WASHINGTON (CNN) - Two officials say President Obama is hosting a bipartisan, bicameral meeting with congressional leaders on the war in Afghanistan Tuesday afternoon, marking his first major bipartisan conclave on the issue in some time. Committee chairs and ranking members of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees will be on hand, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Carl Levin and Republican Sens. Richard Lugar and John McCain, among others.
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Great. I will be there!
Terrific idea. Let's see if the Republicans are indeed ready to work with the Democrats. I hope so. There is a lot of work to be done!
generals and military on the ground know better than any congressman or advisor. Listen to them.
We obviously need more Patreus and McChrystal and less dithering and self-absorbed Obama...
I look forward to hearing the knee-jerk reaction of the 'patriot' posters to this article; or are they still joyously defecating in their trousers over the Olympics going to Rio in, what 7 years? Have to hold on to something after all...once Palin's book entitled: 'how to buy the best wood for cross-burnin' loses its luster.
I hope this meeting is successful. This morning there was another terrible attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Looks like the latest Democrat President has the latest liberal lapdog in Gen Jones. Following in the line of Shinsecki.
I'm sure he just wants to brief both the majority and minority leadership on the status of the war. That is a smart thing to do as this is about national security. Sme of these guys, espcailly the Republicants have been complaining that they haven't been to the WHite House since April or May, as if they President don'r have enough on his plate already. Boy, am I glad we have a President in the White House who knows what in the world he's doing. As for the Right Wing Nuts, they are soo power drunk, its becoming ridiculous.
Why is it that people who have never served are quick to listen to the Generals on the ground when it comes to War??? Civilian authority over the military is what the Constitution states. Generals on the ground want war and will say anything and never say they are losing a battle. I say get out of there it is not worth it. How many more Americans must die?? Who the heck cares about the Taliban, we are there for Al Quaida wqho left for Africa.
Republicans and Democrats can argue about whether or not to go to war, but when we're already in a war, it's time to listen to the military.
A discussion of War Crimes perpetrated by Cheney Bush, and when we can get trials started.
(A law abiding citizen can only hope that justice is not a joke in America, cant he?)
We need a mission statement that outlines the "military" objective of Afganistan, and then give the military the assets that the military says it needs to acheive the "military" objectives assigned. The military can not acheive a political victory for our elected officials and they they need to come to terms with the difference between the two. By the way Afganistan is still the just war.
This is a very wise move. For the safety of American troops, we need every idea on the table. When an American solider dies, it is a loss to the entire country, not just to one political party. Every American interest should be at the table here...a nice departure from the past eight years.
Is this just for show!? This WH is becoming a PR machine and no more. We want a president in the WH, not a Photo-Op-resident!
Bipartisan????
We've already seen what bipartisanship is doing to the helathcare issue. Mainly showing the republicans feel bipartisanship menas they get what they want or they sall everything.
I applaud the effort but the folks on the other side are using it not to fix problems we all face, but to stall so they can point out that "nothing was done" when the mid term elections come.
Can this attempt at bipartisanship. It has proven ineffective and is being used as a toll by republicans to get back seats in the mid terms.
They WILL NOT deal in any way. They can only see THEIR way and feel any other ideas are "unamerican, pointless, or down right stupid".
Please, stop giving the republicans more voice than the electorate has given them .
We DO NOT need their obstructionism.
Let's hope they consider how important it is to have confidence and support our troops and military leaders who are trying to do a tough job.
All of this talk about other invaders who have had difficulties in the region is no more than a weak-minded distraction. Remember, the Taliban chose to protect Osam Bin Laden from us and fight for his cause. We made a sincere effort to avoid military confrontation but that was their choice.
We have to admit w/ glee that McCain is in the bipartisan group, consisting of a few pantheon of politicians, for Afghan strategy meeting. Machiavellian politics, apart, the members, as a small consortium, will do well to zero in on every aspest of the war-not just troop surge.
Stonewalling by the errin' factions should be avoided at all costs. Funding for the war should be cannibalized from various sources. No single member must act like a svengali. And finally, research funding for more precision and deadly weapons ought to be considered, long term.
So much better than making snap decisions, using slogans from the wild west movies and making a general mess of thing.
Do you think the Republicans will do what they've done all year and offer nothing save pouting and foot-stomping?
the war machine will have there main man macian there
McCain was invited as the entertainment. He'll lead the sing along with a wonderful version of Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran.
Hello Republicans? Are you listening or still drooling after Limbaugh and Beck? Listen to this great leader of yours who is inviting all americans to the table for a change. That is how you solve big crisis like Afghanistan. That is also how you show patriotism; not jumping up and down at America's loss of the 2016 Olympics for God's sake! Beck and Limbaugh have only exposed your ugly side America and please do not let them tarnish your image that is about to change with Obama.
The Canadian
In other words, "we Democrats have made a bigger mess of things. Let's get the Republicans in here to show us how to really fight a war and win it."
Also, if Obama still screws it up worse, he can at least say it was a bi-partisan failure and not a Democratic failure of leadership.
Too bad we don't have a President that can make the hard decisions anymore in the Oval Office, but instead is worried about being liked by his liberal buddies.
I am personally tired of hearing the Republicans take credit for the surge ! Was it not President's Bush administration, who fired there General when he said, they will need more troops to keep the peace ! I don't think the Republicans can offer any advice since bringing to the brink of failure !
Is this the dimocratic bipartisan way of supporting the republicans right to agree with the dimocrats, or true bipartisan of listening to good ideas no matter where they come from?
the last 9 months prove the former.
Obama's version of bipartisanship: have some GOP members over for a talk then go off and do whatever Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid want him to do.
Politicized war = Vietnam. Keep politics out of military planning! Obama is obviously not a great student of our past history.
Obama is a lot of things but a leader...I think not.
I am not a supporter of Obama, but I think that this is a smart thing to do. Not sure that he will get any clear cut advice that he can use from the Pols, but at least he asked them.
