Posted on 09/01/2010 5:50:02 PM PDT by markomalley
Some families of service members killed in the war say the rules of engagement protect Afghan civilians at the expense of American troops. U.S. combat tolls have peaked this summer.
Bill and Beverly Osborn still can't bring themselves to erase the phone message from their son Ben. He had called from Afghanistan in June to assure them that he was safe. Four days later, he was killed in a Taliban ambush.
The Osborns long ago accepted the risks faced by their son, an Army specialist. But what they can't accept now are the military rules of engagement, which they contend made it possible for the Taliban to kill him.
"We let the enemy fire first, and they took my son from us," Beverly Osborn said of the rules, which in most instances require U.S. forces to identify an enemy threat before firing, and to withhold fire if civilians are close by. The rules also place restrictions on close air support and artillery, prompting complaints from some service members that their lives are put at risk against an enemy that fights by no rules at all.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
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As a consequence the left had virtual run of society for nearly ten years.
They've always seen the US military as a nuisance anyway, so by losing in Afghanistan they get a 'twofer'.
Chicago Tribune? You help elect the Muslim. Helped by EVERY TV network and people who watch TV.
The Muslim Brotherhood has moles throughout the US govt, military, intel agencies, you name it. They are feeding intel back to the Taliban and Al Qeada to kill our troops faster.
Keep watchiung TV because every network including the Saudi partially owned Fox News supports Obama, the Victory Mosque and Islam. Your monthly cable and aat TV bills keep the networks alive and keeps you supporting shria.
What do you really expect from this administration? A policy to win? That he is going to get serious with his brethren???
For the unaware and unknowing.... and the wary
We all have different dreams, and perceptions about America and what it should become. A special thank you to Cruise _Missile for summarizing his observations!
Obama is a Muslim wanabe or Wahabe
The FIRST thing Obama did as a newly elected Illinois State Senator was to attempt to declare a Muslim holiday. Obama sponsored Bill SR0110 in the 90th General Assembly to declare November 1, 1997 to be Islamic Community Center Day. It did not pass.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/summary/900SR0110.html
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/srgroups/sr/900SR0110LV.html
His biological father was a Muslim.
http://www.bing.com/reference/semhtml/?title=Barack_Obama%2C_Sr.&src=abop&qpvt=barack+obama+seniot&q=barack+obama+senior&fwd=1
Because his biological father was a Muslim the Islam world thinks he is a Muslim.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/behind-the-numbers/2010/08/obama_is_a_muslim_18_24_or.html?hpid=topnews
http://www.indonesiamatters.com/2952/barry-soetoro/
His stepfather was a Muslim.
http://www.indonesiamatters.com/2952/barry-soetoro/
As a child Barry was enrolled in school as a Muslim in Jakarta Indonesia. An Indonesian Madrasa.
Barack Hussein Obamas first and middle names are Arabic Muslim names.
Barack was the name for Mohammads horse. Husein, enough said.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700246419/Barack-Muhammads-horse.html
http://sanooaung.wordpress.com/2009/01/22/will-be-obama-with-us-muslims-as-the-meaning-of-his-name-in-persian-language/
Obama recited the opening lines of the Muslim call to prayer, which includes a vow of fidelity to Islam, in flawless Arabic on a radio program. - Nikolos Kristoff, NYTs, 3-06-07 (***this one is a gottcha moment***)
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.3413/pub_detail.asp
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/11679
On that same program he said he thinks the call to prayer is one of the prettiest sounds on earth.
http://jewagainstobama.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/obama-muslim-call-to-prayer-one-of-the-prettiest-sounds-on-earth/
http://caosblog.com/archives/7373
Obama belonged to Rev. Wrights (a former Muslim) church for twenty years. Many congregants are Muslims.
http://infidelsarecool.com/2008/04/07/jeremiah-wright-former-muslim/
http://infidelsarecool.com/2008/03/20/rev-wright-got-his-masters-degree-in-islam-in-west-africa/
http://endtimes.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/289
Obamas said that the U.S. is one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyharnden/9959057/Barack_Hussein_Obama_US_one_of_the_largest_Muslim_countries_in_the_world/
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/06/obama_america_one_of_the_large_1.asp
Obama holds Muslim celebrations in the WH but canceled the National Day of Prayer.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1724544/obama_cancels_national_day_of_prayer.html?cat=9
http://www.exposeobama.com/
President Obamas religious adviser, Eboo Patel, once deemed the United States the ideal place for the renewal of Islam.
Obama does not give gifts on Christmas.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/12035.html
Obama doesnt celebrate his birthday.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/04/a-tough-birthday-for-obama/
Obama falsely attributes Muslim participation in the founding of America.
