Boot: Afghanistan Is Better Than You Think

WorldMarch 2009 • Views: 1,733

Max Boot on the situation in Afghanistan: Better Than You Think.

I have just returned from Afghanistan shocked by the depth of the disconnect between reality and reporting.

The coalition officers that I spoke with expressed confidence that with the U.S. reinforcements now flowing into the country, they will be able to score victories against insurgents who have been given free reign in some areas because of a paucity of NATO resources. But even before the 17,000 additional U.S. troops arrive, the situation is hardly critical. Kabul and the other major cities are safe, and even large swathes of the countryside are hardly infested by insurgents.

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155 comments

Diamond Bullet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:48:52am

Certainly better than the MSM indicates. But then again, the header does mention "thinking".

Ward Cleaver Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:49:30am

It's nice to hear some good news for a change, especially from Afghanistan.

Big Steve Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:49:52am

oh right.....rain on the parade of the "good war" why don't ya/

SasquatchOnSteroids Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:50:36am

re: #2 Ward Cleaver

It's nice to hear some good news for a change, especially from Afghanistan.

Wonder who'll get credit for it ?
Need I ?

Ford_Prefect Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:51:38am

Democrat wars = good
Republican wars = bad

VegasRick Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:51:49am

And the lying POS Hairy Red says the war is lo..........Oh wait! looking good!

Russkilitlover Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:52:02am

It's just that whole Pakistani/Afghanistan border and tribal area that's FUBAR and waiting.

Dark_Falcon Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:53:28am

re: #7 Russkilitlover

It's just that whole Pakistani/Afghanistan border and tribal area that's FUBAR and waiting.

The thing is that we can never score a comprehensive victory over the Taliban as long as they control those safe zones in Pakistan. Those areas need to be cleared out.

VegasRick Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:53:29am

OT, but Geithner needs to STFU and STFD! NOW!

Ford_Prefect Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:54:15am

"Pull out of Afghanistan now! ... what? ... It's Obama's war now? ... Uh... Nevermind"

-Moonbat protestor

[deleted] Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:54:56am

Creeping Eruption Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:55:28am

re: #10 Ford_Prefect

"Pull out of Afghanistan now! ... what? ... It's Obama's war now? ... Uh... Nevermind"

-Moonbat protestor

More like:

"Pull out of Afghanistan now! ... what? ... It's Obama's war now? ... Uh... Israel out of Gaza now!

Honorary Yooper Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:55:34am

re: #9 VegasRick

OT, but Geithner needs to STFU and STFD! NOW!

Geithner lied,
Markets died.

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:55:38am

MSM invested in American defeats since February 27, 1968.

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:56:35am

OT Charles...now I understand the boost LGF received several months ago.

'Bionic Hamster'

gawntrail Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:56:37am

Is it time to ask Iran to help us there too?
/

Ford_Prefect Thu, Mar 5, 2009 8:56:55am

Later Lizards! Off to chomp on some chow.

joncelli Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:12am

Nothing is going to get done until they build a reliable national army and police force, unify the warlords, secure the borders and buy up the opium (don't destroy it, BUY it!). As in Iraq, training, trust, and economics win the day.

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:20am

Obama surges work.
Bush surges don't.

Sincerely,
Your friends, the MSM

subsailor68 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:20am

Well isn't this all just grand.

Obama sends the markets reeling with his "holy crap it's a crisis" comments.

Geithner couldn't convince a group of Amish to get together to build a barn...and the market tanks.

Head of the FDIC drops the "oh by the way, FDIC may be insolvent by the end of the year unless we raise the fees on those bleeding banks." (Sure, that's not gonna panic anybody with a savings account.)

Pelosi comes up with a stimulus package that looks like a whale that's been beached in the blazing sun for three weeks.

Obama comes up with a budget that makes Pelosi's beached whale look like a smoldering smelt in the Santa Monica sun.

And we ask what else could possible go wrong?

They're just getting started on the ESUP (Economy Screw-Up Package.)

Spit.

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:36am

Ha! Just wait until that noted military strategist, Barrack Hussein Obama gets through thowing another 50,000 troops from Iraq to Guam!

MrSilverDragon Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:44am

It's all because of the magic unicorn.

/do I need to?

acwgusa Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:01:49am

Max Boot is a great name.

Give Obama the Max Boot!

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:02:22am

Good to hear some positives out of Afghanistan... It's still a tough fight there but our troops are well-trainined and can do it, providing the Obama Administration allows them to execute their mission outside of the veil of Political Correctness...

