McGovern sees history repeating (as do I) | 26 comments (26 topical, 7 hidden)
Um... (3.50 / 2)
So what was all the complaints about us going to war with Iraq when Afghanistan was the real war?  Ok... look... I agree that had we stuck with Afghanistan we'd be simply working on rebuilding and the Taliban would be insignificant and Bin Laden probably would have been captured now.  But what... now we should leave Afghanistan?  I understand that this is one cluster fuck now... but that is because we totally fucked it up with our ADD president leading an ADD nation.  Now we need to do what we should have done in 2001/2002 and finish this fucking job.  Iraq was stupid, but we aren't done until Bin Laden is captured and either dead or on trial.  Also, lets remember Charlie Wilson's war and remember that the rebuilding effort is where we really create an ally.  I do believe that if we shit in someone elses house... we clean it up.  We were bombed... and those morons who woke the sleeping giant, dun f'ed up and are going to face the consequences.  The only reason this will be anything like Vietnam is because Bush was an idiot and got distracted by the pretty shiny toy.  It is now time to finish this job.  We get Bin Laden... we help Afghanistan to empower itself and then we never do this shit again.  It will take A LONG time, but buckle down boys... it is going to be a bumpy ride.  I agreed with ya and you had my full support on Iraq, but on this one... this is the whole reason we started any of this.  This one we have to stay focused on.  We have to get this one done.

by Das Gimp on 05/04/2009 06:12:09 PM EST

An old saying applies here (none / 1)
"When you find out the hole you're digging is in the wrong place, stop digging." Yes, we need to get the fuck out of Afghanistan. Yesterday.

by MedfordTim on 05/04/2009 07:14:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I'm not sure I follow that. (4.00 / 3)
Obviously Iraq was a mistake and every day we stay there is another day Americans die for no reason at all. OTOH, Afghanistan was/is actually the focal point of the Taliban and their support group - al Quada. Eliminating that threat would be a good thing. Developing Afghanistan's infrastructure would give them a reason not to resume business as usual when we do leave.

"No, you are a paid blogger assigned to counter anyone that posts something negative about the government or Obama." by Mcamelyne II on 05/17/2011

by Robrob on 05/04/2009 09:16:19 PM EST

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Yes and no (none / 1)

Limited military action with the initial goal of going after Bin Laden & Co? Sure.

But we're not going to eliminate the threat of terrorism with guns and air strikes. We need to help modernize their culture, and build schools and hospitals, etc. Kinda like what we should have done in the first place as J. Kim and Cenk discussed last week regarding Charlie Wilson's War.

by Tom Hanc on 05/04/2009 09:23:27 PM EST

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True (none / 1)

Hearts and minds.

It's a lot easier to convince young Jaweed not to join the Taliban if he has running water, a few paved roads and electricity more than five hours a day.

"No, you are a paid blogger assigned to counter anyone that posts something negative about the government or Obama." by Mcamelyne II on 05/17/2011

by Robrob on 05/04/2009 10:31:34 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Good thing (1.00 / 4)

You weren't around n WW2

 

You'd be the guy telling everybody to get out when the Philippines fell, when the Americans wee decimated at Kasserine in Africa, and during the Battle of the Bulge

by Perry on 05/04/2009 07:39:52 PM EST

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Stick to things you know about (1.00 / 2)
...although that will admittedly leave you with a lot of time on your hands...maybe you should take up pottery...you could specialize in the cracked variety...

by MedfordTim on 05/04/2009 09:05:48 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Care to elaborate? (2.50 / 2)
What is it I'm wrong about?

by Perry on 05/04/2009 09:43:44 PM EST

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Hello, Mr. Lincoln (none / 1)

This is Major MedfordTim, reporting

 

As you're aware, our Union armies suffered a demoralizing defeat at the battle of Bull Run. It is my opinion that When you find out the hole you're digging is in the wrong place, stop digging...the civil war is the new Vietnam mr. president! I suggest we withdraw our forces and immediately recognize the Confederate States of America!

 

lolwut 

by Perry on 05/05/2009 03:19:33 AM EST

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Hello, mr. Washington (none / 0)

Private MedfordTim, reporting

 

Me and the boys think the rations here at Vally Forge sort of suck. Plus my shoes fell apart the other day and my toes are getting frostbitten.

It's my opinion that this whole "Life, liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" business is turning into another Vietnam. Let's just pay the taxes, huh?

 

lolwut 

by Perry on 05/05/2009 03:33:52 AM EST

[ Parent ]

McGovern sees history repeating (as do I) | 26 comments (26 topical, 7 hidden)