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.7041/pub_detail.asp
Obama required that the cross be covered when he gave a speech at Notre Dame.
http://blog.acton.org/archives/9843-notre-dame-georgetown-and-president-obama.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/11/opinion/main5006203.shtml
http://dougpowers.com/2009/04/17/obamas-jesus-coverup/
Christian symbol covered up during Obamas Georgetown speech
http://myfaithspace.ning.com/profiles/blogs/obama-covers-christ-and-cross
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=46667
Obamas first major speech in office was a Muslim outreach speech in Cairo Egypt.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-Cairo-University-6-04-09/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8083171.stm
The American President told me in confidence that he is a Muslim, said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Nile TV.
http://barenakedislam.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/bombshell-egyptian-foreign-minister-ahmed-aboul-gheit-says-on-egyptian-tv-%e2%80%9cthe-american-president-told-me-in-confidence-that-he-is-still-a-muslim-%e2%80%9d/
http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=166905
Obama gave strong support to the Cordoba House community center and mosque to be built at the Ground Zero site of Sep. 11, 2001 at a dinner celebrating the days end of the first day of Ramadan at the WH.
http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/president-obama-supports-ground-zero-mosque/19593492?ncid=webmail
Obama tasked NASA with a mission of Muslim outreach.
http://technology.newsplurk.com/2010/07/nasa-and-islam.html
Obama referred to his faith as my Muslim faith gaffe in an interview with George Stephanopolous.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQqIpdBOg6I
Pushes Islamic freedom of religion but not Jewish or Christian freedoms. Several weeks ago he told Israel NOT to build settlements in East Jerusalem. But OK to build that Mosque at Ground Zero.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7514285/Israel-spits-in-Obamas-eye-by-announcing-new-settlements-in-east-Jerusalem.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/24/barack-obama-israel-settlement-plan
Be wary, wary aware ....and wary, wary afraid...get prepared for more creeping sharia...
“The Muslim Brotherhood has moles throughout the US govt, military, intel agencies, you name it.”
Kinda sounds like the 60’s when the communists were in our government doesn’t it? We need another McCarthy.
Can't shoot until shot at first - or if you don't' see a gun? Don't get me started - my grandson that grew up in my house is on his second tour - His first: 15 months in the "MosT Dangerous Place on Earth" - GOOGLE "Restrepo the Movie" - it's about his platoon.
what will be the count at the end of 2010? Obama is a traitor - pure and simple.
It’s WAY PAST TIME TO DEMAND the ROE rescinded. I have been posting this for over a year
WE’RE PINNED DOWN
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/75036.html
our traitor in chief is aiding and abetting our enemy in killing our troops = ducks in a shooting gallery and not allowed to defend themselves - no cover.
August 2009 was the deadliest month of the whole war for our troops = and it has continued to climb (But the media is no longe concerned) ...because of the new ROE - Rules of Engagement...
which are NOT to provide air cover for our troops, even when ambushed, pinned down and being killed. (the rationale for these new ROE’s admits that it will cause more deaths for our troops now but that it will be worth it in the long run. Worth it for WHO?)
That is treason. Pure and simple. That is aiding and abetting the enemy, who now knows THEY have the cover, not our troops - and they are ramping it up.
This story breaks my heart. The mindset of the military and the left are polar opposites.
U.S. TROOPS BATTLE BOTH TALIBAN AND THEIR OWN RULES
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2387602/posts
New Obama Military Rules of Engagement:, Dont shoot back
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2384383/posts
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT REVISITED
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346439/posts
OBAMAS RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN COSTING OUR TROOPS LIVES
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335891/posts
THE RULES MURDERING OUR TROOPS
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2347085/posts
____________________________________________________________
http://www.nato.int/isaf/docu/official_texts/Tactical_Directive_090706.pdf
...I recognize that the carefully controlled and disciplined employment of force entails risks to our troops...
...The Taliban cannot militarily defeat us - but we can defeat ourselves...
This is all that comes to my mind when I read that:
We are pinned down. We are running low on ammo. We have no air. Weve lost today, Marine Maj. Kevin Williams, 37, said through his translator to his Afghan counterpart, responding to the latters repeated demands for helicopters.
Were pinned down: 4 U.S. Marines die in Afghan ambush
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2335142/posts
____________________________________________________________
Obama orders Miranda rights in Afghanistan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2388364/posts
Reading Miranda Rights to Terrorists Is Crazy and Stupid, Say GOP Congressmen
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=49738
Miranda rights for terrorists: Next, toothbrushes and teddy bears!
The enemy gets to use their full arsenal and tactics on our troops but our guys have to fight hamstrung by the ROEs. Utter and complete BS. No thanks to Al-Bama.
bump
"Our soldiers are forced to fight with one hand tied behind their backs. They're not allowed to take care of business and they know it," Bill Osborn said in his living room, where his son's Bronze Star, Purple Heart and campaign ribbons are on display.
Debbie Morris of Arnold, Calif., who lost her son in Afghanistan on June 10, said the rules of engagement protect Afghan civilians at the expense of American troops. She blames the rules, in part, for the death of her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Gavin Brummund, 22, from a roadside bomb.