The new boss is starting to look a lot like the old boss.
Over the week-end, eight US soldiers lost their lives, while Secretary of Defense Gates sits on a report, and our president travels out of the country to try and get the olympics for Chicago. If this had been done under the Bush administration, then the liberals and their media outlets would have been screaming at the top of their lungs, but when it is a liberal president doing it, it seems to be okay. But I bet you one liberal won't address this point directly, they will respond with Obama inherited this mess, Bush started the war, Bush did this. Never the facts. Well here is one fact for the mighty Democrats. The first attack on the World Trade Center, by the same group that eventually destroyed it, was under Clinton's watch, as was the attack on the barracks in the middle east, and the USS Kole. There were no further attacks under the Bush administration, now we have terror plots popping up all over the place. But I guess everything is fixed now in this country. Unemployment is super low, no wait it isn't. Jobs are not being outsourced to other countries any more, no wait that isn't the case. The recession is over, no wait, the economy is improving but jobs aren't. Let me ask the all the Einsteins out there, if you don't have good jobs with disposable income, how is the econmy going to improve?
Let's hope they consider how important it is to have confidence and support our troops and military leaders who are trying to do a tough job.
All of this talk about other invaders who have had difficulties in the region is no more than a weak-minded distraction. Remember, the Taliban chose to protect Osam Bin Laden from us and fight for his cause. We made a sincere effort to avoid military confrontation but that was their choice.
WHo told you that, how do you know if we try diplomacy before war.. how do you know if the only purpose of the war was to content americans and kill two birds with one shot... now let me tell you something, diplomacy fail in afganistan, iraq, vietnam... if the taliban shoose to protect bin laden is because our failure to convince the middle easthern country, that our intention were good. once again diplomacy.. what we need to do is bring the taliban to the table of negotiation and forget all that pride that is just holding this country back.
Haha. Republicans vs Democrats. Maybe when some of you WAKE UP, you will realize as I did last year, there isn't a bit of difference between the 2. They BOTH want ALL your money, BIGGER governement, MORE control, and GIVE BACK NOTHING in return. I've always voted republican until this last election. I will NEVER vote Republicab again, since they are no longer consevatives, no matter how much they lie to you. And I'll never vote Democrat, since there visions violate our consitution so much by intervining in everyones personal life so much.
God knows Democrats don't know how to win, let alone, fight a war.
Itt's so laughable, looking at all these small minded snivilling conservative comments about Obama. This war has been going on for 8 years, Hmmm, I wonder who was president for the last 8 years and was more worried about Iraq? I see a president who has historically more on his plate than any combined president since FDR, working his tail off trying to stop the bleeding because his predecessor was so pre-occupied with his photo-Ops. Here, we have a man who has class and distinction and Yes, a work ethic! If his administration goes down the tubes its because of all the hate mongers mud slinging. If your real Americans, say something constructive or don't say anything at all!
Steve
I hope this one lasts longer than 20 minutes!
Simple solution. Pull the troops out and issue the following statement:
From this point forward, any acts of terrorism against the United States will result in the offender entering into a bilateral agreement with the United States to help us reduce our nuclear stockpiles. Your portion of the impromptu treaty will provide the site of the destruction of our warheads. Our portion of the treaty is to provide the warhead. By doing so, you will accelerate the rate of arms reduction on a global scale. These are the rules, break them at your own peril. Nuclear arms have provided an effective deterrent to war for years, we hope that is still the case. The choice is yours.
After all, do we really care what happens on a daily basis in Afghanistan?
I find it most interesting that we are worried about bipartisanship when our Soldiers are dying. Relay your bipartanship to the parents of those 8 Soldiers who died over the weekend. I also find it interesting that a retired general would say that there is not enough insurgents to inflict harm when we had the worst fight there in a very long time over the past weekend.
Here we go again. Let's comment on a meeting that will occur on Tuesday. It is on Monday after all, and we know ever so much more than our leaders. Why show respect – now that's a surprising thought.
We have to find the best way to deal with this situation. No one has the complete picture as to what is going on there, I doubt that any of the writers of these letters has been involved in the fighting there.
The men and women who are stationed in Afghanistan do not need us to make military decisions for them. I know i don't have the the ability or experience to do so. Let's leave it up to those who do and write our elected officials to work together on this issue. The lives of our military stationed in the area are at stake. We need to let elected officials know they must work together to solve the problems. Our military deserve nothing less.
Please ask the following questions:
1. What is the goal in the AF conflict?
2. How will we measure progress/lack of progress?
3. What is the exit criteria for success/failure?
The first question is the most important question.
We do not have the resources for Nation-building, which is exactly what winning Afghanistan would require. So I hope that the Generals, no matter their good intent, can see beyond the "mission objectives" and career longevity and get our troops out of there. If we are just loking to save face i.e. we'd hate to leave another military operation half finished, then take the number of troops the Generals are asking for then double it and we may at least save a few American lives.
Whatever Obama's decision it needs to be made quickly.
Did anyone forget the republicans have been involved with this war over 7 years and havent won it! Obama has been in office for less then a year. Give his administration a break please! This shouldnt be about republican vs. democrats. It should be about new ideas from both sides on how to win it. If we cant agree as a country we will be there for ever and in more debt. Does anyone see that the terrorists are bankrupting our country by puttting fear in to americans and creating a divide in our government.
It's too late. These decisions needed to be made last month. We need a decisive president with a plan, not an indecisive community organizer.
Maybe Barack Obama should first "hold a big meeting" on all the people in the USA losing their homes and struggling to pay their bills. Honestly, this President has done nothing to help anyone. No one even qualifies for the administration's mortgage relief program. What a joke. Cash for Clunkers - helped no one, oh except Japanese automakers and it padded the books for the economy.
learn from our history, dont repeat the same mistakes once again.. tradition, patriotism, pride is no more than a vanity.. think about the future, think about global peace and prosperity, changes for the good of humanity , education, globalization, a better world for our kids.. STOP THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF>>> once again why put all this burden on our kids future. they don't care about vanities.. they care about a free world of nuclear weapons, free of hunger, peace and harmony.
thank you
Um why is Obama wanting ideas from everybody besides his commanders on the ground????
