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M.E., Albany, Ga. — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:34:41 GMT

"I'm leaving on a jet plane.Don't know when I'll be back again."

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Desmond — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:01:12 GMT

Although Mr. Cheney's trip to Pakistan and Afhganistan was not announced publicly, one would presume that the two governments were advised that he would be visiting.there has always been well known speculation that the Pakistan Intelligence Ministry has a component with ties to the Taliban and al-Queda. Since suicide bombings must have some planning attached to them, I wonder if the Taliban were tipped off that Cheney would be there. I wonder who tipped them off.And I wonder if we will ever find out.

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Ken, Seattle WA — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:17:28 GMT

Damn! Almost got 'em.....The bomber I mean....Almost got the bomber at the first checkpoint. I wonder how many comments won't get posted on this thread.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:26:29 GMT

Desmond. The Vietcong knew what kind of underwear Westmoreland and Abrams were wearing every morning. Why wouldn't Afghani's have the same thing going on? After all, you know what's going on in your neighborhood,right? Sometimes, even if you don't want to know.

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NATRODAMAS — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:30:11 GMT

I predict that draft dodging chickenhawk will run and hide and not be heard from in a while.

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ex-marine, vietvet, america — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:39:46 GMT

Bush/cheney still stumbling around in the dark trying to come up with a GOOD plan for iraq/afgan.

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jt NE — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:45:31 GMT

Desmond, the governments are not always notified. The U.S. components in the area would have been told and would have set up the security. My personal feeling is that this was a run-of-the-mill attack not in any way connected to the veep visit that was used by both Taliban and U.S. after it was announced that Cheney had been at the base. The Taliban to show they can attack even with "Extraordinary" security in place for the veep and US to garner sympathy for poor Cheney who was so rudely put upon.

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Bush Republican — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:46:57 GMT

John Negroponte - he did a FABULOUS job helping arm the right wing death squads in Nicaragua so they could kill those stinking priests and nuns. John for President.

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Brad Albion OK — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:02:44 GMT

If Cheney's in Afghanistan, who's running Hell?

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:14:32 GMT

Desmond. I figure the way we had 'Minutemen', the Afghans have 'Minutebombers'. Like the guy at the Bakery..."Here, enjoy it, it might be the last cake I'll ever bake..gotta run". They're on call. About a hundred of them at a time. If something big is gonna happen, they each head to their designated blast zone and wait for something out of the ordinary, extra limos, guys on their 'kill'em' posters, big shots, etc. When they see it, they go. Of course, the chance of an inside tip, is a hundred per cent.

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Desmond — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:20:08 GMT

Well, whatever happened in Kabul, it just strengthens my opinion that our war in Iraq has left us less than eguipped to deal with Afhganistan.I heard a Washington correspondent for Tsak (sp?), the Russian news agency discussing Afhganistan. the russians feel that we are losing the war there. After the ten years the Soviets spent there, I would listen to what they are saying. I believe the administration has done serious harm to our security by deferring our special ops and our military to Iraq.We may have done more than lob a few missilles at them, but after 5 1/2 years, I believe we are farther away from finding bin Laden, not closer.

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Olivia — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:29:42 GMT

Bush Republican--the right death squads who were killing priests and nuns weren't in Nicaragua, they were in El Salvador. The contras were in Nicaragua--and they killed all sorts of innocent civilians.

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Olivia — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:30:14 GMT

Bush Republican--the right wing death squads who were killing priests and nuns weren't in Nicaragua, they were in El Salvador. The contras were in Nicaragua--and they killed all sorts of innocent civilians.

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Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:40:39 GMT

I heard a loud boom. Damn shotgun is defective. Funny thing about this draft dodging idiot, that is probably the closest he has ever been in a war zone (to the blast). It is just a crying shame that a lot of people have lost their lives to this this pile of dung.