And yes, the NWFP in Pakistan is a tinder box ready to blow...

kafir lover Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:03:01am

Fankly, there's so much misinformation out there that I have increasing difficulty knowing who or what to believe.

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:03:35am

re: #20 subsailor68

Well isn't this all just grand.

Obama sends the markets reeling with his "holy crap it's a crisis" comments.

Geithner couldn't convince a group of Amish to get together to build a barn...and the market tanks.

Head of the FDIC drops the "oh by the way, FDIC may be insolvent by the end of the year unless we raise the fees on those bleeding banks." (Sure, that's not gonna panic anybody with a savings account.)

Pelosi comes up with a stimulus package that looks like a whale that's been beached in the blazing sun for three weeks.

Obama comes up with a budget that makes Pelosi's beached whale look like a smoldering smelt in the Santa Monica sun.

And we ask what else could possible go wrong?

They're just getting started on the ESUP (Economy Screw-Up Package.)

Spit.

ROFLMAO!

It's not funny, but what's left to do?

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:03:40am

re: #21 realwest

Ha! Just wait until that noted military strategist, Barrack Hussein Obama gets through thowing another 50,000 troops from Iraq to Guam!

Good morning, RW.

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:04:00am

More UK folks waking up.

Iain Martin is quite right here: no matter how utterly rubbish we have become as a nation in the Blair/Brown years, Britain's friendship is something Obama will come to regret having dispensed with so lightly. This was not the act of a global statesman, but of a hormonal teenager dismissing her bestest of best BFs for no other reason than that she felt like it and she can, so there.

What was the guy thinking? In researching my new book Welcome to Obamaland, I discovered that Obama's judgment is pretty dreadful - but this?

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:04:01am

Dunno if Boot knows this - but the SAS is now in A'stan. Gen Petraeus was very impressed with what they did in Iraq, so they packed up there and went to where he wants them.

We'll not hear anything about what they do and where - but there will be results, thats for sure.

M. Bensson-Levi Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:04:04am

re: #14 jcm

MSM invested in American defeats since February 27, 1968.

Many here will recognize the significance of that date... most elsewhere wont.

Xin Loi.

joncelli Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:04:47am

Market Back in Red: down 210.83 at 6665.01.

Ben Hur Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:04:55am

I have just returned from (FILL IN THE BLANK) shocked by the depth of the disconnect between reality and reporting.

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:05am

I think a name needs to be given to all of these people waking up and turning on Obama.

May I suggest "The AwOkening Movement"?

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:10am

re: #25 kafir lover

Fankly, there's so much misinformation out there that I have increasing difficulty knowing who or what to believe.

Not believeing anything the MFM say, like 'nobody every won in A'stan' , would be a good start!

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:10am

re: #24 tfc3rid

Good to hear some positives out of Afghanistan... It's still a tough fight there but our troops are well-trainined and can do it, providing the Obama Administration allows them to execute their mission outside of the veil of Political Correctness...
And yes, the NWFP in Pakistan is a tinder box ready to blow...

That's a mighty big if there. Obama let them do something outside the PC box aint gonna happen. This turd is the ultimate Affirmative Action/ PC President we wil ever see.

FloridaAnole Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:12am

Sounds like Iraq all over again. Is it my imagination or hasn't there been an upswing in "Retreat! All is Lost in Afghanistan" articles and reports?

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:25am

Iran Likely to Be Invited to Afghanistan Conference, U.S. Says

Iran is expected to be invited to a conference on Afghanistan that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed at a NATO meeting with her counterparts, State Department spokesman Robert Wood said.

Clinton told foreign ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization that the U.S. is discussing the possibility of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opening the conference and his special representative for Afghanistan chairing it.

“We expect that Iran will be invited,” Wood said in an e- mailed response to questions.

Clinton said the meeting would seek common principles on how to quell the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and help to rebuild the country.

Because Iran was so helpful in Iraq, you know.

[deleted] Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:42am

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:52am

re: #30 M. Bensson-Levi

Many here will recognize the significance of that date... most elsewhere wont.

Xin Loi.

That's why I like it here.

joncelli Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:05:53am

re: #29 yma o hyd

SAS is excellent. It'll be good to have them around for some of the more, uh, delicate missions.

subsailor68 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:06:13am

re: #26 jcm

ROFLMAO!

It's not funny, but what's left to do?

