Ollie North on The Waffler-In-Chief

[edinsomd]

"In December, three months after the U.S. was attacked, public approval for Operation Enduring Freedom was nearly 90 percent. Today fewer than half of Americans support continued U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. The difference is leadership."

Quiet, Please -- Oliver North -- GOPUSA

[EmptyTimCup]

On his first day in office, President Barack Obama promised a new era of "openness and transparency" in Washington. The government, he explained, "should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure, because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of speculative or abstract fears."

Meetings would be open; voices would be heard; the public would be fully informed about the actions of government, we were told. To this end, Mr. Obama instructed: "Nondisclosure should never be based on an effort to protect the personal interests of Government officials at the expense of those they are supposed to serve."

However, non-disclosure has become the order of the day when it comes to the administration's policy on Afghanistan, and public confidence in Operation Enduring Freedom has plummeted. The administration's procrastination, vacillation and secrecy about "the options in Afghanistan" also have eroded international support -- once considered an essential component for waging a successful campaign.

congress fiddles while troops die ....

On Tuesday, congressional leaders were summoned to the White House and handed the same sheet of music. It didn't work quite as well as the O-Team had hoped. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, clearly repelled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's suggestion that Democrats would "support whatever" the administration decided to do in Afghanistan, took up the attack on Gen. McChrystal: "With all due respect, his recommendations to the president should go up the line of command. They shouldn't be in press conferences." Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said "it would be irresponsible" to send more troops until it becomes clear "what is possible in Afghanistan."

Mr. Obama, enmeshed in an increasingly unpopular war and an uphill fight for his far-reaching domestic policy agenda, is now at risk of going the way of Lyndon Johnson. "Landslide Lyndon," intent on pursuing his "Great Society" goals, refused wise counsel to "go for a victory or not at all" in Vietnam. Instead, Mr. Johnson brought forces into the fight piecemeal, in what he called "incremental escalation." It was a disaster -- one that need not be and should not be repeated in the shadows of the Hindu Kush.

[Alexa]

Originally Posted by edinsomd

"In December, three months after the U.S. was attacked, public approval for Operation Enduring Freedom was nearly 90 percent. Today fewer than half of Americans support continued U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. The difference is leadership."

Quiet, Please -- Oliver North -- GOPUSA

Leadership is only part of the factor now. I believe the difference to be time and the facts on the ground make all the difference. 90% approval after only 3 months and a clear goal to get Bin Laden and his closest followers...as they were the ones that bombed us on 9/11 ...but we are talking how many years now? Eight years of war and we haven't achieved the goal we set out on. Bin Laden is still free at large and obviously not in Afghanistan.

Leadership totally bungled the efforts no doubt...but we have some serious reassessments to make...Leadership will play a great role in that department, but an end game in sight I believe will make all the difference in the world.

[bcp (Premo)]

I love it when the children try to show their knowledge of world affairs.

[Alexa]

Originally Posted by bcp

I love it when the children try to show their knowledge of world affairs.

Oh, brilliant....ad hominem attacks again. I can see where this is headed.

[ImnoMensa]

Originally Posted by bcp

I love it when the children try to show their knowledge of world affairs.

You mean you actually know what she intimated?

[edinsomd]

Originally Posted by Alexa

Leadership is only part of the factor now. I believe the difference to be time and the facts on the ground make all the difference. 90% approval after only 3 months and a clear goal to get Bin Laden and his closest followers...as they were the ones that bombed us on 9/11 ...but we are talking how many years now? Eight years of war and we haven't achieved the goal we set out on. Bin Laden is still free at large and obviously not in Afghanistan.

Leadership totally bungled the efforts no doubt...but we have some serious reassessments to make...Leadership will play a great role in that department, but an end game in sight I believe will make all the difference in the world.

I find nothing here I disagree with. Half measures will be a disaster; either go for the win or GTF out. Obama will take heat either way he opts. This is interesting, in that he ACTUALLY HAS TO MAKE A DESCISION.

[Rommey]

Originally Posted by edinsomd

This is interesting, in that he ACTUALLY HAS TO MAKE A DESCISION.

PRESENT!

[Alexa]

Originally Posted by edinsomd

I find nothing here I disagree with. Half measures will be a disaster; either go for the win or GTF out. Obama will take heat either way he opts. This is interesting, in that he ACTUALLY HAS TO MAKE A DESCISION.

I don't think he is going for the GTF out option. I think he is going to change the directive to trying to get the country stabilized so we can leave and go to a more covert police type action in getting the terrorist operatives.

It will be more troops in the end....

[cwo_ghwebb]

The Messiah won't make a decision until after he goes to Europe to pick up his Nobel prize.

He'll do the piecemeal incremental escalation.

But don't expect this quote in regards to the Prez's handling of the situation.

"It's been a proven failure," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which coordinates the Democratic House campaigns. "I'd sum it up by saying, 'Been there, done that, didn't work.' "