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Taliban prepare for U.S. surge

JESSICA LEEDER

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:10 AM EST 05/05/09

Militants in Afghanistan say plans for Obama's new troops include more IED, suicide bombers and assassinations ...Read the full article

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  1. George Mcfly from calgary, Canada writes: Lets get on with it......
  2. Earl Street from Petawawa, Canada writes: Taliban say bring it. US forces are going to. The US has the political will to absorb 10x the casualties we have.

    Sounds like its going to be a hot summer in Afghanistan.
  3. SL S from Canada writes: Earl, they probably will absorb at least 10 times what we have. Their equipment is top notch, their training is little to non. Yep, it's gonna be a LONG hot summer in Afghanistan
  4. Dik Coates from Canada writes: It's unfortunate that the 10x casualties will be civilian... wot the heck... it's only collateral!

    The fascinating thing is that they are able to sustain for decades against attacks using sophisticated weapons... spears against drones... who would have thought they could last so long... and that part of the world seems to be sliding further and further... I doubt the surge will bring lasting happiness...

    Dik
  5. Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Well, if you missed the Vietnam War here's your chance to relive it all over again. Yet another American imperial war in a developing country against a rag-tag band of guerrilla's armed with AK-47's and RPGs.

    In 20 years this'll be a Time-Life commemorative DVD set,'Afghanistan: An American History,' which will be a nice companion set to 'Vietnam: An American History.' In the meantime, you can thrill to the daily action in Afghanistan and the optimistic briefings from the White House before the final, frantic helicopter evacuation in a couple of years.

    And all you war-supporters and cheerleaders can get your 'we won the war but the peace loving hippies lost it for us' excuses ready. On the bright side, since the final American defeat is a few years away you'll have plenty of time to make up newer excuses.
  6. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: I think the American troops will do well.

    They have learned a lot from Iraq.
  7. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Jimmy... what have they learned in Iraq? They have taken a well run country, albeit under a dictatorship, and turned it into a wreck without infrastructure. Most people in Iraq are worse off than they were before the invasion.

    Before the invasion of Afghanistan, the people were among the most ignorant and poorest people on earth... how much lower can they go?

    It wasn't until the Americans were pushed out of Viet Nam that the country slowly healed itself.

    Dik
  8. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: Stand by for the pro-Taliban, anti-Canadian and anti-CF nattering nabobs of negativism to hijack this thread.
  9. Curly Maple from havenotsville, Canada writes:
    Where's guillaime-communists-kill-but-capitalist-imperialism-doesn't-affleck defending this foray?
  10. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Freddie... I feel terribly hurt by the actions of our government... they have trashed decades of good Canadian reputation in a few short years.
  11. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: Dik Coates, well I expect that the US Military learned a lot about how to handle an insurgency after their initial missteps in Iraq.

    Say what you will about American foreign policy, but I think the ability of their military to fight this war is 10x better today than it was in 2003. That was my point.
  12. Dik Coates from Canada writes: if you mean civilian casualties... then your 10x may be on the mark.

    Dik
  13. Al B from Canada writes: Freddie Fender is anti-Canadian, pro-narco state, and enjoy sending CF members to their death so he can sound tough.
  14. hezballah fighter from Canada writes: The u.s has still not learned its lesson from vietnam they cannot and will not win this war against the Taliban. The Russians were not able to beat them because of the u.s. charles wilson (free mason) plan who equipped the Taliban with weaponds to defeat the americans. NOW the same thing is happening but the Russians are helping out the Taliban to continue to defeat the u.s and take over. Thanks to Iran as well they are also keeping them updated on there latest arsenal.
  15. Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA, United States writes:

    One must not forget that the Talibs are on their home ground and know the terrain. The foreign troops do not.

    During the Viet Nam era the US Administration desperately tried to localize the conflict, but failed. Another bitter experience awaits the US.

    Can Obama stomach the body bags? Does Herr Professor have the gall to see blood? Remains to be seen.

  16. Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA, United States writes:

    hezballah fighter: Greetings

    ' ... Russians are helping out the Taliban to continue to defeat the u.s and take over. Thanks to Iran as well they are also keeping them updated on there latest arsenal ....'

    Not yet. The Russians and the Iranians are simply watching. If the US makes an unlikely quick victory Russians and Iranians are not going to get involved.

    However, if the US gets bogged down over one winter, Afghanistan will very well turn into a proxy war of the US vs the Russian-Iranian Alliance that will be very difficult to defeat. Both Russians and Iranians would want a slow long war that weakens both the US and the Taliban and gets them tied down into an endless fight.

    Cheers

  17. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: Dik Coates from Canada writes: Freddie... I feel terribly hurt by the actions of our government... they have trashed decades of good Canadian reputation in a few short years.

    --------------------------------------------------------
    You, dick, are trashing the good name of the Canadian Forces that my father fought for in WWII (and lost his brother to). Our reputation is having fierce, smart, brave fighters. You DIMINISH our heritage!
  18. Jesse Winger from Calgary, Canada writes: I think the Tali's will get a lot more than they bargained for with the prolonged assault by American and Canadian forces because we know them much better now.

    Expect mayhem and loss in the Taliban as their feocious struggle to survive continues.
  19. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: ...................and dick, remember VIMY RIDGE! There was Canadian smarts/bravery/courage like YOU will never know!

    CANADA AT ITS BEST!

    Not like you 'Would-be-Peacekeepers' when there IS NO PEACE TO KEEP!
  20. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Jim Terrets from Vancouver

    I doubt it, the U.S population has a very pretty personal stake in Afganistian which they have not previously had in any past wars. Most of the previous wars were fought for influence/power or oil or denying one of those to someone else. This mission is about eliminating a proven threat to the U.S civilian population. Overall support for the mission in Afganistian is still very high in the U.S and that will not likely change. To put it bluntly unlike previous wars this war is very personal for them.
  21. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA

    I think this is one of the rare instances were the U.S would be willing to take a million casualties if nessessary. They're pretty pissed at the Taliban and Osama.
  22. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA

    I think this is one of the rare instances were the U.S would be willing to take a million casualties if nessessary. They're pretty pissed at the Taliban and Osama.
    ------------------------------------------------
    Mr Ottawa - Don't take syed seriously, he is a troll that likes to try ti tweak the weak. Once you know where he is coming from he is quite harmless. He, after all, seems to believe that the taliban are actually the 'talibs' when we all know they are a conglomeration of 'GLORY-SEEKING' Muslim youths from around the world, thinking Afghanistan is the 'Battleground for the World'
  23. Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA, United States writes:

    Mr Ottawa: Greetings

    ' ... I think this is one of the rare instances were the U.S would be willing to take a million casualties if nessessary. They're pretty pissed at the Taliban and Osama ...'

    I do not see your logic. The most important factor for a US person is jobs. People here are more worried about how they are going to feed their family, rather than what dangers Afghanistan presents to the US, real or imaginary.

    Al-Quaeda is not Afghanistan. They are Saudis. Just as winning in Iraq was worthless, winning in Afghanistan would be worthless too. And why weaken those who hate the Russians more than they hate the Americans?

    I do not understand how Americans are pissed at Obama. They just elected him President with a comfortable margin.

    Scenic Sask!: Greetings

    Many thanks for your comments. I do take you seriously even if you do not take me seriously.

    Cheers

  24. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: Al B from Canada writes: 'Freddie Fender is anti-Canadian, pro-narco state, and enjoy sending CF members to their death so he can sound tough.'

    How much does al Queda/Taliban pay you to post such inane drivel on this thread?
  25. R L from Canada writes: Maybe the US and the world is waking up to discover that the Taliban groups are evil and are our enemy as well as being enemies to many many others.

    The Taliban have simple methods of indoctrination and brain washing, which have also turned into a lethal method to erase opposition be it moderate or be it totally opposed to their methods.

    We need to incorporate equally simple methods but methods which strike towards a more even and truer form of rule.
    This is not going to be easy , not by any stretch.
    And it is not going to end in one year.. be prepared for many years.
  26. Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    On just below this story's byline...

    Pakistan fighting the Taliban.

    This is serious stuff, gentlemen.
    We can only hope an increased US presence will nip this in the bud.
    Gawd knows 2500 Canadian troops can't do it.
    At least, not alone.

    We'll be in the thick of this.
    We're battle tough.

    The left epitomize...
    'When good men do nothing, evil triumphs.'
  27. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Syed Abbas of Toronto

    I agree the U.S population are concerned about jobs particularly however that doesn't mean they don't care about their own security as well.

    The Taliban gave al-Qaeda safe haven during the period they launched there attacks against the U.S and the Taliban refused to turn over al-Qaeda to the U.S when the U.S Government demanded they be handed over. By proxy the Taliban provided shelter and assistence to an organization then engaged in an attack on against a large number of U.S civilians on U.S soil which is sufficent reason to retailiate.

    I posted they were pissed at Osama not Obama. Near as I can tell Obama is doing fine so far.
  28. Ryan Lemay from Canada writes: Technology has changed alot. You can no longer run, you can no longer hide. Not with thermal imaging censors. War like this will become more and more like a turkey shoot. Your goose is cooked taliban, have fun with your 72 virgins in the afterlife.
  29. Michael S from Canada writes: Everybody laughed when the Russians were in Afghan-land. In fact, the US sided with the locals. Now the US is in Afghan-land; I wonder who's laughing now.

    There is no reason for we Canadians to be in Afghan-land... and don't even play the 'NATA obligation' card. This card is all bull!! We have no business there now or earlier.
  30. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Michael S from Canada

    I'm confused are you suggesting the NATO obligation on mutual self defence is irrelevent, or are you arguing the mission in Afganistian itself doesn't qualify?
  31. Doctor Demento from Canada writes: Mr Ottawa from Canada writes 'I think this is one of the rare instances were the U.S would be willing to take a million casualties if nessessary. They're pretty pissed at the Taliban and Osama.'

    So why did Americans let Dubya convince them to abandon Afghanistan and invade Iraq (which had nothing to do with 9/11) 6 years ago . . . ?
  32. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: Demento - The USA never abandoned Afghanistan to invade Iraq. They've stayed in Afghanistan (in far larger numbers than Canada) throughout the occupation.
  33. Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: 'I doubt it, the U.S population has a very pretty personal stake in Afganistian which they have not previously had in any past wars. '

    You've got a point Mr. Ottawa, this war has more significance for the US than say, the Iraq War, but there's a few things that will test just how significantly Americans feel about Afghanistan:

    1) As Syed Abbas stated, the economy is the number one worry for Americans. This is the worst crisis since the Great Depression.

    2) The national bloodlust that swept the US after 9/11 has faded. Americans have satisfied their quest for revenge so their appetite for more war is not as great.

    3) The US has been at war since 2001. That's eight years of war and Americans are war-weary.

    4) The Iraq War confused the issue because a lot of Americans thought that Saddam was involved with 9/11.

    5) As Obama has asked: where's the exit strategy? This is an unwinnable war and the American public will figure it out sooner or later. Are they going to fight for 20 years with increased casualties every year?

    So, overall, the US will leave in a few years. They should just leave now and save themselves, their allies and the Afghans the misery and grief but logic rarely rules the day.
  34. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Doctor Demento from Canada

    Cause he fed them (and the Governments of a lot of other countries) BS about weapons of mass destruction which at the time sounded convincing.

    I read an account of the whole thing including the build up to the wars after 9/11. Apparently Bush wanted to go after Iraq even before 9/11, after 9/11 Bush was trying to find some way to tie in Iraq to the attacks but couldn’t get sufficient evidence to make the case so he started pushing the WMD angle. Apparently he didn’t even want to go into Afghanistan but got advised about the domestic consequences of not going after al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and differed to that advice. However his support of the mission in Afghanistan has been marginal since the beginning which explains a lot about the difference in military resources in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Afgan mission has always been a secondary priority for him.

    In effect Bush used the public outrage over things happening in Afghanistan to drive home a WMD justification of a war in Iraq.
  35. North Star from Canada writes: If it's not one side surging, it's the other.
  36. Scenic Sask! from Canada writes: Mr Ottawa - Bush hit Afghanistan to take out the training bases of al-queda. Once that mission was accomplished the country became a 'maintain/mop-up' situation, as it remains today.

    A LONG mopping up because of the young fighters joining the taliban from Muslim countries around the world, including Canada.
  37. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Jim Terrets from Vancouver

    1. I don't think the economy will affect support for the Afgan mission, it may take some of the press coverage away though.

    2. Bloodlust has generally diminished but I think alot of people there will be holding a grudge for a long time.

    3. Support for the Afgan mission still seems pretty high, I think Iraq is another issue I think the U.S population are questioning what they were ever doing there.

    4. Bush definitely tried to tie in Iraq to 9/11 however he never successfully made that argument. While some Americans may confuse the two many will not.

    5. The exit strategy will clearly be getting the Afgan Government built up to the point it can take over the war itself similar to South Korea with the U.S providing soft support. Military aid, weapons, intel and resources. At the rate things are going that’ll likely be a decade off.

    Not necessarily. The war is not winnable in the sense as long as al-Qaeda and the Taliban have a safe haven they will always exist. However I think driving them out of Afghanistan permanently is definitely an attainable goal.
  38. Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA, United States writes:

    Jim Terrets: Greetings

    You summarize the issue better than I could have.

