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Frist: Remarks about Taliban distorted and taken out of context
Townhall ^ | October 2, 2006 | Bill Frist

Posted on 10/02/2006 3:29:40 PM PDT by Roscoe Karns

Edited on 10/02/2006 3:49:15 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

Bill Frist: "I’m currently overseas visiting our troops in Afghanistan, but I wanted to take a moment to address an Associated Press story titled, “Frist: Taliban Should Be in Afghan Gov’t.” The story badly distorts my remarks and takes them out of context.

First of all, let me make something clear: The Taliban is a murderous band of terrorists who’ve oppressed the people of Afghanistan with their hateful ideology long enough. America’s overthrow of the Taliban and support for responsible, democratic governance in Afghanistan is a great accomplishment that should not and will not be reversed.

Having discussed the situation with commanders on the ground, I believe that we cannot stabilize Afghanistan purely through military means. Our counter-insurgency strategy must win hearts and minds and persuade moderate Islamists potentially sympathetic to the Taliban to accept the legitimacy of the Afghan national government and democratic political processes.

National reconciliation is a necessary and an urgent priority … but America will never negotiate with terrorists or support their entry into Afghanistan’s government. "

Related thread: U.S. Senate majority leader calls for efforts to bring Taliban into Afghan government


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; aplies; associatedpress; cutnrun; drivebymedia; enemedia; frist; moderateterrorists; rino; taleban; taliban
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To: Alia

If I were a Republican candidate I would avoid any movement, bowel or otherwise, for the next month. The drive by media and their bed buddies (democrats)are at it 24 x 7 with the anal exam.


101 posted on 10/02/2006 6:51:15 PM PDT by gathersnomoss
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To: NewLand

Spot on!


102 posted on 10/02/2006 6:51:24 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: livius
I'm with you about the Worm in Dune. ;> I do see declining support for NOI. Early 90s, I was sweating bullets. And then when former Pres Clinton gave $1million to NOI for "policing", I was darned near flippin out; given where I was living.

I think NOI is now more DISLIKED than ever before, Islamofascists kinda ripped the smiley face off of NOI. And various bizarre acts. Like beating up and vandalizing liquor stores in Oakland.. Whatever can be said about this remergence group of Carry Nation calling itself NOI, the backlash will even come from limosine liberals who like their vino, cosmos, and manhattans.

In re quarantining feminists. It can't be done. Roe V Wade is law. But people, of their own free will, can choose to not act upon ROE v Wade. And perhaps one day, some legislator will decide it's high time to clean the lawbooks of old outdated laws against not curbing your horses, and such.

Try not to worry, livius. I keenly understand your concerns. It is a "moment", indeed. And this very moment is what the past 5 years have led up to. And there will be more such moments. Imagine what Europe thought observing the birth of the United States. And observing its baby steps. They were so sure, I'll wager, it might not happen, and it might not survive. But it did. And Lady Liberty in NY still lights our shores, now sans the Twin Towers.

We'll never forget, will we.

103 posted on 10/02/2006 6:54:38 PM PDT by Alia
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To: gathersnomoss

You described the situation, very succinctly. It's like observing the last demon in Linda Blair.


104 posted on 10/02/2006 6:55:47 PM PDT by Alia
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To: Alia
Given up? huh? I see this as another step in the WOT. Not as a "giving up"? To be making these kinds of statements, NOW, says that AQ/Taliban aren't quite as "numerous" as they'd like everyone to think they are. AQ/Taliban are being given a choice -- assimilate, obey the laws, or go to hell. That's what I've gleened.

It's pretty much the equivalent of saying, "Okay, I'm gonna close my eyes and count to ten. Everyone who was sorta Taliban before, or sorta wasn't, if you're standing next to the "Central Government" sign when I open my eyes, then we'll know you're not a bad guy. One. Two. Three...."

105 posted on 10/02/2006 6:59:00 PM PDT by Steel Wolf (As Ibn Warraq said, "There are moderate Muslims but there is no moderate Islam.")
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To: California Patriot

It is my perception that he was adding his US voice to what Karzai and Musharaff have been saying. And that's why he did so in broadcasts throughout their countries. I'm sure there's more to come.


