Comments on Crawford's Take: Surprised by the Surprise: Obama and the Afghan W...

I can't find anywhere I bashed the troops in t...

2010-01-23T01:31:25.937-06:00

I can't find anywhere I bashed the troops in this post... That doesn't surprise me since except for the "incidents" in the prisons, I don't remember ever bashing out troops on the ground.

I hope you stop back and read my replies! I'd love to know exactly what made you think I was going after our soldiers on the ground...

BTW, Obama did NOT state that the mission was to cut the opium crop production by introducing a plan to switch the crops to something more useful to society. He DID decide to do a speech on nation building that sounded eerily like a Bush speech (even Rove liked it...).

"Teach a man to fish..."

2010-01-23T01:20:24.072-06:00

"Teach a man to fish..."

Here's the thing... With the money we are spe...

2010-01-23T01:17:37.247-06:00

Here's the thing... With the money we are spending on a war, we could give the farmers the seeds and equipment they would need to plant enough food to feed Africa AND pay them premium dollars (competitive to the opium prices they get) for those crops and STILL come out of it in the green.

The farmers would have money. They would be able to hire more of their neighbors. We could feed people in their country and in Africa and people would stop thinking about how they can blow each other up more effectively and start thinking about what they can plant to make their lives better...

I guess I just expected a more comprehensive approach from a more thoughtful man like Obama then "let's go blow them up some more and force the natives to be civilized..."

I'm sure very few of our troops would have a problem with installing irrigation systems instead of blowing up fields...

Brendan, Here's the thing. Either I've mi...

2010-01-23T01:12:32.280-06:00

Brendan, Here's the thing. Either I've miscommunicated my point, or you've misread me!

I'm NOT bashing the good work of the soldiers on the ground. I have enormous respect for them and the work they are doing! Most of my family served and as someone who applied to and got into West Point (Congressional recommendation and all, although I chose to go to Cornell University), I personally have a deep affection and respect for you, our troops and the great work they are doing.

My criticism isn't with the work of the troops.

My criticism is with the goals and objectives of the previous administration and the stated ones of THIS US administration.

I have always advocated for us to return to Afghanistan, not for nation building, but for the eradication of the opium trade.

I will be posting another Opium and the Dow report possibly even tonight. It's the US government's refusal to stop the outrageously high opium production in Afghanistan and allow it to flourish to a level that has not only destroyed our ability to keep money out of the hands of the terrorists, but also allowed for a heroin epidemic in the US that has killed and affected many of our young people now reaching deep into the suburbs as the oversupply leads to a need to find new markets.

I apologize if my comments were not clear. I heard Obama say that he wanted to nation build and that's what ticked me off, not the great work that our soldiers do day in and day out.

Thank you for your service! I'm really honored to know that a fellow alum is a JA!

As a Army Judge Advocate, Iraq Veteran, Shorewood ...

2010-01-23T00:36:31.041-06:00

As a Army Judge Advocate, Iraq Veteran, Shorewood High School alum, and Obama supporter, I'm appalled by your lack of understanding of the conflicts. While I disagree with the original reasons to enter into Iraq, I have first hand knowledge of the great work our Soldiers are doing. As a Soldier whose friends are serving (and putting their lives in danger) in Afghanistan, I realize that sending more troops to Afghanistan will end the conflict sooner. As a Judge Advocate I've worked detainee operations and know what the media does not report. Being a fellow SHS alum, I'm saddened by your lack of an open mind and healthy questioning of what the media reports

2010-01-23T00:32:57.315-06:00

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It is no use crying over spilt milk...................................................

Both Iraq and Afghanistan are justifiable conflict...

2010-01-03T20:46:44.401-06:00

Both Iraq and Afghanistan are justifiable conflicts.

I would add that Obama should also follow up on his pledge to listen to the advice of his generals.

If you must commit to something like this, then fully commit. Half ass will only put our soldiers in a worse situation.

As for the brother of the Afghan Pres, this accusation MAY prove to be strictly political and untrue. I reserve judgment.

Renee, do you know about the illegal cure for hero...

2009-12-01T02:41:05.904-06:00

Renee, do you know about the illegal cure for heroin addiction? http://ibogaine.org

Not a substitute like methadone, a single Ibogaine dose rests the brain's chemical switches to a pre-addictive state.