    To fight war one needs money. Indebted rarely fight it out. The US Treasury is empty. Where would the money come from even if the US had a legitimate reason to fight in Afghanland.

    Dubya Republicans wasted away all the surplus Clinton had built up. In order to reward his Corporate oilmen cronies Dubya went to war in Iraq hoping to cash in. However, the Lord had other plans.

    Cheers
  39. R L from Canada writes: Michael, you might be right about the laughing, unfortunately the US helped let the snake out of the bag, and as the locals say, the snake is always a snake. Even though you let it in your house and it says it wont bite, well snakes always bite!
    The Taliban are very dangerous.
    Maybe its time to go get help from the the Khans.. Hulegu was somewhat successful in eliminating the power of the Assassins, but did not totally eliminate them, as they seem to be back!
  40. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Mr. Ottawa, you can't be serious: 'I think this is one of the rare instances were the U.S would be willing to take a million casualties if necessary. They're pretty pissed at the Taliban and Osama.'

    First, the Taliban never attacked the US nor is there any evidence it had any inkling about 9/11. And Osama's been dead for years. He's been kept 'alive' to keep us in fear.
  41. Robert Muncaster from Canada writes: This is a quagmire in the making, let's get our troops home safe and soon. I wish there easy an easy answer, but this is simply not our place. For the good of Will, Canada needs to leave Afghanistan.
    Just an opinion, but let's slow down this Governments spending.
  42. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Richard Sharp from Canada

    I never claimed the Taliban attacked the U.S I stated they haboured a organization that did then refused to turn them over when the U.S government demanded them. This is all documented and was in all the major media for weeks just after 9/11.

    As to Osama, I have no idea if hes alive or dead. I know he was alive during the 9/11 attacks and took direct credit for them. And I know the Taliban who were at the time running Afganistian after having pushed the Northern Alliance into a tiny cornor of the country provided him safe haven until the U.S invasion.
  43. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Mr. Obama has made a monumental mistake in thinking he can win a military victory in Afghanistan (or Pakistan, Iraq, etc.). There are 1.5 billion Muslims in this world and, if 1% hate us 'to death,' there's your market for fighters, suicide bombers, etc., including a fair number of the home-grown variety.

    Invade and occupy Muslim countries and you will pay a never-ending price until you stop. It's that simple.
  44. Robert Muncaster from Canada writes: Simply put, 9/11 was shock and awe.
    We as a Global population need to open our eye's and put pressure on our politicians to reject the overture.
  45. Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Richard Sharp from Canada

    I don't think a military victory is what hes after. Obviously if the Taliban can just flee into other neighbouring countries when pursed your going to have a hard time getting them all.

    I think the goal is to build up the current Afgan government and military to the point it can take over the war.

    This should not be hard as the country was already divided into two factions before the U.S even showed up. The Taliban and Northern Alliance had been going at it for years before the U.S invaded. Just give the former Northern Alliance members power and arm them to the teeth and provide them with support and the Taliban will effectly be locked out of the country.
  46. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes: Jessica Leeder, that's more like it. Nice job.
  47. Neil from Toronto from Canada writes: Richard Sharp:
    American imperialism has made a monumental mistake in its thinking that it can win a military victory in Afghanistan (or Pakistan, or Iraq). There are 6 billion people in this world and, if 1% hate us 'to death,' there's your market for fighters, suicide bombers, etc., including a fair number of the home-grown variety.

    Invade and occupy other countries and you will pay a never-ending price until you stop. It's that simple.

    'Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.' -- MKG
  48. M E from Canada writes: Richard Sharp: Yes, there's a danger that if you go after thugs, you might make the thugs even angrier. But by not going after the thugs, you're virtually telling them they can do whatever they please, and the consequences might be even worse.
  49. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Mr. Ottawa, I don't think so. Eric Margolis knows a thing or two about these matters:

    http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/21603
  50. Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Hello Syed,

    Absolutely, the US government is effectively bankrupt -- they're fighting this war with borrowed money. That can't go on indefinitely and it's not a policy that will help the US recover from its economic problems. If Obama lives up to his reputation of being a smart individual he will end this war very quickly.
  51. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: k, Neil, good quote. Excuse my ignorance, who is MKG?

    ME, go after thugs all you want in your own country. Going after them elsewhere is usually illegal, immoral, murderous, destructive, wasteful and, in the end, a losing cause.
  52. Neil from Toronto from Canada writes: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi... ;)
  53. Syed Abbas of Toronto from Seattle WA, United States writes:

    Jim Terrets: Greetings

    ' ... If Obama lives up to his reputation of being a smart individual he will end this war very quickly ...'

    Indeed he will. He promised to end the war in Iraq, and advance on the South Asian front. He correctly analyzed that the Afghan problem is tied up with India, Pakistan, Iran, and unless the broad issues are resolved, the Taliban problem will not go away.

    Holbrooke, Biden, Clinton, and Obama know a lot about South Asia. Biden as a senator visited Pakistan a lot and had lobbied for lower military and larger civil aid to Pakistan. (Hilary)Clinton was close to Benazir. Obama shacked up with Pakistanis in his youth. He knows the pulse of the people. He has a lot of goodwill capital both in India and Pakistan.

    The problem is that the US (Republicans) buttressed the anti-communist religious Right in Pakistan since 1950, but after the defeat of the Soviets a new policy has not yet been put in place. Let us hope Obama does that.

    Cheers
  54. W M from Canada writes: I actually think it's possible that this strengthening of the Taliban and its campaign of terror may actually undermine it, IF / when ISAF clearly regains the uppper hand. The reason things went well initially is that the memory of the Taliban was strong and a very large majority of people didn't want it to return. Most people still don't really want it to return, including many of those who now say that they are reluctantly supporting it, but our inability to protect them and Taliban terror has worn them down.
    .
    And, if the Taliban regain control, this will clearly be an instance of terror prevailing, since there still isn't anything close to a majority in favour of a return of the Taliban and, more importantly, even among those who now say that they support it, they are saying that the only reason that they support it is because supporting the Taliban is preferable to being killed by the Taliban. In other words, with the exception of a small group of hard core of zealots, even among people who have given up on the government and ISAF, the idea of a return of the Taliban seems to be something that they think of with resignation, rather than enthusiasm.
  55. Let me tell You How It Is from United States writes: Typical Canadian article in a Canadian newspaper despite Canada being involved to have the article focused on the United States and have images of American soldiers. Doesn't the journalist realizse the Taliban are directing their hatred, IED's and attacks against Canadians?
  56. con hack loser PM is bad for Canada from Canada writes:
    Naturally, there's no room for debate amongst the con hack retard brigade.

    Either you support the mission or you're

    -unCanadian
    -Taliban supporter
    -terrorist sympathizer
    -against the troops

    Pathetic.
  57. David N from Toronto, Canada writes: Dik Coates from Canada writes: Freddie... I feel terribly hurt by the actions of our government... they have trashed decades of good Canadian reputation in a few short years.

    AMEN.
  58. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    I wish the Taliban would stop singing it and just bring it.
    The faster we dispatch them to their 72 year-old male virgins the better.
  59. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Relax Folks.
    We spent billions training an Afghan army starting 5 years ago.
    Its time to put them to work.

    We will certainly need a less cowardly PM.
    One that doesn't run and hide ..........................

    Dion has at least one more ball than Harper ...........
    ............... hopefully Iggy has more than one
  60. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to con hack loser PM is bad for Canada from Canada writes:
    Naturally, there's no room for debate amongst the con hack retard brigade.

    Either you support the mission or you're

    -unCanadian
    -Taliban supporter
    -terrorist sympathizer
    -against the troops

    ==================================

    Works for me.

    Con hack retard brigade???
    Oh yes, they are a legendary bunch that drive the leftards squirrely.
    Note that leftards were nuttier than a peanut butter samich long before the
    ride of the 'Con hack retard brigade' ROTFLMAO
  61. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Relax Folks.
    Dion has at least one more ball than Harper ...........
    ............... hopefully Iggy has more than one

    ==================================

    Left nut in the corner pocket?
    Sounds like Liberal pocket pool to me. ROTFLMAO
  62. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it wrote:
    I wish the Taliban would stop singing it and just bring it.

    Steve,
    You are obviously a cowardly chicken/hawk.............
    ................. like Bush and Cheney
  63. W M from Canada writes: To the people who confidently predict that the best solution is to give up, please consider the origins of the Second World War. We could have RELATIVELY easily stopped Hitler in the mid-30s, but we were so determined to avoid war that we turned a blind eye. In spite of 'not provoking' Germany, the result was a far bigger war with an average death toll of 200,000 to 280,000 PER WEEK, each and every week, for 5 years. That is considerably more PER WEEK than most estimates for the total death toll in Iraq, since the war began 6 years ago (some put it much higher, but they rely on assumptions that 4 of 5 deaths were unrecorded).

    .

    PLEASE NOTE!: I am NOT saying this justifies the invasion of Iraq makes the suffering that has occured any less. I am only trying to emphasize that things can be much worse. Therefore, the question that matters most is not, how to we stop the short term pain that WE are feeling, but how can we best prevent much worse long term pain from happening.

    .

    Note, also, that this is not Vietnam. The aims of Ho Chi Minh were only ever to rid his own country of colonial rule and with the exception of the temporary occupation of Cambodia after Vietnam had been attacked by Cambodia, Vietnam never exceeded those ambitions. .

    .

    This war is completely different. When it began, the only significant foreign presence in Afghanistan was Al Caeda, and rather than fighting to liberate Afghanistan, they were/are motivated by visions of eventual world domination. This is not to suggest that they could ever succeed, just that we should not assume that a return to the pre-9/11 status quo would reduce their desire to inflict suffering on foreign soil, including ours.

    .

    It is absolutely true that we will never succeed through force of arms, alone; but that does not mean that capitulating will, therefore, get us what we need and want.

  64. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    W M from Canada wrote:
    To the people who confidently predict that the best solution is to give up, please consider the origins of the Second World War. We could have RELATIVELY easily stopped Hitler in the mid-30s, but we were so determined to avoid war that we turned a blind eye.

    Yes WM,
    Hitler was well supported by Prescott Bush, Henry Ford and Avril Harriman .................. all leading American conservatives.

    One of my uncles was still bombing Ford factories in 1945.
  65. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it wrote:
    I wish the Taliban would stop singing it and just bring it.

    Steve,
    You are obviously a cowardly chicken/hawk.............
    ................. like Bush and Cheney

    ================================

    How about your Prophet Mohammad and his 9 year-old bride?
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.
    Then again hippie yellow-bellied sap suckers miss that point. lol
  66. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    he told me to never buy a Ford ...............
  67. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes: Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.

    No Steve,
    Chicken/hawks are always weak cowards ...............
  68. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.

    No Steve,
    Chickenhawks are always 'loud mouth' weak cowards ...............
  69. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes: Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.

    No Steve,
    Chicken/hawks are always weak cowards ...............

    ====================================

    Once again, wrong

    Chickenhawks are ......

    A. Pedophiles.
    B. Cartoon character.

    Cowards are those that stand around and pick their a$$es while the world around them crumbles.
  70. Pik Man from Canada writes: What do they mean by new machine guns. The problem with new machine guns is that they can go on killing for decades, just like the old machine guns. There is already tens of millions of machine guns out there. Why do we have to go on making more machine guns? Where did these guys get their new machine guns? What kind of machine guns are they? Which factory made them?
    If you happen to own a machine gun factory you are probably not feeling the recession.
  71. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Cowards are those that stand around and pick their a$$es while the world around them crumbles.

    Yes Steve,
    Just like Bush and Cheney on August 6, 2001 ...............
  72. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve,
    Thanks for reminding us about Bush and Cheney in early 2001.

    I was thinkng of their cowardice in the Vietnam war .................
  73. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Cowards are those that stand around and pick their a$$es while the world around them crumbles.

    Yes Steve,
    Just like Bush and Cheney on August 6, 2001 ...............

    ==================================

    Say that is news.
    I always thought they took it to the Islamofascist world with the 'war on terrorism'
    You learn something new from the wonky left every day.
  74. Neil from Toronto from Canada writes: WM:
    We (the allied powers) could have prevented Hitler's rise to power long before 1930: in 1919. If we had showed some compassion for the German people by not signing the treaty of Versailles, that would have prevented the major economic cause of the war.

    Notice that this article directly supports the same thesis: that economics is driving a people's movement in the form of Taliban support.

    (I do not believe that our military efforts in Afghanistan are improving the economic climate there.)
  75. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.

    No Steve,
    Chickenhawks are always 'loud mouth' weak cowards ...........
    ...................... like Bush and Cheney
  76. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    Steve is a warmongering neanderthal wrote:
    Then again Foghorn Leghorn was always putting the bamboozle on the chickenhawk in the Looney Tunes cartoons.
    Chickenhawk has different meanings to different peoples.

    No Steve,
    Chickenhawks are always 'loud mouth' weak cowards ...........
    ...................... like Bush and Cheney

    ==================================

    The self-indulgent repetition is lame.

    Loud mouth weak cowards???
    Oh yes, they sung it and they brought it.
    Sounds like loud mouth weak cowards to me, NOT!
  77. The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    yawn ...........
  78. Steve is a warmongering neanderthal and loving it! from Canada writes:

    Response to The Last Honest Conservative from Western, Canada writes:
    yawn ...........

