Remind me again why we're in Afghanistan

[fan_since79]

More American troops killed by a Taliban bomber. It never stops.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22051858

[Blarg]

Is that question directed to the 2,977 victims of 911 or their surviving families?

[Lhalo]

Maybe he was asking these people.

 

http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/

[arch stanton]

Or maybe hes asking the ones responsible for the 8 year detour into Iraq.

[fan_since79]

Is that question directed to the 2,977 victims of 911 or their surviving families?

I understood and applauded the need to go into Afghanistan and wipe out the terror camps. I'm just wondering why we're there ten years later with no real victory in sight, while our troops are being blown up, ambushed, or otherwise killed and injured.

 

I'll overlook the snarkiness of your post.

[Lifetime]

What would be a real victory? 

[Lou]

Or maybe hes asking the ones responsible for the 8 year detour into Iraq.

 

Obama is on his 5th year...

[fan_since79]

What would be a real victory? 

 

The destruction of the Taliban.

 

I know, it's probably not possible without destroying the country. So why the hell are we still there, ten years later?

 

And how many more years should we stay? Five, ten, twenty, fifty??

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[arch stanton]

Obama is on his 5th year...

Yes. And for the final 5 of the 7 years before he was elected and the better part of the first 3 after he was elected the troops who enlisted to battle Al Qaeda and theTaliban were diverted to Iraq instead. In my narrowly functioning brain this is a major factor in determining why were still in Afghanistan.

[Lou]

wait, troops now get to choose who they fight when they enlist?

[arch stanton]

Nice sidestep

[Lou]

you made the point, not me

[fan_since79]

Well, we were all told the reason we were there was to fight the Taliban. So many soldiers probably enlisted with that thought in mind.

[Lou]

then they're idiots 

[arch stanton]

you made the point, not me

You tell me, with a straight face, that you believe there would have been the troop levels and national resolve to invade Iraq without 9/11 and I'll take your word for it.

[Lou]

why would i tell you that? not once have i even hinted that i believe that to be true

 

and Obama is still on his 5th year

[fan_since79]

then they're idiots 

So the men who enlisted to fight the Nazis were also idiots?

 

How about the men who enlisted to fight the British in 1775? Idiots?

[Lou]

So the men who enlisted to fight the Nazis were also idiots?

 

How about the men who enlisted to fight the British in 1775? Idiots?

 

If someone enlisted to "fight the Nazis" thinking he was guaranteed to be deployed to Germany without knowing he had a chance of ending up in Japan ( or being stationed in Coco Solo, Panama) then yes, he's an idiot.

[fan_since79]

If someone enlisted to "fight the Nazis" thinking he was guaranteed to be deployed to Germany without knowing he had a chance of ending up in Japan ( or being stationed in Coco Solo, Panama) then yes, he's an idiot.

Okay, the Nazis and/or Japanese. The point is simply what an average enlisted man might think. Of course he's not going to get any say as to where he's sent. Nobody is claiming that.

 

It's a non-issue, really.

[Lou]

Okay, the Nazis and/or Japanese. The point is simply (1) what an average enlisted man might think. Of course he's not going to get any say as to where he's sent. (2) Nobody is claiming that.

 

It's a non-issue, really.

 

1. which was the essence of my point

 

2. "the troops who enlisted to battle Al Qaeda and theTaliban were diverted to Iraq instead."

[mtangelsfan]

strange this is that they did end up fighting the Al Qaeda in Iraq.

[arch stanton]

1. which was the essence of my point

 

2. "the troops who enlisted to battle Al Qaeda and theTaliban were diverted to Iraq instead."

Which is why were still fighting in Afghanistan 12 years later.

[Lou]

strange this is that they did end up fighting the Al Qaeda in Iraq.

 

then they're happy!

[Lou]

Which is why were still fighting in Afghanistan 12 years later.

 

of which Obama is going on his 5th year

[Blarg]

I understood and applauded the need to go into Afghanistan and wipe out the terror camps. I'm just wondering why we're there ten years later with no real victory in sight, while our troops are being blown up, ambushed, or otherwise killed and injured.

 

I'll overlook the snarkiness of your post.

So you were a cheerleader when you thought it was a good idea but now when you have the sobering facts that wars are not about parades and speeches but body bags you don't like it?

 

I will overlook your inconsistencey.