Hi JCM! Nope, it really isn't, but I'm with you. Sometimes the best way to combat idiocy is with a little dose of black humor.

(And no, Avanti, "black humor" is not a racial thing. - Just in case he's hypersensitive again.)

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:06:13am

re: #31 joncelli

Market Back in Red: down 210.83 at 6665.01.

Bankers must have screwed up some Profit and Earnings ratios again.

Bloodnok Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:06:36am

re: #28 karmic_inquisitor

More UK folks waking up.

Perhaps more concerning is the photo caption stating that "Michelle Obama's dress sense may be impeccable, but what of her politics?".

AIEEE

DaddyG Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:07:26am

We need troops to patrol the canyon between Pakistan and Afganistan. What? You say there's a mountain range there? We can fix that.

Golem Akbar Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:13am

/Obama is scoring another victory! [just trying to help the MSM out of their anti-war dilemma]

Ben Hur Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:13am

re: #37 Kenneth

Iran Likely to Be Invited to Afghanistan Conference, U.S. Says

Because Iran was so helpful in Iraq, you know.

Why any soldier would want to serve under this President, I do not know.

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:14am

LOL

Rush opens...

The Obama Daily Tracking Poll down..........

reloadingisnotahobby Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:30am

re: #42 karmic_inquisitor
New definition of P&E.....
PAIN to EVISCERATION ratio....

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:32am

re: #43 Bloodnok

Perhaps more concerning is the photo caption stating that "Michelle Obama's dress sense may be impeccable, but what of her politics?".

AIEEE

Looking at that picture just screams trying to stuff 10 lbs. of shit in a 5 lb. bag

debutaunt Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:40am

re: #23 acwgusa

Max Boot is a great name.

Give Obama the Max Boot!

Das Max Boot is a hiking retailer in Darmstadt.

Ben Hur Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:08:55am

re: #42 karmic_inquisitor

Bankers must have screwed up some Profit and Earnings ratios again.

Now now.

We all know that the Stock Market is just like a tracking poll.

Nothing to pay attention to.

Occasional Reader Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:04am

re: #40 joncelli

SAS is excellent. It'll be good to have them around for some of the more, uh, delicate missions.

I dunno. I took them for a few flights, and I thought they were okay. The flight attendants were hot, anyway.

Dark_Falcon Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:14am

re: #38 buzzsawmonkey

re: #26 jcm

Who put the pork in the Pork- Pork- Porkulus?
Who put the marks in the earmarks of the bill?
Who were those fools?
I'd like to take them to school
They went and made a pauper out of me

Slight alteration to fit the lyrics better.

BBL

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:36am

re: #42 karmic_inquisitor

Bankers must have screwed up some Profit and Earnings ratios again.

Eh, I bought 100 shares of Citi at 98 cents a share... Why the hell not...

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:38am

re: #46 Ben Hur

Why any soldier would want to serve under this President, I do not know.

Something tells me the stop loss numbers will be much higher than when Bush was President, of course the MSFM will never tell us that.

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:47am

re: #27 jorline
Good morning my friend - didja get my e-mail from late last night or early this AM?!

Kosh's Shadow Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:09:49am

re: #37 Kenneth

Iran Likely to Be Invited to Afghanistan Conference, U.S. Says

Because Iran was so helpful in Iraq, you know.

And what can we offer Iran for them to be of help?
Could we offer them Israel? Not that the US has that ability, but that won't stop the 0 from trying.

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:10am

Did anyone hear how the Wednesday Night Cocktail Party went last night at the White house?

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:11am

re: #48 reloadingisnotahobby

New definition of P&E.....
PAIN to EVISCERATION ratio....

A MILLION UPDINGS.

/ And not because a million isn't much anymore.

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:21am

re: #46 Ben Hur

Why any soldier would want to serve under this President, I do not know.

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Check the expressions on the faces of these US troops.

Does it look as if they like or trust the person they are listening to?

DaddyG Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:29am

re: #33 karmic_inquisitor

I think a name needs to be given to all of these people waking up and turning on Obama.

May I suggest "The AwOkening Movement"?

"The O Crap moment."

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:33am

re: #51 Ben Hur

Now now.

We all know that the Stock Market is just like a tracking poll.

Nothing to pay attention to.

When looking at the stock market, Obama believe we must not view it day to day but in it's totalitarian state...

sarah Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:10:59am

Glad to see something positive. It always makes the day a little brighter.