    ===============================

    IT is finally at loss for words, hurray!
  79. Neil from Toronto from Canada writes: WM:
    Further, it's a false dichotomy between war and capitulation that is consistently pounded into us. I don't think either of those solutions are good ones, and I don't think that we need to choose.

    Dialog with belligerents, protection of democracy, involvement in foreign economic development can all be part of workable solution in Afghanistan.

    'The Grand Chessboard' (Zbigniew Brzezinski) leads to a never-ending game where everyone loses as long as we keep playing. They pay with their lives and we pay with our humanity.
  80. Neil from Toronto from Canada writes: ...and, as Richard Sharp pointed out, vice versa when the cycle continues.
  81. Reg Anderson from Canada writes: All for control of the distribution of oil and gas in the middle east. Global taxation requires it. Dont' let it worry you, just get up and go to work tomorrow, walmart needs you :).

    LOL..

    P.S. Now for the big mystery. are they elected or SELECTED?

    LOL..
  82. james c from Canada writes: Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Well, if you missed the Vietnam War here's your chance to relive it all over again. Yet another American imperial war in a developing country against a rag-tag band of guerrilla's armed with AK-47's and RPGs.

    In 20 years this'll be a Time-Life commemorative DVD set,'Afghanistan: An American History,' which will be a nice companion set to 'Vietnam: An American History.' In the meantime, you can thrill to the daily action in Afghanistan and the optimistic briefings from the White House before the final, frantic helicopter evacuation in a couple of years.

    And all you war-supporters and cheerleaders can get your 'we won the war but the peace loving hippies lost it for us' excuses ready. On the bright side, since the final American defeat is a few years away you'll have plenty of time to make up newer excuses.
    ----------

    i'm surprised you're against this war in afghanistan. right now, other people are fighting and dying for freedoms you continue to enjoy. well, your post is just another flashback to another war, a war that we also won and that many like you were against jim.
  83. Bobby the K from Dreadnaught, ON, Canada writes: ~

    Canadian forces have lost troops there.
    Many civilians have been killed/wounded.

    But that still doesn't make the mission right.
    It's time to get out.
  84. Bernard Anderson from writes: Let's see: Obama sends troops...it is a good thing. Bush sent troops, it is a bad thing. Hmmm. What collective BS.
  85. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Folks, the Taliban PR machine is in full flight and I'm sure their monitors are pleased with some of the responses today. Their choreographed 'unnamed sources' are just as important to their strategy as are roadside bombs so don't be so gullible.

    More people will die on both sides unfortunately but whose fault is that ? If coalition forces leave then the real slaughter would begin.
  86. james c from Canada writes: Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Absolutely, the US government is effectively bankrupt -- they're fighting this war with borrowed money. That can't go on indefinitely and it's not a policy that will help the US recover from its economic problems. If Obama lives up to his reputation of being a smart individual he will end this war very quickly.
    -----------

    jim, have you been asleep for the past couple of years? one of obama's main campaign promises was to focus on the afghan war. because of that, obama is pouring troops IN not OUT. and there will be a lot more to come once he winds down operations in iraq (if that promise still holds).
  87. B . from Canada writes: They side with the Taliban because they are scared the Taliban will kill them, and they won't side with coalition forces because the airstrikes might kill them..... These people are difficult to understand and difficult to deal with. The first thing that should be done is to shut down the drug trade and make sure that no one profits from it..no matter which side they are on. This will deprive the Taliban of money and also set the stage for people to understand they can only make money with legal means. When we compromise our principles, such as overlrlooking drug production - for any reason, it makes things difficult. I don't have the answers, and I don't think anyone does, but certainly it is important to make sure the Taliban's source of income is gone. Another lesson that seemingly might finally be learned from Iraq is that you DO have to have enough troops on the ground when you occupy a country. This is so that the enemy has very little chance of doing anything without being seen by coalition forces. Iraq would have gone much easier with double or triple the troops and certainly the same could be said for Afghanistan. How many troops were in Nazi Germany after the war? And I believe it took a couple of years for things to settle down there after the second world war.
  88. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    james c from Canada writes: one of obama's main campaign promises was to focus on the afghan war. because of that, obama is pouring troops IN not OUT. and there will be a lot more to come once he winds down operations in iraq (if that promise still holds)-
    ----
    Re Iraq: You can decide if Obama tells half truths, lies, or is a master of deception, but it is nothing more than a continuation of the NeoCon Bush doctrine:

    The FACTS:

    1) 'I intend to remove ALL U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011,' Obama said in a campaign speech that quickly generated headlines announcing that an end to the occupation is on the horizon. As far as rhetoric goes, Obama's statement seems very clear.

    2) Switcheroo! Obama said that he intended to keep behind a 'residual force'...

    3) 'According to senior military officials--about a third of the current U.S. force of 142,000 will remain in Iraq until the end of 2011.

    4) And one senior military commander told us that he expects large numbers of American troops to be in Iraq for the next 15 to 20 years.'

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeremy-scahill/obamas-iraq-all-troops-ou_b_170765.html
    .
  89. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: Still post after post about the war against the Taliban. People, it's pretty recent history and everyone should be clear who's older than 20 that it's not the Taliban that's a threat to international peace. It's Al Quada.

    The Taliban never had any interests outside Afghanistan, they were a brutal dictatorship, but had no foreign interest at all. When the USA requested they turn over Bin Laden they refused to do so without mroe evidence to his involvement. They indicated a willingness to turn him over to international authjorities should evidence be produced. The USA instead took the invasion route.

    BTW, I am not defending the Taliban or its ways, just pointing out that history did not play out the way some of you seem to remember or are claiming. Al Quada is the problem and the international threat, they aren't one and the same.

    Much like Iraq, people lost the original reasons for going to war. Instead propoganda changed the face of the war to something it was never about. Going into Afghanistan had nothing to do with freeing the people or instilling democracy, it was to get Bin Laden and Al Quada. Failing that they turned it into some kind of mission of mercy, it's that which has caused so much trouble.

    Personally I think had the USA not gone ino Afghanistan and instead bided its time they could have taken out Bin Laden when he got so bold to raise his ugly little head. Instead they turned him and his organisation into a cause, somethig far harder to fight.
  90. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Something that has been quiet and not mentioned in the 'new' Obama policy is the following that many perceived this mission had morphed into from the original one way back in 2001. Remember? Find Bin Laden and destroy the training camps! On my, how things have changed!

    'Obama excluded from his goals the effort to transform Afghanistan into a democratic, free-market paradise.'

    In other words, the goals of democracy and human rights are not high on the pile and has been replaced by the following:

    Obama had a lot of his own goals to offer instead, including to 'disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.'

    You did notice the word 'Pakistan' which means an elevation of war in another country and an increase of violence! More troops mean more civilian deaths. More civilian deaths means more people turn to opposing foreign forces and invoke the 'revenge' factor for family and friend loss of life.
    .
  91. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: con hack loser PM is bad for Canada from Canada writes: 'Either you support the mission or you're
    -unCanadian
    -Taliban supporter
    -terrorist sympathizer
    -against the troops'

    Yeah, what don't you understand?
  92. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    It appears that the local fighters/Taliban/insurgents... have access to money and arms. What this story omits is what countries, organizations, foreign groups are providing the goods? What routes are they using and what methods are being deployed to arm them and also re-supply them?

    Iran? Saudia Arabia? China? Russia payback for the 1980s?

    Other Commentary: 'The US has been relying on Pakistan's intelligence agencies, primarily the ISI, in its operations in tribal areas. However, the ISI has received a lot of flak and has been accused of complicity in aiding the Taleban with money, military supplies and strategic planning. Even senior US officials including Robert Gates and Mike Mullen directly spoke of what they believe is ISI's links to the extremists in Afghanistan, based on proofs from electronic surveillance and trusted informants.

    ... The additional pressure on Pakistan from the US after years of mixed results would require taking action against complicit elements within its security establishment, as well as employ effective measures to destroy the alleged sanctuaries in its tribal areas and other areas in the Balochistan and Frontier provinces.
    .
  93. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Our reputation is having fierce, smart, brave fighters. You DIMINISH our heritage!

    My parents were both in the military during the second world war as were most of my aunts and uncles.

    The actions of the government have diminished our status. We are part of an invasion, not a police action. Iraq and Afghanistan and Bin Laden had nothing whatsoever to do with 9/11. The average brave soldier has little or nothing to do with the decision making process...

    Dik
  94. Steve M from Toronto, Ont, Canada writes: The Taliban is going to suffer some very large losses.Trust me, the U.S is going to defeat this evil insurgency.The Taliban deserve to die.They have murdered so many innocent people.I say' DEATH TO THE TALIBAN'. They will all rot in hell.They are nothing but low life scumbags.
  95. ty Canada from Canada writes: Since when have those cowards attacked western forces head on, its IED's these cowards use.
  96. Ted Arnold from Canada writes:
    END THE OCCUPATION!
    ALL FOREIGN TROOPS OUT NOW!
  97. Alex ALEX from Russian Federation writes: hezballah fighter from Canada writes: The u.s has still not learned its lesson from vietnam they cannot and will not win this war against the Taliban. The Russians were not able to beat them because of the u.s. charles wilson (free mason) plan who equipped the Taliban with weaponds to defeat the americans. NOW the same thing is happening but the Russians are helping out the Taliban to continue to defeat the u.s and take over. Thanks to Iran as well they are also keeping them updated on there latest arsenal. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1.Russians fighted Mojaheddin forces (those who later were known as Northern Alliance and are now in power in Afganistan (Karzai) - Taliban appeared in 1990-s - Russians left Afganistan in January 1989 NOT DEFEATED but because of Gorbachev's policy to go away from everywhere - Afganistan, East Europe etc.! Pro-Soviet Najibulla's regime installed by Russians lasted there for 3 more years (longer then USSR which collapsed in December 1991) - new Russian state and new president Yeltsin distaned itself from USSR politics in Afganistan and stoped fuel supply for Najibulla's regime, Nagibulla's tanks just stopped and within weeks Northern Alliance took Kabul. -Where is here Russian defeat? 2. Further change in Russian policy (in contrast to USSR's) was that after Northern Alliance was mooved by Taliban out of Kabul, Russians became friends with N.Alliance (and it is till now - Karzai even takes part in Shahai defence Alliance as a non-voting guest). When Taliban in 2001 started to slam into Tajik border Russian 201st divigion stationed in Tajikistan took part in not permiting them to Tajikistan thus actually been involved in joint actions with Northern Alliance and USA against Taliban , within months Americans landed in Afganistan and Tajik border automatically became safe. ..........So, sir, you have no idea about anything in this issue.
  98. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: A nuke should take care of the Taliban once and for all.
  99. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Ted Arnold from Canada writes:
    END THE OCCUPATION!
    ALL FOREIGN TROOPS OUT NOW!

    Traitor.
  100. Bob Kay from Barrie, Canada writes: nuke it and save the money
  101. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Bob Kay from Barrie, Canada writes: nuke it and save the money

    So how much does a nuke cost? Irradiating the Pakistani mountainside should get rid of the Taliban once and for all.
  102. Frosty 08Ltd from definitely not the GTA, Canada writes: They'll keep the troops there long enough for Wal-Mart to get a stranglehold on the shiny new economy. The first Ford, Honda and ChryslerOpelFiat dealers will open and all will be well for a while.

    That is, until America takes Afghanistan as their first Asian 'state'.
  103. Fayz Shah from Canada writes: It is funny how 9/11 was orchestrated by Saudies but they remain America's best friend.

    What is more funny is that it is a war between Pakistani soldiers and Taliban while the rest of the world watches it on CNN and calls it their war.

    Whoever is pulling the strings, well played. Let's all watch the collateral damage in the comfort of our homes.
  104. Ron Burke from Ashton Ont., Canada writes: Re Alex ALEX from Russian Federation

    Alex who do you think you're kidding? Russia lost in Afghanistan . Are you going to argue the point? Did the USA not lose vs. Vietnam? And France in Vietnam and Algeria ? Sure, USSR could have fought on and on and on, but Gorbachev recognized the losses outweighed the benefits. When I bet that a new business will make a profit but is doesn't, after 10 years, then I admit I lost that bet. Sure I could go on for 10 more years and lose more time and money on a losing venture but why? I know I've lost. That is what the USSR under Gorbachev saw. The USSR bet and lost. Many have before them. And many will lose in future battlefields. And , always plenty of excuses for the 'unfairness' of it all.
  105. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: The Taliban will not stop fighting..ever. Its time to bring the troops home where they are safe. The investment in manpower, machinery and weapons is useless. The Canadian Gov't publically has stated they want out.

    Each soliders death will prove that they have die for nothing, such a total waste.

    Bring home the troops now.
  106. Rollie Beethoven from Canada writes:
    This is said every spring by the Taliban, bring it on guys. The Canadian are waiting for you.
  107. Ron Burke from Ashton Ont., Canada writes: I am with Harper, I don't think we'll ever control the mountains, but I think the effort for the towns is not a waste. At least...., it won't be a waste if we leave a stronger Afgahn ARmy behind when we leave. You all know that less child mortality and less abuse of women and generally improved infrastructure are worthwhile benefits. Even if it only lasts for a generation of Afghans. But it's not our country. We have to go soon. 10 years is enough.
  108. Alex ALEX from Russian Federation writes: Ron Burke,

    My point is that it is possible to keep Taliban in check endlessly...And my point is that even Russians alone didn't suffer MILITARY defeat on the battlefield although their enemies were not only mojaheddins united, but also USA and the whole world with their support...So now while even Afgans are split and the whole world is interested in restraining Taliban - it is very much possible... ....Why are you using the word 'kidding'? - you really think I was in support of invading Afganistan in 1980-s?
  109. Michael Rudin from United States writes: Honda Toyota from Canada Wow you must think like the Taliban that this we are still living in the 13th century.
  110. William E. Demers from Toronto, Canada writes: Thank God for American reinforcements.
  111. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    You can defeat an Army, but you cannot defeat a people or a cause!

