Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Chris, Seattle, Washington — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:21:23 GMT

Since Musharref has handed over the keys to the tribal regions in Pakistan. We can no longer afford to respect the Soveriegnty of this area of Pakistan. I believe that if the Taliban knew that we would chase them back across the Pakistani border and that a line on a map no longer served as protection, Afghanistan would simply be defending itself. I do not support an incursion or occupation of the tribal areas of Pakistan, rather I support the ability to persue the attacker.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Ray,Springfield,VA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:18:08 GMT

something must be done about Pakistan's lawless area
to solve the problem in Afghanistan. Maybe nuking
Wazirstan and Queta is a good idea, You will see no
more Taliban or Al-Qaida.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Rob, Louisville, Ky — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:04:55 GMT

The war in Afghanistan is a really good idea...if you want to spend your country into bankruptcy, i.e. USSR vs. Afghanistan circa 1980's. I am sure some well-intentioned, semi-well-informed people think it is the "right war" but the information in the article confirms that after seven years of war we are not better off now, strategically or tactically, than when we began this ill-conceived campaign.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Jim Marn, Honolulu, Hawaii — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:06:47 GMT

Let's see if the peace-loving, negotiating Obama wants to talk with Al Qaida or the Taliban. It will just be a matter of time before our boy-wonder calls for a pull-pit of Afganhistan. This youngster is gutless, but would have dogded the draft when we had it.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Larry A San Francisco Ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:16:00 GMT

I say lets keep spending Billions of Dollars to Pakistan so that Pakistan's Intelligence Service can keep funding these guy's and training them to cross the Afghan border to bring havoc on our forces. Sounds like they (ISI) may have help coordinate this particular even. My son serves the 2nd-503rd and is looking for some payback.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Steve Waterworth, Easton, Illinois — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:19:24 GMT

This is Vietnam all over again and will have the same tragic ending.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Carl Feldman — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:20:33 GMT

We can bomb across the border or now or wait and bomb across the border later. it's going to happen. It's only a matter of time.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Charles Bondi Gaithersburg, MD — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:29:18 GMT

Was there ever a point in the last several years when we had reason to believe that Pakistan controlled its border regions or its Pashtun Taliban allies? (rhetorical: I think not.)

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Jim C. Worcester,MA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:42:38 GMT

How can we continue to be surprised by the tactics of these terrorists after what they did on our home soil on 9/11? Can they really be that far ahead of our best military efforts or are we just not trying hard enough? John McCain, if you are serious about winning these wars you would be demanding that we reinstitute the draft!!!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

concerned citizen with a Marine nephew, Dallas, Texas — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:49:23 GMT

why does that base even still exist? why has it not been bombed back in to the stone age? who left it there for the foe to use?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Joe, Martinez GA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:55:39 GMT

When is this administration going to realize that Pakistan is not our ally?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

gary.thaxton@roadrunner.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:58:29 GMT

I hope our guys booby traped the place before they left, and we should have had a couple Predators aloft nearby to hit them as they recovered their dead. Then, one day next week, we send four B-52's over and flatten the village from high altitude, so nobody hears us coming.
We need to become their worst nightmare.
Gary Thaxton, Statesville NC

Gary Thaxton, Statesville NC

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Glenn Thomas, Portland, Or — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:32:39 GMT

Why aren't we gassing these people? What are we waiting for, another 9-11? Are we a super power or a paper tiger? How many more of our young men and women have to come home in body bags or maimed for life because we don't use our arsenal on these Muslin scum.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Jeffrey Smythe, Lakeland, Florida — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:42:58 GMT

Al-Qaida has bases in Pakistan and probably Iranian trainers, who were trained by the Russians, running them. That's as plausible a scenerio as any! Ladies and Gentlemen we are on the brink of W.W.III now with the Israelis ready to blast Iran. Israel's recent Hamas humiliation will make War an easier sell to the inhabitants of that Country. The U.S. is ready to roll too! When the "Light Show" starts - LOOK OUT!!!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

jim harasymiw mukwonago WI — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:46:54 GMT

This is starting to look like what happened to the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Perhaps reviewing their approach and modifying ours so as not to fall into the same trap might be useful.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

j dougherty big sur ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:49:58 GMT

start dropping GBU-43BS (m o a b ) 18000lb mountain busters - random 24 7 along the pakistan border - up to 1oo meters from the border drop at night on al commanding mountain and hill tops -- put a dozen within 5 miles of the paki border -target all pakistan intellegence hqs -cut out the bs with our ''allies;'' 19 mother and fathers are grievingtheir sons who were totally unprotected last week no more

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Scott Denbina, Fort Worth Texas — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:54:55 GMT

Pakistan has, except for Musharaf himself (and he is now irrelevant), always sympathized with the Taliban, which is really of Pakistani creation from the outset. They have provided safe haven for Al Q'aeda for far too long already. Either Bush meant what he said on Sept 12 when he said "...Those who harbor them will share their fate.", or he just another low-down lying weasel. To hell with Pakistan and their sovereignty; we should attack, we should kill, pillage, and burn, until the few live subhuman third-world derelicts left standing surrender to us on their knees, the terms of which need to include burning down every mosque in their country and wiping pig feces on pictures of Mohammed until they learn to like it (or die). For it is not enough to simply kill this enemy, they must be humiliated until they proclaim us their true masters and bow down before us, shielding their faces as we pass by. And we shuold not lose ONE SINGLE AMERICAN GI doing this, we should doo it all from 30,00 feet up.

Remember...WE WERE ATTACKED! WAKE UP, PEOPLE!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

W Petersen, St. Helens, Or — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:01:17 GMT

Nuke Northern Pakistan and end this BS./ Why risk any more American or NATO troops lives.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Phil, Los Angeles, Ca. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:05:21 GMT

So why are we still in Afghanistan? Looking for Bin Ladin? So what happens if we find him, will everything cease at that time? Not.
Why are we still in Iraq? Why were we there in the first place. I think about these things when I pay my taxes. We all should.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

devin, Albuquerque, NM — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:25:52 GMT

It's a shame the McCain, Bush and the Republican party has been so incompetent as to let Afghanistan become a forgotten war, and thus allowed Al Qaida to re-group while they waste manpower, money, and resources in Iraq. Meanwhile our soldiers suffer the consequences, but as far as the GOP in concerned..."Who Cares", it's not like any of them are serving, fighting, or dying.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Dan,Temecula,CA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:30:44 GMT

If Pakistan is avoiding the situation at the border, then they are indirectly aiding the terrorists, i.e. giving them safe haven. Therefore we must do what needs to be done, so-called friend or not. It's time to do it before we get hit again.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

tom, pacifica,Ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:32:58 GMT

"first-rate" manuevers by the enemy means they're learning our tactics. We have'nt put enough resources into Afghanistan and now we're paying the price.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Trevor Jones — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:50:21 GMT

Elephant in the room. The ISI wing in NWFP is fully active and independant once again now that 'civilian govt' is in Place.