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M.E., Albany, Ga. — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:47:48 GMT

Cheney's trip to the region "had been shrouded in unusual secrecy". I dooooon't think so. Not unless they mean nobody briefed Cheney on where he was being sent. "Who's Been Talking?"-Clutch

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Clinton DemocratICan sheep — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:52:55 GMT

Right wing death squads vs: A Little communism that never hurt anyone give or take murdering 60-80 million people in the last 60 years.

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JIrby, Colorado Springs — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:54:52 GMT

Yay! Mr. Cheney didn't get hisself kilt! Hooray for Mr. Cheney! Mr. Cheney will come back to America as our number one hero! He almost got hisself blowed up for America! We don't deserve you, Mr. Cheney! Did y'all hear about Mr. Cheney almost getting hisself kilt? Whoo-wee! Ka-bloooey! Huh, Mr. Cheney? Mr. Cheney, anyways while you wuz gone, they found where Jeezus wuz buried in back of this filling station in Sulfer Springs Texas. God was there too, and his Uncle Bruce and his momma's boy friend. Heck, y'all, Mr. Cheney almost got hisself blowed up!

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Mike in Roswell — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:55:31 GMT

Make the VP wear the inadequate body armor he supplied to troops. Drive him in an underprotected humvee.

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hollywood2007 — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:58:00 GMT

I am sure when the Fake News Channel has it weekly DICK cheney propaganda interview, he well claim that the suicide bomer was in it's last throe, and the bomb was actualy filled with rose petals,and it was a welcome message from the Taliban, dream on DICK, in the famous words of Maxwell Smart "missed him by that much".

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The Edge, Macon GA — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:03:19 GMT

Does this qualify Double Barrel Dick for a medal? Afterall, it could be spun that he was on duty in a theater of war and had actually taken part in the battle?

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MM — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:04:32 GMT

JIrby-Thanks for the laugh!!

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Asad — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:05:45 GMT

Let's just hand him a gun and tell him that he can go hunting "over there" so he doesn't have to go hunting "over here"

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S. Largo fla. — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:07:19 GMT

Ooh! Close but no cigar.The spawn of the devil got lucky. Too bad someones son or daughter got blown up instead of that piece of garbage.Oh yea, what would the repubs say - "that just war".

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Dorothy — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:09:40 GMT

There's a news story today about a mother who taught her kids to fake mental retardation in order to collect benefits. She instructed them to watch Bush on TV....

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Still Crazy After All These Years — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:23:39 GMT

"Don't mistake coincidence for Fate."-Eko

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Amy B Portland, ME — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:32:54 GMT

If Chenney got blowed up would reporters be forbidden to photograph his coffin returning to the US? Would Bush go to the funeral? Would people say "well, he volunteered to be VP. More VPs die of heart attacks than in bomb blasts. He knew the risks." Would Congress say, we have to send MORE Vice Presidents to the MiddleEast to get blowed up, or the terrorists will think we are chicken." Who will cry for Dick Cheney?

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Still Crazy After All These Years — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:41:42 GMT

"I didn't see that one coming."-Hugo Reyes

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John Deere, Moline, IL — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:03:21 GMT

Do Olivia, Desmond, Ken, and Steve Turner all live in the same small post office box and emerge at the same moment to dominate each and every topic? As such, these blogs have become nothing but a forum for those with serious personal problems to vent while seeking some equally miserable company. In that regard, the posts may save the rest of us from being shot by loonies as we shop for groceries and pay our bills. Otherwise, this is a vast wasteland. Best wishes, all.

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Pete Caloger Bushkill, PA 18324 — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:12:14 GMT

How far away from the explosion was the Dick? 1 mile? 10 miles? What were the chances of his being injured? .01%? .001%? What are the chances of this episode being used to continue to fan the flames of fear in this country? 99%? 100%? There is no way in heck that the VP would have been allowed to be in a dangerous position at any time on this trip, so this whole episode must just be more manipulative jive.