I am glad to see that the administration is trying prioritize their efforts. We are starting to see that a great speaker with little executive experience has a hard to time 'leading;' go figure. Maybe he should try listening to his generals on the ground instead of his advisors. As this administration's time continues to go forward, I would never have thought to actually observe that the Bush years were actually not that bad...at least they could make a decision on SOMETHING.
"bipartisan".........what a joke. This administration and the Democrats wouldn't know what "bipartisan" is even if it slapped them in the face.
How many more boys need to die before the President on training wheels can make a decission? Husseign said this is a neccessary war. But the loony left will not let him fight it and wants to surrender.
Obama's strategy is thoughtful and deliberative. He doesn't "shoot from the hip" like Bush and Cheney. Look where that got us! I have no doubt he will arrive at the best solution after consultation with his generals and diplomatic advisors. Congress – not so much. Most of the warmongers in Congress would like us to go over to Afghanistan like the Russians did for ten years and still get defeated and go bankrupt on top of it all. Remember – those who refuse to heed the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.
So how come the media isn't keeping a body count like they did with Pres. Bush? We heard about everynight. Now you don't hear a word. Imagine that!
Maybe his commanders on the ground think that if you have a hammer, every solution looks like a nail.
The Russians are laughing their ass off – Reagan ended the cold war by arming the Taliban and keeping the Soviets tied up in Afghanistan for 10 years, bankrupting the Soviet Union..........
They don't teach history to commanders on the ground, just killing.
John McCain can't lead or follow but he can get out of the way.
Mr. Obama promised change and we elected him. Now we are increasing troops in Afganistan and are spending money we don't have. He is going the opposite direction of what he promised. This is change – for the worse.
Do you mean you need decisions made in such a way as the idiot former bushie did with lies and misinformation to the American people? So you want the president to make a rash decision with American lives, billions of dollars, then head to the ranch so often like the idiot bushie did? The GOP is quick and rash to go to war but NOT SO QUICK TO HELP AMERICAN FAMILIES WITH HEALTH CARE AND JOBS. The gop is a failure and is despised around the world and in America. It is shameful to call yourself part of the gop.
The Afghanistan war is due to 9/11 attack on us by Al-Qaeda with the help of Taliban. The 9/11 attackers were mostly Saudis trained as terrorists in Afghanistan. Even today the Taliban fighters are mostly financed by underground Saudi money.
This is very clear that we should demand Saudis to put there military and the oil money on this war in Afghanistan against Taliban. If we are going to defend Saudi family to stay in power with the help of American Military power than Saudis need to come through to solve the problem that was started with their citizens. In fact Bin Laden is a Saudi as well. We should also challenge NATO and others to get involve and let them know the consequences if we walk away from this problem, they have more to loose. More troops and money is needed to fight this war so the world needs to share the burden.
Obama campaigned that this was going to be his war. He said that Iraq was a mistake and that Afghanistan was where we had to fight. So, where are the troops? And it is his General that is asking for the troops… but he’s only had time to talk to him once? I suppose another beer summit or failed bid at the Olympics is more important. What a joke, republicans have already said they believe in adding troops. This is a scam by our pres….. again. Besides, Bush tried to include the Dems over and over and look where it got him. Maybe Obama should try being president instead of pretending.
I worked in the Department of Defense for 30 years, Pqtreus and McChrystal will suggest what is best for the military. In their mind, what is best for the military has to be what is best for America and this is not always true. We shouldn't just give the military everything they want every time, we need objective thought from all sides.
Terrific idea. Let's see if the Democrats are indeed ready to work with the Republicans. I hope so. There is a lot of work to be done!
Worst leadership ever seen! Obama is a horrible leader and wants to talk about everything and we never see this so called "change" we keep hearing about. Get his butt out of office! Where is Reagan when we need him? Wasting my tax dollars on liberal horse crap and earmarks to "stimulate" the economy and then use MY tax dollars to have two people to the white house to talk about racism when the true issue is one person not listening to an officer of the LAW giving orders to a human being. Trump would have fired him a loooong time ago. Facist government for the next 3 years get ready for inflation and more economic toil.
Good for him! Everyone needs to have a voice in this. But, if the Bush Administration had not taken their eyes off the ball and fought a personal war in Irag, Afghanistan would have been solved years ago. Just think of the billions of American dollars that have been spent in Iraq. We need to tell the Taliban that we aren't taking anymore of this and airstrike their camp sites. Get the people of Afghanistan the water, agriculture, and schools they need and get out!
This is ludacris... we need to take action before they take further action against us. The time for talk is over its time to move forward in our efforts against terrorism!!!
what a pity! we went to Iraq with all our resources and failed.
and now afganistan which is the empire killer. Mongols, British,Soviets failed in afganistan. we will too. so get out of there now before loosing our whole empire.
Obama will keep replacing military leaders until he gets one that agrees with him as to what needs to be done.
It's about time. This is what I was afraid of, no military experince... First thought get Reid and Pelosi out of the meeting...
Time to ... or get or the pot !!!
Soldiers are dieing out there.. WE NEED A VIABLE STATEGY NOW !!
If you don't know what this means, don't comment! This is where the war really was from the begining! Iraq – never should have happened. The training wheels comment came from an bush supporter the elected him twice – talk about training wheels. The comment about people loosing their homes needs to be focused to the right group. You know, the group who yelled and complained about give-aways to people who got in over their heads, without thinking that responsible people lost their jobs! Again anger focused at the wrong guy.
