If we build schools, water movement plants, roads and bridges - which we can do better and more quickly than the Taliban, then we begin to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

 

 

I agree with this.

 

But there is an obvious question here too.

 

How do you keep these workers safe as these things are being built without sending in more troops that the General is asking for?

I assum you all are now familiar with Eiken. . . .somethings memo who says the government is too corrupt and unstable for us to continue to send our troops into harms way . . . that we cannot train their forces to eventually take over and that sending any new troops would be a horrible idea. McChrystal memo focused on what he thinks he needs to be successful at War - Eichensomething is looking at where all of this ends up and there can be no exit strategy.

 

Coach Bucket, your one switch idea, which I understand is hyperbole, does not work in Afghanistan. You do realize there are poor and impoverished boys and girls that live in those mountains who have done nothing, and may never do anything wrong - one switch - kills them . . . I would think your religious beliefs would prevent you from even considering the killing of innocents. Deciding where all of these pockets of Taliban are is almost impossible.

 

It really sounds, however, that you would be for VP Biden's idea of more drone attacks so that we are not putting troops in harms way.

 

FWIW i have a book I will loan you when football is over that talks about the good people in the AFPAK region. It is called "Three Cups of Tea" about an American who goes about building schools there - it is believed that his schools do much more to end terrorism and the hate of the west that any gun, tank, or bomb might do. Maybe we should try another approach.

 

Ace it's War not Checkers.

I just spoke to a guy two days ago that has served in Iraq, he was an Intel Officer. He believes that General McCrystal can an will win this war. I'll take his word over anyone on BGP, nothing personal.

 

Just spoke to my son the other day who's an Army Ranger In Iraq, and has been to Afganastan also, he tends to not agree. So I'll take his word over anyone on BGP, nothing personal.

Just spoke to my son the other day who's an Army Ranger In Iraq, and has been to Afganastan also, he tends to not agree. So I'll take his word over anyone on BGP, nothing personal.

You know, we can go round and round with this as I know many people serving and that have served that disagree with you and I'm sure you can do the same so, let's get back to the thread. Also, please tell your son, for me, thank you for his brave service. I'm in awe of fine young men and women like him that give their all for the rest of us.

 

As to the thread: Will Obama give any support to our troops soon, or will he continue to wait until he hears an idea he likes? How much will this demoralize our troops there? What do you think should be done?

I aree with acemona, to a point.

 

Charlie Wilsons War(I know its a movie and all Hollywood) kinda drives home the point too, but you have to have boots on the ground so the woman and children can actually get to the school that is built and protect it.

I aree with acemona, to a point.

 

Charlie Wilsons War(I know its a movie and all Hollywood) kinda drives home the point too, but you have to have boots on the ground so the woman and children can actually get to the school that is built and protect it.

 

I agreed too but then posed the question...If you don't have troops making those people passing out boots and protecting the building of schools, how do you expect that to be done in a hostile environment?

 

Do you think the Taliban/terrorists are going to say, o look they are giving out boots, let's stop our attacks?

I agreed too but then posed the question...If you don't have troops making those people passing out boots and protecting the building of schools, how do you expect that to be done in a hostile environment?

 

Do you think the Taliban/terrorists are going to say, o look they are giving out boots, let's stop our attacks?

You can't, that's another reason that shows Obama has no clue.

You can't, that's another reason that shows Obama has no clue.

 

Who are we fighting in Afghanistan??

Who are we fighting in Afghanistan??

:confused:

We'll have troops in the middle east for the next decade plus. Now it's time to decide do we just get by, or do we try to solve problems depite different philosophies.