106 posted on 10/02/2006 6:59:06 PM PDT by Alia
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To: L98Fiero
Helluva good rant there, L98.

And dead-on accurate.

107 posted on 10/02/2006 7:03:59 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: L98Fiero
"I think most Muslim countries, when given the chance to choose, choose very poorly, in accordance with what their Imam wants."

This is an important part of the problem. There is little to no encouragement for anyone to think on their own. Only clerics and scholars have the right to interpret Islam.

108 posted on 10/02/2006 7:09:28 PM PDT by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)
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To: Roscoe Karns

"The story badly distorts my remarks and takes them out of context."


Well Dr Frist, it IS the AP. What did you expect, honest reporting?


109 posted on 10/02/2006 7:17:49 PM PDT by BLS (It's time to redefine your deiphobic mind.)
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To: Roscoe Karns

Told ya. (well, not you Roscoe) The AP would screw up a recipe for boiling water. Give it two-three days before believing their nonsense.


110 posted on 10/02/2006 7:20:12 PM PDT by madison10
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To: Roscoe Karns

We are being jerked around by the DNC and the far left moonbats.


111 posted on 10/02/2006 7:26:01 PM PDT by Sender (* Pre-cooked weight. Your mullah may vary.)
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To: L98Fiero

Kudos to you for quitting the butts, and for the useful rant.


112 posted on 10/02/2006 7:28:14 PM PDT by Sender (* Pre-cooked weight. Your mullah may vary.)
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To: CWOJackson
Well that sure screws up a perfectly good chance to knee jerk

Yea .. but the the AP damage has been done ..

113 posted on 10/02/2006 8:12:03 PM PDT by Mo1 (Hey McCain and Graham .... our soldiers signed up to dodge bullets not lawsuits)
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To: Sender
We are being jerked around by the DNC and the far left moonbats

And it's only going to get worse with the up coming elections

114 posted on 10/02/2006 8:16:13 PM PDT by Mo1 (Hey McCain and Graham .... our soldiers signed up to dodge bullets not lawsuits)
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To: FreeReign

Agreed. Thanks.


115 posted on 10/02/2006 8:18:18 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: Steel Wolf

Thanks for the response. I agree.


116 posted on 10/02/2006 8:19:34 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: Roscoe Karns
Having discussed the situation with commanders on the ground, I believe that we cannot stabilize Afghanistan purely through military means. Our counter-insurgency strategy must win hearts and minds and persuade moderate Islamists potentially sympathetic...

Did he write this drivel himself? Bye, bye, Bill.

117 posted on 10/02/2006 8:21:05 PM PDT by Prince Charles
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To: Alia
The AQ/Taliban are NOT a nation.

Oh really?

Not in your mind they aren't, but in their minds they are the global caliphate, starting with all of southern Asia, the Middle East, most of Africa, the Balkans, and Spain, with plans to expand from there, including in our hemisphere. Any existing governments within that claim they view as illegitimate. Thus they have lands they claim, a body of law, and a ruling hierarchy.

Which nation -- Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan -- do you prefer to drop the bombs on?

As of and for now, because we have a nominally sovereign government to which we are committed in Iraq, none of the above. When we attacked Iraq and encountered resistance in Fallujiah, it should have been flattened, so there's one. It's amazing what an example will do, especially to deter recruitment.

118 posted on 10/02/2006 8:21:22 PM PDT by Carry_Okie (The fourth estate is the fifth column.)
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To: Roscoe Karns

Here's a thought. Maybe we never took this war seriosuly enough. Maybe we really needed to march into Afghanistann with a million man army and take names - just like we did with Germany and Japan - where it would have been unthinkable to even suggest that a Nazi could lead any future government. Where the enemy knew they were totally and utterly defeated and the only way forward was a totally life-changing regime. That's a question for historians now.


119 posted on 10/02/2006 8:35:08 PM PDT by TrebleRebel
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Comment #120 Removed by Moderator


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