Afganistand lacks the al Quieda reasoning now because they are now in Somalia, Pakistand,Yemen, Sudan and any other lawless country. The Taliband were hosts and only in the way. We really don't need to fight them anymore, they have an elected (?) government. Let them stand up for themselves the same as Iraq.
We need to focus on our economy, safty and other needs. Let's get on with the business of America
Can we please stop pointing fingures and just get on with correcting the problem! If I had a dime for everytime a Dem or Repub pointed a fingure of blame I would not be in debt anymore!
Politics aside, it's sadly disheartening to think that normal people - not politicians, of course; they thrive on polarization - are so easily swayed by ideologues like Limbaugh or Beck who, if you actually heard what they're saying, contradict themselves daily. The simple fact is that you wouldn't blame a fireman for the burning building. So why, after eight years of incredulous, go it alone, Cold War (ie: them vs. us) minded politics, during which our country - once a beacon of freedom, democracy, and stability - has been torn asunder and left but a divided husk of it's former self, would you blame the guy who has been hired to put out the flames? If Bush had been a democrat, and his administration's failed policies had left our nation as crippled as it is, and Obama were a republican it'd be the same rhetoric, simply from other sides of the aisle. People like Limbaugh are the villains we despise in good movies or stories. Why would you ever allow them to poison your mind with words that only seem to make coherent sense, on a day to day basis, when they involve racial epithets or evil, dirty things you'd probably wash your kid's mouth out for. Beck is an idiot. Both of them make a living fanning the flames of intolerance and division. Why not put them out of business, America? I thought we were supposed to stand together?
Obama didn't start this war folks: The Al Qaida started this struggle.Your tenacious leader George W. and Donald Rumsfeld under funded this war so now it feels like we're just starting over. The American economy has been weakened over the last 2 decades and history shows that more troops will not stop the insurgency. This struggle requires diplomacy with the aid of globalization. The more Obama uses consensus the better off you will be. Obama will ultimatley listen to the bankers,and the generals. The American public will not decide the terms of this struggle the rest of the world will.
We elected a person who can talk but not lead.
We have seen no "change"
Just a bigger deficit.
Here's the new Afghan plan,
Let's give health care to all terrorists who are in the country illegally. Maybe there is a chance the subway bombers will visit a psychiatrist and get cured. Prevention is better than reaction. That's why health care is such a national emergency.
Take your time Mr. President. George Bush had 3 months to decide on the surge in Iraq, you're entitled to take your time when you're putting MORE American Troops in harms way. We certainly don't want any rushed decisions like Iraq, or any more wasted years in Afghanistan while the Taliban controls 80% of the country.
hurry up and overwhelm the country, and start carpet bombing the taliban. The US is caught up on being a moral fighter. However, do you notice, the Marines, are Not. As a Service Member myself, I don't want to go into a war zone with my hands tied behind my back. Start Killing the Enemy and as a Nation, be proud that we did so. It is unfortunate, however, until the Taliban, and or a few Misguided Islamic Extremist see mass casualties that we have inflicted upon, whatever 15 year old boy or 60 year old man, that wants to save the poppy fields, they are not going to stop. The US needs to be relentless on this war, and not worry what the rest of the world thinks of us, as we are killing our enemies. Let the Army Kill.....and not Police. That is the Army's Job. It is to Kill. And that is what we have to do.Kill
There's something wrong with this country.
We don't know how to fight dirty wars. We didn't win in Vietnam, hard time winning in Iraq, Somalia, now hard time winning in Afganastan.
We need to go under cover, maybe hire the Mafia, the French Foreign Legion, or hire 100,00 mercinaries. We need to do something different. I don't know the answer, but you would think the military, the press, and the politicians would get the message, "do someting different, legal or illegal". Where's is that Yankee ingenuity??
nice to see the American people getting involved in politics. Just make some sense. America doesnt deserve a smart president like Obama. Obama come to Canada and be our prime minister.
I suspect nothing will change. Obama is trying to lead from the rear, and I'm sorry, but that just isn't possible. If you want to be President, you have to "lead"... take risks, and point the way. He is hurting our soldiers and marines over there and I'm getting tired of it. We need a clear strategy, a clear vision, and decisive action. Stop trying to have both ways Mr. Obama. You aren't being a leader and if you aren't capable of it, resign right now. Either define winning or get out. Don't abuse our military any further. It's this simple: envision a solution, set a direction and make a decision. Otherwise, ask yourself this... what do they call a leader with no followers? You are heading in that direction, right now, Mr. Obama.
The war is being waged wether you like it or not. Pulling out now just makes ourr enemies stronger. Once in you've got to finish it off. I fear that if we leave now....we'll be back after suffering another attack. Obama needs to stand up to the weak kneed left wingers and get the military whar they need. You can say what you will about GWB but he stood his ground and made us safe.
Its nice to see a president actually think things through from all angles rather than just killing out kids in combat without thinking. Bush was a muderer and I hope he goes to prision. Mr President, thank you for actually taking a commen sense approach.
I'm glad to see Obama is taking his time and making what will be hopefully a good decision since making the wrong decision could be disastrous for US foreign policy, American military families and the government of Afghanistan.
Would all of you just shut the heck up and let the man do his job. It is amazing what he has accomplished with such a freaking mess he was left by Bush.
Q. Why did we go to Afghanistan? Stop Alquida.
Q. Why are we still there? Imperializm according to the Afghan people.
Q. How long do we need to stay? Forever according to our generals.
Q. For what purpose? To build up a friendly government in the middle east.
Q. Seen Osama? Everyone has put him on the back burnner. Would be more easily taken care of in a covert operation any way.
Q. How many Alquida are left in Afghanistan? According to the pentagon about 100.
Does this seem to you that the U.S. needs to spend trillions of dollars and waste thousands more of american lives? I think the president needs to re-think his stratagy and bring our troops home now. The trillions we save can more than pay for his health care plan. Something positive being done in this country will go a long way in economic recovery.
