Race to oblivion ! Afghanistan vs. South Vietnam edition

[arch stanton]

It would be monumentally stupid for the Taliban to give any reason for us to go back in. They have everything to gain from letting us exit unscathed

[Amazing Larry]

[fan_since79]

Don't you just love the bland bureaucratic jargon? "imminent threat environment". 

But he did qualify it by saying "right now". A half-hour from now, that's a different story.

 

[UndertheHalo]

It does appear that the possible conciliatory approach as far as the Hazara is the one that the Taliban took.  They swept into the area basically unchallenged.  There’s a reason for that.  I think it’s likely that there won’t be a lot of bloodshed.  May see some higher profile people deemed “collaborators” that didn’t flee get got but I suspect most of types have fled.  Remains to be seen how the Taliban deals with the isis elements in the country.  One presumes that they really don’t want to see the west come back in.  

[Inside Pitch]

1 hour ago, Lhalo said:

 

LOL...  What a shit show..  

"It's highly unlikely the Afghan military will fall apart"  7 days later..  "shelter in place"

Feel bad for anyone there that had faith in the first comment.

[fan_since79]

Our next president has things under control.

 

[Crampknees]

Buried in covid over here, why is there not a covid air freshener in every vent of a Toyota Hilux in the Middle east, problem solved. 

[Kevin]

20 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

Our next president has things under control.

 

Do you honestly think this would have ended any different with Trump? Answer honestly. 

I do laugh at their "optimism" thinking Afghanistan would be somewhat stable. I know it isn't in an office holder's nature to answer truthfully but at least say something along the lines of "we'll see how it plays out."

[fan_since79]

Any comment from George W. Bush? He's the one who wanted to transform that hell hole into a modern Western-style democracy, with band concerts in the park, the Chamber of Commerce, and the rest of it.

"People are the same all over."

[fan_since79]

4 minutes ago, Kevin said:

Do you honestly think this would have ended any different with Trump? Answer honestly. 

I do laugh at their "optimism" thinking Afghanistan would be somewhat stable. I know it isn't in a office holder's nature to answer truthfully but at least say something along the lines of "we'll see how it plays out."

No, I don't think it makes much of a difference. The assumptions are flawed. "Nation building" is a fatal error. I think George Washington had it right when he warned against foreign entanglements. 

[UndertheHalo]

5 minutes ago, Kevin said:

Do you honestly think this would have ended any different with Trump? Answer honestly. 

I do laugh at their "optimism" thinking Afghanistan would be somewhat stable. I know it isn't in a office holder's nature to answer truthfully but at least say something along the lines of "we'll see how it plays out."

It’s honestly gone about as well as it could have gone.  It could have been far bloodier than it has been.  We’re finally out.  Good riddance.  Really not that bad considering the situation. 

[failos]

[Crampknees]

5 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

transform that hell hole into a modern Western-style democracy, with band concerts in the park

The mechanical bull in Cafe Zabbaq was a hit once. 

[failos]

 

 

[Amazing Larry]

 

[Amazing Larry]

One of the commenters below that tweet mentioned the tracers you can see in the background. If there isn’t an imminent threat like Kirby said then why are there bullets flying through the air?

[failos]

 

 

[fan_since79]

2 minutes ago, failos said:

 

 

 

[UndertheHalo]

19 minutes ago, failos said:

 

 

Lol like this mother fucker didn’t take plenty himself.  

[St1ck]

The Washington Post: Afghanistan’s military collapse: Illicit deals and mass desertions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/15/afghanistan-military-collapse-taliban/

When an Afghan police officer was asked about his force’s apparent lack of motivation, he explained that they haven’t been getting their salaries. Several Afghan police officers on the front lines in Kandahar before the city fell said they hadn’t been paid in six to nine months. Taliban payoffs have become ever more enticing.

[UndertheHalo]

 

[fan_since79]

Meanwhile, Biden's on vacation.

Really. 

[failos]

 edit: @cals

Edited August 15, 2021 by failos

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

9 minutes ago, fan_since79 said:

Meanwhile, Biden's on vacation.

Really. 

If he wasn't on vacation and was making some kind of public address I'm sure you'd still find something to criticize him about in regards to all of this. 

The US' involvement in Afghanistan epitomizes what's wrong with how our country or rather our elected officials have "tried to bring democracy" to some parts of the world.  It also shows why when we give money to parts of the Middle East, South and Central America, etc. those areas remain in the same shape because it doesn't go to the people it's supposed to help while those in power reap the benefits.  Unfortunately nothing will be learned from this and we'll go on wasting lives and money while making new enemies all in the name of "democracy."

[UndertheHalo]

5 minutes ago, St1ck said:

The Washington Post: Afghanistan’s military collapse: Illicit deals and mass desertions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/15/afghanistan-military-collapse-taliban/

When an Afghan police officer was asked about his force’s apparent lack of motivation, he explained that they haven’t been getting their salaries. Several Afghan police officers on the front lines in Kandahar before the city fell said they hadn’t been paid in six to nine months. Taliban payoffs have become ever more enticing.

I sure hope that the bags of money President Ghani left behind get recovered.  Would be a real tragedy if some corrupt Afghan cabinet minister didn’t end up with it.