This level or coordination, intelligence and the like isn't happening by chance. They took out Indian Defence Attache and RAW Station Chief and that was also a planned OP.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Soldier — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:19:03 GMT

I believe we underestimated the enemies of this war. Also, we must look at the leadership of that unit. To end the deployment with 9 KIAs is due to the cockiness of the leadership. Those leadership should be fired to include the top three of that unit.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

CliveBing, Colorado Springs, CO — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:38:36 GMT

Back at the beginning stages of the U.S. response to the 9/11 attack, Bush & Co. made it clear on more than one occasion that no distinction would be made between any nation or entity offering safe harbor to the perpetrators of the attack and the perpetrators themselves. How this warning ended up with the U.S. giving Musharraf and his military billions of dollars to hunt down bin Laden remains unexplored. Not that Musharraf was going to be silly enough to work himself out of a job by actually finding bin Laden.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:57:29 GMT

Wouldn't the U.S. defend itself if they were slowly and increasingly being occupied by an external armed force?
Why are people so naive as to think the U.S. can wage war where ever they want to and should not, will not suffer casualties? Everyone knows the expression, "If you play with fire, you will get burned." If the U.S. was not there, then they would not be losing these people, would they?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

R. NorCal — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:02:30 GMT

Why no investigation into the well-coordinated attack on the Afghan prison that freed all those enemy combatants? U.S. forces were there, but stood back and did nothing.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Vipin, Palo alto — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:08:37 GMT

Taliban is a creation of pakistan army and ISI. Why wouldn't they be able to carry out complex coordinated attack? Especially when the NATO troops are fighting with their hands tied behind their back. Let the NATO carry out hot pursuit and spec ops in FATA and see how the taliban crumble.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

John Smith, USA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:10:01 GMT

I agree. The enemies of America are growing in numbers, technological sophistication and strategic prowess. The techniques and tactical preferences employed by the U.S. military have been a public spectacle for decades, given that the United States has held the most prominenet, well known and heavily scrutinized military presence in the world since WWII. The U.S. was a 'sleeping giant' when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, awoken to demonstrate the awesome power of a nation united, but the America of today is a divided nation, and with the mounting contempt and envy of some foreign states that would stop at nothing and relish in the opportunity to cause great detriment to the citizens of this country, America must stand together with vigilance and resolve. We must not stand idly by while the foundation of the United States of America crumbles beneath our feet and the oblivion of the average American citizen to global threats Uconsumes us completely. To those who think America can never be defeated, keep in mind that Rome was once the greatest empire on Earth- the more complex the machine, the greater care required to maintain it. We, as a nation, are not perfect, but we stand on firm principles and an ingenious system that is worth fighting for. United we stand, and divided we will fall- stay sharp and ready.
God bless the troops and guide them home safely.

-John Smith

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mr. Petro, Bartlett, IL — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:10:13 GMT

"Reports claim that within hours the post was overrun by Taliban fighters."
And why didn't the commanders fire one well aimed missile at the overrun Post?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

timhut@aol.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:14:07 GMT

Something went terribly wrong in the tower. If there were 8 soldiers in the tower, and the threat level high, somebody was asleep at the wheel. We need to find out what went wrong so we can prevent an attack like this in the future. I wonder if we are being lulled into situations like the Beirut bombing which killed so many Marines. Let's hope the 15-6 investigation doesn't sweep the tru facts under the rug.

Tim Hutchison Indianapolis, IN

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

john doe derby ct — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:14:28 GMT

9 more coffins for bush he must sleep well, what a waste of life for oil.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Chris Melton, Thomasville, GA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:20:44 GMT

Well, let's see, if the U.S. govt would stop tip-toeing around every conflict and give the troops what they need to accomplish their missions there would be better morale as well as better performance. They would feel safer knowing they had enough firepower to get the job done. Start listening to the troops on the ground and stop letting high-ranking pencil pushers call all the shots. REMEMBER THIS: "things are never as easy as they appear to be in combat and, when you think you have it figured out...you'd better think some more!!!"

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

scott brookdale — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:28:40 GMT

Thanks to the blunder of the Iraq invasion the US will never gain a foothold in Afghanistan and will face the same fate every other imperial power has faced there throughout history. Defeat

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Annand Ramlogan, Sfd'o Trinidad — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:43:10 GMT

Blame Pakistan for our intelligence failure and for their failure to controll their border. Here we are a super rich nation that cannot control our own border with Mexico but we demand a third worl country with scarce resource to have total control of their porous boarder. Will someone please accept responsibility for our failures other than to shift blame to foreign nations.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Annand Ramlogan, Sfd'o Trinidad — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:44:42 GMT

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

LCPL Aviles Fort Myers, Florida — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:27:17 GMT

We have got to stop underestimating the enemy and do things heavily handed. Like when a team of soldiers was in Iraq....We did not have the backup forces in place to get there and kick but. EVERY TEAM < EVERY GROUP and so forth has to have a response force and an auxiliary backup force to multiply forces at hand to quell attacks like these. Air support as well as ground support should only be minutes from being backed up. Someone is slacking on backing up our troops on t he ground.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

sgt little washington dc/ florida — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:29:48 GMT

it should not suprize you to read this ,polititions run the war not the soilders on the ground libs, dems, repubs, are in the same boat we pull out completely or do what the infantry was made to do ,move destroy the enemy ,i have a infantry blue cord .

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Wence Sarmiento. Santa Monica, CA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:55:45 GMT

It is "noon time" for Intelligence to map & spot the training centers in W. Pakistan. A missile operation, no troops, with precision to destroy any activity must be the objective.
Political static from the Pakistan Government should be ignored.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Schigolch, Malibu, California — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:06:48 GMT

It's obvious that Pakistan has become the enemy.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

David from Portsmouth England — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:24:40 GMT

i feel so sorry for those guys putting there life in the hands of goverments, when not enough is being done by all sides to do there best in the saftey of these men ,a young mans life seems so cheap ,how do these men and woman do it with the fear every day it could be there last ,when they hear and see so many of there friends dying around them , they deserve the highest honour and respect , and i feel most the families ,so sad .

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:30:59 GMT

Ask Allah.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

bob werner st paul,mn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:58:24 GMT

Now you know why the Russians left 30 years ago.It was called their "Vietnam".You cannot win in that terrain just as we couldnt in the jungle.You stay forever or forget it.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Serge Rebenkoff, Paoli, PA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:22:11 GMT

If our military know/knew that this outpost was taken over by the the enemy as soon as we left why didn't they counter attack and catch them unaware? This all could have been done with remote air-to-ground missiles and robot unmanned planes. Then have our gunships pulverize the place to dust, and leave the enemy nothing!
What good is it to have an investigation before taking aggressive counter action to even the playing field?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Alan, Fresno, Ca. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:22:49 GMT

Dear US commanders;
You got clobbered by the core Taliban that sloppyness let escape several weeks ago.
These guys are limitless hard core black-bearded Arab fanatics that you or anyone will never defeat!
These guys have been provided modern communication technologies and intelegence tools such as you have. so you can't see/hear them.
Remember you provided these guys against Russia, Well guess what; tit for tat...

