Dean, more so than I, has framed the health care debate as a loss of liberty issue. Unfortunately, while we were debating, women in a far off land without much health care are in danger losing that and all the people losing what freedom they do have all at once. I am speaking of course, of Afghanistan. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, ADM Mike Mullen had this to say:Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," Adm. Mullen said the situation in the country has been getting worse as the Taliban gains strength. "I've said that over the last couple of years, that the Taliban insurgency has gotten better, more sophisticated," he said. "Their tactics just in my recent visits out there and talking with our troops certainly indicate that."Meanwhile on Iraq:
Adm. Mullen said he also was "extremely concerned" about rising violence in Iraq, which left hundreds dead or wounded last week. "I think everybody was, and the key is whether this is an indicator of future sectarian violence," he said. "Certainly, many of us believe that one way that this can come unwound is through sectarian violence."
So what's the administration's response? As reported on BwD:
This is especially curious in light of the fact that Attorney General Eric Holder has just hired a special prosecutor to examine nearly a dozen cases in which CIA interrogators, Panetta’s own men, may have violated anti-torture laws.Let's really crush morale at the CIA when we need them the most.
Meanwhile in the Senate, the Democrats are being predictable:
Senator Russ Feingold, a Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, criticized President Barack Obama’s strategy of sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and called today for a timetable to bring forces home.
A word of warning to the President. These are your wars now, sir. This isn't baseball where the relief pitcher isn't responsible for the runs that are already on the basepaths. Americans, right and left and center, expect you to defend our interests, that includes not letting Iraq and Afghanistan become havens for terrorists.
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B-Daddy, thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is quite discouraging.
I've seen some others in the lefty commentariat starting to call for an end to the war in Afghanistan. Scary stuff, that, particularly when you recall that 9/11 was a direct consequence of our retreat from Somalia.
ReplyDeleteObama-care, the wars, this dude is failing miserably, as he should.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately lives are on the line in these and other arenas.
I'm not gleeful about the failure, but it needs to be seen for what it is so America can get back on the right path.
Mr. Cat isn't making a stretch with his comment on Samalia. But Cindy Sheehan may not be as useful of an idiot as she once was, but as Obama's poll numbers fall, he will need to shore up his base.