OT: Can I make a predicition that the Dow will go under 5000 before we start seeing a turn around or does that make me evil?

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:03am

re: #58 jorline

Did anyone hear how the Wednesday Night Cocktail Party went last night at the White house?

Heard it was a blast! Glad they are having some fun!

subsailor68 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:25am

re: #54 tfc3rid

Eh, I bought 100 shares of Citi at 98 cents a share... Why the hell not...

Hmm...think I'll do the same. Hey, when Citi gets back to $500 a share, we can do a little profit taking, dump it in a wheelbarrow, and head down to pick up a loaf of Wonder Bread!

;-)

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:32am

re: #28 karmic_inquisitor

More UK folks waking up.

I think they will both come to regret this snub.
PB0 for political reasons: even if he thinks Gord is already a busted flush, this is no way to treat an ally. And the Tories will look beyond the humiliation of their opponent to how this affects future UK policies.
WAB - well, there's nothing as unforgiving as the British Laydee journos - and they are slowly but surely unshaething their claws.

Oh - and then there's The Queen ... if PB0 and WAB don't get their act together by the time they get to meet her, they'll be in very deep doo-doo!

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:36am

OT - as posted in the Spin off links, according to a Rasmussen poll taken YESTERDAY 65% of Americans don't want the Government to bail out the Newspaper Industry!
Way to go Charles! You were certainly spot on in your interview on PJMediaTV yesterday!

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:53am

re: #51 Ben Hur

Now now.

We all know that the Stock Market is just like a tracking poll.

Nothing to pay attention to.

Come on - let me blame a banker. Pleeeeease?

Occasional Reader Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:11:53am

re: #58 jorline

Did anyone hear how the Wednesday Night Cocktail Party went last night at the White house?

They ate cake. And they expressed the desire that we, the masses, should do the same, and bafflement as to why we aren't.

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:06am

re: #64 tfc3rid

Heard it was a blast! Glad they are having some fun!

It's not like they are the little people or anything. I'm sure Sheriff Joe Biden kept the crowd in check.

Bloodnok Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:09am

re: #58 jorline

Did anyone hear how the Wednesday Night Cocktail Party went last night at the White house?

Free drinks? My G-d all of Congress (including Rs) will be in his pocket in no time.

sarah Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:14am

re: #58 jorline

I heard it went fine. But it makes me wonder why I'm paying for cocktail parties when we are already gazillions of dollars in debt.

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:26am

re: #56 realwest

Good morning my friend - didja get my e-mail from late last night or early this AM?!

Yes I did and I will ask the Rheumy about it next week. I started the prednisone again today.

Thanks, RW.

joncelli Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:27am

re: #63 sarah

I was pulling 6000 out of midair because it sounded plausible, but it could very well be that low before this is done. The Messiah is not inspiring confidence the way his prophets promised.

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:46am

re: #36 FloridaAnole

Sounds like Iraq all over again. Is it my imagination or hasn't there been an upswing in "Retreat! All is Lost in Afghanistan" articles and reports?

There has been indeed - its not your imagination.

One wonders what the rationale is behind such stories ...

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:12:57am

re: #57 Kosh's Shadow

You're being (only somewhat) sarcastic. But what Obama will offer the Iranians in exchange for their help is to lift US trade sanctions. The Iranians will demand the US drop their pesky whining about their nuclear program, too. And apologize. The US has to grovel.

Bloodnok Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:13:30am

re: #64 tfc3rid

Heard it was a blast! Glad they are having some fun!

I worked until 7 last night. 8 on Monday. Just providing some counterpoint to any of the Obama people reading this blog.

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:00am

re: #77 Bloodnok

I worked until 7 last night. 8 on Monday. Just providing some counterpoint to any of the Obama people reading this blog.

You are clearly working too hard... What are you trying to do, earn money?

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:01am

re: #66 yma o hyd

I think they will both come to regret this snub.
PB0 for political reasons: even if he thinks Gord is already a busted flush, this is no way to treat an ally. And the Tories will look beyond the humiliation of their opponent to how this affects future UK policies.
WAB - well, there's nothing as unforgiving as the British Laydee journos - and they are slowly but surely unshaething their claws.

Oh - and then there's The Queen ... if PB0 and WAB don't get their act together by the time they get to meet her, they'll be in very deep doo-doo!

Maybe Obama can take her on a tour of the WH basketball court and put his hand on her back - show her he is a down home guy.

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:08am

re: #72 sarah

That's part of the stimulus. Parties for Obama & his pals.