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Serge Rebenkoff, Paoli, PA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:25:47 GMT

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Bart House, Springfield, Ohio — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:38:50 GMT

The US miliary has proved once again that despite our so called Technical" superiority, we make the error of assuming that will overcome esprit de corps and solid miliary tactics.
We lost that way in Vietnam: I am a Vietnam Vet
And many invaders: most recently Russia, were beaten that way in Afganistan.
The recent events should be no surprise as intelligence and events there over the last year have pointed to this resurgence in the strength of Al Quaida.

The Bush Regieme is made up of imcomptent and dangerously ignorant fools.
The have underestimated and misjudged in both Iraq and Afganistan.
As a result, we have been over extended in both places.
However, the early evidence in this incident shows a lack of miltary competence by the soldiers in the outpost and they are the one who have paid the price for their lack of vigilance.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

James W. Runyon, Charleston, WV — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:46:52 GMT

I am glad to see a 15-6 being conducted. It is important to remember that in every miitary operation there is RISK involved. An important question to ask and answer, was everything done to minimize the RISK? First things first. We must honor the fallen heros who lost their lives. Secondly, learn as much from this situation as we can so to avoid it in the future and finally, deal accordingly with anyone who failed in their duties to protect the outpost and the American Soldiers serving there. We cannot begin the investigation assuming quilt and looking for someone to blames and punish or we will miss the important lessons to be learned and mistakes to be avoided in the future.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

David Baker — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:59:08 GMT

Somehow, we have to figure out how not to allow sanctuary to the insurgents ANYWHERE. If that means striking across the Pakistani border, then so be it. I and a lot of other Americans are sick and tired of politics overruling strategic decisions on the ground. This is too reminicent of some of the things that happened in Vietnam.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Maurice Bailey — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:08:49 GMT

That pisses me off to no end, There was no excuse to have a force that small in the middle of harms way.These stupid experiments are getting our people killed.This is really bad stuff, and no reason for it.somebody needs to get a grip.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Tom Panks, Traverse City, MI — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:09:44 GMT

If the Taliban occupied the post right after we left why didn't we attack the site from the air with missles and bombs? Why don't we take advantage of these situations like the Al Quida do? Makes no sense..none whatever! Sure not the Navy I was in!!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Scott Southerland, Greenville, NC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:27:20 GMT

Iran, stupid.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Ronald Helwig Pine Knoll Shores NC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:36:01 GMT

When can the United States be at WAR and not take ever action to insure the well being of our soldiers? When any group takes refuge in a place we cannot go we are not at war but playing a game of chance.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

sb, Washington DC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:37:31 GMT

Sad that we are putting our boys in harms way KNOWING that we cannot rely on Pakistan's involvement in ensuring that the region stays destabilized and providing cover to Al Qaida and the Taliban. Who is the Taliban ? Nothing more than Pakistani extremists!
You can do all the 15/6's you want but until you contain Pakistan from all sides, NOTHING is going to improve and the vicious cycle will continue. Now Iran has an interest in keeping the southern Afghan area destabilized where it borders Iran. The US will be slowly bled on both fronts and as the Americans are forced to defend themselves

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

A NON PARTY AMERICAN, BALTIMORE ,MD. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:45:17 GMT

In acomplicated world, simplicity is always the answer.The US has always known that training takes place in the neighboring counties, but we insist on acting as if they are our friends. Waite for the taliban to train cross borders and pick the fight, we will always loose. Pakistan should be cut off until they decide what side they are on. We need them to stop the threat to our borders? They need us to advance their modernization.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

K. Cook, Middleboro,MA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:47:27 GMT

I surmise that the newly set up outpost didn't have enough air support or overflight by intelligence drones to see the attack coming. We need to give these outpost support as they are out at the end of the line.

My question is why we didn't keep arial survellience on sight after we left, waited for " the post (to be) overrun by Taliban fighters " and them bomb the hell out of the site and get all the rats in one place??

I'm a 1st Class Petty Officer, US Navy Seabees OIF VET (2 Tours) and I figured out that after we abandoned the outpost that the rats would over run it. We missed a great chance to get them all with one shot.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

brashar bin shazi — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:54:42 GMT

here is your 15-6 answer it was iran iran iran where the attack took place is about 200 miles from iran another war is coming iran

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

SAM JONES COLUMBIA SC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:58:57 GMT

THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF POOR SECURITY, BOTH ON THE PERIMETER AND PATROLLING THE AREA AROUND THE OUTPOST. IT WILL HAPPEN EVERY TIME COMMANDERS AND NCOS DON'T FORCE EXTREME VIGILANCE.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

stanley t. johnson, Anderson SC. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:59:38 GMT

my comments is that Washington Politicians who has no Military experience should bow out and turn the war power of decisions over to the Military commanders in the field.How can you be a Comander or President if you've never been in the Military..Washington is a bunch of airhead buttholes.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Ned Dunham, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:11:55 GMT

This is a tough one which will not lead to easy answers. Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon that our failure to adequately man or fund the effort in Afghanistan lead directly or indirectly to this attack, we need to get the facts. This will be relatively easy from our side, but it will be difficult to get the necessary intel. from the area which is now apparently controlled by the Taliban. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the attack and the abandonment of the outpost absolutely point to the need for more focus and more effort before we, and the Afghans, suffer more severe losses. This is a war we could indeed 'lose' by reason of misplaced priorities.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Roy Pollard, Sebring, FL — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:26:46 GMT

Our spy satellite watching the IRAQI army would have come in handy at a new fort so close to the border/source. What were 8 soldiers doing in one watchtower?? Multiple casualties in a downed aircraft are understandable although as tragic, but this is senseless.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Hal Whitmore Lake, MI — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:28:49 GMT

What happened and why? All the soldiers that have or are ready to deploy to the AO need to know. Lessons learned from this attack need to be shared so it doesn't happen again. Just like having the firebase wire breached in RVN 40 years ago.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Rev. J. David Nichols, Wyoming — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:31:01 GMT

The only blame for this instance lies with the Bush administration - though it is unlikely that the buck will ever reach the president's desk. America was forced to retreat in Afghanistan because this administration took their eye off the ball by invading Iraq. Bush did not give our soldiers the resources they needed to defend this base.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Sheroo, Glenelg,MD. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:20:13 GMT