His own people are telling him he needs more troops. Wonder who is going to win, 'His people' or 'Move On'?
So i guess all the people on here can do the job better than the President? negative comments are pure ignorant. Let the man do his Job. whatever he decides wont please everybody. Esp these republicans. Some want out, some want more troops , some say this is necessary, and some say its unecessary. How about you all as a group decide which stance on the war to complain about first, then criticize the president after that. oh wait, that will take 8 years to come to an agreement about
****At this Moment if a repeat of the 2008 Presidential election were held today.. Who would you vote for, knowing the course that current President Barrack Obama has taken?
Democrate – Barrack Obama,
Republican – John McCain
Independent – Micheal Moore (wasnt on the ticket)
Obama set the current strategy in March. He picked McCrystal to be the guy to execute that strategy in May. Now when McCrystal says he needs 40,000 more troops to avoid defeat, Obama waffles. Is he going to support our troops or not?
Anyone with a brain knows it is better to have a PLAN & not just GUNS AND WAR AND FIGHTING, before you embark upon A WAR.
what generals on the ground? Do the generals listed to their commanders, and down . . . I doubt it . . . . Please stop saying Generals on the ground . . . it sounds like a political statement . . . The one reason we are not doing good in the public eye is because only the few are sacrificing, the rest is enjoying reality show and thinking how do i win the next election . . . . BUT shame on you that utter the word loosing the war for the sake of selling your paper or just making a point . . . . . . . . . . shame, shame . . .
The committment of Amercian lives and resources deserve a thorough analysis. America's overthrow of the Taliban was out sourced to teh Northern Allinace. Had teh US committed 3 division and used a hammer and anvil strategy teh majority of teh Taliban and Al Queda wouild ahve been killed or captured before they reached teh mountains of eastern Afghanistan.
To reach teh proper decisons we ned to first understand our goals:
Everyone looking for changes. Let obama make very good change for the world.
American president should think for the American people
Lot of people without jobs and lot of issue in America
Wasting money in Afhan is not going to help anything for america
If someone doing wrong then invite them and arrange good education to remove wrong doing and do good deed to them
By god willing all problem will solved. Please spread peace.
Spending money on war is nothing going to help for American people
Please spread peace to humanitiy
Leaving Afghanistan is not an option. Doing so will be catastrophic. The President campaigned on this being the "just war". If this is true, we need to act like it. The solution will not be easy nor painless, regardless of the path chosen.
Man the armchair politicians are alive and well. If this was such a straight forward solution, most Americans should run for president and solve the world's problems. Otherwise, ask yourselves this: Why are people being so critical of Pres. Obama? Were you equally critical of prior presidents? Probably. But we are in a more stressful time as a nation and it makes every molehill a mountain. The problem with this approach is that we rarely have ever made good decisions when alot is at stake, as a nation, hastily. Time is essential to information analysis and understanding the BEST solution. Why don't we AMERICAN's take our foot off the gas pedal/panic button and calm down, rationally make moves and continue to build this great nation. Criticism abounds but actual well thought out, nonpartisan "bipartisan" solutions are rare these days.
My 2.
You don't listen to the generals anymore, NOW you listen to those Mothers, those Soldiers dying overseas for what !.. for long seven years and what we create overthere more hate agains americans. We have to stop trying to impose our traditions, values by the used of force.. RESPECT the most fundamenatal value of humanity, something that we don't know how to exercise. We need to bring the taliban to the table is our only smart shoice. more troops means more SOldiers in harms way.. less troop.. sense of weakness and lack of control (leadership).
It is very funny to see how Barack Obama is supposed solve every problem the Bush administration left for him in a matter of 9 months. Why is it that people have such selective memories on topics such as TWO wars that have been going on for 8 years an economy that tanked last year during the campaign. He said repeatedly during the campaign that it would take a long time to fix the issues left over from the previous administration, when did a long time become 9 months....... americans are so spoiled we all suffer from "I want what I want and I want it now" school of thinking, we all need to take a look in the mirror before set out to judge the efforts of others
Afghanistan is where empires go to die. The British did. The Soviet Union did And America will too. Just as Hitler should have learned from Napolean that it was suicidal to invade Russia, the U.S. needs to look at history and end this sisyphean task of "democratizing" Afghanistan.
America is perpetually at war. We live in a totally corporatist environment in which imaginary threats are inflated to extreme volume in order to frighten an already neurotic populace into submission; anyone who doesn't understand this is blind. The military-industrial complex, with such a massive stranglehold on the system, will always be setting up it's next excursion at the expense of the tax payer. I'm tired of it.... We need to mature
When we allowed ourselves to be distracted by Iraq, that window of opportunity went away, and it isn't coming back. Now we are simply involved in another faraway country with a foreign culture we don't understand attempting to prop up a government that is increasingly steeped in corruption. With shades of Vietnam we can be sure that hatred for our presence will only grow the longer we stay.
Fact is barack campaigned to send more troops to Afghan, made statements like 'Iraq is lost, lets focus on Afghan,' settled on a strategy in March and has yet to follow through with any of it. Now barack wants to 'review the strategy' (the one he decided on in March) yet has wasted days toying with Olympic nonsense. barack has once again proven he is all talk, has no idea how to be a leader and cannot make difficult decisions.
First of all, Reagan couldn't even find Afghanistan on a map, let alone know that a liberal, Democrat from Texas named Charlie Wilson was funding the Taliban against the Soviets. And, this alone wasn't what brought the Soviets to their knees, they were well on their way long before the Liberal Democrat from California acted his way into the oval office.
Ok, we dont do Vietnam, whats with the hands-off going after these guys wherever they are (Pakistan). MY ATTITUDE – WAR -IS WAR – NO RULES, JUST GET IT OVER WITH, USE EVERY WEAPON POSSIBLE.. THESE GUYS ARE A CANCER ON SOCIETY.