M. Bensson-Levi Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:16am

re: #63 sarah

Glad to see something positive. It always makes the day a little brighter.
OT: Can I make a predicition that the Dow will go under 5000 before we start seeing a turn around or does that make me evil?

It makes you a delusional optimist.

Golem Akbar Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:20am

re: #50 debutaunt

Das Max Boot is a hiking retailer in Darmstadt.

Here in LA it's called Boot Max.

sarah Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:29am

re: #74 joncelli

Kinda of a scary thought isnt it?

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:33am

re: #64 tfc3rid

Heard it was a blast! Glad they are having some fun!

Crappy deal...our booze and we had to serve it as well...what's wrong with this picture?

Dustyvet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:37am

re: #21 realwest

Ha! Just wait until that noted military strategist, Barrack Hussein Obama gets through thowing another 50,000 troops from Iraq to Guam!

He is neither a strategist nor is he schooled in the operational arts, nor is he a tactician, nor is he a general. Other than that he's a great military man.
Norman Schwarzkopf

reloadingisnotahobby Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:14:50am

Who'd a thought Bankers would become lower than .....
Lawyers..........*duck*
Except Lizard Lawyer!
Sheeeesh ......Good sav....WACK!

sarah Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:06am

re: #81 M. Bensson-Levi
Ah thanks for the clarification :)

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:11am

re: #60 Kenneth

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Check the expressions on the faces of these US troops.

Does it look as if they like or trust the person they are listening to?

Hearted for future reference ...
And the answer is a resounding 'no'!

samsgran1948 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:20am

re: #20 subsailor68

Obama comes up with a budget that makes Pelosi's beached whale look like a smoldering smelt in the Santa Monica sun.

I nominate this for the "Best Line of 2009" Award! Can it be a revolving title? (By the way, Sub, I had a functional keyboard prior to this line.)

karmic_inquisitor Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:26am

re: #61 DaddyG

"The O Crap moment."

Good one.

VegasRick Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:29am

re: #60 Kenneth

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Check the expressions on the faces of these US troops.

Does it look as if they like or trust the person they are listening to?

Picture worth a million words.

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:45am

re: #80 Kenneth

That's part of the stimulus. Parties for Obama & his pals.

Hope the parties are slammin!

FloridaAnole Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:15:55am

Isn't Iowahawk's latest hit on Christopher Buckley and the Obamunist conservatives terrific? (I'm having trouble creating a link, sorry.)

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:16:19am

re: #84 jorline

Crappy deal...our booze and we had to serve it as well...what's wrong with this picture?

We should throw a party and send the Treasury the bill...

subsailor68 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:16:56am

re: #89 samsgran1948

I nominate this for the "Best Line of 2009" Award! Can it be a revolving title? (By the way, Sub, I had a functional keyboard prior to this line.)

Wow! Thanks for the kind words!

(Really sorry about the keyboard, but with some of the lines I've read from other lizards I've been through about five so far.)

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:17:02am

re: #67 realwest

OT - as posted in the Spin off links, according to a Rasmussen poll taken YESTERDAY 65% of Americans don't want the Government to bail out the Newspaper Industry!
Way to go Charles! You were certainly spot on in your interview on PJMediaTV yesterday!

I do not believe the current administration, house or senate gives a damn about what the people want. Look what they did with the offshore drilling legislation.

sarah Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:17:25am

re: #91 VegasRick

Agreed Rick

lostlakehiker Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:17:38am

The problem is with security for the supply line. Russia is crimping the land route to N. Afghanistan, and the Taliban have struck a deal with a Pakistani government that controls sections of its capital city by daylight except maybe on Fridays.

This kind of thing is beyond the reach of our military, and whether the Obama administration will demonstrate sufficient diplomatic skill remains to be seen.

But maybe Team O will show the same finesse in diplomacy that it showed in filling the cabinet.

/sigh

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:17:41am

re: #79 karmic_inquisitor

Maybe Obama can take her on a tour of the WH basketball court and put his hand on her back - show her he is a down home guy.

Yeah - the folksy touch.
I'm sure one penetrating glance from the Queen will make him look for the nearest hole to crawl into.
Even Pres Bush go that treatment, once, iirc.

;-)

100

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:18:25am

re: #94 tfc3rid

We should throw a party and send the Treasury the bill...

The Treasury is tied up with a House Panel right now...booze was C.O.D.