It is unfortunate that even after 8 years of deception by Pakistan after 9/11,America will never fully understand the clever two faced policy of pakistan. You have to be one of them ( Pakistan) to comprehend the deception. Pakistan is a common denominator of all terrorism in this world. Do not be surprised if Osama is living in the basement of ISI chief and the pakistan govt knows about it. It is a mistake not to enter Pakistan to eradicte terrorists. It should have been known and done from the day # 1. It hurts we are so powerful and still so naive.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mike Oak — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:25:37 GMT

Afghanistan should have been our main focus all along. We need more covert operations across the border into Pakistan if that government will not cooperate with keeping its borders under control.
Bush should never had gone into Iraq.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

dv, duarte, ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:51:12 GMT

Remember Mogadishu's "Black Hawk Down" back in the early 90's? The failure is due to improper planning. The 9-11 is due to lack of an effective and coordinated intelligence. Afghanistan is exactly the same thing...lack of an effective and coordinated intelligence. I wrote tons of letters to all concerned leaders and government agencies, unfortunately, these people refused to listen to ordinary people.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Dave, Albany, New York — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:57:21 GMT

In my opinion, our government has put Afghanistan on the back burner for too long. It has become known here as the forgotten front in the war on terror.

We as a nation need to give the military the tools and objectives to win the war and then get out of the way to allow the military to do the job they are good at without interferance from polititions.

It would not surprise me to find that these men were sent into harms way without the proper tools to complete the mission. Increasingly, our troops are tasked with missions that they are too thinly spread to complete with the level of support they are trained to expect.

Now we are seeing the fruits of our apithy, these nine fine soldiers died from it. Who's fault is this? I place it squarely on our shoulders as citizens of the US. We should be pressuring our political leaders to give the troops ALL of the assets they need to finish this war. Not only in Afghanistan but everywhere an American citizen is threatened.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

dv, duarte, ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:48 GMT

The 15-6 investigation is a waste of time. It would be demoralizing to the hardworking soldiers whose lives are on the line 24 hours a day in Afghanistan. I have been sending letters the last 4 years to these government agencies and leaders offering them an effective strategies on intelligence that would be 100% controlled by us, when will they start listening? Even VP Cheney forwarded my letter to the CIA, to no avail.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Patrick, Southlake, Tx — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:30:24 GMT

The U.S. military should have used B-52's to turn that former outpost into a smoldering pit of sand 50 feet deep as soon as it was overrun by the Taliban. If they did not than they missed a key opportunity to turn the Taliban's victory and war trophy gathering celebration into a reminder that they are the hunted in this war and not the hunter as they are trying to portray themselves to fellow Muslems. The missed opportunity to destroy the insurgents at the pinnacle of their victory should not be overlooked and could be interpreted as a sign that the military leadership over there is not serious about destroying the Taliban at every opportunity. The death of 9 Americans and the successful over running of a US outpost will do more to motivate the recruiting of new insurgents than all the virgins in the world.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Gary Feraro, Sandy Hook CT. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:32 GMT

Why are you making such a big deal about one event does the press think nobody is going to be killed. My god if todays press was around at the time of world war 2 we would have lost the war. Can you imagine the reports after iwo jima or the battle of the bulge we would have withdrawn from the war and the Nazi's and the Japanese would be in control of western europe and the pacific. Why is the press not writing about how we are kicking the crap out of these guys in every engagment. The press today is ubbeleviable with there rightous attiude.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Paul, Toledo, Ohio — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:19:47 GMT

I have a friend from college currently running around the in the mountains of Afghanistan fighting these types of people. When I first heard of this outpost attack, my thoughts instantly shifted to concern for his safety, as if he wasn't in danger previously. He very well could be one of the dead, as of yet, I have no idea. But it makes me wonder: What the hell are we doing over there? I'm not a general or even in the military, but I hope someone is deeply concerned by this attack and is willing to do something about it. If these militants are the sons and brothers of goat herders and mujahideen, I seriously doubt their level of inherent military training is that developed. Someone is coordinating these attacks and training these clowns some advanced tactics. My guess, and it may be speculation, is that the Pakistani Intellience Services are behind this, for reasons involving Muslim brotherhood. When are we going to get tough on Pakistan, start admitting to the American public that they are not our friends, and stop acting like they are an ally. I think that Pakistan has American blood on their hands, and until we start disrespecting them like they're doing to us, they won't think we are serious about ending this problem. Hell, the way it looks to me right now we're not! Its time to put but more boots on the ground over there so that our troops can start locating those boots in some militant's backsides. In actuality, a border is just an arbitrary line, and in this case, it should be treated as such. If the Pakistanis want to stop American troops from crossing the border, let them try to get in the way as they're pursung people over it. They're already impeding our progress in other ways, so why not up the ante?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Joe, NY — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:33:10 GMT

friends like these guys (Afghans) we don't need. Their leaders are corupt from Karzi to the lonely traffic police. I bet they (the Afghani Govt) supplied the tailban the where about, security details, number of troops, ...... to these guys for a fee.I say we don't need friends like these. let they mess-up their lives. let them destroy each other! why should we have to care!! so in reality this is every thing but a beutiful freindship. with friends like thses who needs enemies!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Richard Nelson, Denver, CO — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:47:01 GMT

Thee were serious mistakes made in the process of deciding to place a post in this location and then abandoning it after an attack. Where was the intelligence that led up to the decision that this was an appropriate place to site an outpost and what protocal allowed an early outpost openning operate w/o the highest level of security in the early days of operation? The decision to abandon the post screams of misjudgements, poor decision-making and flawed leadership. This has to have been many mistakes made here that cost unnecessary casualties. And to what end?

If we did not stay beyond the first few days of the initial attack, what hve we learned about the Taliban strength and local support? Why give the attackers the logistical victory of gaining this camp intact and why the moral victory of having been able driven the Americans so swiftly from this outpost?

Mistakes like this have to be investigated, laid open for all to see and learned from. The military and particularly it's leadership has to be held accountable otherwise the message to our troops is that our commanders make the mistakes and the subordinates are the ones who pay the price. This will lead to troops not only questioning Command but maybe also questioning orders from superiors. Mistakes can & are made but somehting has to be learned here otherwise we've lost yet more American lives in vain.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Scott J., Denver, CO — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:59:45 GMT

"But two days after the assault, U.S. commanders determined the outpost could not be adequately defended and withdrew all American forces. Reports claim that within hours the post was overrun by Taliban fighters."