    OK, let's say there is an actual win (???) in Afghanistan. Then what? No more terrorism? No more Al Qaeda? No more conflict or terrorism? Please!

    Look at a map of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

    Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Libya, Indonesia, Gaza,...to name just a few!

    If one goggles Islamist fundamentalist terrorist groups and and the countries where they are located, those mentioned above figure prominently.

    The major problem is not dealing with the root causes of this movement and for the most part, their 'raison d'etre'

    During the 9/11 Commission hearings, co-chair Lee Hamilton asked the experts to identify the root causes of 9/11.

    The responders (not my words-theirs!) stated American foreign policy bias towards Israel in the Palestinian conflict, and its backing of repressive regimes in the Middle East!

    These were never published in the report, yet can be seen here from live testimony:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1bm2GPoFf.

    Draw your own conclusions.
    .
  112. Whitney Dodman from Waterloo, Canada writes: Dik Coates from Canada writes: .. who would have thought they could last so long...

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Mongols, the British and the Russians could have told us so!

    It's interesting to watch Rambo III. I watched it again over the weekend and the Mujaheddin are represented as freedom fighters against our foe of the day (Those evil Russians!). I bet they even offered Osama a cameo :) The Afghan people have never surrendered to an invading army.
  113. Disgusted Canadian from Canada writes: Take less prisoners, they capture the Taliban give them hell and then let them go so they can carry on with their killing spree. Destroy the poppie crops as that is their source of money. I feel so sorry for the women and children in Muslim countries.
  114. Ron Burke from Ashton Ontario, Canada writes: Whitney Dodman, the Mongols did indeed crush the Afghans. The Mongols razed many towns and cities in that formerly Persian controlled land. And Persia as well, and Iraq, Russia and Syria. (Only Islamic Egypt's tough, purpose-built army of slave Turk horsemen was able to stalemate the fierce, pagan Mongols.) Before that, the Persians and the Parthians dominated the towns of the Afghans. And before that, the Greeks came and saw and conquered and stayed. The Macedonians under their young King Alexander conquered this land called Bactria. He ordered Greek officers to marry local women and stay....forever. They did so. So, if you mean to stay for centuries...., you can conquer the Afghans.
  115. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: They are people like you and I just leave them alone.

    Geeze, all this fighting all the time, amazing.
  116. Alex ALEX from Russian Federation writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, may I answer your question - 'what's then?'.....-Lets imagine NATO go away from Afganistan today - within 2-3 months Taliban would be in control all over Afganistan and by the end of this year also in Pakistan with its nukes. - So next Christmus we all would be thinking whom they gona nuke first - you or us?- Agree, that is much worse situation. That is why there is no alternative - there may NEVER be total victory, but we have no choice...(if we want to live).
  117. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: The enemy Taliban co-exist with the general population. It is impossible to identify your enemy although they can easily identify you. It reminds me of the British redcoats when they came to North American to fight the Indians. The redcoats would surround themselves in a box formation and while the natives hid and picked them off.

    The only way to win in Afghanistan is total war. Kill everything in site that moves and push forward. Period. And this will never happen.
  118. CC Rider from Toronto, Canada writes: The Taliban have lasted this long because the US has not released their full 'fire power'..........unless the Americans under Obama....plan to win the war and I mean really win the war, the Taliban will continue to 'last'.......it is time to blast these 'evil-doers' (not Obama but the Talibs) out of the water, but there will be a lot of collateral damage.....can the socialist Obama stomach this........can the world??? Time will tell. Watch those nuclear weapons in Pakistan don't get in the wrong hands.........it is time for Canada, the peace keeping nation to get out of this potential blood bath......
  119. Richard O'Connell from Melbourne beach, United States writes: The Taliban can boast all they want about what they are going to do in Afghanistan, but the fact is this war will be one or lost in Pakistan. Today the news is that Pakistan is going to move against the Taliban in Pakistan, if that happens and the Taliban is defeated in Pakistan they will also lose in Afghanistan. One other important thing to keep in mind the war in Afghanistan has always enjoyed strong support in the U. S., it is a war the U. S. will fight until Afghanistan can stand on it's own and the Taliban is no longer a threat.
  120. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Alex ALEX from Russian Federation:

    There is no doubt the major problem is the potential overthrow of the Pakistani govt by either the Army/ISI or the Neo Taliban in Pakistan--or a combination of those.

    I find the North American MSM to be wanting in terms of presenting what is transpiring in that area. I have found the UK papers much more informative, but the best coverage is the asia times online. Perhaps easier to report the facts when one actually lives in the neighbourhood.

    An example of one story concerning the workings of the Pakistan Taliban-what they are doing and how they are funding their operations.

    http://atimes.com/atimes/SouthAsia/KE06Df01.html

    Or how the Pakistan Taliban is setting up in urban Pakistan and strengthening and not only the border regions! Worrisome indeed!

    http://atimes.com/atimes/South    Asia/KE05Df03.html

    .
  121. Ron Burke from Ashton Ontario, Canada writes: CC Rider from Toronto, Canada writes: The Taliban have lasted this long because the US has not released their full 'fire power'................it is time to blast these 'evil-doers' (not Obama but the Talibs) out of the water, but there will be a lot of collateral damage..

    Are you forgetting the vast B-1 and B52 strikes of '01 and '02 ? The Americans are using everything they can to destroy the virus without killing the patient. Do you want to turn the world against the West? At the end of the day, the Taliban are Pashtun fathers, brothers, sons and uncles. The Pashtuns people in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not evil, just for wanting to fight foreign invaders. The invaders are not even able to speak to the locals or share the locals' God. And Lord Curzon of the long dead British Empire never asked the Pashtun nation if they'd like a new border to split their land in half.
    I know it's a war, but give your enemy some respect. They are a proud,patriotic people, not animals. How much if enough? I say let Pashtun hard-liners have the hills, their hills. We prop up the guv in the towns. Occasional punitive raids, bribes and time is all we need.
  122. The Work Farce from Canada writes: Funny how mortal enemies who want to bomb one another limb from limb chat with one another on cell phones describing minute details of their military strategies like they're buddies discussing plans for staging Shakespeare in the Park. Here in Canada you can't get a surgeon to give you 10 minutes to tell you what he's going to do to you before he cuts you open and cripples you for the rest of your life. But these telephone tradings of battle strategies between the Taliban and NATO seem a little contrived - like the whole war was being performed for the entertainment of the millions around the world who love nothing better than a 'good' war to distract them from a bad economy. I mean, c'mon... Does Walmart's tell Zeller's their marketing strategy for the next fiscal quarter? There's something weirdly phony about the whole thing. Like, it's ludicrous, man. It's bizarre. Wait, I know what it is...it's a farce. A wark farce.
  123. Did you Know Canada?!? from Canada writes: Pakistan, Russia, China and Iran MUST STOP supplying Taliban and Sri Lankan regime!

    Keeping the pressure on the above rogue states would save a lot of our soldier lives.
  124. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Honda Toyaota...To make the comments you have made just goes to show that you have never met/known or talked with anyone who has been on the front lines.
    Try posting a comment that doesnt insult the soldiers who are fighting and risking their lives while you sip your starbucks and write silly posts!
    In response to your last comment 'they are people like you and I'...re-think that statemnt too. Is your wife or daughter treated in any way,shape or form that the Afghan women are?
    Take a peak at the following link just so you can get a taste of what is really happening to these women and children on a day to day basis.
    Sharpen your perspectives before leaving ignorant posts on a public forum!
    http://www.simplytaty.com/broadenpages/rawa.htm
  125. Auroran Bear from Montreal, Canada writes: More bodies means more targets.
  126. Alex ALEX from Russian Federation writes: Did you Know Canada?!? from Canada writes: Pakistan, Russia, China and Iran MUST STOP supplying Taliban and Sri Lankan regime!

    Keeping the pressure on the above rogue states would save a lot of our soldier lives. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What is it?...Can anybody comment in good English? - I can't since I do not know foreletter words in your language.
  127. St Fort from Victoria, Canada writes: There seems to be a very convenient disconnect going on here. This article by Ms Jessica Leeder leads me to believe she actually is sitting down and talking to the same people who are killing our troops. How can someone interview a source who with their next breathe could say 'Yes.....we killed some of your Canadian soldiers last week and we plan on killing some more next week with IED's. Pardon me.......but this is wrong. Where is her sense of outrage at talking to someone who kills our troops? I guess the great reporters doing the second World War had it all wrong. They should have done interviews with the Germans and Japanese generals to get 'their points of view out for their readers' The person she is talking to wants to kill and has killed NATO troops. What is she thinking??? I think the Taliban must be thankfull to reporters who can leave their sense of moral decency at the door when it comes to whom they choose to interview. This is nothing short of scandalous behaviour bordering on helping the Taliban with their 'press releases'. Lets have her go back to Canada and interview the parents of some of the dead Canadians. Let the parents know in advance that she sat down and shared a cup of tea and had a nice chat with the people who killed their sons and daugthers. I think Ms. Leeder should rent the movie 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' She should look at what the character played by Alex Guinness. That character is Col Nicholson. He last comment before he died( as he with good intention helped the Japanese build the bridge and was trying to stop the British from blowing it up). His last comment was 'My God......what have I done' as he died trying to save the bridge from being destroyed by the British. She is our own Col Nicholson but without that sense of what she has doing and what she has done to help the enemy.
  128. Don Quixote from the wet warming Blackfly Belt, Ont., Canada writes:
    Interesting only: Why are the so called 'Western Troops' all kept busy in Afghanistan, is anybody minding the 'store' at home?
  129. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: Peace brothers. Let's just sit down and talk with the taliban, they are just nice guys looking to get through life.

    Come on man, Peace.
  130. Ron Burke from Ashton Ontario, Canada writes: Did you Know Canada?!? from Canada writes:Pakistan, Russia, China and Iran MUST STOP supplying Taliban and Sri Lankan regime! Keeping the pressure on the above rogue states ....

    That is the dumbest comment.
    It is so condecending to call Russia and Persia(Iran) and China rogues.
    China is a nation, a full civilization, in its own right, of 1.3 Billion human beings. China is unable to be rogue anything. Its 20% of humanity.
    Russia is a quarter of a billion, across half a continent for a thousand years. Nothing roguish about any of the great powers.
    Iran is Persia. It is 4 thousand years older than the United States of America. The Iranians INVENTED the wheel, the warhorse and much else. The Iranians have contributed great artists and culture for all that time. There is nothing roguish about any of the great founder peoples of human civilization. They all do what they do for their own reasons, not for the USA and the West.
  131. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Honda...Once again you make a statement that would make our fallen soldiers turn in their graves!
  132. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: The Moss from Toronto, Canada.......................

    The Taliban are no different from you and me pal. They work, live take care of their children and are protecting their country. They pray to their God and he is no different from yours.

    Our troops are totally out matched and are dying for absolutely nothing other than political points. We have no chance of winning.

    Bring our boys home!
  133. Catherine Medernach from Winnipeg, Canada writes: This situation is what it has become because the job was not finished in the first place - the US dropped the ball because they were sidetracked and NATO did not pick it up. BTW there was plenty of evidence regarding bin Laden for attacks that took place prior to the 9/11th attacks - they really did not need anymore. Any new tactics used by the Taliban have been learned from Al-Qaeda fighters who are not fighting for 'their' country but to control all Muslim countries and re-establish the caliphate. Some of the key people come from Saudi Arabia, many others from Egypt and were an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Qaeda continues to have access to resources other than the profit from the poppies in Afghanistan and have been using them to rent shelter and training space in Pakistan. Al-Qaeda cannot operate in Saudi Arabia nor Egypt where many of the brains of the group originate. They also have plenty of cannon fodder they have recruited from the illiterate of other countries.
  134. jeff w from North York, Canada writes: US & Canadian Military forces seem to forget who they are fighting against:

    1. 9 different crusades by Europeans within 1000 years did not break the Middle East. 'Odds' are against US/Cad as well.

    2. Middle East = 10X more religous fanatics, you cannot beat people that do not fear death and have nothing to lose.

    3. The average American/Canadian soldier is a marshmellow compared to Taliban solider who's grown up under harsh living conditions. You think night vision goggles is going to make the difference?

    4. HOW HARD WILL Canadians fight if Canada was invaded? Now reverse the scenerio and you'll understand what your up against.

    5. The World is watching. US cannot use extreme force, such as torture?!

    6. The average US citizen DOES NOT support the War. There is moral issues to deal with.

    7. I HIGHLY DOUBT neighbouring Middle East countries will turn a blind eye on each other, when US takes over Afghan, Iraq, what makes you think Iran isn't next? Btw, thats WW3 if the US aggression continues beyond today's scope.