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Still Crazy After All These Years — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:17:05 GMT

"They're looking for us in the wrong place."-Jack Shepard

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Darren Pope, SC — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:19:57 GMT

Everyone who is joking about the attempted attack (which was actually nothing but fodder for propoganda)should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. I don't care what your politics are, to make fun of such a thing is juvenile at best. What scares me is that people like this are actually going to be voting. It's time for a simple intelligence test that would be required before anyone is allowed to pull that lever. Remember, the right to vote is granted to all "ADULTS" in the US.

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John Doe, The Peanut Gallery — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:27:50 GMT

"Clinton Democrat" - Because Stalin, Mao, et al somehow mitigate our government's involvement in right wing death squads? Sanity and reason dictate that I assume that that wasn't what you were trying to say, but I'm having difficulty finding any other interpretation. Please, if you would be so kind, clarify your position. Thanks.

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jtb — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:33:47 GMT

Just checkin' in: Articles of Impeachment drawn up yet in the House? Legislation for Iraq War Funds cut-off filed yet in the "mandate" House? No? NO? HMMMMMMMMMMMM. Did Bush declare martial law last night when no one was lookin'? Was the House dissloved by Executive fiat? You mean, the democrat controlled House is STILL around? and no Impeachment or fund cut-off legislation drawn up? I'll check in tomorrow.

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Do_do — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:35:03 GMT

We are in the "last throes if you will" of the Taliban :-)

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Les Hughes, Arizona — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:58:12 GMT

I believe that we can solve many problems here in America by impeaching Bush and Cheney, the two morons who have created the problems. And then make a long list of corrupt Republican neo-cons or neo-con supporters to vote out of office in '08'.

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Desmond — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:59:05 GMT

Steve Turner, Olivia, and Ken, did you know we are neighbors?Howdy, neighbor.

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M - In Texas — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:13:06 GMT

Brad, Ok - Thanks for a good laugh! (seriously) -- Desmond - I agree that Iraq did leave us less equipped to deal with Afghanistan. Some perspective: US troops in Iraq ~135,000; US troops in Afghanistan ~27,000. In other words, for every 6 troops deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, 5 are in Iraq and only 1 is in Afghanistan (and that includes the "surge" of 3,200 additional troops we just sent to Afghanistan). I also agree that we are further away from catching Bin Laden than we were 5 years ago. However, I don't know how much credence I would give to Russia's opinion. For starters, they lost in Afghanistan and might be reluctant to admit that their former foe (the US) could do in Afghanistan what they couldn't do (although it isn't completely a fair comparison because we were helping the Afghanis repel the Soviets). In addition, Putin has significantly reduced democracy in Russia in recent years, including putting significant pressure on the Russian media (the official Russian news agency is the Itar-Tass by the way). Finally, Russia has been consistently on the other side of several current and contentious issues (Iran, etc) and therefore may have an agenda in painting a negative picture of US interactions in the middle east. I agree with your post on the whole and have, by far, more often agreed with your past posts than not. I just don't think I would put as much credence on what the Russians are saying about Afghanistan.

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Darren Pope, SC — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:15:51 GMT

Thanks for the valuable info Les. I never realized they were the cause of every problem we face in this country! Lord knows the left is perfect and has all the answers so we can all rest easy now they they are "in control". Why, everything is lollipops and rainbows now and things can only get better. Jeez. Is that test ready yet?

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Scott in South Texas — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:25:21 GMT

After watching and listening to Bush and Cheney from 2000 to 2004, what was intellingent about voting for him again in 2004? It's now 2007; did those intelligent voters think it would be better by now?

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Robert Catalano, Salem, OR — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:26:30 GMT

Steve, if Romney gets elected everyone will know what underwear he's wearing. In reference to Dick Cheney, he knows how to shoot helpless creatures, hide away from preceived threats, and duck the draft but does he know how to handle being politically castrated? We'll see after 2008.