If this was the case, why didn't we perform air strikes and wipe out their presence in the outpost?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Doug, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:03:12 GMT

As far as I am aware none of the 9-11 hijackers were afghani although their mission was planned there with Bin Laden. I witnessed 9-11 in NY and while 3,000 americans died we have since killed many times that number of innocent Afghanis through our military operations. We have no business being there and treating the the afghanis like dirt; attempting to impose our mis-guided values on them, propping up their puppet government and bombing their wedding parties on a regular basis. The U.S. UN and NATO should come up with a diplomatic solution with all parties involved. We should also stop blindly supporting Israel which already has 150 plus nuclear warheads, make development of alternative fuel technology mandatory and get out of the Middle East. Maybe that would reduce their hatred. How would you like to be under foreign military occupation and have your culture regulary disrespected with brute force. End All war!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Dorothy Dillon,Huntsville Al — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:03:17 GMT

Thare is alot of no good going on with the leaders of both afghanistan and Packistan,,They are both in some kind of deal with the Taliban..They are playing both sides of the fence,and we are giving out money for them to do it with..But we must do something with Packistan first

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Steve,Purcell, Oklahoma — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:41:18 GMT

We need to have our congress to declare war. Of course the American public and congress would never do that we will just call it a conflict and carry it on till we finally grow tire of it being a conflict. They bomb us and declare war on us and we just cry about it and do our little dance. Our military and troops are great and congress say you need to do just limited things and will probably, well maybe, back you up. This country needs to get a back bone and declare war and go after them and put countries on notice if you harbor them you will pay the price because we are coming. Intelligence tells us we are very likely to be attacked again - is this not correct. Thats because we have a enemy that is bent on hell to cause us harm and will even send people who will blow themselves up to do it. That because of their declared war against us and their convections to destroy us. Not one person reading this has the convictions to do that or do I expect it. However, we do need to stand up to the fight and give our military every right to go after them 100% with our backing wherever they are. All of this is just bull crap because nothing like that will happen. I remember a long time ago Pear Harbor was bombed and our country and citizens had the back bone to declare war and finish it morally and justified.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Steve,Purcell, Oklahoma — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:48:14 GMT

Doug, you witnessed NY and the enemy declared war against you and you say OK. I say you experienced military occupation in NY.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Gary Feraro, Sandy Hook CT. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:54:43 GMT

Some people's comments are trying to make a comparision between this war and Vietnam. Well let me tell you i was in country in the late 60's and i can assure you this war is not like Vietnam. First of all these people all signed up on there own and chose this way of life. I was drafted, the geopolitical landscape is totally diffrent today than it was some 40 years ago our troops are better trained and equiped and they have all chosen this as there way of life.We need to stick to our guns and hold the line and don't listen to the press whoe poisened the minds of Americans 40 years ago.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

dave ,fayettville, nc — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:07:18 GMT

I served in afghanistan recently I was operating in helmand.I can tell you personally that this recent attack although successeful was not the first complex attack the taliban has tried in the last two years. The general public never hears about these attacks until massive friendly casualties are sustained. Although I cannot say were and when, complicated attacks have been thwarted dozens of times by coalition forces.I was personally involved in a full scale ground war with the taliban's numbers in the hundreds.But no one heard about it because we KICKED THIER BUTTS!!!!!!!!! My point is now more than ever we need the American people to not become discouraged about afghanistan because of one attack that caused a traggic number of casualties.We have been kicking thier asses and were going to continue fighting the taliban as fierce as ever.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

preydor, my town, Wyoming — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:19:48 GMT

Lets see...sending a small group of Americans into an area to set up a base that never existed with lightly armed police forces that have no buy in to the region they are going into. Telling the Americans to take care of it with no buy in from their top commanders as they have not gotten out of Kabul to see what is on the ground. Kind of sounds like Star trek with 'make it so'. That is not the way to take care of businees. Lessons learned is something that someone in a plush office can point to, but is not something that we are doing. President Bush called this a 'war on terror' and no matter where they were, if the countries that were harboring them did not act we would. What happened to this approach? when did destroying the terrorist organizations that perpetrated the attack on our citizens become country occupation. If it takes cross border destruction of the training camps then, unlike the Russians, we should do it.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Genie, Bronx, NY — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:41:23 GMT

If they read all of these comments, they will see that the people of America have spoken . . . what's the next step?

JUST DO IT!!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Sheroo — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:48:19 GMT

Please forget it for god sake that Pakistan is our ally. Pakistan is the root cause of our terrorism in the world and plays double faced games to get military aid.US foreign policy believes we are using carrot and stick policy with Pakistan and the fact is actually it is other way around and Pakistan is manipulating us.
The sooner we bomb pakistan the better we are.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Trilochan Singh — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:55:52 GMT

It has been a long going practice with the muslim terrorist organization to attack across the borders of Pakistan. Kashmire is a long living example.American planners should hve studied this and then planned any operations in Afganistan. A couple of years ago India wanted to fix a similar problem of terrorist organizations having bases in Pak occupied kashmire and attacking India. Secretary Collin Powel rushed to india and convinced theIndian leaders to put off the attack. Now USA should team up with India and put an end to this menace.If USA is succesfull to finish off the terrorist maps in the Tribal Area, the terrorists will then start operating from Pak occupied Kashmire.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Doug, Brooklyn , NY — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:58:39 GMT

A lot of pro-war psychos on this blog today suggesting B52 strikes on the abanbdoned compound (what about the village next door and the people who live there?)and all kinds of other maximum force options. You people need to develop some hobbies (besides guns and nazi paraphnalia)or better yet meditate for a while on the meaning of world peace and the good things that can come for the human race with this. History has shown that no western power has ever successfully won a war in "the Khyber" region. It's a new millenium; peace should be the wave of the future if we are ever going to advance as a species. All people are equal in the eyes of god. What would Jesus Christ think of all of this (and your willingness to murder other human beings)?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

C. Smith, Montgomery, AL — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:52:48 GMT

The reason we are in the crap we are in now is because of politicians. Not just Republicans, not just Democrats, but both parties! If we had let the military do what they do best, blow stuff up and break things, handed them a blank sheet of paper and told them "here are the rules. you have 2 months max." we would be done already. But this became a political war a long time ago. If the politicians would just back off, stop making this a political war and let us do our job, we woouldn't be over there anymore. Better yet if politicians just disappeared...

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mason, CO springs, CO — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:53:23 GMT

I think it sucks that they are looking for U.S. Negligence. It was a well planned attack and we were outnumbered between 4 and 6 to one. The last thing a force that has just suffered greater than 50% casualties needs is someone telling them "mistakes were made, by you." Right or wrong, that force will likely not be in the field for a while after a battle like that, and this criticism accomplishes nothing. I think we can't accept that we can do things right and still occasionally lose. We should be investigating how the Taliban has managed to resupply their RPGs for the past 19 years, since we stopped giving them weapons after they beat the Russians, and they've been fighting ever since. Also; their numbers are being underestimated. I find it very both hard to believe and an insult to our soldiers that the better armed, better trained NATO force outnumber the Taliban by between 4 and 11 times as many soldiers, and the Taliban is still kicking ass. especially when there is no reason the Taliban could not have 120-150,000 in the border regions (counting all subgroups) since that is the amount they have been arming, and they could field that with the strong support they have from 60% of Pashtuns.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mason Armstrong, CO Springs — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:01:27 GMT

