually hiding in Pakistan - so where do we go?  Some others say they think Bin Laden has died by now - kidney or liver problems?  So, who knows at this point.  

I do feel badly for our boys and girls who have died, suffered from the wars, but I'm thankful that they were willing to serve their country.  They are brave men and women!  I'm proud of them and whether you agree with the wars or not - they are to be honored for their service!  

[Barbarella]

Time will tell, we'll see.  Its now leaning toward 23 months.  Obama who never wore the uniform should pay attention at General Petreaus and others who are actually in theater.  I know, I know he is our commander in chief,  with no experience.... except for  communtiy organizer and a few short year as a Senator which he spent most of the time campaigning. THAT is what scares me.

We'll see one year from now if Guantanamo Bay will be closed, and 16 months from now if all of our troops have been withdrawn from Iraq and sent back to the U.S. and not sent to Afghanistan instead.  They need 30.000 troops in Afghanistan, so far Obama agreed to send 17.000 from the States, where do you think the other 13.000 will come from?  There will be re-routed from Iraq to Afghanistan IMO.

We'll see, if I am wrong I will admit that I was wrong, but I am not holding my breath.

[PlateletGal]

Your post is nothing but assumptions. I will just address your first assumption that Obama cannot withdraw troops from Iraq in 16 months.  Just last month Obama spoke with military leaders and asked them to draw up plans for a responsible U.S. troop withdrawl from Iraq.

In early February (source below), Obama drew criticism from a couple of generals because he wanted to keep his pledge to withdraw all troops from Iraq in 16 months.

Obama is smart. He has already stated that if the situation in Iraq changes, then he will have to go back to the drawing table and come up with another plan. But as it appears now, our troops will be home from Iraq in 16 months.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/02/generals-seek-to-reverse_n_163070.html

[PlateletGal]

I've always supported sending more troops to Afghanistan. Of course I never supported the unjust war in Iraq, because it was quite obvious the real enemies and the real threat was along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.  I'm not sure if people have been keeping up to date on the latest in Afghanistan, but we have no choice to get involved.  Pakistan has been giving into the Taliban recently and actually making deals with them !  In Afghanistan, the Taliban is trying to take over again and we cannot let that happen.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hGd2ZMkQDv13Yzbd62VRkk0SKRYQD96E5R280