Military Chief: US Doesn't Have Enough Troops To Send To Afghanistan

From The Washington Post:

The nation's top military officer said yesterday that more U.S. troops are needed in Afghanistan to tamp down an increasingly violent insurgency, but that the Pentagon does not have sufficient forces to send because they are committed to the war in Iraq.

Watch the video:

Comments

[Totto]

America is in "essentially a depression", Dmitri A. Medvedev, President of Russia. How did that happen? Perhaps a three trillion dollar (taxpayer-paid) war in Iraq for the benefit of four oil companies? Meanwhile, al-Queda thrives on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

[JerryG1]

To the Neocons, could it be that attacking Iraq, then Iran while we are in the theatre, is much more important than Afghanistan, or than even American security?

[darthdarcy]

What is it the head of The Joint Chiefs is announcing to the rest of the world and how is that in the interest of American National Security..?

We're telling our potential enemies that America is at it's weakest point since the end of WWII..!

Way to go Admiral..!

[Paul]

As if it isn't obvious.

When you have to send the same soldiers back for 3 and 4 tours, everyone can see that you are ill-prepared.

[strangelet]

Yeah. It's not exactly a deep dark secret, darthd.

[falco]

We need Afghanistan to keep the drugs flowing to keep and underclass addicted and criminal (creates great soldiers), we need Iraq to bleed the middle class taxpayers so they can't jump class, we need a nebulous external enemy - terrorists - to keep us afraid and obedient to our rescuer governments, we need to allow coporations to pollute so we can pay more for that clean-up, and we need global warming for a global tax to suck more money from us to keep us in debt. External threats keeps the class system in place. It keeps the economy going (going better for the few). It keeps goverment in authority. It keeps the elite's children out of harm's way, educated, and employed. We are manipulated serfs, not much different than fuedalism, they have just allowed us a few more toys to play with on the weekends and a facade that we have choice.

[holeybuybull]

Don't worry, We'll get around to taming Afghanistan eventually. We need to stay in order to get the trans Afghan pipeline built and corner the poppy crop for CIA funding purposes.

[qdog112]

A DRAFT ends all the colonialism, imperialism , elective invasion or whatever you want to call it.

[Ladyrantsalot]

I have an idea. Send all the troops in Iraq to Afghanistan and all the Young College Republicans to Iraq.

[davesideas]

bravo...and all of the blowhole radio and television sunshine patriots as well..

[nogimmicks]

as well as the owners of those radio and TV stations.

[wagadog]

Draft the Bush Twins, Jenna and not-Jenna.

We can send Chelsea over there while we're at it.

In fact any Senator or Representative who voted in favor of the war should be REQUIRED to send ALL of their draft-eligible (age 18-48) adult children and neices and nephews and grandchildren over there.

[davesideas]

.amen!

[Larry of Corrales]

Right now our Defense budget is about 600 Billion dollars a year. This does not include the cost of the war in Iraq or Afghanistan which we pay for through the use of smoke and mirrors and the Federal credit card. We spend more on our defense budget than all other countries in the world combined. We have over 1,400,000 in our military right now many in countries where they don't seem to need to be. If our generals need more troops, it would seem that they could get them.

[Paul]

Except that the Defense Dept isn't being run for the defense of the country but for the enrichment of defense contractors.

Bring back the draft. That's the way to fight a war - or to end it.

[nogimmicks]

This is backhanded. A straightforward way is to charge the guilty politicians with war crimes (intentional aggressive wars according to the Nurenberg definition) and prosecute them. Our Constitution and legal system should allow that.

[joebaggadonuts]

So the public warning Bush just gave to Israel was cover for his private statements to them regarding their upcoming Iran anti-nuke attack? (When Iran blows the cover off the ongoing WW4Oil in response to the attack, then the draft legislation will give George and McCain the coverage they need to continue to shaft us).

[nyboomer]

Having been drafted during Nam I am less than enthusiastic about another draft. Let's allow the current service people to vote for or against war by insisting that no more stop loss orders be permitted. If the chickenhawks want to keep on going, let them vote in a tax on everyone who grosses more than $300,000 per year to pay for hiring mercenaries. The tax should be in 90% range on all forms of income and would have no exemptions.

[Peddler]

Myabe it is not because we don't have enough troops, but because there are not enough "oil fields."

[Trogenhorse]

The war in Afghanistan is draining and demands attention now!. Obama was right to ask for an increase in the number of personel for the services. I know too many troops who have gone on multiple deployments. I fear for them because each deployment increases their risk they will not come back.

Afghanistan was a war we launched to get the people who attacked America. Now we need to finish it. Pakistan plays a role in keeping this going. Again, Obama was right to say the focus should be on these two countries (which he has said from the early days of this campaign) We are seeing the effects of moving our eyes from the prize!

Obama 's judgement has proven to be great in the military spectrum. I hope everyone will look at this seriously and get behind this effort.

Inspiring a nation is more important than just a vote. It may mean people volunteering for the armed services and defending this great country. I served for 20+ years and have never regretted it.

[Marlyn]

"US Doesn't Have Enough Troops To Send To Afghanistan" ???

There are plenty in Iraq. Send them.

[DMW1]

There is growing concern that the draft may be reinstated and this just adds to it.

Read the facts:
http://www.stopthinkvote.com/facts/militaryfacts.html

[Ohioliberal]

There is plenty of available recruits available for these wars if you target Bush supporters in 2004 and Limbaugh listeners - surely they still have some kool aid left in them for these noble causes!!