And Serge, just because the US has technological superiority does not mean we're capable of destroying anything instantaneously with no risk.
Our missiles are surprisingly expensive, and the taliban sometimes shoots down helicopters with RPG's, hard but not impossible. Since 9/11 we had lost 68 copters last I checked, and the largest single event casualty incident was when a helicopter was shoot down, a rescue chopper shot down, and then both crews killed by taliban fighters in a valley a S. Afghanistan (16 dead). If the military does not have munitions ready to go, and/or does not want to risk an aerial vehicle and/or its crew, probably multiple vehicles, that is a reasonable, understandable decision.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

sal,sharifi,vallejo,ca — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:04:38 GMT

I am an afghan American.I feel very sad and frustrated that US is still allowing Pakistan to interfere and commit crimes in Afghanistan.most of afghans are happy to see international comunity is helpping them.majority of problems are cross border terrorist.BORDER BTWEEN afghanistan and Pakistan must be secured in order to see any stability in afghanistan.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Rick Baker, Clarington, Pa. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:15:38 GMT

This seems to be an old story. Ever since Vietnm, with few exceptions, the millitary has been a reactive force. The military definatly needs to improve it's intel and be mor poractive in dealing with the growing threat in both Afg'stn, and Iraq. If not, we will be there a long time.
We are bogged down in this present fight. What happens when Russia and China go to war, which is not far off, then N. will invade S. Korea, China will try to reclaim Tiawan. Every pea braned dictater will use the distraction to expand their territories and all hell is going to break loose.
We need to get going, get agrressive, and kick son "A" soon and stop screwin' around

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Dwight Eisenhower — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:58:52 GMT

why are we there? 9-11? has anyone investigated what you think you know?? Drjudywood.com has the most extensive photo collection of 9-11, ask anybody what the names of the War Games and what they were described as during 9-11 then watch wtc7 fall on WTC7.net. Ask about the cars on JFK drive, and what happened to them... Are we turning into the United States of Amnesia?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

KM — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:05:17 GMT

I'm tired of the press and public in general not supporting the effort to defeat the terriosts and Talaban too. Why can we come together as a NATION like in WWII were all American played a role in defeating the Japenese and Germans.
Like or not extreamists that hate us and our way off life will not go away nor can you sit down and have an intelligent convesation with those that are unarmed! (mental)

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

martha, Margate,Florida — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:11:19 GMT

Mr. Bush how can you face the families of these 9 soldiers, sorry is not enough, enough is enough.
The pain , the anger is huge. My heart goes to the families.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

The Cowboy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:48:43 GMT

They killed nine guys, we killed 200 guys. We retreated.

Those difficult statistics have ominous implications for our entire mission in Afghanistan.

They established a price we are not willing to pay to maintain a presence on the field. Nine KIA. They probably lost more than nine guys just crossing the border through the mountains

Additionally, the news of this attack has probably already replaced their casualties five-fold, while reducing again the enlistment willingness in the US.

The President is paid to define the Mission and to define victory for that mission.

Just about everyone means well, but incompetence this year is even more perilous for our flag than it was in '03. There is just meddling, guessing, bribing some, standing up to others, all for shambles of failed and still failing foreign policy. Those nine brave men were killed to protect Dick Cheney and the Neo-Cons from criticism. Their deaths have been reported a thousand times, from the Delta to the DMZ, from the Yalu to the Pusan Perimeter.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Roy USA. — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:06:14 GMT

The persons that are responible for this ure the upper brass. There is so much money wasted to make sure these brass have the finest "accomodations" that is is ridiculous. I will give a good example.
Did you know that the U.S. air force to building a "capsule to house the U.S. military upper brass during flights.This "capsule" will include a flat screen T.V. a bed, a wooden table(which had to be restained due to 1 upper brass not liking the color, swivel leather recliners, (again , these had to be recovered due to 1 upper brass not liking the color) and a full length mirror.

This kind of waste makes me sick to my stomach. All the boys and girls over there dying. This money was appropriated for the war on terrorism.

I hear this kind of waste happens all the time, you can't stop it all. That is a load of .... If this kind of behavior is costing us our children, then we must do something about it. email the senator from your stat of start a petition. Do something to show those kids over there we do "CARE". Remeber 1 thing, those people on the hill work for you. Make them accountable, let them know in no unceartin terms that we run this country, they are only there to represent the people not to rule over them.

To many times we forget what made this country, the people made the country. Yes, the constitution was written by brillant men, however had it not been for the men willing to die the constitution would not have meant squat.

I implore everyone that reads this to pass it on, have that person pass this last comment on. Spending 1 minute of your life sending an email to your represenitives would be enough to bring more of our kids home. Is 1 life worth 1 minute of your time?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Afghan, The Netherlands — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:28:21 GMT

You wish this was vietnam.

Americans should have done their homework before deciding to colonialize the only nation on the fase of the earth that is known never to surrender.

Since Alexander the Great, the Pashtuns have resisted foreign aggressors with great succes.
The Moghuls, the British and the Russians followed.

Nuke Afghanistan and see if you win anything.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mike, Dallas, TX — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:34:37 GMT

Just like we provided training & weapons for Iraqis to fight Al-Qaeda in Iraq we provided training & weapons for Afghans to fight against Russia in the 80s. We are all about temp. solutions but stop caring so long as we get what we want RIGHT NOW!!! What we did in Afghanistan in the 80s is what we are paying for and history does seem to have a habit of repeating itself.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

D Krueger, Clemmons, NC — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:20:14 GMT

Interesting how the press is playing this attack. My husband is currently in Afghanistan mentoring Afghan officers through the DOD. Word is that the "camp" was a series of holes and vehicles and for 3 days the soldiers really didn't dig in and fortify their position. Yes, we took causalties, but we also did a lot of damage to those attacking, many of which were young boys conscriped by the Taliban. Yes, the Army wants answers - probably from the Lt officers commanding our troops and why they didn't do a better or more serious job!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

John Doe kuwait — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:33:04 GMT

There are soilders in kuwait with little or no reason to be there.. i rather help my brother's and sister's. Than be here.. 4th SUS

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

steve_23@hotmail.com — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:51:07 GMT

A sincere suggestion:
Vietnam and Iraq could be opted to perform new and affordable experiments, but, believe me or not, Afghanistan is not a good place to perform such experiments. For British Colonialism and Russian Communism Afghanistan proved to be the last lethal spot, I am afraid the same thing might happen with so called democratization and globalization. We need to seriously reconsider our approach in Afghanistan and understand that, the more we use Force, the more difficult we will make our job there. Let's opt something other than use against those people who are worriors by birth and simply allergic to the use of force.