101

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:18:28am

re: #96 Scorch

I do not believe the current administration, house or senate gives a damn about what the people want. Look what they did with the offshore drilling legislation.

You got that right... Add in today's vote on the Omnibus peice of crap, next week's introduction of Employee Free Choice Act, etc...

102

M. Bensson-Levi Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:18:31am

re: #87 sarah

:-)

103

Kosh's Shadow Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:18:32am

re: #76 Kenneth

You're being (only somewhat) sarcastic. But what Obama will offer the Iranians in exchange for their help is to lift US trade sanctions. The Iranians will demand the US drop their pesky whining about their nuclear program, too. And apologize. The US has to grovel.

I don't think the Iranians will be happy as long as the US even continues to consider the "Zionist entity" to be an ally. But then, I don't think the 0bama administration does consider Israel an ally.

104

subsailor68 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:18:57am

re: #93 FloridaAnole

Isn't Iowahawk's latest hit on Christopher Buckley and the Obamunist conservatives terrific? (I'm having trouble creating a link, sorry.)

Is it this one?

Iowahawk

105

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:19:06am

re: #98 lostlakehiker

We'll just amke a deal with Russia... Like decommissioning all those pesky ICBM's we have...

106

Dustyvet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:19:20am

re: #91 VegasRick

Picture worth a million words.

Different Presidents, A Different Corps

Youtube Video

107

NukeAtomrod Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:19:50am

Oh no! We have to surrender in Afghanistan quick! If we don't, we might not lose!

/////////// Leftist Thinking

108

quickjustice Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:22:08am

We took out the Taliban government with 200 special ops soldiers. So will someone please explain our strategy of occupation in Afghanistan, which is not an Arab country? Will we attack Pakistan, where the terrorists are hiding? What's the Obama endgame here? Tie up the U.S. military in Afghanistan while Ukraine, Georgia, and Eastern Europe go undefended?

109

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:22:45am

re: #108 quickjustice

I think he wants to force the pressure on Pakistan... And possibly go into the NWFP.

110

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:22:47am

re: #89 samsgran1948

I nominate this for the "Best Line of 2009" Award! Can it be a revolving title? (By the way, Sub, I had a functional keyboard prior to this line.)

I buy keyboards by the gross, the bulk discount really helps out......
/;-P

111

Dustyvet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:23:10am

Marines Tepid Response to Obama Speech on Iraq

Youtube Video

112

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:23:44am

re: #103 Kosh's Shadow

I don't think the Iranians will be happy as long as the US even continues to consider the "Zionist entity" to be an ally. But then, I don't think the 0bama administration does consider Israel an ally.

Thank god for Israel. If they were not there the middleast would of been a bigger dog pile decades ago.

113

quickjustice Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:23:49am

re: #109 tfc3rid

So when the Russians move into Georgia and Ukraine, we'll have what assets available other than Hillary Clinton? ;-)

114

jcm Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:24:31am

re: #113 quickjustice

So when the Russians move into Georgia and Ukraine, we'll have what assets available other than Hillary Clinton? ;-)

We'll have an open hand, and frank discussion.

115

Ben Hur Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:24:47am

re: #85 Dustyvet

Schwarzkopf

Ahhh...the irony.

116

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:25:07am

re: #113 quickjustice

So when the Russians move into Georgia and Ukraine, we'll have what assets available other than Hillary Clinton? ;-)

We will have the United Nations write a sternly worded letter.

117

pink freud Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:25:18am

O/T:

From the website of my local (Louisiana) talk radio station:

Time Magazine is asking for people to send them questions to pose to Governor Bobby Jindal for an upcoming article. Email Robert or Bernie with a question you would like the Governor to answer.

Email addys are listed at the link provided if you are interested.

118

yma o hyd Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:25:38am

re: #106 Dustyvet

Amazing video!
The reception for one Pres brought tears to my eyes ...

Don't have to say which one, do i?

119

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:25:42am

re: #111 Dustyvet

I counted 4 people applauding Obama as he entered.

120

Dustyvet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:26:26am

re: #118 yma o hyd

Amazing video!
The reception for one Pres brought tears to my eyes ...

Don't have to say which one, do i?

Umm, No...:)

121

Kenneth Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:26:37am

re: #113 quickjustice

Barry will go body surfing in Hawaii again.

122

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:27:12am

re: #119 Kenneth

I counted 4 people applauding Obama as he entered.

I believe over 72% of the military personnel polled during last election were pro McCain/Palin.