    Any comments welcome. I'm open to discussions.
  135. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: I hate unions......you should really take a deeper look into the day to lives of the Afghan people. I have lost a friend fighting over in Afghanstan and for you to say that they are dying for nothing makes me sick. Sit down and have a chat with a soldier and see if your comment would go over well. Until you do so, please dont comment on any fallen soldier of ours!!!!!!!! Have you done any research of the Afghan people? They cant live their day to day lives due to the Taliban...hence the reason that we are there....although, Im sure you are caught up on everything by reading the headlines in the media....kudos to you!
    Ignorance is bliss!
  136. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Johnny Test and Bob Kay, you say, 'Nuke 'em.'

    Enough said.
  137. Catherine Medernach from Winnipeg, Canada writes: Despite what some people think, Canadian troops are well respected in the world - they have lost none of their stature in Afghanistan. Even a US General said they were much better trained than their counterparts in the US military. The bloom is off the rose in Afghanistan because of the Taliban who have done their best to disrupt aid and reconstruction and there have not been enough boots on the ground. The failure of other allies to train ANA and ANP is part of the reason for the problems.
    The Canadians are gathering in some of their troops to make way for the US troops moving into the South - along with an increase in British troops. They know that Kandahar is critical and must be fully protected - retaking Kandahar has always been the goal of the Taliban who see it as being the key to once again ruling Afghanistan.
    The Taliban is full of hot air as usual but when the going gets tough they rely on IEDS or people gullible enough to be suicide bombers - or they run away.
  138. Auroran Bear from Montreal, Canada writes: Sassy Lassie from Canada writes:

    A couple of well placed bombs dropped in Pakistan and Afghanistan could wipe out the majority of the Taliban, but we can't fight this war conventionally we must fight for the hearts and minds of Taliban supporters in Canada.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    I guess you missed 'shock and awe', that one is still going on.

    You seem to have the mindset, why don't you march down to the nearest CF office and sign up.
  139. jeff w from North York, Canada writes: This war in the Middle East is spreading. First it was:

    1. liberate Kuwait
    2. Afghan
    3. Iraq
    4. ?? Pakistan ??
    5. ?? Iran ??

    How long do you think the rest of the World (Russia, China) will standby and watch USA 'take over' the world's oil patches? One nation at a time.

    Ron, you're absolutely right about 'trying' to avoid making the World at arms against the West.
  140. Ron Burke from Ashton Ontario, Canada writes: The Moss from Toronto.
    Our purpose is not to console the fallen. We are adults in a democracy. Soldiers don't make the decisions here. We the common people do. Freedom, even if it makes soldiers crazy, or weezy.
  141. The Central Screwtinizer from Ottawawa, Canada writes: Appears to be Taliban hunting season...only, they are the prey...
  142. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Im not saying that we are to console the fallen Ron. I was just taken back by the comment 'our soldiers are dying for nothing'. That couldnt be farther from the truth. You are right, the common people do make the decision and that is why Canadians need to be a little more educated on what our soldiers are doing over seas, whats happening to Afghan people on a day to day basis and why we should be giving our support to the CF while they are there instead of making un educated posts! There is a lot more to this war than people seem to comprehend. Freedom is something that everyone deserves...ie. The Afghan people!!!!
  143. Steve Mitchell from Canada writes: Too bad the Taliban are full of wimps now. They used to fight their enemies face to face. Allah must be sad.
  144. jeff w from North York, Canada writes: >> W M

    ..................

    According to your arguments for the ongoing War in the Middle East, you are assuming 'they' have desires to rule the World just like Hitler? That's absurd. HOW MANY TIMES in history has the Middle East invaded Europe? or Asia? (few, compared to Europe invading them). So your arguement does not suffice. It's rather weak actually.

    So why isn't the USA invading North Korea for same reason to eliminate 'Kim Il whatever' ? Isn't he a 'future hitler waiting to happen'? light bulb I know, because if USA/Cad even comes close to North Korea, we'll have a sequal to the 1950 Korean War....lets see, 3 simultaneous wars around the world....1. Iraq, 2. Afghan, 3. Nkorea (aka China/Russia), that sounds like WWIII to me....and who started it? GOod OL USA....
  145. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: I hate Unions......so your support the Taliban way of life?

    ie.

    -Complete ban on women working outside the home
    -Ban on women's activities outside the home unless accompanied by a mahram
    -Ban on women studying at any educational institute
    -Whipping, beating, verbal abuse of women who are not dressed to Taliban standards
    -Public stoning of woman who have sex outside of marriage
    -Ban on women laughing loudly
    -Baning of music, television, etc
    - execution to people who may have objectionable literature
    -Non- muslim minorities must wear a dstinct badge or stitch a yellow cloth on to them to be differeniated from the majority....hmmmmm who else did something along these lines???...Oh ya, the Nazis!

    The list goes on as you know

    Now on to your comment about a 'GI soldier' that is too weak to die for his country. That is absolute BS or they wouldnt be there in the firstplace and your comment would make most Canadians disgusted!!!. I suppose you have to fight in a cowardly manner and kill innocent people to be considered a hero?

    Good to know people with your mind set are in our own backyard!
    Way to support the country you now call home!
  146. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: Steve Mitchell from Canada writes: Too bad the Taliban are full of wimps now. They used to fight their enemies face to face. Allah must be sad.

    ----------------------

    So are you saying our soldiers are also wimps? We use artillery, missiles and bombs, often from miles away.
  147. jeff w from North York, Canada writes:
    The Moss,

    'Good to know people with your mind set are in our own backyard!
    Way to support the country you now call home!'

    This has always been a problem for Canada and likely will continue to be into the future.

    However, your argument for Canadians being hero's in Afghan is 'WEIRD'. The Middle East has been living like the way they have been for thousands of years. Who are 'us' to try and change them? For example, do you remember how Americans treated their own black citizens not too far back (and still do)? Every country has their own rules and law, let them be.

    The real reason why Western powers are in Middle East is to:

    1. Secure future oil reserves
    2. Secure future oil reserves
    3. Secure future oil reserves.

    Cut the BS about woman's rights, are you that naive?
  148. Pik Man from Canada writes: jeff w from North York, Canada writes: The average American/Canadian soldier is a marshmellow compared to Taliban solider who's grown up under harsh living conditions.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    That is just BS. Canadian soldiers are among the best in the world, our history proves that.
    Growing up in an ignorant brutal culture does not make you a better soldier. Being taught how to recite the Koran or how to hate or to believe that Allah will guide your bullets will not help you on the battlefield.
    You give those cowards way to much credit.

    Please don't insult our troops with such drivel.
  149. Catherine Medernach from Winnipeg, Canada writes: In light of some of the latest postings - no member of the CF is forced to go to Afghanistan - many volunteer repeatedly - annoying some reservists who have been unable to go as a result. Our troops train for the heat although I don't think there is anywhere that can quite prepare them for the talcum fine dust they wear, breath and eat.

    Our troops are also trained to survive - they believe in surviving the battle to fight again another day. The Taliban fight to die as there is nothing on earth that they value more than being guaranteed paradise. Although since some run away - it would appear that they haven't all bought that line. BTW CF troops use heavy weapons with caution - it is the Taliban that have avoid direct confrontations with CF troops - other than the occasional ambush - because they generally loose. Also, civilian casualties do not concern the Taliban - regardless of age - Pakistan's Taliban Generation demonstrates how 2 with the same experience make different choices.
  150. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: The US will have about 39000 soldiers in Afghanistan, and continue to have over 80000 in Iraq for the rest of 2009.

    It should be the other way around, and double the ability to kill the Taliban thugs.

    Collateral damage will occur, but better that the uncivilized unwashed masses over there face the music than have them set off bombs on TTC subways and the ACC.

    Civilian deaths are regrettable, but if you don't crush those people and continue to crush them, they will spread here and kill you.
  151. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Jeff W....the BS about women's right's? You just think it should be overlooked? As I said before , more Canadians need to be educated about what our troops are doing over there.....ask the AFA, WOMEN, CHILDREN AND EVERYDAY aFGHANs THAT ENCOUNTER THE cf TROOPS ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.....Although I dont expect for you to change you way of thinking Jeff....being narrow minded and stubborn is sometimes hard to shake!
    Hats off to the Canadians who give a sh!t!!!!
  152. Richard Scott from Drake, Colorado, United States writes: The Kandaharis never stopped their 'insurgency' against the last group of non-Muslim foreign military occupational forces, the Soviets to the point that the Soviets sent their allies the Ozbeks under Dostum in to try to break their spirit. Lots of nasty things happened but it did not change the Kandaharis. And in the minds of many, we remain a replacement for the Soviets. Development projects by the military and the central government remain symbols of those groups and will remain targets regardless of the potential benefits to the people. The coming surge will kill a lot of people, friends, enemies and neutrals, by 'accident' or on purpose, and will continue to make even more enemies in the region. And all the development funds in the world will not buy 'friendship'.
  153. J S from Canada writes: The Taliban are gearing up for the surge in troops - shouldn't this be expected?
  154. J S from Canada writes: Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada - You sound like Hitler talking about Jewish people.
  155. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: Catherine Medernach, I am sure glad you aren't in charge over there. Talk about underestimating your opponent. The Taliban fight because they actually believe in their cause, not for paradise, but for their own self determination.

    I think you may be mistaking why a suicide bomber is willing to strap on an explosive device. Or perhaps an Al Quada docterine.

    They avoid direct confrontations because they are simply out gunned, it would be insanely stupid to directly compete with an enemy that has superior firepower. This is why any resistence movement uses subversive and clandestine approaches to deal blows to their opponents.

    You are pretty naive to question the will of the people we are fighting, thankfully our military don't suffer from that affliction.
  156. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: I hate unions.......

    All of the things you listed above are far much worse than what is happening in the middle east! We should all stone our Canadina women in a public place for being gay or getting divorced?!!!!

    I HATE UNIONS for Prime Minister!

    Good on you ?!

    That was sarcasm if you didnt notice!
  157. Fayz Shah from Canada writes: Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Johnny Test and Bob Kay, you say, 'Nuke 'em.'

    Enough said.
    -------------------------
    oh, the irony!
    Same mindset..one with beards and others in ties.
  158. marlene stobbart from High River, Canada writes: Contrary to the word CHANGE - Obama's words its just that for now the US wars are known as 'Obama's wars,' and they are in direct continuity of the policies of Bush defending a regional order or orders. Currently and still, US forces in Afghanistan and violence in Pakistan block direct overland access from China and India to the energy reserves of the Persian Gulf. It doesn't matter Canada has world supplies!
    All wars are, in any order, about money, power, and religion dominance it's only the military hardware,chemical and biological warfare are new! Sadly, the last sixty years have vastly moved the timeline ahead where mankind itself will cause total destruction of all and of mother earth - it's just about, 'How, who, where and when.'
  159. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: The Moss, an impressive list of what the Taliban stands for. Not much sidderent than, say, Aaudi Arabia and many other Muslim countries whose only saving grace is that they are pro-American. At least their 'governments' are.
  160. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: IHATE UNIONS, wow, as a minotirty I wasn't aware I could get all those things, you'll have to teach me. It's odd but it's been kind of the other way around for me, it's been a disadvantage most of the time.

    If you're ever in the neighbourhood could you bring me some smokes. Save me another trip to Golden Lake.
  161. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Can I ask why you would choose Canada as a new home if you have so much distaste in what they are doing to your 'homeland'? Also, why mock the fact that you are apparently taking advantage of the Candian Government....aka. Canadian people?
    If the old way is the best way why dont you go and fight for that with your cousins? Is it because you are running from something? Wait, you said that people dont run in the middle east...because they are not afraid to die for what they believe in? Seems to me that you have run to the farthest corner possible!

    Im just very confused on your stance when you seem to be having as you would say 'the best of both worlds'...a bit of a hypocrite?
  162. J Lee from Canada writes: I hate Unions from Golden Lake. You will never be a Canadian. You are just a coward hiding in Canada for your convenience. If you had any real faith you would be back home building your own country instead of sponging on us Canadians. Get some spine my boy and prove that someday you can be a real man.
  163. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: J S from Canada writes: Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada - You sound like Hitler talking about Jewish people.

    No, I'm not racist. I just want our troops over these and tie up the brothers and cousins of Syed Abbas and IHateUnions. One Syed is enough...now imagine a boatload of unwashed barbarians over here, plotting and scheming in their murderous ways. And multiplying, always multiplying, like the plague.
  164. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: J S from Canada writes: Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada - You sound like Hitler talking about Jewish people.

    No, I'm not racist. I just want our troops over there and tie up the brothers and cousins of Syed Abbas and IHateUnions. One Syed is enough...now imagine a boatload of unwashed barbarians over HERE, in YOUR neighbourhood, plotting and scheming in their murderous ways. And multiplying, always multiplying, like the plague.
  165. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: You both disgust me!
  166. Ron Burke from Ashton Ontario, Canada writes: jeff w from North York, Canada writes:
    HOW MANY TIMES in history has the Middle East invaded Europe? or Asia? (few, compared to Europe invading them). So your arguement does not suffice. It's rather weak actually.

    jeff w, The Islamic fighters are not now and never were shrinking lillies.

    1700s until 1806- Barbary Coast Islamic 'vikings/pirates' from Algeria raided the western Med for decade after decade, capturing Europeans for rape, slavery or both.

    1683- The Caliphate, the Turkish Empire, already in control of the Balkans, besieged Vienna, Austria and was only defeated by the Polish King's brave cavalry relief.

