[excon]

Hello:

If we needed another reason to leave Afghanistan, this is it. National Geographic channel filmed the deployment in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan... The movie is graphic and real. You MUST see it! These are your boys.

The base was open for nor apparent reason. 50 men died defending it. Then they closed it and left. Our only living medal of honor winner won his medal there. 50 men dead - for NO reason. This is the time when we DEMAND that our government withdraw.

excon

[speechlesstx]

"But we have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent here in Afghanista­n. And I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front, on our battle against terrorism.­" -Barack Obama

"As I have stated unequivoca­lly, I have always thought that we did the right thing in Afghanista­n." -Barack Obama

"I think we have to be focused on Afghanista­n. It is one of the reasons that I was opposed to the war in Iraq in the first place. We now know that al-Qaeda is stronger than any time since 2001. They are growing in capability­." -Barack Obama

"One of the things that I think is critical, as the next president, is to make absolutely certain that we not only phase out the Iraq but we also focus on the critical battle that we have in Afghanista­n and root out al Qaeda. If we do not do that, then we’re going to potentiall­y see another attack here in the US." -Barack Obama”

NO reason, huh?

[excon]

NO reason, huh?

Hello Steve:

Yup. He's Bush on steroids. You guys should like him.

excon

[tomder55]

Does a tactical or even a strategic field blunder make the cause invalid ? If so then we should've withdrawn when we misread the German troop movements prior to the Battle of the Bulge. That miscalculation cost the Americans 19000 killed, 47,500 wounded ,and 23,000 missing.

MacArthur's terrible defense of the Philippines cost the US a whole army. His wasted efforts at retaking the Philippines added at least 2-3 months to the war against Japan.
When we landed at Anzio during Operation Shingle ,we had a clear open road to Rome and did not exploit it . When we broke out of Normandy we let the German Army escape through the 'Falaise Pocket' between Patton and Montgomery's forces . These were the troops we later had to fight in the Battle of the Bulge.
I have no doubt there were people during WWII that were looking for a negotiated end and questioning it's worth .
Last attempt at negotiation in Afghanistan ended in paying money to someone who claimed to represent the Taliban ,but was in fact a huckster .

[excon]

Last attempt at negotiation in Afghanistan ended in paying money to someone who claimed to represent the Taliban ,but was in fact a huckster .

Hello tom:

So, what you're saying, is that you HAVEN'T seen the movie... Do that, and let's see if anything changes.

excon

[paraclete]

Does a tactical or even a strategic field blunder make the cause invalid ?

Tactical blunder Tom? This whole campaign has been a tactical blunder, so one has to wonder was the cause really valid, couldn't and didn't a few well placed cruise missiles achieve just as much? This appears to be an much underused strategy these days

[tomder55]

During WWI there was a monumental tactical blunder that Australia was deeply involved in... the folly of the Bosporous and Gallipoli campaign .

Did that make the cause invalid ? Should the allies have given up the fight because a decision went terribly wrong ?

[paraclete]

During WWI there was a monumental tactical blunder that Australia was deeply involved in....the folly of the Bosporous and Gallipoli campaign .

Did that make the cause invalid ? Should the allies have given up the fight because a decision went terribly wrong ?

Let us correct history there or at least your version of it. Australia was committed to that campaign against our better judgment because that great blunderer Churchill was in charge. He made the grand gesture and was responsible for huge losses. With leaders like him you didn't need enemies.
In WWII Australia lost a division in Singapore without firing a shot for exactly the same reason. He didn't want Australia to pull its troops out of the Middle East to defend itself but by that time we had found his measure and were committed to preventing the Japanese from setting foot on Australian soil, not sacrificing ourselves needlessly in Europe while our home was overrun.
His idea was to sacrifice Australia and win it back later. You may not understand why we don't like pommies but that is part of it.

To answer your question, an exercise in futility is an exercise in futility, no matter what spin you put on it