Home (Post) Mobile Authors Say Anything Register Login

Sunday, October 05, 2008

We’re not going to win in Afghanistan!

Britain’s military commander in Helmand Province has said that we should not expect a “decisive military victory”.

Speaking in The Sunday Times, Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith also said that we should be prepared for a deal with the Taleban.

Carleton-Smith, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which has just completed its second tour of Afghanistan, said it was necessary to “lower our expectations”. He said: “We’re not going to win this war. It’s about reducing it to a manageable level of insurgency that’s not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army.”

The brigadier added: “We may well leave with there still being a low but steady ebb of rural insurgency . . . I don’t think we should expect that when we go there won’t be roaming bands of armed men in this part of the world. That would be unrealistic and probably incredible.”

“We want to change the nature of the debate from one where disputes are settled through the barrel of the gun to one where it is done through negotiations,” Carleton-Smith said.

“If the Taliban were prepared to sit on the other side of the table and talk about a political settlement, then that’s precisely the sort of progress that concludes insurgencies like this. That shouldn’t make people uncomfortable.”

Talking with the terrorists? Whatever next?

It is worth noting that no campaign fought against people employing guerrilla tactics has ever been successful through force of arms - peace has always been negotiated - and no nation has ever successfully invaded and conquered Afghanistan. Just with these two facts in mind, we should realise that negotiating with these people, alien though their philosophies may be, is a foregone conclusion.

Comments

Man: Nice Harry Reid imitation.  “The war...is lost.”


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 5, 2008 at 09:36 am

Man, I agree and have questioned this very topic in the recent past. I even documented the ISI’s “f*cking” of the British.


Yun Chu said, “You must strictly not express in words what is very significant. Both dragon and snake are killed in one blow.”

Sparkie Arbuckle on October 5, 2008 at 12:06 pm

sparkless-arse-fuckin-buckle the “pandering ninny” states:

I agree and have questioned this very topic in the recent past. I even documented the ISI’s “f*cking” of the British.

If you hadn’t squandered your credibility, folks might actually read what you submit here, or, having read it, not dismiss it as the rantings of a “pandering ninny.”


Out Here
Rodney G. Graves

Ceterum censeo Parthia esse delendam
Latin: “Furthermore, Parthia (Persia aka modern day Iran) should be destroyed.”

Rodney Graves on October 5, 2008 at 01:17 pm

He is correct. There will be no decisive military victory. There is no standing army or governmental body to be defeated. Merely bandits and killers.

You have to hound them into the frozen ground. No break for winter, as war has been fought in the Hindu Cush all these many generations. Drive them out of every last sanctuary, push them unto their deaths. Give them no rest, make them flee as if from the very clappers of Hell.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on October 5, 2008 at 07:04 pm

More leftie definition games.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 5, 2008 at 08:17 pm

r108, it is not semantics or a leftard word game. Simple point of fact, there will be no decisive military victory in Afghanistan. There is no standing army or governmental structure to be defeated. Merely bandits and killers to be hunted down and eradicated.

Flamer, I notice that you only use the choplogic Times article. Nothing from the general’s report other than those pieces that spin towards surrender and submission to Islam. Why is that?


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on October 6, 2008 at 03:23 am

Two: The terrorists can be defeated, wherever they are.  True, it’s not a “military victory”, but a victory, nonetheless.  In fact, we have to win against the terrorists, I think.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 6, 2008 at 07:27 am

Again, a simple statement of the military facts. There will be no “decisive military” victory. Period. Full stop. Terrorists have no political legitimacy. Period. Full stop.

STOP GIVING TERRORISTS POLITICAL LEGITIMACY!!!! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on October 6, 2008 at 03:23 pm

I want us to kill the terrorists, and to stop playing word games about whether or not that’s a “victory”.  We certainly can’t win by running away from the problem, like Clinton did.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 6, 2008 at 03:25 pm

We certainly can’t win by running away from the problem, like Clinton did

Nor can we win by fighting in the wrong country with the wrong people, while the right people get little resistance from us or thier host country, like GWB did.

dragon poker on October 6, 2008 at 03:54 pm

r108, this English General is saying something completely different from Flamer’s headline. He is not calling for retreat, he is calling for an aggressive, vicious, no holds barred campaign to kill as many terrorists, drug smugglers, slave traders, and anarchists as can be killed. In every “country” in which they operate.

Flamer is being just a tad disingenuous with this post.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on October 6, 2008 at 04:01 pm

2H9,

Disingenous?  Our leftard trolls?  Say it isn’t so!


Out Here
Rodney G. Graves

Ceterum censeo Parthia esse delendam
Latin: “Furthermore, Parthia (Persia aka modern day Iran) should be destroyed.”

Rodney Graves on October 6, 2008 at 04:11 pm

rodney,
Im just curious as to what you define as “destroyed” in the quote below. Do you mean nuke them into glass? Do you mean overthrow the islamic ruled power structure? What exactly do you mean when you make this quote, and how would you go about making it happen?

Furthermore, Parthia (Persia aka modern day Iran) should be destroyed.”

dragon poker on October 6, 2008 at 04:36 pm

Nor can we win by fighting in the wrong country with the wrong people, while the right people get little resistance from us or thier host country, like GWB did.

Another lie from you; Germany didn’t attack us at Pearl Harbor, either.  Our first offensive in WWII was in North Africa.  It’s called military strategy, which is apparently far beyond your pay grade.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 6, 2008 at 05:09 pm

Another lie from you; Germany didn’t attack us at Pearl Harbor, either.  Our first offensive in WWII was in North Africa.  It’s called military strategy, which is apparently far beyond your pay grade.