    1532- Admiral Kair al Din, commander of the Algerian Turkish fleet combed the west coast of Italy, gthering in many fishermen and families for slaves for sale in Algiers and Istanbul.

    1492-King Isabell and Ferdinand of Aragon as Castille finally evict the last Islamic Morrish principality from Spain.

    1453-Ancient Greek Constantinoplis is besieged, captured and renamed Istanbul by Turks.

    1395-The Turkish Sultan at Necropolis Bulgaria puts the prisoners of the last Crusade to the sword, sparing only a few dozen nobles for ransoms.

    1200-1400 - Tarter Islamic fighers based in the Crimea raid Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Russia for prisoners to sell as slaves.
    1100- so on and so on....
  167. jeff w from North York, Canada writes: >>>>>
    The Moss
    >>>>>

    Well, if you're so open-minded, why don't you comment on my other comment about the 'real reason why Canada is there'?

    You know The Moss, if US and Canada would openly admit, they are there to secure oil patches and control the Middle East, I think I would have more respect for the initiative. What HERO's are Canadian troops, beating on a army-less nation?

    Don't get me wrong, I am not Middle Eastern nor am I anti-Canadian. I think Canadians are true hero's in their campaigns against Germany in WWI/II, but that doesn't mean they deserve the title forever after.

    I just can't find the heroism in beating on a infratructureless, army-less, government-less nation on behalf of their women. If the Canadian army was so peace loving, why aren't they over in Tibet helping them fight against China? or why aren't they in Sri Lanka helping civilians there? Or help overthrow N Korea? Heck, where were the Canadians at Bosina/Serb War? OR how about Dafour? WHY ONLY AFGHAN?

    Come on The Moss, lets start talking about the underlying issues. This is a classic, David Vs Goliath example, for oil. And thats the point that disgusts me.
  168. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: Honda Toyota, IHate Unions, Syed Abbas...all the same person, ya think? Maybe not, since this irrational hatred to kill the hand that feeds you is common among their kind.

    I strongly encourage everyone to read about the Islamic concept of TAQIYYA...Wikipedia has a good article. After you read this, you will look at the 'pretend-moderates' of a certain religion in a whole new light, I promise.
  169. J Lee from Canada writes: I hate Unions. You clearly don't understand Canadians at all. What you perceive as weak is our strength. The strength to allow different views, and the strength to defend the right to hold differing views.
    That's what Canada was built on and that's what Canadians will fight for. Just look at this blog - at the various points of view, many of them significantly different and contradictory. But Canadians have the strength to allow their fellow citizens to hold differing views. And we will defend that right for our childrens' childrens' childern. If you want to understand something about the will and strength of Canadians all you need to do is read some history. Start with WW2. You might be surprised at how many 'homosexual deviant scum and filth' contributed to building, supporting and defending our country.
  170. Hee Hoo Sai from Canada writes: Canada should immediately institute the draft for all persons over the age of 18 who have claimed any social assistance through immigration, EI or welfare. Those who are unwilling to serve in military positions would be offered a non military role in pioneering alternate energy development for human habitation in new cities to be developed in the territories. As there are many greens who think Canada should take a leadership role in alternate energy development, and suffer from the delusion of global warming, much good can come of this.
  171. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: About the concept of Taqiyya, from danielpipes dot org.

    'In Quran , there is mention of Dar ul Harab ( Land of War or Non Muslim Country ) , and its duty of every muslim to wage a Holy war or Jihad to fight those non muslims and give them two options, Islam or Death. This is the case where muslims are strong and in position to outnumber or defeat non muslims.

    There are instances where muslims are not still strong and in minority, he has shown the tactics of 'Taqqiya' or ' deception' , for this he has given the peaceful verses of Quran , In which there are something ' goody goody'. This is to fool non muslim and buy time to prepare for an all out assault to destroy them.'
  172. Andrew Manavian from Toronto, Canada writes: 'The Religion Of Peace' has this as one of the primary concepts :

    Within the Shia theological framework,[1] the concept of Taqiyya (*BJ) - 'fear, guard against', also taghiyeh)[2] refers to a dispensation allowing believers to conceal their faith when under threat, persecution or compulsion.[3]

    The word 'al-Taqiyya' literally means: 'Concealing or disguising one's beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of imminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury.' A one-word translation would be 'dissimulation.'
  173. nasrollah fesharaki from Canada writes: I am sure that when reading this article some are sad, some angry, some worried and in all everyone gets a kind of idea to be amused with. I laugh at the stupid game and how it satrted in the first place. I laugh at how we are caught with the stupidity of those who have disappeared for good as if they were ice, melted and evaportaed. The foundation of the area as it is now, the creation of Taliban and then recognizing them as the legal government in Afghanistan and then...bomb...'They are bad becasue they do not listen and do not bite or bark in our favor' now, we loose lives and we loose a lot to rectify what was done as right. Are we right or were they right? I wonder who answers and how, if there is any answer for this stupid process that started in mid 19th Century and strengthened in 20th Century to become painful in 21st Century and...I laugh and laugh at our stupidity of considering the wrong right and pushing for it then cry at the time of harvesting our own stupidity the way we do.
  174. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: nasrollah fesharaki .........

    I have no clue what you just said.
  175. Jeff T from Canada writes: Honda, a less then useless mouth breathing troll.
  176. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: Jeff T is getting t boned right now by a soldier.
  177. Curly Maple from havenotsville, Canada writes: Mike Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    The left epitomize...
    'When good men do nothing, evil triumphs.'
    =====
    AS I said elsewhere, you must read comic books out loud. Typical right wing crap of seeing the world in 'good' and 'evil' terms. The right epitomize
    what Goya once said: 'The sleep of reason breeds monsters', religious boy.
  178. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: Jeff T from Canada ...........

    Allah welcomes you brother with open arms. Come to our good side brother. 70 virgins and a river of red wine awaits you.
  179. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: When I'm out in public the white people do look at me kinda funny. They don't like my Turbin and give me bad looks.

    One of these times I'm going to kick someone with my curly toed shoes.
  180. Jeff T from Canada writes: I am guessing that IHATE is the same person as Honda... One way to explain the stupidity.
  181. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: And if you believe that either IHATE UNIONS or honda toyota are immigrants at all, you truly are a fool. Frankly with the Golden Lake resience from IHATE UNIONS it's quite telling. In Golden Lake the nearest thing they get to an immigrant is someone from Toronto on vacation.
  182. Jeff T from Canada writes: Jeff W, you are as clueless as the two trolls named above. The MYTH of oil just keeps coming up. Why is it idiots like you keep bringing it up against all common sense, reason and facts?
  183. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada .....

    Canadian Coward...there is more than 1 Gloden lake. Learn about Canada dummy. As a new Canadian immigrant I am far smarter that you.
  184. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: Norm Jom from Petawawawa......

    You are a coward. Go join the army with the other weak dumb ones. You think you are watching a John dwayne or Ramboz movie and war is not like your holly wood TV shows.

    The Taliban fight like a venemous pit viper. They kill everything in there path.
  185. IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: My neighbour watches hockey every night while I try to pray and yell at my wife and kids. One day my neighbour invited me over after supper to watch a game and have a Candian beer. Moleson? It was a nice thing for him to do. He is a Christain so I don't trust him. I opened my own beer. He said Sidknee Coshby is the best player. But I said he is not. He would not last a minute playing soccer in my homeland. He looks like a girlboy. The Russian Ovalchin is more better.
  186. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: Hale to Aliahha

    Ovalichicken is a great player with many features of the taliban. His face is very mountainmanishlike and has a smile that is not nice. I agree Krsobee is a good player and needs to go to hard military camp with bad food and blankets.

    I thing hookye is a good sport but women are allowed to see, Karan says women are not allowed to see hookye
  187. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada .....

    Canadian Coward...there is more than 1 Gloden lake. Learn about Canada dummy. As a new Canadian immigrant I am far smarter that you.

    -------------------------------

    Hmm more than one Golden Lake in Ontario. Better let the post office know about that.
  188. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: Honda Toyota from Canada writes:
    In my homeland we set traps for dumb green men from Petewawa, they are like little babies crying in their mothers bossom when we get them. The whine and ask for the next plane to Petewawa and a ride on hwy 60 to the Tim Hortons in town.

    ---------------------------

    Gee I love trolls, especially ones that pretned they know what they are talking about. Highway 60 BTW doesn't run to Petawawa. Generally speaking our soldiers arrive in Trenton from overseas and are bused to Petawawa. Oh and of course it's PETAWAWA.
  189. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: We will watch for this run of crying soldier from hwy 62 to Combermere and beyond, stopping at every chip wagon along the way. Of course the Hotel in Wilno will be open for the crying babies from Petewawa.
  190. Norm Jom from Petawawa, Canada writes: Sure can tell you're from the Valley, the inbreeding is obvious.
  191. Tom Smith from Canada writes: Where are the Canadians? The photo is of US troops. Not a single article about the CF in Afghanistan. Is there now a news blackout?
  192. Honda Toyota from Canada writes: I'm from Jamerlaizera the land of the wild rotten guy on a camel.
  193. Jeff T from Canada writes: IHATE/Honda, why do you hate Islam so much? It is clear from your posts that you are nothing more then an inbred racist here to stir trouble.
  194. Sebastian Cobe from Calgary, Canada writes: The Americans are doing our dirty work for us and some people are still complaining. Ridiculous.

    If only China was convinced that islamic extremists were a threat to them. High troop volume over the shared boarder without regard for our nice rules of engagement.
  195. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Well, well, well! The 'historically-ignorant antiAmerican bigot Canadians who seldom retain anything longer than a slogan' have been busy in their emotional fugues. Now I'm obviously not referring to most Canadians, only to those whose perverted idea of 'Canadian-ness' is appeasement, mirror-imaging of tyranny, ignorance, magical thinking, and willingness to embrace people who WILL kill those like them.
    Am I (as an American who loves Canada) going to lecture them on their self-delusion?
    You bet.

    Dik Coates wrote: 'My parents were both in the military during the second world war as were most of my aunts and uncles.'
    So did my father; he joined the RCAF in 1939 and fought for Canada while stationed in Britain until 1941...and then fought with the US Army Air Corps.

    'The actions of the government have diminished our status. We are part of an invasion, not a police action.' The UN thinks otherwise...as does anyone who knew anything about Al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood-derrived Islamofacist ideology. Indeed, the Taliban gave willing succor to Al Qaeda for years before 11Sept01. How could a presumably intelligent person (albeit with a silly moniker) say this factually-untrue thing?
    Ah, but then Dik exposes himself!
    '...Afghanistan and Bin Laden had nothing whatsoever to do with 9/11.'
    Gotcha! He's a conspiracy theorist who is willing to accept Rube Goldberg-esque fantasies because it makes him feel smart and/or because he's ignorant of logic. Or maybe he's afraid of the real world's complex history and intolerant cultures which produce men who want people like him (and us) DEAD because we don't believe what those other cultures assert as paramount.

    We're glad you're alive NOW, Dik...because during WWII, people who wrote EXACTLY like you ('The Axis haven't directly attacked Canada.' etc.) ended up opposing the TOTAL war needed to defeat NSDAP Germany and Imperial Japan.
    Di[c]k, indeed!
  196. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    And speaking of delusional...
    Honda Toyota wrote:
    'For the Taliban this will be like shooting fish in a barrel. The US military is the worst on the planet, they don't have the guts to go face to face. Dropping bombs from 30,000 feet or 300km away is more their style.'
    Hehehehe! Sure, son. You haven't been paying attention to history nor have you watched American infantry slaughter Iraqi soldiers and fedayeen or Taliban in CQB (rather than dropping a bomb because there were too many civilians nearby). So keep your delusions. Better yet: Go hit an American soldier a couple of times until he hits you back; you won't be able to type for a while after that.
  197. Being Canadian from Canada writes: Oil and Opium.
  198. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Now for someone POLITELY different, we have Syed Abbas, whose family obviously claims descent from Muhammed. He wrote many things:
    'One must not forget that the Talibs are on their home ground and know the terrain. The foreign troops do not.'
    Respectfully that is quite WRONG. Terrain knowledge is local. Most of the (Pashtun) Taliban are fighting OUTSIDE the areas in which they grew up and lack the reconaisance, detailed maps, sensors, and (especially) the training to integrate all thes factors into a plan.
    While some Talib fighters are effective (not winners, just effective), most shoot poorly and engage beyond their weapons' effective ranges (mostly because they don't dare get very close to Western troops); our troops then pick them off. Then, when the Talibs mass together tying to coordinate a wave attack, we call in support fire. This is why, despite small numbers casualties, you'll never find an American or ISAF position overrun...even BEFORE the tac-air arrives; the Taliban are simply to amatuerish. Their stated tactics admit this: They will concentrate on roadside bombings and 'deed' propaganda of bombing civilian institutions to dishearten ordinary people who are trying to eke out an existence. The Taliban do this because, like the Iraqi Baathists, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Jemaat al Mahdi, etc. they are frustrated at their inability to really HURT our forces...so they strike at whatever they can: ANA, ANP, government, schools, market places, etc. ALL THE TIME KILLING INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
    Guess what? This Carlos Marighela-esque urban war strategy doesn't work any more than the Ernesto 'Che' Guevara-esque rural war strategy. BOTH produce resentful civilian populations and, hence, informers. That in turn drives the insurgents to greater desperation and more bombings...solidifying not so much support for foreigners as OPPOSITION to the Taliban. This isn't 'theory', this is FACT, demonstrated many times, most recently in Iraq.
  199. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Mr Abbas also wrote:
    'During the Viet Nam era the US Administration desperately tried to localize the conflict, but failed. Another bitter experience awaits the US.'
    If by 'localize' he meant the 'Vietnamization' of ground fighting, Mr Abbas is wrong again. The North Vietnamese 1972 invasion of South Vietnam was stopped by South Vietnamese ground forces with American airpower (Operation Linebacker). The major reason the 1975 North Vietnamese invasion succeeded was the utter lack of American war-material support and NO American airpower.