If the rules prevent troops from aggressively pursuing Afghan militants who plot attacks against them while posing as civilians, "then the rules aren't working, and why are we even there?" Morris said.
Brummund's widow, Michaela, said Marines in her husband's unit told her they were frustrated by the rules. Protecting civilians, many of whom are hostile to U.S. forces, "isn't worth our guys' lives," she said..."
McClatchy report by Jonathan Landay, the reporter who broke the story of how our rules of engagement in Afghanistan endanger the troops.
McClatchy report by Jonathan Landay: Report: “Rules of engagement led to soldiers’ deaths.” A detailed follow up:
The lack of timely air support - was a consequence of the manpower and equipment shortages bequeathed by the Bush administrations failure to secure Afghanistan against a resurgence of the Taliban, al-Qaida and allied groups before turning to invade Iraq.
The denial of heavy artillery fire to those trapped in Ganjgal also has roots in the Bush administrations decision to divert resources to Iraq and the resulting stress on the U.S. military.
McClatchy investigation: “Birthers are just plain nuts” Does McClatchy get its talking points from DNC operatives?
“I don’t think that even the best blogsites are a substitute for the mainstream media is that bloggers cannot do all of the things that mainstream media companies can do, at least for now. In June, for example, we completed an investigation of the Bush administration’s detainee program.” - John Walcott, Washington bureau chief for McClatchy Newspapers Oct. 7, 2008
Note - “U.S. commanders told FOX News soldiers are not reading Miranda rights to detainees.”
“Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd denied there has been a policy change covering detainees. “There has been no policy change nor blanket instruction for FBI agents to Mirandize detainees overseas,” adding, “While there have been specific cases in which FBI agents have Mirandized suspects overseas, at both Bagram and in other situations, in order to preserve the quality of evidence obtained, there has been no overall policy change with respect to detainees.”
The McCltachy article becomes suspect by introducing obtuse foolishness like this:
Quote:
The lack of timely air support...was a consequence of the manpower and equipment shortages bequeathed by the Bush administrations failure to secure Afghanistan against a resurgence of the Taliban, al Qaida and allied groups before turning to invade Iraq.
...
The denial of heavy artillery fire to those trapped in Ganjgal also has roots in the Bush administrations decision to divert resources to Iraq and the resulting stress on the U.S. military.
Those comments would seem to questionably accurate at best, politically motivated (understandable given his background) and tangentially if at all related to the story. They discredit the rest of his reporting in my view.
More sensible is this comment:
Quote:
There are a limited number of U.S. helicopters in Kunar, a stretch of craggy mountains and serpentine valleys bordering Pakistan where airpower gives a vital edge to overstretched U.S. troops fighting guerrillas who know every nook and trail of the area. Unbeknownst to those trapped in the Ganjgal kill zone, however, the available aircraft were tied up in the Shiryak Valley to the north in a battle in which two pilots were wounded, U.S. commanders said.
I seem to recall efforts at home to declare failure back in 2007 - back when the fighting and dying were at their worst - and to ensure the blame for that failure didnt rest with the troops but was passed on to the Generals who had sacrificed their soldiers lives on the altar of appeasement to their civilian masters. Some might recall Betrayus - a disgusting trope that made its way from certain web sites (more concerned with winning elections than battles with guns) to the pages of the New York Times - at a discount.
You need no reminder of that, I am sure. Of days when scant available facts (and abundant fallacies) in initial reports were augmented with the assumptions of those who were most likely to be wrong, whose motives and commitment would require them to ignore or dismiss follow-on reports from on-scene (from those whose every word had mere days before been unimpeachable Gospel truth) and moveon to the next preliminary report, the new outrage of the day.
QUOTES - Initial reports indicate that the troops requested and were given air support and indirect fire, said Sam Truelove, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force.
The tactical directive does not preclude any fires for self defense, said Truelove, a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy.
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said that it did take some time for air support to arrive, but the delay was due to distance, not the rules of engagement.
He said the deaths are under investigation, adding, We will hopefully get to the bottom and figure out if everything operated according to protocol.
roe bump
After Vietnam it was thought we would never enter a war that we did not intend to win, well here we are!
October 2, 2009 NRO This Mission Is Not McChrystal Clear Andrew McCarthy.
“Deep down, national-security conservatives know President Obama will not wage a decisive war against America’s enemies in Afghanistan. They also know that the young men and women we already have there are sitting ducks. Ralph Peters notes that our commanders, obsessed with avoiding civilian casualties, have imposed mind-boggling rules of engagement (ROE) on our forces, compelling them to retreat from contact with the enemy and denying them resort to overwhelming force — including the denial of artillery and air cover when they are under siege.” http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/228339/mission-not-mcchrystal-clear/andrew-c-mccarthy
And without expectation that it will do anything whatsoever to reduce claims of soldiers as “sitting ducks”. Here are the ‘Sitting Duck Airpower Summaries’ for that October 1st and 2nd 2009 - Oct. 1 airpower summary http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123170890 Oct. 2 airpower summary: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123171165
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