A rolling stone gathers no moss, and this week a loose-tongued General got steamrolled by a paper one. President Obama did the right thing in canning McChrystal. But his appointment of David Petraeus bodes very badly for the July 2011 withdrawal start date. Last week, Petraeus hinted as much, telling Congress he would recommend delaying the withdrawal if conditions in Afghanistan didn't improve (and is there anyone left who thinks they will?). Petraeus Ex Machina got the president's backing: "We didn't say we'd be switching off the lights and closing the door behind us," the commander-in-chief told the nation. Something tells me that Obama - McChrystal + Petraeus = upping the ante in Afghanistan. We need to change the equation.
Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff
Great radio show! It's sad to hear the lack of common sense from Mary. She just sticks to them talking points and will try her best to back them up no matter what. I find it an incredible feat to stay as calm as you do when trying to have a discussion with these people. I may not agree 100% on everything here on Huff, but it just wouldn't be any fun if that was the case right? Keep up the great work and never change. :)
I am certain that those in Afghanistan getting rich from this war will not allow peace, even if it means they have to share some of the spoils with Taliban and others to set off the occasional car bomb or roadside bomb.
We are being duped by these "leaders" and they are laughing all the way to the bank.
The sooner we can execute a departure the better. There is some preservation that has to happen at the sometime. Give Obama a chance, to get this done the right way.
Show me the troop withdrawl Barrack, and I don't mean from Iraq to Afghanistan or Iran. I mean back to the USA, all of em, and no more Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater contracts either to replace the troops, we'll save a fortune.
So McCrystal will move on to a cushy position with a defense industry company or a right wing "non-profit", completely escaping the Vietnam noose. We are left with wondering if we have a repeat of the Johnson or the Carter presidency, neither very attractive in this respect.
Now this would be OK, since politicians are generally the type of people who should be in jail for fraud or something of that nature.
The problem is, we, the people, and generally , right thinking soldiers, and especially those who have seen the video of the heroic helicopter riding troops shooting up civilians on the street, then shooting up the van, and the children inside it when they came to rescue the wounded.
The point being, how can it be that these politicians are totally ignoring the desire of the people to get
the US out of the pit of Afghanistan?
Are we dialing the wrong number?
Are the politicians just not picking up the phone?
Have I lost my marbles again?
Should I just start yelling "Stella...Stella..." and hope she turns up.
You are most generous with your kind comment. I am really only trying to replace Anthony Blanche as the "World's Most Charming Man" therefore increasing my chances of inducing a rich old bat (preferably near death ,or recently deceased) to be my patron. Then I will be able to live the sordid life which I have always dreamed of, and focus on my artistic pursuits. Getting a tan not being one of them as I just had to get a piece of suspect eternal scab removed from my arm.
Petraeus came 'recommend' anything he wants to. He, at least, knows who's boss!
Just you wait!
http://www.presstv.com/classic/detail.aspx?id=131950§ionid=3510302
I would not be surprised if this appointment is temporary however.
I agree with the rest as well