    But here's the real problem with perspectives like that of Mr Abbas: They inevitably become two-dimensional:
    'Al-Quaeda is not Afghani...They are Saudis. Just as winning in Iraq was worthless, winning in Afghanistan would be worthless too.'
    Respectfully, this is utterly wrong. Winning in Iraq eliminated TWO nuclear weapons programs (one waiting to be restored and the other ongoing) in Iraq and Libya. It tore a dictatorial kleptocracy away from 25 million people, making life (post-2007) DEMONSTRABLY better for the vast majority of them and giving them a chance at democracy. (Indeed, even the Shia resisted the calls for a religious state in 2005-2007.) In the process, it started making the region safer because democracies do NOT attack other democracies nor benign neigboring states; in other words, the odds of Iraq starting a war with ANY of its neigbors is nearly zero. None of this could be said about Iraq under Saddam or the Baathists.
  200. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes: br> Regrettably, an inclination for two-dimensional images continues:
    'The most important factor for a US person is jobs. People here are more worried about how they are going to feed their family, rather than what dangers Afghanistan presents to the US, real or imaginary.'
    He forgets that Americans like to conceptualize of ourselves as 'good people' who defeat tyranies that hate us. With that in mind, the inherent nature of the Taliban makes them abominable to Americans...as it should to any person from a democratic background. Therefore, American commitment (especially in light of the expanding danger of the Taliban) should remain high as long as the casualties don't start signifigantly exceeding those we sustained in Iraq.
    Yes, we'll fight and, unless we decide to quit, we'll win.
  201. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    The Last Honest Conservative wrote:
    'Hitler was well supported by Prescott Bush, Henry Ford and Avril Harriman .................. all leading American conservatives.'
    Utter trash from a purveyor of inferiority complex-laden trash. He could far more rationally have attacked Joseph Kennedy as a Nazi sympathizer because of his Irish nationalist resentment of the British...which is also a monodimensional trash argument.

    'One of my uncles was still bombing Ford factories in 1945.'
    They weren't Ford factories once the Germans took them over before the war.

    But I'm not yet done with 'Last Conservative' (or maybe I'll simply call him 'Last').
    Mr Last is apparently enchanted by stupid ad hominum attacks: He casually throws around terms like 'chickenhawk' and although Steve throws it back in his face with appropriate farcical humor, I'm not so tolerant of such foolishness.
    Many good people (including most people on this board rely on soldiers to fight for our societies. Some do it because they are physically incapable of fighting for themselves, as are the children or Canada, America, and Afghanistan ITSELF. Canadian and American troops fight for these, especially immediately the Afghan children. Those soldiers KNOW what they fight against and they are overwhelmingly AGAINST the Taliban. People here who support the soldiers' beliefs based on their readers' knowledge of events are not to be dismissed because they are not actually fighting. Actually, the objective validity of the soldiers' beliefs is what gives viability to those here who echo them...whether our fellow readers fight or not.
  202. The Moss from Toronto, Canada writes: Hats off to Jay Crawford!!!!
  203. Confused One from Toronto, Canada writes: Mr Ottawa from Canada writes: Re: Syed Abbas of Toronto I agree the U.S population are concerned about jobs particularly however that doesn't mean they don't care about their own security as well. The Taliban gave al-Qaeda safe haven during the period they launched there attacks against the U.S and the Taliban refused to turn over al-Qaeda to the U.S when the U.S Government demanded they be handed over. By proxy the Taliban provided shelter and assistence to an organization then engaged in an attack on against a large number of U.S civilians on U.S soil which is sufficent reason to retailiate. I posted they were pissed at Osama not Obama. Near as I can tell Obama is doing fine so far. ___________________________________________________________ Not true - The Taliban would have handed him over happily to avoid the defeat and war they have been dealing with over the last almost 10 years. This is a very strategic piece of land in this area. This has nothing to do with Osama. Osama was the excuse. One of the Warlords from that area came to NY to meet with the FBI to hand over information on Osama and he was arrested and thrown in jail. Not finding Osama gives them a reason to stay there and protet the pipelines that go through this region. Wars are only started for financial benefit. There is none in catching Osama. Why do you think the Taliban were invited to Bush's house before 9/11. To talk about fashion? Sharia law? Don't believe every thing the GOV rams down your throat.
  204. Sam Brace from PEI, Canada writes: I don't understand how so many so called educated and compassionate Canadians can advocate allowing these evil people called Taliban to continue murdering and torturing human beings. I realize that many will suffer as we try to protect them but right is right. We would not be the Canada I love if we pull back and wash our hands of innocent people who need our help. Maybe if one of our own sisters, daughters, mothers were being stoned to death or worse, we would have a different view? I believe in what we are trying to accomplish. God bless our wonderful troops. Stand behind them or stand in front of them.
  205. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Well spoken Mr Brace.
  206. Sam Brace from PEI, Canada writes: Confused One - I think your name is well chosen
  207. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Jay Crawford from Miami

    From the FBI website...

    Usama Bin Laden is wanted in connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. These attacks killed over 200 people. In addition, Bin Laden is a suspect in other terrorist attacks throughout the world.

    Do you not think that if he were involved in 9/11, that that would be noted? Prior to the Nato, not UN (US) invasion of Afghanistan the US wanted him, and Afghanistan wanted proof and they would transport him to a Muslim country (Pakistan). The US refused to provide proof.

    From Wiki:The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7, 2001 as the U.S. military operation Operation Enduring Freedom, was launched by the United States with the United Kingdom in response to the September 11 attacks. The stated purpose of the invasion was to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda. The United States' Bush Doctrine stated that, as policy, it would not distinguish between al-Qaeda and nations that harbor them.

    The United Nations released the following press statements regarding the action taken by the United States and Britain in Afghanistan. After debate the members of the United Nations through the General Assembly and the Security Council agreed that the United States and the other nations involved were entitled to take action under the United Nations Charter, Chapter 7, Article 51. This was released Oct 8... the day after! The attack was not UN sanctioned.

    I'm still of the opinion that the US are invaders of a very 'backward' country. You haven't convinced me otherwise. I'm also of the opinion that the US had done more to spread terrorism than any other nation in history.

    Dik
  208. max from edmonton from Canada writes: Jay Crawford.

    You did an admirable job stating your position, rebutting other posters weak positions, while keeping your emotions in check.

    Many Canadians would boil with indignant rage reading your opening statement
    'Well, well, well! The 'historically-ignorant antiAmerican bigot Canadians who seldom retain anything longer than a slogan'

    The truth is, you are correct. (and also correct that this is the minority of Canadians....I hope)

    Your position is well balanced, and the fact you singled out Joseph Kennedy in your rebuttle demonstrates that.

    Good Job.
  209. Sulli from Dartmouth from Canada writes: Jay Crawford, thank you for you comments, I am a single working mom of two wonderful boys, and work hard for the well being of my family. Heaven help those women over in the middle east, if I was there, I would not be able to work and look after my children. I pray every day for our men and women who are fighting for freedom. God bless them. If I could, I would fight for my country too, and I would die for my country and my children if I had to.
  210. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Forgot to add... the FBI website lists his nationality as Saudi... coincidentally, most of the perps for 9/11 were Saudi, too... funny the US didn't take a whack at Saudi Arabia... wonder why not?

    Dik
  211. Sassy Lassie from Canada writes: IHATE UNIONS from Golden Lake ON, Canada writes: We Islamists never lose a war. As another poster has noted above we seldom invade another country unless there is something we want at the time. We defend our homeland and fight to the death.

    End quote:==================

    That's the truth, just ask the survivors of the genocide in the Horn of Africa. The Arabs want to steal their resouces thus they incite a bloody civil war against the Africians nearly half a million butchered by Arab Supremacist and yet the loopy left remain mute on that issue. I guess having rallies to support Hamas is exhausting because they seem to lack tear ducks when it comes to the suffering of the people in the Horn of Africa.
  212. all canadian all american from USA sector of, Canada writes:
    'Taliban prepare for U.S. surge'

    Most likely this will result in the slaughtering of taliban and innocent civilians alike over the next year. The crimes against humanity continue while the world pays no attention yet again. Very doubtfull this will result in a better peaceful world anytime soon.
  213. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Norm Jom from Petawawa writes in response to a Troll: Gee I love trolls, especially ones that pretned they know what they are talking about. Highway 60 BTW doesn't run to Petawawa. Generally speaking our soldiers arrive in Trenton from overseas and are bused to Petawawa. Oh and of course it's PETAWAWA. ______________________________________________________ Good evening, Norm Jom. Every day brings more trolls to our once respectable Globe and Mail. Golden Lake, Ontario, on Highway 60... great place to stop for a bite to eat, admire the scenery, when travelling between Ottawa and Huntsville. Now I wonder how this troll got his ridiculous comment posted when the subject is Taliban preparing to surge. This is very, very bad news for our troops still stuck in the worst part of Afghanistan, that hellhole Kandahar where no others want to go. Question is: This time, will the U.S. troops really go to Kandahar or are we going to see what happened last time, when those 800 Marines landed in Afghanistan, but lo and behold... how many of them were helping our troops in Kandahar?? And if so, why were they all sent back home to the US after a couple of months. Never mind.... We've been fed so many fairy tales that I am now completely disgusted and cynical. On a final note, I've read very carefully and followed the links provided by Carriere this morning and fully agree with what he said. Good night. I'm outta here. -
  214. Jeff T from Canada writes: Funny, al'Qaeda based out of Afghanistan. Damn, how reality rears it's ugly head once in a while eh dik?
  215. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Richard Sharp wrote something archetypical of the Western liberal mindset (which I don't condemn because I BELIEVE in the Western liberal mindset as a basic values reference point!):
    'Mr. Obama has made a monumental mistake in thinking he can win a military victory in Afghanistan (or Pakistan, Iraq, etc.). There are 1.5 billion Muslims in this world and, if 1% hate us 'to death,' there's your market for fighters, suicide bombers, etc., including a fair number of the home-grown variety. Invade and occupy Muslim countries and you will pay a never-ending price until you stop. It's that simple.'
    Mr Sharp (who seems a very bright fellow) still demonstrates the utterly one-dimensional view that Canadians are fed (by pop new/culture) of military counter-insurgency, specifically that it's a solely military activity.
    Nope...and for Western countries, it almost never was.
    All such operations have a civilian aid/persuasion component to them (with the only exceptions being wars of annihilation as in German Southwest Africa or the Belgian Congo in the early 20th Century). Operations in Afghanistan, as in Iraq, are no exception and since the Afghan theatre of operations is getting David Petraus as chief, the 'clear and hold' strategy will doubtless be far more comprehensive than sound-bite journalism can possibly convey.
    In the era of 24 hour news, it's a pity so many 'journalists' are so brief...and ignorant.
  216. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    How will we deal with this? We will armor-up and go after the bomb-makers and strategists to cut off the 'skilled labor' end of the insurgency. This will reduce even further the effectiveness of the insurgency against Western troops...which will be obvious to Afghans. People go with winners and the Taliban will look like losers.
    Then the frustrated Taliban will redouble its efforts with larger bombs and more soft-target attacks with the result being that more Pashtun Afghans will die and the Taliban will be seen as a greater threat to their lives. The insular Taliban won't really notice this because they've already gotten used to killing civilians; indeed, within Islam there is a fatalism exemplified by the statement 'inshallah' ('God wills it'). Among Muslim militaries this fatalism often causes the acceptance of bad events which we would seek to avoid in the future by restricting our RoEs (Rules of Engagement). For the Taliban with their less polished procedures for After Action Reports (AARs), increased civilian deaths probably won't be noticed until it's too late; specifically, until they are being betrayed by large numbers of civilian informers. By that time they will be losing lots of bomb-makers and medium-to-high level leaders to the security forces.
    The results of this will be further degradation of their military threat, desperation attacks, and betrayals in a cycle which leads to still further failure and the progressive death of their insurgency.
    We've seen it before in Iraq and in the Hamas' military failures in the last five years.
  217. Voice of Reason from Canada writes: And there are 2.1 billion christians in the world, 1.1 billion East Indians, and 1.3 billion chinese ready to jump on them.
  218. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Jay Crawford... you forgot to mention that Churchill met with FDR in 1941 or 1942 to get him to stop American companies from supplying Germany... ever the opportunists...

