Originally Posted By WilliamK99 In case you didn't get the word, we have over 15,000 Sailors on the ground in Iraq and Aghanistan. They aren't part of a "deployable" unit -- they just show up to work one day and get told they are being sent.<< I am not familiar with how the navy operates, thansk for once again proving you are an ass...
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 "President Obama is waffling on this decision on Afghanistan, it has been months since he got the report, plenty of time for him to make a decision or not. In all honesty, I could care less either way on what he decides, but he needs to actually make a decision eventually on whether to send more troops, cut and run, or hold steady..." As several Generals and other military and pentagon officials have said, Obama is right and justified in taking his time to make sure that they have the right strategy. That is what a President should do; look at all of the relevant intelligence (which none of us are privy to, by the way)and listen to his advisers and strategists to find the best course of action. That picture should not be politicized, and there have been quite a few Republicans that have refused to criticize it. He is honoring soldiers that gave their lives for this country. At the same time, he is trying to make sure that the decision he makes on Afghanistan strategy will not lead to even more soldiers coming home in wooden boxes. It is not just about politics, it is about lives. And a President that does not take that into account needs to find another job.
Originally Posted By pecos bill I am just glad that Obama is not relying on divine guidance to dictate his decisions. Of course, the military advisors are going to promote a buildup, but Obama is probably thinking back to Kennedy being cajoled into the Bay Of Pigs by his Military advisors. Thankfully, when he made his decisions on the Cuban Missile Crisis, he ignored them. My point is, we have another Vietnam staring us right in the face, our President is trying to make the right choices to avoid that. I would rather he takes his time and gets it right, than send thousands of young men in harm's way needlessly.
Originally Posted By DAR I do happen to notice a lack of protesting as the President weighs in on this decision.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy ^^ That's only because the would-be protesters don't want to end up on the wrong side of the issue now before the President makes a decision. Needless to say, whatever decision gets made, the usual protesters will take the opposite view. Right now, the best they can do is protest the amount of time he is taking.
Originally Posted By FaMulan Considering this President is only doing it for a photo op isn't something to get excited about either...<< If it was for a photo op, why wasn't the press notified until like a half hour before he boarded Marine One? He also met with and comforted the families of all the men being returned home. The photo of the President standing with the service men, saluting the casket was okayed by the family since the President eased the restriction on photographing soldiers returning home in that manner. The Family of the fallen serviceman can now make the decision as to whether the homecoming is covered by news organizations and this one of the 18 was and the President felt the need to be there. I think he will use that experience along with all the advice and opinions he's getting from all sides to make a well-thought-out decision regardless of Cheney and McCain saying he's dithering. I've had too many years of shoot-from-the-hip Cowboy decisions to want more when it comes to putting American lives at risk.
