In separate comments related to the deaths of 30 US troops in a helicopter downing over the weekend, President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta both vowed to continue the war in Afghanistan, saying that the deaths would not deter them.
Secretary Panetta insisted the deaths were “a reminder to the American people that we remain a nation still at war,” adding that the real tragedy would not be the deaths, but if the deaths ended the decade-long occupation of Afghanistan.
There’s no chance of that, however, President Obama assured. Rather he insisted that the deaths made him more determined than ever to keep the war going, saying that America has a “responsibility” to honor the slain troops’ legacy by keeping the conflict going.
The deaths were the single largest toll from any one incident since the US invaded Afghanistan in late 2001, and just one week in August 2011 is on track to be among the deadliest months of the war. Though the administration has repeatedly seen failure in Afghanistan as a reason to double-down, the rising death toll is also fueling public opposition to the war, and will continue doing so.
How sad to hear the response from Panetta and Obama to the uprising of local Taliban against the occupiers. Why doesn't the USA just grow up and go home. All the reasons for going into Afghanastan have now been accomplished with the death of bin Laden. How many more Americans have to be killed to satify the egos of the country's leaders. Pile up the debt more and more, do not address the problems at home and this policy will surely end in bankruptcy.
It WILL end with the collapse of the amerikan empire…too much bloody karma to overcome ! The attitude of the people will determine the details of the fall..
Man, you would think that sh-t like this couldn’t go on much longer, but the truth is that the American people are so delusional they will agree with Walstreet Panetta and King Obama and the show will go on.
"President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta both vowed to continue the war in Afghanistan, saying that the deaths would not deter them".
Nothing will deter these people.., unless American people would tell them so.., and the time has arrived and they been told that they don’t want their wars.., people are sick and tired listening to their BS and their biased media and other means in propagandas.., but as long as is up to these people.., then you haven’t seen nothing yet.
Golly, these guys are boneheads!
The expensive and bloody comedy continues to drag America into the third world. Nice going Obama/ We will be lucky if he doesn't get us into another stupid imbroglio.
OK america can go to hell and let their people and the afghans must die for american lies and hegemony. In america nothing will be left if the debt increases to 21 trillion dollar. Then we don,t need to kill americans in afghanistan they will themself.
Arrogaz has no limits and to kill Muslims around the world is an american hobby for lies.
just wrote a new article on our choices… http://giavellireport.com/2011/08/09/time-to-give…
We are now into predictable reactionary "double-down thinking" territory. The US will stay DESPITE the mounting numbers of American casualities–or is it BECAUSE of the mounting numbers of American casualities? Then there will be more casualities, and they can repeat the mantra again, and again, and again, till Afgahnistan actually reaches Vietnam levels and a draft is declared. Meanwhile the US credit rating will be downgraded further and further, since no-one wants to cut military spending or raise taxes to pay for it. As Justin says, this is suicide for the US–and then for the rest of us. Clash of civilizations my ass. As the Soviet Union imploded from within, so is Western civilization. We have placed our faith (and our cash) in the hands of so many investment bankers and hedge fund managers who, like the false idols they are, stand aloof in their shiny hollow temples and consume our offerings till nothing remains but a pile of ash.
And still these money-down-a-rathole wars are hardly mentioned in the budget debates. The pregnant poll that will never be taken by the MSM…
" Would you prefer to spend our resources on medicare and medicade or on these wars?"
Given enough time "the graveyard of soldiers and of empires" – Afghanistan – will lead to the end of the 'American empire'.
NO 'invader' has ever conquered Afghanistan – the American invaders will NOT succeed either.
Easy for Panetta and Obama to stay the course by sending young Americans to be sacrificed for Corporate American profits – is that gas pipeline finally built?
When will the Anerican people revolt against such leaders?
of course he will. barry o will do whatever the global banksters tell him to do. what a pathetic fraud and imposter this clown is. what's worse are his sycophantic slave supporters who support him for escalating the illegal wars and occupation. obama is a war pig just like all the rest.
Ho cares what Obama say or the government the citizens what thew wars ended.Of course Obama don't care its not his children killind and dieing.Why do you think Ron Paul has more support from military famillys than the President and all other togeather.See the Mid East and Brintan you better wake up this is going to end up a thing that happens over the entire globe.Americans have the most armed citizens of the world trust me that scares the corrupt government.Ron Paul 2012.
Well let's not get carried away…Ron Paul! Seriously? Get a grip! NO president is going to lead this country off this slippery slope. One thing I disagree with y'all on is this: Obama is TOO a good president. In fact, he's a GREAT president, in the most Machiavellian sense. He has done what a good prince is expected to do….pull every rotten trick in the book, break all his promises, capture his critics (in contemporary terms, the media), cajole and protect the rich, and continue the wars. And I almost forgot, overtax the poor and show no mercy. We got it god, and ANYONE who becomes president of this country in particular will do the same if s/he Knows what's good for her or himself. Or else they will be cut down mercilessly by the powers that actually be…those who hold all the wealth, weapons and resources. People, we have got to learn to cooperate and mutually support each other. We have got to shift for ourselves OR…Game Over. Let's bring about some Peace,
The violence-loving President — Barack "Peace Prize" Obama. Funny how the Nobel Committee doesn't ask for the Prize returned. Maybe they agree with his policies.
Doesn’t anyone understand the ramifications of an unstable Afghanistan? That it would very likely destabilize Pakistan who has nuclear weapons? Here’s a sad fact, people die in wars but to pull out out now would be huge mistake and would have global repercussions, the Taliban would certainly want NATO troops to leave, that way al queda could reenter Afghanistan which would create a major terrorist hub. Its sad that so many Americans have forgotten 911 and the people lost, and are willing to duck and run. What happened to resolve and fortitude?
There are some very ignorant and uneducated responses in here. It’s scary how many people have forgotten the lessons of 911. It seems a lot of Americans have become complacent. I’m not an Obama supporter but at least he’s making right decision regarding Afpac and realizes the danger in pulling out of Afghanistan and the very real threat of Pakistan.
Doesn't ANYONE find it STRANGE that the WHOLE Navy Seal Team 6 was on ONE 'copter??!! I find it VERY disturbing! Either it was b/c someone was STUPID, and had NO foresight or concern for the guys….OR, MORE disturbing, b/c they wanted NO leaks as to the 'death' of OBL….. What do you all believe? I am interested to know….