OK, you can rest easy now
All of you folks still in Afghanistan who might have been worried that you’d be a target of “insider” attacks can breathe easy now, the president is on the job, finally. The Associated Press reports that he told the media today; “we have got to make sure we are on top of this”.
I don’t know how he figures he can do more…I mean, he let them turn their desks so the troops could face the door. How much can one man do? Oh, and the “Guardian Angel Program” where one person the room gets to be armed and watches the Afghans who come in the room. Don’t forget the fact that he let them put bullets in their weapons. Hasn’t he done enough already?
The article goes on to say that “the military needs to beef up its vetting process for Afghan troops”. yeah, see, it’s their own fault they’re getting shot to shit – the Americans aren’t vetting the Afghans well enough. Not that the Afghans aren’t vetting their troops well enough…it’s the military who isn’t doing their job. Because all they have to do ask the prospective recruits if they plan on shooting up some Americans and they’ll always answer truthfully.
Meanwhile Obama “plans to speak to Afghan President Hamid Karzai as well”. That’ll help loads. And, really, hasn’t he already talked to Karzai about this? Why does he think that talking to Karzai will help now? Didn’t Leon Panetta have a conversation with Karzai this weekend, right before this last attack on a US soldier?
Maybe he’s worried because the LA Times did an article today entitled “Afghanistan ‘insider’ attacks pose threat to West’s exit strategy“. Yeah, when your only strategy is withdrawal and you can’t do that right, and the LA Times notices, something’s vastly wrong.
But don’t worry, you folks who have your asses on the line over there, I’m sure the president is going to focus on this problem and get to a solution like he’s done to so many problems he’s faced. Like fixing the economy and closing Guantanamo, a solution is right around the corner.
Category: 2012 election, Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Terror War
God, im glad someone finally thought to ask the president to help or else our guys could keep getting killed. Silly military leaders thinking they could fix this on their own…..
Well since he led “The raid on Bin Laden’s compound”, I would feel safe now that he’s on the job now.
Politicians play-acting as warriors. At least we’re not treated to the comic opera uniforms that usually accompany the role.
He’ll have OSHA on top of this “Workplace Violence” problem as soon as Biden has some time in his busy schedule.
There is an easy solution for this. Issue any troop working with the Afghan military, or in close proximity to them, the mk25/M11/Sig P226 that is already in the Army/Navy supply chain. Mandate that they are required to carry it concealed at all times. Also, outfit all buildings where US and Afghan forces are working together with the L-3 Communications ProVision security scanners (like those used in most airports). All Afghans must pass through the scanner and be searched upon entry. There. Problem solved.
I have been stating since the beginning that enemy infiltrators, or those simply wearing ANSF uniforms, were responsible for the majority of these attacks, including in comments on TAH.
I have said from the beginning that recruits should have been vetted (i.e. going to their villages and talking to their Elders and fellow villagers, assessing both them and their villages for ties to the Taliban).
I have said from the beginning that the *political* decision to increase the size of the ANSF (though they already plan to decrease it) so rapidly prevented proper vetting and would allow Taliban infiltration.
It’s long past time that the MSM, and politicians they support, acknowledge the enemy is conducting the attacks, and given those acknowledgments, the Nation should also acknowledge that political decisions have caused Troop Fatalities, and now that we admit it was the enemy, not our allies, renew their commitment to Victory.
Vetting these assholes would be very difficult. I ran into the same problem while in Korea, the problem of vetting Koreans to make sure that they either didn’t infiltrate in from North K, or had family on the other side of the 38th (pressure). Yeah, very difficult indeed.
My solution? If the Afghani’s aren’t disarmed, they should be downright naked. No underwear, turbans (whatever), N-O-T-H-I-N-G. Period.
Q: What’s the difference between the Taliban recruits in Afghanistan and the NVA in Vietnam?
I’m just SO glad to know that the Pres is keeping watch.
Why am I now afraid of more Green on Blue violence all of a sudden?
There are probably multiple sources of the attacks too:
-Taliban operatives who enlist in the ANSF planning to attack US troops
-Individuals who join ANSF in good faith and later become radicalized
-Non-ANSF personnel who get uniforms on the black market and use them to catch coalition troops off guard
And while the politicians are full of shit, it is very possible that a few of the attacks actually are “personal grievances” (this number is likely much closer to the 10% the brass attributes to enemy action). It’s a very complex problem and the politicians’ (I include the ISAF brass in that) and media’s refusal to report honestly on it makes things worse.
“the military needs to beef up its vetting process for Afghan troops”. Really?
Somebody might want to tell the “thrill up my leg” MSM they forgot to vet the Kenyan born Indonesian in WH. Why should Maobama have solutions for Afghanistan, Gitmo, or any thing else? Hasn’t he been AWOL thru college, Illinois Senate, U.S. Senate, and even as POTUS? What is his record of achievement as a leader or manager before becoming President?
I don’t think Karzai’s shaking in his boots – Maobama will just bow and it will be more of the same.
Record of achievement? Longest campaign for re-election in the history of the U.S. Too bad the country fell apart while he was at it.
I guess I’ve got nothing to worry about?
“Vetting would be difficult.” Yes, it would be, but it is also necessary and possible.
It was done in Iraq after this SAME M*Fing problem happened. It has been done in places where it was much more difficult. And if the Politician in Chief had not been so dead set on an “exit strategy” that rested on having 350,000 UNVETTED Afghans carrying automatic weapons, it could have been done in Afghanistan.
According to LTC ret Ralph Peters who was a guest on The O’Reilly Factor just last night – things are falling apart and military brass just don’t know what to do. He’s one of the most plugged in and smartest guys out there – so take it for what its worth.
MG Peter Fuller & COL Lawrence Sellin voiced their opinions on how dysfunctional affairs in Afghanistan were and got sacked – they are proving to be right it appears.
Ok, so short of simply walking away or seperating US and Afghan troops, how do we solve the problem?
@16: Next time, we shoot the…. person. Then stuff their mouth with ham, wrap them in bacon, then put the corpse in the poo burning barrel and light. Toast mashmellows at your own risk.
Life for the average Afghani sucks. If they believe that they’ll get a ticket to a better place just by killing an American, the only effective way to counter that is too convince them that we’ll do what is necessary to change the destination on their ticket.
We’ve tried education and cultural consideration for years. They keep stealing the damn carrot because our politicians are afraid to let us use the stick.