Seven U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan

[acidhead]

Seven U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan

May 4th, 2013

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Seven U.S. soldiers and a member of the NATO-led coalition were killed on Saturday in one of the deadliest days for Americans and other foreign troops in Afghanistan in recent months, as the Taliban continued attacks as part of their spring offensive.

The renewed violence came as Afghan President Hamid Karzaiacknowledged at a news conference that regular payments his government has received from the CIA for more than a decade would continue.

continued... http://news.yahoo.com/7-american-members-killed-afghanistan-191327919.html

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[+and-then]

It wouldn't surprise me if we left Afghanistan in the same kind of fevered rush we escaped Saigon in... But it doesn't have to be that way. Leave we must, but we do not have to be run from the territory. If that happens it will be by the choice of our current political leadership.

[Professor Buzzkill]

It wouldn't surprise me if we left Afghanistan in the same kind of fevered rush we escaped Saigon in... But it doesn't have to be that way. Leave we must, but we do not have to be run from the territory. If that happens it will be by the choice of our current political leadership.

Was it the choice of our current political leadership to give tens of millions of dollars to corrupt the leader of Afganistan? Or hundreds of thousands to various warlords in the region? Or is this another conspiracy theory that only paranoids believe in?

[freetoroam]

The Afghan government has not said how much rent it would want for three or four U.S. bases, but it is believed to be in the billions.

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To rent a bit of desert land and it costs billions? No wonder the Afghan government want them there, the excuse that they want protection is exactly that....an excuse. They must be laughing in their sandals at the west.

Edited May 5, 2013 by freetoroam

[Clarakore]

US funding of the Taliban stretches back to 2001.

I normally do not solicit opinions from the (Koch funded) CATO Institute but when they are calling out their own it seems rather obligatory.

Perhaps the most shocking example was Washington’s decision in May 2001 to financially reward Afghanistan’s infamous Taliban government for its edict ordering a halt to the cultivation of opium poppies.

<snip>

Yet the Bush administration did more than praise the Taliban’s proclaimed ban of opium cultivation. In mid-May, 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell announced a $43 million grant to Afghanistan in addition to the humanitarian aid the United States had long been providing to agencies assisting Afghan refugees. Given Callahan’s comment, there was little doubt that the new stipend was a reward for Kabul’s anti-drug efforts.

That $43 million grant needs to be placed in context. Afghanistan’s estimated gross domestic product was a mere $2 billion. The equivalent financial impact on the U.S. economy would have required an infusion of $215 billion. In other words, $43 million was very serious money to Afghanistan’s theocratic masters.

How Washington Funded The Taliban

We also pay them to travel their roads and not harrass our supply convoys when doing so.

Edited May 5, 2013 by Leave Britney alone!

[+and-then]

Was it the choice of our current political leadership to give tens of millions of dollars to corrupt the leader of Afganistan? Or hundreds of thousands to various warlords in the region? Or is this another conspiracy theory that only paranoids believe in?

No but it will be the choice of our current regime if we have to suffer large numbers of casualties as we withdraw because we are unwilling to upset the Taliban trash.

[Clarakore]

Considering your enemy trash is never wise. Read Sun Tzu.

You will learn more about foreign policy there than from the Bible.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Considering your enemy trash is never wise. Read Sun Tzu.

You will learn more about foreign policy there than from the Bible.

I dunno, if everyone treated each other as they'd want to be treated International Diplomacy would be a dawdle

[ninjadude]

No but it will be the choice of our current regime if we have to suffer large numbers of casualties as we withdraw because we are unwilling to upset the Taliban trash.

Didn't you claim this would happen in Iraq as well? that's didn't happen either.

[Ashotep]

I wouldn't be a bit surprised that when we finally do get out of Afghanistan the Taliban will take over once more. Karzai doesn't seem to have that much control over the country but we can't just park there forever.

[acidhead]

Like Iraq, it doesn't appear America will ever leave Afghanistan. Read the yahoo news link. Billions are being discussed to allow the US military to lease land for military bases and also immunity from Afghan law. When Bush and Obama said theyd end the wars they are lying to you. It was never a war. It was an invasion. Only so-called military operations will end. The titles of US personnel left will be changed to 'contractor'.

[Yamato]

Like Iraq, it doesn't appear America will ever leave Afghanistan. Read the yahoo news link. Billions are being discussed to allow the US military to lease land for military bases and also immunity from Afghan law. When Bush and Obama said theyd end the wars they are lying to you. It was never a war. It was an invasion. Only so-called military operations will end. The titles of US personnel left will be changed to 'contractor'.

There's Lithium there bra. What moron in their right minds would go there, spill blood and treasure, find the Lithium and then leave? Our foreign policy is bad enough without exploiting the natural resources of others where/when available. Why do you hate America, acidhead? lololz