Then there’s Pakistan, where the real danger lies, with another untrustworthy goverment running the show and playing both sides.

I don’t think humiliating McChrystal is actually anyone’s intention.

I spent a year in the Khanh Hoa Province, generally in the vicinity of Nha Trang. I remember the area, my group, my battalion, my company, and my buddies perfectly well–which has nothing whatsoever to do with what I was getting at when I said I couldn’t remember “the plan”. I was 19 when I arrived in-country, 20 when I finally boarded a ride home at Long Binh, am now nearly 60, and sometimes find myself wondering what the hell ever happened to common courtesy between strangers.

No, but you are taking the WH statements at face value. I don’t.

The President proclaimed a “war of necessity.” Was he talking out his hat? Rahm says the mission depends on a “stable partner.” I thought the mission was to build a stable partner. And why did the WH humiliate McChrystal?

Similarly, the NYT does not deserve to be taken at face value.

No, but you are taking the WH statements at face value. I don’t.

The President proclaimed a “war of necessity.”
Was he talking out his hat?

You never served or were in Vietnam. I haven’t met a Vietnam Vet who doesn’t know the time, place and the mission they were on.
You are a LIAR.

And if you want to learn about Afghanistan, read a book or Michael Yon’s reports.

Other than that, shut the fuck up.

There were lots of sound plans back then, too. I forget which one I was part of. I do suspect Iraq and Afghanistan have had great effect on our overall preparedness. That’s probably part of the deliberation. I’ll have an opinion about the decision once I know what it is. I don’t begrudge time spent thinking about it, because the consequences could be enormous. Nothing about it is obvious or easy.

I am not surprised by the content of the article. The United States delt with the Northern Alliance and Ahmed Shah Massoud made money off the Opium trade as well, according to what I have read.

An article from the Toledo Blade 1979.
Not much has changed
What does peek my interest in the NYT story that is the lack of a “unity of purpose” and the apparent very deep divisions in the BO administration which is leading to “folks” deciding to shape the agenda via leaks.
It is not as if the Afghan people are not aware of the corruption, they live with it day in and day out.
There is another shoe to drop very soon and think this is a setup for it.

CAROL HAKA

the considerable downside to polygamy

You mean there’s an upside?

That said, our government needs to make a decision. Stay and support the troops or go and let the locals fight it out.

The answer to your question is that he should send the requested soldiers, like yesterday. And McChrystal’s plan is a sound one. But I’m sure you could come up with one better since you’re such an expert on everything. In fact, I think you should volunteer, don a uniform, and show them how it’s done. You could do something of value for your country for a switch and we could be spared your gibberish.