Wage War not Directives

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In the movie Aliens, after being directed not to use a list of weapons, one of the characters asked his commanding officer, "What are we supposed to use, harsh language?!" For the United States soldiers fighting in Afghanistan the question may be the same. 

While being attacked US fighting forces are having to check through a series of directives meant to reduce civilian causalities before even returning fire.

"This is not how you fight a war, at least not in Kandahar," said a soldier at the outpost who described the incident, which occurred last month, on the condition of anonymity. "We've been handcuffed by our chain of command."  (The Washington Post)

This is exactly why Democrats are lousing at war. War is hell. War is defeating and destroying the enemy. Sometime that means even destroying the enemies will to fight.That is not what our troops are being directed to do.

Ann Coulter says, "Based on Obama’s rules of engagement for our troops in Afghanistan, we’re apparently not even fighting a war. The greatest fighting force in the world is building vocational schools and distributing cheese crackers to children."

Directing soldiers to not fight is like telling Mohammad Ali not to jab, Michael Jordan not to slam-dunk, Albert Pujos not to hit a home run, do you get the point?

Personally I believe Afghanistan is not the place to fight. But President O-Bomb-Us has decided we will wage "war" in Afghanistan. OK then, destroy the enemy and get out!

June the deadliest month for NATO troops

I repeat: It is time to get out of Afghanistan! The Washington Post's article explains the numbers a bit.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/24/AR2010062401446.html

I am curious why it was stupid for Bush but smart for Obama? Why we are out of Iraq after basically following Bush's timetable, but wandering around Afghanistan looking for guys in turbans and getting blown up?

Get us out of Afghanistan Mr. President!

That's what I say, what about you!

President Obama, get out of Afghanistan

What’s going on in Afghanistan? America is becoming weary of the…counter-insurgence? The offensive? The what? Again I ask; what are we doing in Afghanistan? The Washington post has a piece entitled, “Concern on Capital Hill about Afghanistan war grows.” Both Democrats and Republicans are concerned and anxious about our presence and our strategy.

Does this administration know what it is doing? There is a government that is seeking to be democratic. We seem to have decent relations with them. Now, get out. Stop trying to “help these people” and let them help themselves. This is turning into another Vietnam. The Vietnamese had tunnels in the jungle. The terrorists and Taliban use caves and tunnels. It is just an unwinnable gofer chase. Get us out!

Thus saith me.

Time to go, Mr. President.

OK, it's time to get out of Afghanistan. Gallant effort, but it's not a place to wage a ground war. The country ate up the Soviet Union, now it's eating us up. I do think it may have been the right thing to do to try to focus on Afghanistan, but, it is the graveyard of nations isn't it? Maybe a different tactic, like covert operations. Small groups that go in take a few shots and get out, take them at their own game.

One thing I notice, or don't notice: I don't see the constant coverage of the numbers of American soldiers dying like I did during the Bush Presidency. Coverage followed by news footage of groups against the President. Yet, American soldiers are dying in Afghanistan. 

So, will the President save face or save lives?

Thus asks me.

Time Out! I need to load my gun!

“What are we supposed to use, harsh language?” That was a great line from the movie “Aliens.” But, apparently some current US troops in Afghanistan aren’t even able to do that. Soldiers are being ordered to patrol with a loaded magazine in weapon, bolt closed, weapon on safe, no round in the chamber.

This protocol is aimed at gaining more local support. Did anybody forget the incredibly important idea of protecting our soldiers? I think this underscores a fundamental difference in how conservatives and democrats view armies and soldiers. Conservatives believe armies should go defeat the enemy. Democrats think armies are like large police forces.

I think armies should win battles, wars, and put the fear of God Almighty in other nations (for even thinking of messing with the USA). I believe diplomats and politicians, like Presidents should seek cooperation from other nations because we would rather work with them to create a peaceful world than wipe them off the face of the earth for seeking to harm us in any way.

President Obama needs to grow up, man up and tell the world to saddle up and join us.

Thus saith me.