My pay grade is alot higher than yours bobert. You try to site WWII as strategy with the war in Iraq? Really? WOW! Germany was allied with Japan. Ever hear of the AXIS?  Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor. This gave Roosevelt the leverage to attack Gemany in africa and elsewhere, which he wanted to do for years before we were finally drawn into the war.
Iraq was a dictatorship NOT in alliance with Islamic Terrorists, not even close to an alliance, as compared to Saudi Arabia.
You might want to re-read your history before you start comparing WWII with the war in IRAQ. Of course I dont know why I even respond to you. Your predictable “YOU LIE!!!” and then referencing something that has little to do with what I said, and then your condecending missive(meaningless) about understanding of military strategy is all very tiresome. Do you know how to think past your quivering lower lip bobert? You have alot of guts, but little common sense. It makes you look stupid.

dragon poker on October 6, 2008 at 05:59 pm

AQ was in Iraq.  Wow!  Are you really that stupid?  AQ is all over the world.  Wow!  Moron.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 6, 2008 at 06:27 pm

r108, no point in wasting time with this leftard. It has submitted to America’s enemies already. It freely admits so.


Una Salus Victus Nullam Sperare Salutem

2Hotel9 on October 6, 2008 at 06:28 pm

Of course I dont know why I even respond to you.

Because you are an ignorant weird little groupie stalker, and you try to get my attention by spewing ignorance.  FDR didn’t need “leverage” to go to war with Germany, moron.  Europe had been begging us for years, and we were shipping them war materials and even pilots before we declared war on the Nazis.  You, who know nothing of history, and who has demonstrated a complete lack of ability to determine any sort of cause and effect knowledge, are simply an ignorant, loudmouthed young fool.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 6, 2008 at 06:34 pm

Iraq was a dictatorship NOT in alliance with Islamic Terrorists, not even close to an alliance, as compared to Saudi Arabia.

Quite right. Don’t question it. You are in bed with the enemy. Heh.

Rightards!


Yun Chu said, “You must strictly not express in words what is very significant. Both dragon and snake are killed in one blow.”

Sparkie Arbuckle on October 6, 2008 at 06:37 pm

dragging porker asks:

Im just curious as to what you define as “destroyed” in the quote below. Do you mean nuke them into glass? Do you mean overthrow the islamic ruled power structure? What exactly do you mean when you make this quote, and how would you go about making it happen?

Did you fail to notice the second link (the non-email link) in the signature, or did you merely lack the drive and intelligence to actually click on it?


Out Here
Rodney G. Graves

Ceterum censeo Parthia esse delendam
Latin: “Furthermore, Parthia (Persia aka modern day Iran) should be destroyed.”

Rodney Graves on October 6, 2008 at 06:41 pm

Europe had been begging us for years, and we were shipping them war materials and even pilots before we declared war on the Nazis.

bobert, the leverage was needed domestically, to commit to the war in Europe you idiot. The attack on pearl allowed FDR to do what he wanted to do from the beginning of overt german aggression. YOU should get your facts in order.

Did you fail to notice the second link (the non-email link) in the signature, or did you merely lack the drive and intelligence to actually click on it?

No
I asked a simple question. I expected a simple answer. Im sorry I did. I wont make the same mistake again.

dragon poker on October 7, 2008 at 02:03 pm

Idiot: Your use of the word “leverage” is wrong.  That’s not what happened.  Your ignorance is always apparent.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 7, 2008 at 02:07 pm

Idiot: Your use of the word “leverage” is wrong.  That’s not what happened.  Your ignorance is always apparent.

Your lack of understanding of the build up to WWII is apparent, and your questioning of my vernacular shows you have no response to the facts. Your a broken record bobert. You need a new tune.

dragon poker on October 7, 2008 at 02:11 pm

Wrong again, moron!  Had FDR been a real leader, he wouldn’t have had to wait for us to be attacked.  You continue to show your ignorance.  Lefties tend to favor isolationism.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 7, 2008 at 02:15 pm

bobert,
OK, you certainly dont understand much, but your very stubborn, I give you that. Back in the day, before congress abdicated most responsibility to the executive branch, war was declared with an act of congress. Read your constitution idiot. They used to it the right way, with congress declaring war and the executive branch executing te war. They do it the pussy way now, just fund whatever the potus wants and never really delare, but back then you had to have a declaration before you invaded a nation or a continent. Your lack of knowledge in this area is astounding to me, considering the high opinion you have of yourself.
Take you geritol. You are getting weak again. You must be low on iron or something.

dragon poker on October 7, 2008 at 02:23 pm

More ignorant bullshit from you, stalker.  The President is the leader of the country; FDR led us into socialism(the “New Deal"), but he failed to lead us into a defense against Hitler’s aggression until we were attacked by Japan.  That was a failure of leadership, no matter how much bullshit you sling.
As a representative body, Congress is responsive(except this incompetent and arrogant bunch under Pelosi) to the people.  FDR used his “fireside chats” to sell socialism to the American people, over objections from both Congress and the Supreme Court.  He sought near-dictatorial powers, and yet you excuse him from the responsibility to respond strongly to the Nazis.  You continue to illustrate your arrogant ignorance.
You know nothing.


"Give the lefties a pile of money, and they’ll spend it buying votes.” - Rush Limbaugh on the “bailout”.

robert108 on October 7, 2008 at 02:33 pm
Page 1 of 1        

Post a Comment


Before commenting, please recite:

Grant me the serenity to ignore the trolls,
the courage to debate with honest opponents,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Name   
Email   
URL   
Human?
  
 

Upload Image    

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Note: Notifications will only be sent to confirmed email addresses. Confirm your email address here.

    

By submitting your comment you agree to our terms of service.