    Dik
  219. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Dik Coates from Canada wrote:
    'Do you not think that if he were involved in 9/11, that that would be noted? Prior to the Nato, not UN (US) invasion of Afghanistan the US wanted him, and Afghanistan wanted proof and they would transport him to a Muslim country (Pakistan). The US refused to provide proof.'
    Urban legend garbage, sir. America provided circumstantial evidence and the Taliban dismissed it. Subsequent videotaped admissions and Al Qaeda's own claims about the attacks, substantiated by secret communications intercepts provided the evidence by which the 9/11 Commission concluded his guilt.
    Besides, as America had ignored Afghanistan for over ten years, there was certainly nothing else worth attacking that benighted country except to clean out the destabilizing Islamofacist cancer.

    BTW: Yes, I am laying a trap for anyone gullible enough to believe in a Unocal/TAPI conspiracy.
  220. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: Mr. Crawford, I'm just an ordinary guy who doesn't even know who the Taliban are.

    1. I do not feel that all of the anti-Western 'insurgents' are Taliban. There are warlords, druglords, domestic/foreigners mercenaries, foreign (Muslim) fanatics, al Quaeda and good old 'freedom-fighters,' simply fighting foreign occupation.

    2. I do believe we can negotiate a truce/cease fire, peace talks, prisoner trades, etc. with all Afghan parties willing to renounce violence and recognize democratic/human rights and the rule of law.

    3. If there is a need for foreign troops in Afghanistan for some period of time, they should be under the direct auspices of the UN and comprise troops from fellow Muslim nations.

    4. China, Pakistan, India and Russia should be very much engaged in this process.
  221. Dik Coates from Canada writes: Jay Crawford... can you provide an outline of the circumstantial evidence. I was only aware that it was outright refused!

    Dik
  222. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Max wrote: Jay Crawford.
    'Jay Crawford. You did an admirable job stating your position, rebutting other posters weak positions, while keeping your emotions in check. Many Canadians would boil with indignant rage reading your opening statement 'Well, well, well! The 'historically-ignorant antiAmerican bigot Canadians who seldom retain anything longer than a slogan' The truth is, you are correct. (and also correct that this is the minority of Canadians....I hope). Your position is well balanced, and the fact you singled out Joseph Kennedy in your rebuttle demonstrates that. Good Job.'
    Thanks, Max. I honored by your accolade.


    Sulli wrote:
    'Jay Crawford, thank you for you comments, I am a single working mom of two wonderful boys, and work hard for the well being of my family. Heaven help those women over in the middle east, if I was there, I would not be able to work and look after my children. I pray every day for our men and women who are fighting for freedom. God bless them. If I could, I would fight for my country too, and I would die for my country and my children if I had to.'

    Ma'am, I know American and Canadian soldiers who believe in Canada more than most Canadians seem to believe. They'll make sure you never have to make that sacrifice.
    Over the last century, America, Canada, Australia and Britain have kept the flame of FREE enlightened individual-based democracy (the CHRCs aside :-)). That's something the ideologies born from the Muslim Brotherhood movement wouldn't understand.
    I hope Britain, mother of our freedoms, can remember that the essence of freedom is an individual right to be free of interference or oppression by others.
  223. Richard McAllister from Canada writes: Bring on the U.S cavalry, I can hear the bugles sounding in the distance. This surge is years overdue, unfortunately Iraq sidetracked Afghanistan.
    Our Canadian troops have proven over and over again that they are tactically prepaired but lack manpower and resources. Hopefully now ground that is taken can be held, and a larger circle of security can be maintained.
    Our troops are proud, proven and professional, and are determined. go Canucks !!
  224. Richard Sharp from Canada writes: I'm 21 stories up in Vancouver right now. The streets below are empty because the Canucks and ChiHawks are playing.

    Go Canucks, indeed.
  225. Richard McAllister from Canada writes:
    Richard Sharp from Canada writes: I'm 21 stories up in Vancouver right now. The streets below are empty because the Canucks and ChiHawks are playing.

    Go Canucks, indeed.

    Yes of course those Canucks as well, I'm about an hour away from Vancouver if our team wins there will be jubilation in Abbotsford.
  226. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Mr Sharp, I completely agree with you prescription for this disease. Unfortunately for you and I, the desired moderate negotiating partners don't exist on the other side.
    The warlords, druglords are just criminals who pay the Taliban like the Colombian cartels Pay FARC and ELN.
    The domestic/foreigners mercenaries represent the majority of the Taliban's fighters coming accross the border from Pashtun areas of Pakistan's NW Frontier.
    The foreign (Muslim) fanatics are the new recruits for Al Quaeda.
    None of the above are good old 'freedom-fighters' who might be positive towards a democratic (and hence, NON-extremist) state. If they were, we would already have a negotiated peace.
    As for the rule of law, it's already present in urban areas. The UN is a lousy commander for any peaceMAKING operation which is what is currently needed and the need for foreign troops in Afghanistan for some period of time is for good effective troops who won't kill a lot of civilians. Outside of the new Iraqi National Army and the Jordanian Army, and maybe the tiny Singaporan Army, good luck finding Muslim troops for a Muslim force. Even then, those Muslim troops would be nearly as alien to the Afghans as our own troops.
    It would be great if our desired solution was possible but the necessary elements just aren't there.
  227. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Dik Coates wrote: 'Jay Crawford... can you provide an outline of the circumstantial evidence.'

    Sure. It was an offer of a broad timeline and travel log for the key hijackers as pieced together by American, British, and German intelligence agencies along with dossier-type evidence linking those individuals to Al Qaeda. I don't know if anyone in the Taliban accepted any of it.
  228. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes:

    A master at work:

    Jim Terrets writes, 'Well, if you missed the Vietnam War here's your chance to relive it all over again. Yet another American imperial war in a developing country against a rag-tag band of guerrilla's armed with AK-47's and RPGs.

    In 20 years this'll be a Time-Life commemorative DVD set,'Afghanistan: An American History,' which will be a nice companion set to 'Vietnam: An American History.' In the meantime, you can thrill to the daily action in Afghanistan and the optimistic briefings from the White House before the final, frantic helicopter evacuation in a couple of years.

    And all you war-supporters and cheerleaders can get your 'we won the war but the peace loving hippies lost it for us' excuses ready. On the bright side, since the final American defeat is a few years away you'll have plenty of time to make up newer excuses.'

    So true and so, so predictable. Why, I'm even warming up my peace-loving hippy laugh of derision. Great comments, Jim.
  229. Richard Provencher from Truro, NS, Canada writes: What sad statements from thugs, terrorists and mercenaries who wish to kill everyone, including their own people. What kind of animals do they think they are, to attack and kill anyone who tries to help those in their country. It sounds like other countries are very afraid of progress in this land and wish to keep the population in weed fields. We should buy all the poppy fields then burn them. A pox on those supplying bombs, guns and suicide belts to these poor humans who use a distorted view of their religion as justification for terror.
  230. dogloc l from st kitts, Canada writes: As the numbers of US troops arrive expect the numbers of civilian deaths to rise as will. Its time to do more talking & less shooting,this is a unwinable war for the US remember the Alamo & Nam.A lot of countries trid they all left with their tails between their legs this will end the same way after the loss of a lot of lives & a trillion dollars
  231. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes:

    The entrepreneurial side of the Afghan National Army and the Taliban:

    'There is an arrangement between the Taliban and ANA all over the south of Afghanistan, especially in Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Helmand and Ghazni provinces.

    Under this, when ANA troops are sent on patrol inside Taliban areas, they pay the Taliban to avoid being killed. The price is arms, ammunition or rockets, which is handed over and then reported as having been lost during an encounter with the Taliban.
    In turn, when ANA arrests any Taliban fighters, they demand cash money for their release. If the fighters are Pakistani or non-Afghan, ANA takes a little longer to negotiate a price, but if the fighters are Afghans, ANA personnel will not take unnecessary risks. Either they strike a deal then and there and release the Taliban fighters, or within a few days they hand them over to NATO. The reason is to avoid direct confrontation with the Afghan Taliban and their tribal constituencies, which could cause problems in any prolonged negotiations.'

    Exposed jihadis put Pakistan on the spot - Syed Saleem Shahzad

    Asia Times Online, May 5, 2009
  232. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes:

    There is no more astute analysis of Afghan politics than that provided by former Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar, a career diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service. He writes frequently in the Asia Times Online. Here's how things are looking from his perspective.

    '...Karzai formally registered his candidacy for the presidential election. His vice presidential running mates will be two stalwarts of the erstwhile anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, Muhammad Fahim Qasim from Panjshir and Muhammad Karim Khalili from Hazarajat. It is no doubt a dream ticket. Fahim brings in Tajik support in good measure, while Khalili is the unquestioned leader of the Hazara Shi'ites in Bamyan.'

    [Khalili was the guy who championed the recent Afghan family laws which through the West into fits. Mr. Karzai will not be changing that law, regardless of his subsequent promise.]

    'Karzai has in Fahim a running mate who is known to the Russians and in Khalili as a top leader who enjoyed the respect and backing of the Iranians. But more than anything else, with the choice of Fahim and Khalili, Karzai has virtually ensured that there cannot be any unified opposition able to put up a coherent challenge to his candidacy.'

    [Oh dear. Mr. Karzai is massaging the Russian/Iranian connection. Not that this would give any concern to the US/NATO alliance, of course.]

    'How Karzai succeeded in maneuvering into such a strong position offers some salutary lessons about Afghan politics. In essence, he spent the past few weeks in backroom negotiations - Afghan style - cutting deals with one-time adversaries, compromising or bartering influence and power with political bosses.'

    [Mr. Karzai has outmaneuvered the US, NATO and his domestic political opponents, making them all look like amateurs.]

    Short of being physically sidelined, Mr. Karzai will be the next president of Afghanistan.

    'What Obama could learn from Karzai'

    Asia Times Online - May 6, 2009
  233. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Ah, yes! The laughably simplistic and ignorant Jim Terrets has an accolyte! Well, here comes the smackdown:

    Mr Terrets wrote:
    'Well, if you missed the Vietnam War here's your chance to relive it all over again. Yet another American imperial war in a developing country against a rag-tag band of guerrilla's armed with AK-47's and RPGs.'
    Utterly silly analogy that only a pseudo-hippie would find plausible.

    'In 20 years this'll be a Time-Life commemorative DVD set,'Afghanistan: An American History,' which will be a nice companion set to 'Vietnam: An American History.''
    Okay, so we take an analogy of dissimilars, draw the same conclusion, and prognosticate the future. Suuuuuure!

    'In the meantime, you can thrill to the daily action in Afghanistan and the optimistic briefings from the White House before the final, frantic helicopter evacuation in a couple of years.'
    For people like Mr Terrets who obviously know little about the Vietnam War, their imagination fixates on an image of the rooftop evacuation of an American embassy. They like to imagine that American ground forces were somehow defeated by the Vietcong [giggle] and that America's army was driven from Vietnam by 'ragtag bands of guerrillas'. Of course, such self-delusion requires them to avoid any real history and accept Hollywood (or CBC) psuedo-history.
    To defeat their fantasy, all I need is real history for which I will quote myself from above: 'The North Vietnamese 1972 invasion of South Vietnam was stopped by South Vietnamese ground forces with American airpower (Operation Linebacker). The major reason the 1975 North Vietnamese [conventional] invasion succeeded was the utter lack of American war-material support and NO American airpower.'
    To quote Malone from The Untouchables 'Thus endeth the history lesson.'
  234. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Jim Terrets continued:
    'And all you war-supporters and cheerleaders can get your 'we won the war but the peace loving hippies lost it for us' excuses ready.'
    Naw. It wasn't hippies that cost South Vietnam a chance at democracy and freedom; it was OUR American lack of will to continue even a limited fight. No excuses.

    'On the bright side, since the final American defeat is a few years away you'll have plenty of time to make up newer excuses.'
    Even with commitment proportionately far less than we had 65 years ago, we DOMINATE any battlespace we choose. Deal with reality, boys.

    Reality check: We're America and the liberal democracy for which we fight is a cause superior to the Dark Age misogynist tyranny for which our enemies fight. If we don't decide to quit, we will win...especially if we decide to relax our self-restraint and treat the Taliban like we treated the Germans...or like the Taliban would treat Richard Roskill!
  235. Jan Burton from Toronto, Canada writes: 'In 20 years this'll be a Time-Life commemorative DVD set,'Afghanistan: An American History,' which will be a nice companion set to 'Vietnam: An American History.''

    I thought Iraq was supposed to be the next Vietnam.
  236. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    Elegantly said, Mr Burton.
  237. Richard Roskell from Naramata, Canada writes:

    No, no. Iraq was like Yugoslavia. Trump up fictitious charges, bomb the place, put the country's leader on trial, badda bing badda boom, it's a whole new ball game...

    No wait. Maybe more like Panama. Former US ally and dictator gets too big for his britches, bomb the place, put the country's leader on trial, badda bing badda boom, it's a whole new ball game...

    Nope. Not quite a perfect fit. Afghanistan is the USA's new Vietnam. Too many obvious parallels to ignore.

  238. Jeff T from Canada writes: Ahhh, poor poor liar lil dick roskell shows what a wonderful koolaid drinker he is. Sorry liar lil dick roskell, on Yugoslavia/Kosovo/Bosnia, I can say that you are way out of your depth on that subject. Best steer clear, as you have demonstrated a lack of ability to study.
  239. Jay Crawford from Miami, Florida, United States writes:
    I'll add to that, Jeff.
    What Roskill knows about the Vietnam War is apparently equal to what I thought I knew when I was 12.
    That puts me about 34 years ahead of him on that part of the knowledge curve.

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