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Amy B Portland, ME — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:32:24 GMT

Awwww..Cheney's OK. I think we should send him back for another tour. What do you mean he wants to go home? He signed up to be VP, he took the money and the benefits, now he's got to serve. And keep serving. And serve some more. Until the job is done. Back to the war zone Cheney. But don't worry. I got a car magnet supporting you on the back of my SUV.

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Asad — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:35:45 GMT

Darren, I completely agree with you about the intelligence test. In fact, I'm going to raise the bar and say that only people with a Masters degree or higher should be allowed to vote. Agreed? If you are wondering how that demographic voted in 2006, here's the exit poll: (http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/US/H/00/epolls.0.html)

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MM — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:36:20 GMT

You know, just because congress won't impeach Bush doesn't mean that he doesn't deserve it. And what scares me is the fact that you "right wingers" will continue to vote for more of the status quo instead of bucking up and voting for a CHANGE!!

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Desmond — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:46:31 GMT

M,well Russia may be attempting to spin Afhganistan for their benefit, but I do not feel we are winning there either. Our immediate success of defeating the Taliban is slowly unraveling. Much, I believe is due to allowing the war lords to continue to control the provinces. I just read a report today that individual militias are again on the rise and the quiet north, where the Northern alliance originates ,is experiencing a large increase in weapons purchase. The intended effort to have the militias turn in their weapons,has for all intensive purposes, stopped.We never successfully gave the farmers an alternative cash crop to poppy production.It was not too long ago when afhganistan was hailed as a success story by the United States. Our war of choice, in Iraq, has not helped the Afhgan people, or our country find bin Laden. Seen those latest videos? I don't think they are made in caves. and I have no idea how long it is before our government has them until they are released.so, on this particular point, I happen to agree with the Russians. On all other points about Russia, I agree with you completly.

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Mel, Illinois — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:05:14 GMT

Sorry, Darren...you go to the voting booth with the citizens you have, not the citizens you wish you had.

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Bush Republican — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:15:25 GMT

Darren - If the right were perfect, they would have murdered every priest and nun. They didn't. I'll bet a lot of you still regret that, like the murdering John Negreponte. Clinton DemocratICan sheep- you're right! We should murder more people, not less! How else can we be regarded as superior until everyone smart enough to think their way out of a paper bag is dead or worshiping GWB? George Bush - a true genius for our times, a hero, a brave and honest man.

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Olivia — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:34:00 GMT

Howdy, Desmond:)

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Disgruntled Dem — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:36:57 GMT

When the heck are the Democrats in power going to impeach Stupid George. I mean why else vote for them. They said they were going to but it's obvious that may not happen. They are just as full of "it" as the Reps.

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Sierra, San Francisco — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 20:52:10 GMT

"Clinton Democrat" - You might remember that in the 80's, we supported "freedom fighters" against the Russians in Afganistan. They were the Taliban, and 'god was on their side'. The Reagan regime also trained this wonderful young "Freedom Fighter", Osama bin Laden. How starnge that they've all become terrorists. That's because people who support us are "Freedom Fighters" and people that we oppose are "Terrorists" (or even "Communists"). John Negroponte is an evil man. He supported 'pro-American' terrorists (i.e. freedom fighters). Actually, the Reagan regime supported Saddam Hussein and urged him to invade Iran. Jeanne Kirkpatrick (Reagan's UN Ambassador)said American should support 'authorian rulers' like Saddam and Pinochet of Chile. Donald Rumsfeld shook his hand and sent him "Weapons of Mass Destruction" and chemicals he used to make the poison he was later convicted of using against the Kurds. A little ironic, isn't it ? Made in America !!