123

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:27:18am

re: #119 Kenneth

I counted 4 people applauding Obama as he entered.

Wow... That's a lot...

124

rumcrook Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:27:43am

things going on.

media allways wants a bad story, combined with media allways wants an american loss.

obama is either hoping for a "me too" surge victory, and is happy the media is playing this as a dire situation

125

jorline Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:28:06am

Rushism

Throwing money at companies will not fix the problem...look at welfare!

Sorry for paraphrasing the Right Wing slant.

126

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:28:21am

Obama rumor in NY is that he may come to Citi Field on April 15 (Jackie Robinson Night) and officially dedicate the Jackie Robinson Rotunda...

Needless to say I will try and sell my tix to some drones of his...

127

[deleted] Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:28:32am

128

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:28:50am

re: #121 Kenneth

Barry will go body surfing in Hawaii again.

Time for more pics of the Presidential pecs...

129

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:29:21am

re: #123 tfc3rid

Wow... That's a lot...

Must have been under threats of Article 15's.

130

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:29:37am

re: #123 tfc3rid

Wow... That's a lot...

I'm really missing Bush in the white house but it is good to see him back home with us here in Texas and away from the snakes up in DC.

131

debutaunt Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:30:08am

re: #106 Dustyvet

Mostly tepid, indeed.

132

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:30:23am

re: #126 tfc3rid

Obama rumor in NY is that he may come to Citi Field on April 15 (Jackie Robinson Night) and officially dedicate the Jackie Robinson Rotunda...

Needless to say I will try and sell my tix to some drones of his...

If not you can line your bird cage with them.

133

wiffersnapper Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:31:06am

The US never loses unless ~~Democrats~~ Defeatists have their way

134

quickjustice Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:31:28am

re: #126 tfc3rid

Be sure to scalp 'em! ;-)

135

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:31:47am

re: #132 soxfan4life

If not you can line your bird cage with them.

Are you kidding... I could probably get 75 bucks per tix for $30 seats...

But that, of course, would be capitalistic and greedy of me...

136

quickjustice Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:34:20am

re: #135 tfc3rid

Go for it! I'd start at $150 each. Obama's presence disgraces the memory of Jackie Robinson, a good and decent man, and a great ballplayer.

137

Dustyvet Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:35:17am

Negative Waves

Youtube Video

138

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:35:28am

re: #135 tfc3rid

Are you kidding... I could probably get 75 bucks per tix for $30 seats...

But that, of course, would be capitalistic and greedy of me...

Just make sure you report the extra income, after all it's the patriotic thing to do.

139

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:36:19am

re: #138 soxfan4life

Just make sure you report the extra income, after all it's the patriotic thing to do.

Yeah, right... I'm not gettign any takers yet for any of my extra tix, even for Mets-Red Sox exhibition games at Citi.

140

soxfan4life Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:36:20am

re: #136 quickjustice

Go for it! I'd start at $150 each. Obama's presence disgraces the memory of Jackie Robinson, a good and decent man, and a great ballplayer.

Obama's presence discredits many more than Jackie Robinson.

141

herman92 Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:39:42am

Has anyone else read "The Gamble" by Ricks. Its about the successful implementation of counter insurgency tactics by General Petraus in Iraq. Its truly an Amazing and mostly untold story. Basically we shifted our main mission to protecting the Iraqi people. The new tactics include establishing forward operating bases among the population, getting out of humvees and doing foot patrols and protecting the civilian population from Al quieda and militias. Also, controversially, putting some former insurgents on the payroll, manning checkpoints to protect their neighborhoods. According to the book, such a drastic change in the way our troops operated achieved strategic surprise and changed the course of the war which in 2006 we were most likely loosing. Its an amazing story of intellectualism and ingenuity triumphing within the American military. Its really a fascinating book and would recommend to anyone seriously interested in knowing what a great job our troops and leaders are now doing in Iraq. I thought it might be relevant to see if similar tactics can work in Afghanistan.

142

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:40:26am

re: #140 soxfan4life

Obama's presence discredits many more than Jackie Robinson.

Having BHO as our commander in chief makes me feel ashamed for living in a country where this nut case actually was elected.