Now how about, Issuing the following ultimatum, to Iran, or whomever. One more time, and Mecca is toast !!!
None of Obama's actions (or lack thereof) surprise me. This guy is bad for America in the worst way. I tried to warn folks, but nope, we wanted change – not another "4 years". Well, all I gotta say is I sure as hell didn't vote for him!!!
To quote Bush: "This is a dangerous world, and this cat isn't remotely qualified to handle it. This guy has no clue, I promise you."
Glad to see Obama is now consulting those his party calls racist and nazis. Impeach Obama now, hope is not a plan
FWIT, BHO can't even face Sean Hannity! Was BHO ever a Cub Scout? Did BHO ever even run a candy store? As Joe Biden said to his face during the campaign, and I paraphrase, "Becoming President does not lend itself to on the job training!" This guy is the laughing stock of the world. The military couldn't have a worse Commander in Chief. Well, Jimmy Carter is right up there with him I think.
It's good to see the president isn't just rushing a decision to either increase troops or withdraw from Afghanistan. This isn't a decision you simply make over night and I'm glad to see he is taking the time to make sure he hears the voices of everyone, not just people in his own political party.
Even if Obama ends up making a decision I don't agree with on this issue I can at least appreciate that he put some thought behind it.
It is time to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan!
This is a huge waste of money, energy, attention and human lives.
We should be focusing on our economy and helping countries where there is the greatest poverty and natural disasters.
It is time for a real change!
Sooo.....they meeting to discuss what already had been discussed so many times....humm....ok.
Let's see...they are planning, and then they're going to plan some more...I see....I see.
Strategy!
Let's plan the strategy!
Gee! life is good! Let's get together and do some planning.....
God have mercy on US.
This from the same president who vetoed the military pay raise? Now you know why most military vote Republican or Indy by default...Clinton vetoed the raise every year except one also. The military pay is now falling further and further behind private sector. Surprisingly, the Dem led Congress voted FOR the raise prior to Obama throwing the veto. To me, it shows the perfect example of "talking from both sides of the face".
Invitations went out to all who have given him mirrors as gifts.
For Mr. Mantle-You think McCain would have done better? Besides, the money we DID have was torched by the previous administration. Your revisionist history skills are truly remarkable!
FACT: Obama has ALREADY put in 20,000 additional troops.
Does this make him weak? Unable to make a decision? I don't think so.
Remember, the military wants to follow the CHAIN OF COMMAND.
Bush was the only President to go around his Joint Chiefs and Centcom Leader to talk directly to a Field Commander.
That's a no-no.
Don't rewrite "what's expected" based upon Bush's behavior.
Look where that got us.... 8 YEARS... in Af/Pak and still no end in sight.
Oh, yeah... Generals know best? Then we would have had WW III and mutual destruction back during th Cuban Missle Crisis when General LeMay wanted to go in and BOMB the heck out of Cuba.
Kennedy wisely told him to cool his jets.
Please call Sarah Palin for her advice, certainly could not be worse than Obama and Biden, by the way where is Biden today? He is trying to help that fool Chris Dodd say his tail, This my friends tells me where this administrations priorities are.
OMG...what will we do? It's been 258 days and the Obama administration has not solved all the problems it took the Bush crowd 2,920 days to create. Get over it.
Yes, More talk while our soldiers die... all because of lack of leadership! Obama doesn't want to have this War effect his slipping poll numbers, so he will spread the blame as far across party lines as possible.
For over seven years the Republicans turned their backs on the Afghanistan war, didn't listen to the commanders and focussed on Iraq. Now they are supposed to have the answers for this war. How hypocritical. It appears Pres. Obama is listening carefully to all sides of the issue and will then make a pragmatic, logical decision. Isn't that what leaders are supposed to do?
EDIT! Through Afghanistan. Sorry everyone! My brain is in too many places. Proofreading is good!
Bipartisan? Were the families of soldiers who died in Afghanistan invited? Were the families of soldiers currently there invited? Think they would have something to tell this bipartisan gang?
We went to Afghanistan to do a job, lets do it right once and for all. Keep the politicians out of the way, keep the president out of the way. Let the military once and for all show what we are made off.
On the President: Please stop appologizing and take care of defending the USA and its friends instead of appeasing everyone. Get rid of half of the gronnies that you brough to the WH including Acorn and be an example of a truly USA president, not just a figure head.
a note: from now on, the position of USA president should require previous active service in the armed forces, minimum 1 years of combat experience or 5 years of military leadership.
Shinseki GOT FIRED for telling the truth....
that Iraq would need about 200,000 troops to "do right" and "secure the country".
How correct he was. Too bad Bush didn't "LISTEN TO HIS GENERALS".
Oh, that's right... Rumsfield, and Bush should only "LISTEN TO HIS COMMANDERS ON THE GROUND" when they agree with the party line.
How funny is that? Look how the worm is turning.
Let's see, Obama told the voters he thought Afghanistan was the right war when he bashed Bush. He also promised his left wing supporters that he would draw down the troops by engaging in more active diplomacy. How can he live up to both politcally expedient promises?
Bipartisan meeting???? With Bonehead and that queer Mitch McConnell?? Obama should send those two to ihe war zone and leave them there. Republicans are very nasty animals.
Come on, he said he would pull out of Iraq and focus on Afghanistan. It seems to me that people who supported him should remember that. While you may not support war, or that war, he is keeping his word.
Lugar is the only person on that list that is smart enough to have a valid opinion.
The news that the president has met only once with Gen Mcchrystal is truly frightening. A commander in chief of a county meets his top general only once since june this year in the midst of a war.
Pure politics and US needs to keep tabs on the money being pumped into pakistan which is being funelled back to the taliban. The president is bidding time not to send troops for the sake of partisan politics . Was he not the one who suggested that the troops should be in Afghanistan instead of Iraq ?
What bothers me most about this situation is that isn't wasn't even being addressed until he was called out on it and started getting negative press. Then, and only then, does he decide to address it. This is NOT leadership!
