Presidentialing in Prime Time

[garbon]

I have to admit that I don't really understand why we are still there

because you can't afford to lose.

I think we can.

[viper37]

"Our troops will fight to win," he said. "From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over the country, and stopping mass terror attacks against Americans before they emerge."

That's good.  It's about time someone told the US troops they were fighting to win.  All this time, these guys, they thought they were there to lose.  I like a leader like that.  Clear instructions and all.

[viper37]

I have to admit that I don't really understand why we are still there

because you can't afford to lose.

I think we can.

I can't find the NYT article on the subject, but basically, it amounts to this:
If the US pulls back before stabilizing the country and the surrounding area, before making sure the Afghan govt can stand on its own, you will have a repeat of Irak, where ISIS or Alqueada or both take over the country, install their caliphate, use this country as a terrorist training center, like they did before 9/11.

[11B4V]

"Our troops will fight to win," he said. "From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over the country, and stopping mass terror attacks against Americans before they emerge."

That's good.  It's about time someone told the US troops they were fighting to win.  All this time, these guys, they thought they were there to lose.  I like a leader like that.  Clear instructions and all.

Ah no.

[viper37]

"Our troops will fight to win," he said. "From now on, victory will have a clear definition: attacking our enemies, obliterating ISIS, crushing al-Qaeda, preventing the Taliban from taking over the country, and stopping mass terror attacks against Americans before they emerge."

That's good.  It's about time someone told the US troops they were fighting to win.  All this time, these guys, they thought they were there to lose.  I like a leader like that.  Clear instructions and all.

Ah no.

that was sarcasm, of course.  Also, guys and gals.

[Eddie Teach]

"Guys" can refer to a mixed gender group.

[Josquius]

So that's the mistake all the past presidents  made. They didn't tell their troops to win!

[viper37]

"Guys" can refer to a mixed gender group.

ah, thanks.

[viper37]

So that's the mistake all the past presidents  made. They didn't tell their troops to win!

kids these days, you have to spell out everything.

[Valmy]

So that's the mistake all the past presidents  made. They didn't tell their troops to win!

To be fair whenever they did things got pretty ugly.

[jimmy olsen]

Bin Laden's dead. Al Qaeda in shreds. Mission Accomplished,  go home.

[viper37]

Bin Laden's dead. Al Qaeda in shreds. Mission Accomplished,  go home.

AQ is resurging and allying with ISIS.  Mission not accomplished.

Boots on the ground are a necessity.  So is aerial support in a modern war.  But you need intelligence resources too, wich have been crucially lacking since the US decided to invade Iraq.  Outside of the British and the Americans, there aren't many NATO countries with an highly sophiscated intelligence network.  France mostly concentrates on its former colonies, establishing a new network there is costly and time consuming.  Russia is not a big help due to recent history.

You're making the same mistakes as you did in '89-90.

We need soldiers, we need massive reconstruction help, and we need intelligence resource to spot ennemy movements and counter propaganda.  And it's another 10 year commitment, because we have to start all over again.  Unfortunately, with your current President, you won't be able to convince anyone to join you on the ground.

[grumbler]

AQ is resurging and allying with ISIS.  Mission not accomplished.

Boots on the ground are a necessity.  So is aerial support in a modern war.  But you need intelligence resources too, wich have been crucially lacking since the US decided to invade Iraq.  Outside of the British and the Americans, there aren't many NATO countries with an highly sophiscated intelligence network.  France mostly concentrates on its former colonies, establishing a new network there is costly and time consuming.  Russia is not a big help due to recent history.

You're making the same mistakes as you did in '89-90.

We need soldiers, we need massive reconstruction help, and we need intelligence resource to spot ennemy movements and counter propaganda.  And it's another 10 year commitment, because we have to start all over again.  Unfortunately, with your current President, you won't be able to convince anyone to join you on the ground.

I am not familiar with Timmay's mistakes in '89-90.  Can you summarize them?

And who is "we" in this last paragraph?  You and...?

And since Tim is getting married, I think you are clearly wrong that he won't get anyone to join him.

[Eddie Teach]

Most likely bedwetting and things of that sort, given his age.

[viper37]

I am not familiar with Timmay's mistakes in '89-90.  Can you summarize them?

And who is "we" in this last paragraph?  You and...?

And since Tim is getting married, I think you are clearly wrong that he won't get anyone to join him.

sometimes you can be so obtuse.

"You" = USA.
"We" = NATO.  It's still a NATO mission out there.