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 21:57:21 GMT

About Afghanistan...in addition to the US troops in the country, there are about 20,000 NATO troops that fall under the ISAF. All together, there are around 50,000 non-Afghan troops in Afghanistan. As for the Special Operations forces, there are at least as many SOF units in Afghanistan as there are in Iraq. A much larger percentage of the US forces in Afghanistan are SOF units, versus the percentage in Iraq, which tend to be conventional forces. And I don't put too much weight on the Russian opinion of the war in Afghanistan. Yes, they lost. But they lost because instead of building a workable government and trying to bring in the various warlords and tribes, they sought to destroy them (the tribes and leaders) and impose a western-style Communist regime. Russia (USSR) was VERY heavy handed in Afghanistan during their war. If a village was suspected of aiding the Islamic fighters, the Russians would level the town. That didn't really help their cause. So really, no...I don't care much about Russia's opinion. As for the future, yes, the Taliban is trying to make a comeback. ISAF and the US knows this, and they are making appropriate plans to deal with the anticipated "spring offensive". Rather than root the Taliban fighters out of villages and caves, it will be better to let them come out for an offensive fight and get their butts handed to them.

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Still Crazy After All These Years — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:39:30 GMT

"Shoot Out The Lights"-Richard Thompson

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M - In Texas — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:24:24 GMT

Desmond, I agree - good post.

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Desmond — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:31:44 GMT

Apppropriate plans? After over 5 1/2 years there? I am so happy to hear that.As for percentages, nothing from nothing is still nothing.Not smoking them out?Going to root them out? Let them come out and fight? Mamma Mia. SYSTEM FAILURE.

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C of R — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:15:06 GMT

Sierra-thanks. The regurgitating of reagan administration criminals into the hiddeously corrupt and achingly treasonous GWB "administration" makes me to angry to be rational. These people like Negroponte should have only got out of prison in the last few years. George Bush can't even supply a first-rate team of criminals on his own - Nixon did.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:30:22 GMT

Desmond. I thought I was you, or are you Ken, Olivia? Are we blog-dominating Medusa-snake-headed menaces to the simple minded? I guess we all have something that each of us wants to say, on-topic and off-but-related-like six-degrees-of-kevin bacon-related-to-the-topic, so we say it. Vent it, get it off our chests, unload. This blog has personally saved me a fortune in Psychiatry bills and twice kept me from throwing away my fifth edition of Rilke's 'sonnets to Orpheus' and other favorites of Bazooka Joe... Oh, and John Deere?...buy an Oliver and fix it up.

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Ken, Seattle WA — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:31:12 GMT

Hey Darren Pope, I think that people that don't have a sense of humor aren't very smart. I do agree though, that smarter voters would equal smarter government. Voters apparently haven't been very smart for the last two presidential elections. And speaking of intelligence, I must not be very smart because I am trying to figure out John Deere's post, but I can't get past the "live in the same small post office box" part. Just does'nt make sense to me. Howdy Desmond.

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Ken, Seattle WA — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:16:04 GMT

Nuh-uh John. I'maDemocrat.Democratsdon'tlikegunsREEMEMBEEER?! My dad can beat up your dad. - I'm just kidding John Deere. Excuse the pun.

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Desmond — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:50:52 GMT

Olivia, Ken and Steve Turner< I'm glad we had that meet-up last night. Now we have our posts ready. No more disorganized rantings.Life is good.

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j clearwater fla — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:51:03 GMT

Oh Darren, Its so nice of you to stick up for our VP. Like HE really needs it! Why don't you have the same passion about protecting our soldiers who really need it- like bringing them home and out of harms way.

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:14:44 GMT

Desmond, I find it funny that everyone likes to say "listen to the military folks"...and now you're acting as though you've got a better plan and a better way to deal with Afghanistan than those who are running ISAF and the US military in that country. Believe it or not, plans CHANGE. Yes, we've been there for 5 1/2 years. There are two ways to try and get rid of the Taliban. 1) Crush all the Islamic movements within the country and flatten villages that support the Taliban 2) Try and improve Afghani lives and their country so that they will eventually migrate away from extremism, and guard against remaining Taliban/al Qaeda attempts to regain power. I will tell you that option 2 takes a while. However, option 1 might give you faster results, the results are much like a fad diet...you will fail in the long run. The Soviets tried Option 1, and all it did was push more people TOWARDS the Islamic groups. Here's a fair question, Desmond...what would YOU do, since you enjoy scoffing at the plan from the sideline, as if you know a better way?