I always wonder what kind of people voted for and elected this man to be our president... NOT ME! Everyone got so wrapped up in how this man can speak and how charming he is... but the people who voted for him didn't think about how'll he run the country – which in my opinion has gotten worse.
I see all these comments where everyone has opinion. For all those that think we should send more troops HAVE YOU EVER SERVED YOUR COUNTRY? IN THE MILITARY? If you havent then SHUT UP because all of you are a pack of gutless cheerleaders that lack the courage to serve..
People are dying. This is no time for partisan backbiting and posturing. The issue is simple. What is the best way to preserve our feedom and way of life. Everything else ( education, health care, the environment) means nothing if we are deprived of our freedom.Protecting our freedom could mean( notice use of conditional verb) that we stay in Afghanistan for another ten years. Conversely, perhaps the best way to preserve our freedom is to withdraw, build a fortress America which allows few if any people to penetrate our borders and harbors. The truth is somewhere in between. but to equate Afghanistan to Viet Nam or even to Afghanistan 30 years ago is inaccurate. It's a different time and place . That doesn't mean we need a 'surge' but it may. Just keep us free Make a decision and stick to it..
The reason we are in such bad shape in Afghanistan, is that we diverted most of our resources to Iraq for so long. Bush decided to open another front in the war, and now Obama must try to salvage the job that should have been completed first.
Why do all these bachseat drivers in Washington think they they know more than the General Obama selected? Why not put a robot in charge in Afganistan and direct him from the Whitehouse?
LES
How does one decide to place on the back burner such an issue as one that takes our childrens lives each and every day? Are we about to live through another Johnson fiasco where the truth we get is not the truth our men and women die from? Our president had eight months to consider this situation and requires time now? I am astonished at this and wonder what my vote put into place.
For all you arm chair second guessing the President types:
This WILL NEVER BE A MILITARY SOLUTION SOLELY!!!!
The President is being deliberate. Has nothing to do with inexperience in making a decision. You Republican/Conservatives WASTED 8 YEARS with a bogged down incohesive strategy, yet you want to name call this president simply because a general went to the press. MacArthur was fired too ya know.
Bottom line, The Afghans themselves must step up. If Karzai is unwilling, we are wasting our time. Politically, now that winter is about to set in fighting will slow down, it's time to bring all parties, including the Taliban to the table. Forget this "nation building/ new democracy" stuff, work with the tribal leader and Taliban to insure Al Queda does not have a haven ever again. Secondly, and they are kinda doing it now, Pakistan must work on their borders so there are no safe havens.
Be glad we have someone "thinking" over here, so we don't have to fight them here.
Who cares if the taliban comes back to power in afghanistan? Big woop! They can have parades and everything for all I care. The argument that they could possibly provide a haven for Al Queda is hogwash. If we were to try to occupy everyplace on the globe that could be a haven for Al Queda, we might as well start building the Death Star and get it over with. Why don't we worry about where Al queda is, instead of where they might be in the future.
The sooner this rookie Obama leaves the White House the better. This is what you get when you elect a know-nothing former community agitator to the highest office in the land. What the hell were people thinking last November!!!!!! I feel sorry for those who have loved ones in the military with this bozo as their CIC. Regarding the latest attack in Afghanistan – It has been reported that the militants launched the attack from a mosque. Do you think Obama will order that mosque be destroyed??? Yeah, right!!! Obama and the Democrat's rules of engagement imposed on our forces will only get more American troops killed.
I'll trust the General. I KNOW he's got the best welfare of the American people in mind.
It will be interesting to see how Hobama squeezes out of this one.
Obama did not change anything about our war strategy on Iran, who has been the target all along. Really, what would we do with Iraq (when Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have the oil fields) or Afghanistan (who has... drugs and cheap explosives...?) when Iran has money, esteem, a real nuclear threat, and a crazy suicidal president AND supreme religious leader.
Why do you think we have established/are establishing a strong military presence on either side of Iran? Do you really think we care about the crap countries on either side? Nope, we're setting up a squeeze play. Obama didn't really do squat but listen to his generals, just like Bush and Cheney. Oh, and turn us into socialists, but that's another story.
get out of the middle east and everything will become way more clear.
More American blood shed while these people sit around trying to figure out what to do or are flying off to Copehhagen only to come back with egg on the face. Obama does not know what he is doing.
All natural, you have no clue. Reagan won the cold war, because he stood up to the Russian head on. Sure he used the Afghans revolt against the Russians to the US's advantage, but he took on the Soviet Communism Head on. You say the General's need a history lesson. You have no Idea what kind of training a U.S. Military General Officer Goes through. BTW: maybe the media only shows the destruction and explosions of the war...sure cause it's sexy and it gets rating. However, America has done more for the Country of Afghanistan, in rebuilding that government, than any Country has ever thought about. Maybe if you weren’t smoking pot and excepting Welfare checks as you complain about our military, and got a real job, than you'd see the light.
If we had kept our promises of aid and support after we got the Russians out, we probably wouldn't be up to our neck in this stuff! Now that we are, you can't just withdrawl easily! We spend the last eight years denying these things, doesn't Washington think it time to come up with a plan?
Obama has no idea what he's doing. He's made the economy worse, has ignored afganistan while our kids are getting killed. This is the problem with electing a fraud with no experience. Stop Obama now!
Policy says send more troops. Re-election politics says don't send more troops and hopes all won't fall apart before the next presidential election.
This President was not a student of history because he was high in school. Won't even show you his grades or what he wrote.
Now that's a lot of things, but a leader? NOT.
he forgot to invite the three other major political parties..CHRYSLER...GENERAL MOTORS......WALL STREET....
Obama's war in Afghanistan is not going well. Is it key to his war against terrorism?
Why is everyone so shocked that members of congress should be a part of any plan regarding Afghanistan? Maybe you are right, inviting the people who hold the stings to the purse is stupid...