Steve, Atlanta, GA

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Victoria LaVigne Rogers, TX — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:54:17 GMT

We clearly simply need to withdraw and nuke hte crap out of the middle east overall. Liberals and "conservatives" are both wrong. We have plenty of oil here too, but god knows we can't drill for it because of "endangered species". US troops are becoming an endangered specie!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

jimih, Tucson, AZ — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:38:35 GMT

What I don't understand is why the world can't just get along. What I do understand is that it is too easy to get people to follow any so called leader. When will we all see that these people (leaders)are all after the goods and our lives do not really matter to them?

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

KayKay, Columbia,MD — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:29:09 GMT

Unfortunately our American way of being one cohesive entity is long gone. for example our political leaders;;Media and their pundits;special interest lobby groups;presumptive presidential candidates;have become so diverse in their thinking that every one thinks he is right whereas a simple John Doe knows what is right and what is wrong but no one listens to the John Doe. For example it was a no brainer thing for a person on the street to say right from the start that the IRAQ WAR is not justified but Mr. Bush went to War so that he will ensure his second term. Now every body on the street says Pakistan is not an ally. He is the worst enemy but no body wants to hear for the last 7 years. Looking back I do not think America has won any War in the last 30 years though we went to the war,poke our own finger in our eye and we came back without making any financial gains. We have lost the art of winning the wars.It does not help when the presidential candidates says openly to world that we are no longer capable to open another front because we are short of troops and we will not attack IRAN.Why Media has to broadcast these things to encourage Talibans or Al Quaida to think they will win inthe end.It hurts and every one in America needs to go back to the drawing board come as one nation; one opinion and one resolve either to get out or win the war in one stroke and the get out

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

RW FDL, WI — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:46:54 GMT

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Kim Williams Audubon, NJ willj2k2@aol.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:11:01 GMT

A wonderful young man that I watched grow up is now gone--I will miss him

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Scott Zizhou,Pretoria South Africa — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:06:35 GMT

The game is becoming tighter !The States should revisit Pakisatn 's commitment to the war on terror before this war on US military gets off the hook.By any standards this show by the insurgents& villagers is no doubt a well orchestrated guerrilla move & many more to come maybe.Lots of respect to the lost lives in "defense" of American interests not necessarily the natives interest.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Scott Zizhou,Pretoria South Africa — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:09:51 GMT

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Joe Smith, SF CA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:20:05 GMT

I saw an email that Pakistan created the Taliban - Hello - wake up fool - Taliban was collected by - you got it - CIA - to fight the Russians - when the Russians pulled out - so did the CIA and leave the area to the Taliban. I see a lot of rhetoric - any one volunteering to go fight for the country - please instead of raising your hand, so signup and fight - or are you too busy playing your wii / playstation and raising false bravo.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

ss US — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:55:07 GMT

Will the troops have a safe return without negotiations? We are in a tight squeeze and so are they. I wish there was a simple resolution. Safe haven could turn into a dilemma if not carefully planned out if and what if... Power to the troops and I pray that no more causalities.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

ss US — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:06:38 GMT

I think what is posted on this site should be more confidential and no idea of a contemplating plan should be given out due to spy ware from other nations. They might not understand that we mean one thing and we do another--very conflicting way to negotiate if we come to an understanding of some sort. Can we communicate with the enemy if they have suicide bombers? Our defense has a honorable job ahead of them.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

RWArnold Sedro Woolley — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 06:42:31 GMT

There is no way to compare this to Vietnam. The Tet offensive had many, many thousands of VC running into a rain of US bullets. This is a terrible day for that outpost and for our boys, but comparisons to Vietnam don't hold up to scrutiny. I have to ask, barring 9-11 payback, what in the hell is our true reason being there? Is there any threat from there that we could not contain with miles of oceans separating us. And the cost is beyond comprehension - especially in lives, not to mention the material costs.

Folks who want to bomb our way to Armageddon, please remember - Afghanistan is not our country nor is this truly our fight. Did you vote for W. Well I certainly didn't. It seems to me that evil begets more evil, hense the CIA term for "blowback"...

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Jackieok, Macedon, NY — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:17:38 GMT

I think it is so rediculous that we are over there killing our own people more than we are killing them. That pisses me off. My sister is over there fighting for this country and i think it is a waste of time. I think that we should end this crap and bring our families home together where they should be. We will never get what we want out of "WAR".

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

eberhartcharles@hotmail.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:27:05 GMT

If everyone left the village before the attack, i would make sure that village would not be standing today! Chuck E Atlanta GA

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

ovdotim@cfl.rr.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:42:31 GMT

Here's my 15-6. Who ever had over all command of of those troops failed to provide adequate support in case they were attacked, and failed to counter attack when the perfect opportunity presented itself. For wasteing lives and poor tactics he'll probably get a medal and another star. Same ole military where the crap rolls downhill.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Paul Griffin, Rocky Face, Georgia — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:16:41 GMT

Responding to several previous comments, actually, President Musharraf's government has done a masterful job of flushing VERY many Al-Q terrorists out into the open, capturing them, breaking up networks/cells of Al-Q, bringing the tribal leaders and people of South Waziristan "into the fold" and cooperating with coalition forces.

The extremely rugged nature of the geography, though, makes the job of finding every terrorist rather impossible, humanly speaking.

One little-publicized aspect of this military action in Afghanistan is the great progress in building the infrastructure, such as the development of roads, schools, marketable skills, and medical clinics. Each one which is completed allows for a better ability to integrate once-separate segments of the population into the forward-looking Afghan nation. This process, however, is one requiring time and resources - and security elements, as the Taliban and Al-Q personnel are opposed to peace and progress and hope. President Bush, however, has things going in the right direction.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

dave, atlanta — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:45:22 GMT

The Pakis have been invovled one way or the other with every major terror bombing in the world. Ofcourse they train terrorits and send them over to Afghanistan. The US should take them both head on.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

John Doe chicago, illinois — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:55:14 GMT

The answer is and will always be one and only one? That is the immediate withdrawal of our troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan, Period! Is there any one listening? Afghanistan was the only success during the cold war against the Russians. Anmd why are we bent on alienating every living being on earth turning into our enemies and hating us? Pakistan stood by the US in all its cold war ventures in this part of the world and why would it be targeted for our failures and stupidity for fighting yet another Vietnam in another era. The current adventures and geneocides in Iraq and Afghanistan will no doubt bring us back to the worst economic darkness much worse then the 1930's.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Sharif Roche' San Diego CA — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:58:31 GMT

This is not a winable war, once our priorities changed from capturing and killing OBL, we should of pulled out immediately and operated from OPS only. Staying in any islamic nation for a long period of time, works to inflame the populous and garner support for the insurgency. Its not a matter of how many of them we kill, they love death as much as life, its we who will die a death by a thousands cuts. Our way of life has already been possibly changed forever, our economy is a disaster. Our enemies are western nations in as much as it is islamic ones. Our prestige and public support weakend. China and Russia are manuevering for a kill. You say bomb inside pakistan, sure go ahead, and motivate a population of over 250 million most of which side with the U.S or are neutral who without doubt will view it as a declaration of war. And you will see an insurgency unlike anything you've seen before, as the average citizen will support the taliban and our fall will be greater than the fall of the soviets. Once again we are faced with an enemy whom we supported, trained and brought to power, much like Saddam our biggest and best one time ally- well, that was aslong as he was gassing and killing Iranians.