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Desmond — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:23:49 GMT

Chris, well, from all I have read and heard from the administration, your option 2 plan was suppose to be the plan we are under now, having already accomplished number one.It has been 5 1/2 years since Plan 1 was accomplished. I believe we lost sight of Option 2 when we took special ops and troops out of Afhganistan and placed them in Iraq.The Northern Alliance has said that they feel the Kharzi government is corrupt. We have not made progress in helping the farmers find a cash crop other than poppies. Leaving the war lords in control of the provinces has done nothing to further democracy. You may say I scoff. I am angry that this situation is unraveling at this point in time. I am angry that the Taliban are once again making headway. And I am especially angry that we are still looking for bin Laden. We took our eyes off all of that when we shifted our resources to Iraq. Now, the President wants more troops back in Afhganistan. He never should have taken them out in the first place. Plans changed the day we shifted our forces to Iraq.Scoffing, no. Angry yes.

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:49:07 GMT

So are you saying there are no SOF troops in Afghanistan? If that's the case, I'd have to disagree with you. SOF forces are still very much active within Afghanistan. And there are MORE troops (about 27,000) than there have been anytime since the initial invasion of Afghanistan (which was done with about 20,000). bin Laden is likely NOT in Afghanistan. As for corruption...welcome to Afghanistan. Find me a leader there who isn't corrupt in some form or fashion, and I'll give you a candy bar. The reality is we had to find someone who was LESS corrupt, and believe it or not, Kharzi isn't anywhere near as bad as many of the warlords (the ones complaining) are. There will always continue to be finger pointing and accusations of corruption within the Afghani population, because that is how they've operated for many years now, and it will take a long while to change. By the way, aside from supporting OIF, we fly many missions supporting OEF as well. Bagram, Kabul and Kandahar are familiar places to C-130 aircrew. You have READ your information...from what source, I don't know. But in my honest opinion, even Time and CNN don't always accurately paint the overall picture. So you can continue to read and tell me I'm full of it, even though I SEE this stuff for my own eyes. Sorry about the sore attitude...I'm just tired of time after time after time having people tell me that their well-read Time magazine perspective makes them know-it-alls, and my personal experiences in the region are not typical. I guess I always have an atypical experience when I go up north...maybe the Taliban/al Qaeda fighters know I'm coming, and then retreat to make things look pretty stable...maybe the SOF forces know I'm on my way to and pack up their Iraq operation to head to Afghanistan to provide me a show. Maybe all the intel officers that brief my crew make up "rosy" scenarios, just for me. Maybe Time magazine, or whatever media source, does have it right and I'm just being tricked? I don't know.

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Desmond — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 17:31:13 GMT

Chris, I did not say there were no special ops in Afhganistan. That was your interpretation.If you can find Mullah Omar and bin Laden, you will have accomplished what you have not been able to accomplish for 5 1/2 years. Until then, I will continue to be angry that the mission was not accomplished. And in my opinion, that is so because we chose to invade another country. Watch out for those poppy fields. they will be the doom of us yet.

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:39:22 GMT

So if we find Omar and bin Laden, then what? Will you jump up in joy and say "Mission Accomplished"? I believe that capturing either or both of them would be great, but you can't let that define success or failure of the mission overall. Just like the death of al Zarqarwi in Iraq, leaders can be replaced by others. bin Laden's death or capture may perhaps be a morale booster, but it won't appreciably change the course of the conflict. That being said, finding a handful of individuals in a region that has few roads, lots of hiding places, and porous borders between various other countries we aren't allowed into, is a task that I'm sure even you would have problems with. The poppy fields are an issue that's best described as darned if you do, darned if you don't. Get rid of them, and suddenly you have lots of people with nothing else better to do but join the Taliban. Let it get swept under the rug, and now you're undercutting the war on drugs. There's no easy answer to that issue.