Let's allow our leaders to get together, share ideas, debate on what will and will not work, and from all of that, build a plan with support on all sides, that makes good sense, and will acheive our goals for Afghanistan. It is sad that so many Americans are against discussion on the great issues of our time.
For my two sons who are in the middle east and for my wife who is perparing to go I hope and pray that he listens to those are trained and understand first hand what is going on . Cause it is quite apparent that you do not get nor can you understand what the feel is thousands of miles away. I pray daily that it can be over but fighting a cause and not a country is different . Hell we have never been able to control GANGS in our own back yards.
Spending American dollars in Afghanistan and thinking that they will be your friends? Even U.S. military holds the whole country, there will be a place for Taliban to hide. Then what, is U.S. gonna invade Pakistan too? It's like a guy hit you, and you try to destroy his house and saying he got no place to hide.
LET me make it clear......
NO COUNTRY HAS EVER PUT MORE EFFORT INTO THE REBUILDING OF THE AFGHAN COUNTRY, IT'S ECONOMY, PEOPLE AND CULTURE THAN THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS NOT LIKE RUSSIA, THEY WENT TO TAKE OVER AND DESTROY, RAPE AND PILLAGE. THEY ONLY BULT INFRASTRUCTOR IF IT WAS TO THIER MILITARY ADVANTAGE. THEY WERE COMMUNIST AND SOCIALIST. President Obama can deliberate, meet and discuss the options all he wants too, that's his responsibility. However, soldier's are dying and a decision needs to be made. Be a leader, make a decision and stick with it. Bush may have made some mistakes, but at least he was a leader.
I first met Stan McChrystal 20 years ago. He's honest and to-the-point; and he's a warrior. Tell him the desired military endstate, he'll tell you the resources he needs to make that happen, and if you give him the resources he'll deliver. We talk about failing to learn the lessons of history; don't forget the lesson we (should have) learned when the White House micromanaged the war in Vietnam.
What is needed now is support from the American people. There is a lot more involved then any of us could even phathom to understand. There is no clear cut line. The intracies of war are never simple and there are human lives at stake every single second. There are no simple solutions. Instead of the bad mouthing and mud slinging do the research and lets see what kind of solution you can come up with. Your words of critisim do nothin. They don't change things or make anything better. They are empty words that only show your lack of inteligence. If any of you have any faith or belief in God or a higher power, the best advice I can offer is to start praying. Your troops need all the support we can offer.
Fortunately for our country, the President is willing to listen to other key leaders in our government, unlike the many liberals who have posted on this board.
Let's hope, however, that this will be the last delay tactic and the President actually acts. We can't surrender to the people who attacked us, we'll be attacked repeatedly for years if we withdraw.
No troop addition. Concentrate the forces we have. Ask the question "Why do we need to be here?" Think about Teddy Roosevelt, walk softly and carry a big stick. Use the big stick as often as necessary.
What? Why does he need a bipartisan meeting concerning Afghanistan? He is the Commander in Chief! It's time for him to start acting like it... he needs to listen to the generals, defense secretary and advisors... all that can come of inviting the "politicians" is more crap being spewed on the floors of the House and Senate, by both sides... look at that list, too! Is this is the best we can do?
It's good to see he's taking the issue seriously enough to talk to some of the key military leaders. However, he should be meeting with his miiltary leaders at length separately and THEN meet with congressional leaders. Having all those folks involved in one big meeting (without a major military meeting first) sends a clear message that the intent here is a political solution or political cover, not an answer to the military issues on the ground.
Whatever his solution, Obama should make it fast, either:
- Pull out, admitting failure, admitting that his claim of Afghanistan's importance was so much eyewash, and dealing with all the follow-on negative consequences.
- Stay the current course, with no more troops and ever tighter rules of engagement (ala Johnson in Vietnam), with a long, slow, somewhat bloody march toward something that can be claimed as a victory or stalemate
- Send more troops with clear objectives and clear exit criteria, get in and get the mission done, and then pull back to a planned long-term posture
Why waste time with the republicans. They are not going to do anything more than obstruct.
Bring the Troops Back home.
We can protect ourselves from Terrorists by Strengthening our Homeland Security.
Going after Terrorists in other Countries is more expensive and puts our troops in Harms way.
There is no chance for bi-partisanship with the hateful extremist ideologues who run 1601 now.
What? Why does he need a congressional bipartisan meeting? He is the Commander in Chief! He needs to begin acting like it! He needs to listen to his advisors and generals and make a decision. But bringing a group of politicians is just unnecessary... letting this group have a say will turn this thing into a bigger catastrophe than the healthcare debate! Let them stay in Congress and do their jobs and Obama can go back to the White house and do his... which is leading the armed forces in a time of war!
It was Clinton that got us into Afghan-and don't tell me otherwise.I was one of the first to go back in '97.. Clinton had no plan, Bush had no plan and now this guy has no plan. I agree that decisions should have been made months ago. Now It's too late; as opposed to the olympics side show....
Good for Pres. Obama. The war in Afghanistan is not occurring in a vaccum! The President has to consider all aspects of military, economic, political, diplomatic and American national security in EVERY sphere when making decisions in ONE arena. Every decision affects things going on in other areas. One mistake (like going in to Iraq for fake WMDs) could tragically affect operations and plans in other areas (like Afghanistan). I am now inclined more than ever that McChrystal and others (Republicans) are trying to publically box the President in (very unbecoming of a Senior Officer!) for political and personal reasons....Refuse to be manipulated Mr. President. If sending more troops in the best strategy for American security then do so. If not, change course. You are the Commander-In-Chief and are not beholden to the games and shenanigans of political partisans (even if they are highly decorated military men or women).
WHY? He's not going to do anything the GOP suggests. And that is the right thing. He's more interesting in protecting the muslims and anti-Americans, along with the ACLU.