Peace
Sharif

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mike Norberg — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:26:46 GMT

When FOB (Forwarding Operating Base) companies rotatate to new squadrons it is always a dangerous time.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Jim Beam, Cleveland, Oh — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:42:49 GMT

Anyone that says that us being in Afghanistan is the same as when the USSR attacked is wrong. We are NOT attacking the country, but we are trying to find and attack terrorists which isn't the same thing. The problem is, our government is working like a three legged horse and they are not approving the requests made by the commander of this particular "conflict" and everything we gained in the first 2 years was erased when both the UN and us pulled back troops and stopped attacking the Taliban. We allowed them to regroup instead of having them on the defensive. Now, we are starting from square one again, and are actually worse off because the enemy is more organized and now knows the SOP of the UN troops. A new commitment by not only us, but the other UN troops is necessary to regain control of key areas.

But now that Pakistan has pretty much told us to go F ourselves, it will be a losing battle as far as really damaging them. Our aid should be cut off, and UN sanctions need to be made if Pakistan continues to let the terrorists roam free near the border.

And for those that just want us to pull all our troops out, well, just hope you aren't in the next building in the U.S. that is blown up, or whatever the terrorists plan on doing on US soil.

I will leave you with something to think about...As long as we are putting pressure on the terrorists in their own backyard, they can't spend too much time in planning attacks on U.S. soil or any other place for that matter because they are concentrating on their own survival. Once we stop the pressure, we are sitting ducks waiting for them to kill more people in our own towns and cities.

As Iraq starts to gain control of their own destiny, there needs to be a concentrated effort to take care of the Taliban. Unfortunately, even by doing that, who is going to keep up the pressure, the Afgani armed forces? The unfortunate problem is that the country is poor and doesn't have the resources to continue the fight and keep the army up to speed to combat the border problem or the terrorist problem. I guess they could just take over the poppy growing and the government can redirect the money away from the Taliban and keep it for themselves. And as bad as that sounds, it would probably be one of the only viable options for the government to actually DO something. Imagine the government growing the poppy plants, harvesting it, and selling it and keeping the profits. They would take away the revenue of the Taliban, and keep it for the government to combat the bad guys. The world court of opinion would look down on them, but it isn't like the growing is going to stop anytime soon it would just stop benefiting the terrorists.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

, malaysia — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:36:15 GMT

Us army must out of afghan and iraq becoz they killed thousands of iraq and afghan moslem. The people of iraq, afghan and the whole moslem world see that US army as the invader of moslem countries

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

RH — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:23:39 GMT

WILL THE INVESTIGATION BE OF THE SAME HONESTY AND QUALITY AS THE TILLMAN INVESTIGATION? How these bad guys were able to come within breaching distance of the FOB is a question for the commander...

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Chris , Florida — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:05:21 GMT

When are we going to wake up and realize that Pakistan is not our ally? They are aiding and harbouring insurgents/taliban. The taliban are trained and then walk right over the border into Afghanistan. They take lives, and then walk right back into Pakistan! I say bomb those mountains! Make it look like the fourth of July.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Rogelio Palmones Newark new jersey — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:43:13 GMT

why are we worried of the internal problems of other countries. just leave them alone and settle their own. why dont we use the money that we spend on wars to search for oil so that we will ease the burden of our citizent with exorbitant oil prices. I can no longer stand to just standing in front of the television watching CNN broadcasting about the wars with American troops dying in the battlefield. My sons is in the army have his second deployment already, we want our troops to come home as soon as possible

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

David, Toronto, Canada — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:29:27 GMT

What a shame!!! After 7 years of a criminal war, still no one knows why this war is being fought. It is crazy to expect that there will be no resistance if one invades a coutry and kill thousands. The war continues. The crime continues. Thanks to Pakistan that it has still kept the whole norther region within its grasp but the crazy American invaders who just want to bomb every nation in the world are out there, with their ignorance, creating the pretext of a popular war against the invaders in Afghanistan. Try bombing pakistan and unleash the flood of revenge. Such ideas are the ideas of terrorists, which we hear so often in support of a criminal war!!!!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Prof Krish, Newyork. anakrish670@yahoo.com — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:26:00 GMT

Atleast now, let US realise that it is backing a black sheep all along. What is required now is a thorough policy review towards Pakistan at the highest level for fight against terrorism. In Kaashmir and elsewhere, India has been fighting this menace for a long time.Let it be borne in mind by all that Pak breeds nothing but terrorism!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Richard Guilmette, Enterprise, Alabama — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:33:37 GMT

I flew Chinook helicopters in Afghanistan in 04 - 05. Even back then we had some vey remote outposts. My unit resupplied these very small and dangerous places often and I couldn't imagine myself being out there with so few fellow soldiers. Yeah, they had SATCOM radios and other ways to contact their higher ups, it still took quite a while to launch a QRF (quick reaction force) for help. Depending on where the QRF was located it could take 30 minutes or longer for help to arrive. The other options were to call in for an air strike if a package was up already or an UAV. Otherwise it was fight. Maybe the 15-6 will help provide answers and insights, but this is nothing new. One other thought I have tossed around is that with all these multiple deployments it may be that our soldiers are starting to get fatigued and complacent. I worry about these guys and gals all the time, I know how they live.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Suz Apple Valley, CA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:00:50 GMT

My son is one of the 45 soldiers. We are thankful he is alive and hopeful that all the answers to the questions are found and resolved.

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Mary, Wisconsin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:00:20 GMT

It's very easy to comment but what have you done lately to support our troops? Walk the walk! The troops on the ground need support, not only from our government but from us! Do something, send a letter or a care package. Unless we've been there how do we know what went on? So many people get so upset but at the same time all they are doing is complaining, I don't believe any one person can change the situation but one person can make a huge difference for one soldier.
And to Richard G. from Enterprise, AL THANK YOU!

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Ben — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:43:47 GMT

we need more military units and the ability to invade Pakistan lawless area, then we pretty much gonna win this war in less then 7 years

Military wants answers on Afghan attack

Moe, Sacramento, Ca — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:47:00 GMT

Pakistan's military is 7th largest armed force in the world. Their arsenol should've been routed the Taliban from those hills. 5 years now, and still, the results are sickening. Their highly trained paramilitary of Pro-Arab, anti-occupation fighters are the reason the enemy's ranks keep growing instead of declining. All right? Let's just put it out there. They go to mosque and pray to Allah, that they will be delivered from the evil s of the West, then they come out and trade their Korans for the AK. Be realistic. We could be on that border for the next 100 years.