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 19:49:23 GMT

"I believe we lost sight of Option 2 when we took special ops and troops out of Afhganistan and placed them in Iraq". I'm guessing that doesn't mean we don't have SOF in Afghanistan? We never reduced troop levels in Afghanistan...in fact, the numbers went up (albeit many of the increases were ISAF forces). Afghanistan is not a back-burner issue. If you ever got the chance to walk into the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center) you'd notice that Afghanistan is very much an important endeavor as Iraq. But make no mistake...both conflicts, while similar, also are very different. You can't take huge armored divisions and put them in Afghanistan and hope they are effective in finding bin Laden. Sorry, I just don't see how you think having an M2 Bradley or M1 tank would be useful in a country full of 18,000-20,000 foot tall mountain ranges. Infantry is pretty limited too...large unit maneuvers would FAIL in Afghanistan. Ask the Soviets about that...they know very well. The reason why Afghanistan SEEMS small is because the vast majority of the forces there are SOF forces or airborne/mountain light infantry units supported by helicopters. Tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and large divisions like the 3rd Infantry just aren't the units to do the job. Despite the fact that the 3rd ID says "Infantry", it's a pretty heavily armored infantry division. I did wargaming a while back with the Army in 1996...scenario was Korea. Korea has lots of mountainous terrain with many valleys. The only way the larger units could maneuver was in the valleys, and the "enemy" massacred the larger units...they had no where to go but forward or backwards.

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Desmond — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:09:21 GMT

Chris. I am not in the military. You are not my superior. I really do know something about geography. Let us all know when you find bin Laden and Mullah Omar.

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Desmond — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 21:16:03 GMT

Chris, I hope you have read the reports from testimony today in the Senate Armed Services committee. Eric Alderman, in particular.And oh,yes Chris two of the countries the United States faults for opium production would be Afhganistan and Pakistan.

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Desmond — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 22:34:59 GMT

Chris, I am not in the military. You are not my superior. I actually do know something about geography. Let us know when you find bin Laden and Mullah Omar.

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Chris, Abilene, TX — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 23:22:01 GMT

I never said I WAS your superior. I don't believe my posts were intended to tell you what to do. I am disagreeing with your posts that claim, in your wisdom, that SOF units were pulled out of Afghanistan, and that little or nothing is being done in Afghanistan. Additionally, you seem to try and simplify the problem of opium production in Afghanistan. I'm not saying it's a good situation. I am saying it's easy to snipe at the situation when in reality, you probably don't have a REAL solution to it. It's frustrating to see so many people, like yourself, that seem to feel finding two men among millions of people spread across one of the highest mountain ranges in the world, in one of the most isolated areas of the world, would be "easy". It took over a decade to find the Unabomber, and he was inside our own country.

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Desmond — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:49:11 GMT

Chris, our nation was attacked on September 11,2001. I was not afraid. I was angry that our government and intelligence officials did not anticipate that fact. I will also remind you of the fact that our President stood on a pile of rubble and said he would find bin Laden and he would do more than lobing a few missles at him.(referring to President Clinton.).So, Chris, I take that statement very seriously.Whether you intended to or not, I find your statements very condesending.Facts are facts.Perhaps our President oversimplified the problem.Once again, let me know when you find Mullah Omar and bin Laden.5 and 1/2 years and counting...Let me know when you find bin Laden and the blind cleric Mullah Omar.

Security Politics

Desmond — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 01:11:22 GMT

In the mean time,Chris, you are a pilot,. No danger to succuming to the fumes from the poppy fields. That happened to Dorothy, and the Scarecrow and the Tin Man and the Cowarldy Lion.Let me know when you find bin Laden and Mullah Omar.5 and 1/half years and counting....I am waiting and and more than angry.