143

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:40:44am

Obama's in the true Big Leagues now. He isn't "talking to" others who are subordinate to him in any way, shape or form.
Does the world need ANYTHING from the US? Yes, they need our economy. Do y'all think that the World is truly impressed by what Obama has achieved or proposes to achieve economically? Even if we're talking about Socialist States?
For crying out loud, some European Socialist States, like say, France, are already 50/50 workers and those living off the public teat - how are they gonna keep up that juggling act when the USA won't be around to pick up the cost of defending France? Or Great Britain or Germany? And Hell, Russia isn't even a first rate non-nuclear power these days but they sure as hell could take France and Germany. So this POTUS - who so wanted the World to "like us" again, is spending so much money - or proposing spending so much money here in the US, the US won't have enough money to bail out other nations, no matter how much they may need to be bailed out.
So we finally get to Afghanisan. The NATO forces, with some notable exceptions, DON'T WANT TO FIGHT THERE. We went into Afghanistan to punish them for PUBLICALLY providing a safe haven for Osama bin Laden where he trained, recruited and planned for 9/11 and now what - Obama is through with Afghanistan? Why, cause he needs the money to fund ACORN or his staggeringly stupid National Health care? This President is, I fear, not only being laughed at by foreign leaders, but is indeed putting America into great danger.
Less than 60 days into office and he's already a damned disaster.

144

tfc3rid Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:41:06am

re: #142 Scorch

Having BHO as our commander in chief makes me feel ashamed for living in a country where this nut case actually was elected.

So, are you saying that, for the first time in your life, you are NOT proud of America?

145

Amer-I-Can Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:41:23am

re: #126 tfc3rid

Obama rumor in NY is that he may come to Citi Field on April 15 (Jackie Robinson Night) and officially dedicate the Jackie Robinson Rotunda...

Needless to say I will try and sell my tix to some drones of his...

This sounds like a great opportunity for another "Tea Party" demonstration. I'll bet the press coverage would be better than last weekend.

146

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:42:00am

re: #141 herman92

Very interesting read.

147

Scorch Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:44:46am

re: #144 tfc3rid

So, are you saying that, for the first time in your life, you are NOT proud of America?

Proud to be an American but ashamed we let this BHO loser become our president.

148

FloridaAnole Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:56:04am

re: #66 yma o hyd

I think they will both come to regret this snub.
PB0 for political reasons: even if he thinks Gord is already a busted flush, this is no way to treat an ally. And the Tories will look beyond the humiliation of their opponent to how this affects future UK policies.
WAB - well, there's nothing as unforgiving as the British Laydee journos - and they are slowly but surely unshaething their claws.

Oh - and then there's The Queen ... if PB0 and WAB don't get their act together by the time they get to meet her, they'll be in very deep doo-doo!

This whole Obama clownshow with Gordon Brown & Mrs. Brown is disorienting; I can't figure out whether it is because Barack & Michelle are both just bone ignorant and badly brought up, and ain' got no manners, or because they are commies and therefore think good manners are Bourgeois & Inauthentic , or because this is some kind of White House Smartass Foreign Policy statement: Eff Off, Europe! We're saving our charm for the Good Guys, like Dinnerjacket & Chavez!

149

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:57:45am

re: #147 Scorch
Uh, "We" didn't let this guy be our President - at least some 48,000,000 American's didn't vote for him; it's just that we have to pay the price for his ineptitude and inexperience as I indicated in my #143 above.

150

realwest Thu, Mar 5, 2009 9:59:53am

re: #148 FloridaAnole
I dibs the last one. IIRC the White House has a chief of protocol who is NOT appointed by the President until said C of P dies or retires and that hasn't happened as yet; I think it was a coldly calculating way (the Chigago Way) to treat the leader of one of our two staunchest allies in the world.

151

funky chicken Thu, Mar 5, 2009 10:16:02am

re: #44 DaddyG

We need troops to patrol the canyon between Pakistan and Afganistan. What? You say there's a mountain range there? We can fix that.

/

I'd rather have them patrolling the canyon between the United States and Mexico. If I'm gonna have US soldiers walking along canyons on a side of a narco-terror state, anyway, let's pick the one close to home, eh?

152

funky chicken Thu, Mar 5, 2009 10:20:46am

re: #111 Dustyvet

Marines Tepid Response to Obama Speech on Iraq

[Video]

honestly, it's not good for the US Marines to keep posting this video and making this point. Obama already doesn't like them....don't rub salt in the wound

153

Colonel Panik Thu, Mar 5, 2009 10:35:44am

Max Boot is my favorite submarine movie.

154

Cygnus Thu, Mar 5, 2009 11:07:34am

re: #15 jorline