Assumption of Command [by General David H. Petraeus]

Michael Yon Online ^ | Sunday, July 4, 2010 | General David H. Petraeus

[Star Traveler]

Okay, today it's official ... :-)

[Star Traveler]

Just sayin’ ... that’s all ... :-)

[Star Traveler]

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Let’s not forget - it’s like when the papers say “Obama decided to keep XYZ program” - there’s much more happening behind the scenes than we know.

[ecomcon]

It strikes me as troubling that our commanding general says Salaam Aleikum to begin his speech.

I know way too many Islamic words as it is. Every one of them conjures the stench of death and oppression for me.

[BohDaThone]

Petraeus is talking to people you're trying to influence. Unless we really do want to glassify the whole country, we need the support of people there -- they need to know we will stay the course -- and saying even a few words in their language can help.

At a crucial point in WW 2, Churchill spoke to the French people and began (In french) "Beware Frenchmen , I am about to speak french!"

[ecomcon]

I understand why he did it, although it is still troubling to me.

It is a fool's errand to seek the support of a people that don't care if the Taliban return to power. The only influence they understand is power. They watch with a quizzical eye as we do whatever it is we do until we leave, and things return to normal Islamic barbarity.

I have trouble with the premise “unless we really do want to glassify the whole country”, It is obvious that we do not, nor do we have the will to do so. The Islamic hordes know this.

Why is not the premise “unless we really want our whole country glassified” in the minds of the Afghans? This they would understand, but they know that the threat is not credible.

The premise that Muslims will choose democracy when given a chance is not true. Democracy is antithetical to Islam, and will always be beaten back in an Islamic country.

You can't make peace with Islam.

[SunkenCiv]

from Michael Yon Online. Thanks Star Traveler.

[Tax-chick]

Ministers Wardak, Khan, Spanta, other Ministers, Ambassadors, General Ramms, General Karimi,

This sounds like "Star Trek" dialogue.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Oh crap that happens all over the world. The top brass, many of them excellent men, say Guten Tag when they address troops including Germans in Euro, they say Konnichiwa when on US military basis in Honshu or Okinawa under join programs with the Japanese self defense four, they say "Buenos Dias" when getting ready to greet US forces in Latin American along with the local counterparts (usually in counter insurgencies). Assalaam aleikum is as natural as saying "Good afternoon" in any of these countries on the Middle East-- in fact that is what it means along with morning and evening greetings. I will fight the nastiest Islamobastard terrorists with the rest of them, but this is indeed not a major concern or a compromising situation, I assure you.

[PghBaldy]

a change in personnel, not a change in policy or strategy How hopeful /sarc

[Oceander]

It didn't work too well in Vietnam, so why should we think it'll work here? What we know works is actions - actions that make it clear beyond any doubt that we will not leave until we've completed the tasks we publicly set for ourselves - and that has already been entirely vitiated by Obuttocks and the democrats asinine talk of deadlines for withdawing. Do you really think that anyone there has any intention of doing anything other than maneuvering to have the best position possible in the end-game, once the Americans withdraw? No one there takes the Americans seriously anymore, other than as a temporary irritant to be waited out. Obuttocks and the democrats lost this war the moment they came into power and set out a withdrawal deadline. All the rest is merely Greek tragedy or farce, as the situation devolves into quagmire.

I only feel sorrow for the American troops whose lives will now be sacrificed to the arrogance and egoism of Obuttocks and the democrats. The only thing that remains is the honour they will forever after have, because obeying the obligation of the duties they willingly assumed at the risk of life and limb, in service to their country, is the highest honour one can earn.

[Star Traveler]

You were saying ...

This sounds like "Star Trek" dialogue.

Now that you mention it, I guess it does ... LOL ...

[Star Traveler]

Well, according to something I just read, we have now been in Afghanistan longer than we were in Viet Nam ... hoo-boy! ... what a “milestone” to have passed ...

[Star Traveler]

You were saying ...

It strikes me as troubling that our commanding general says Salaam Aleikum to begin his speech.

I might start to worry if he says, "Allahu Akbar" ... LOL ...

[Oceander]

Well, according to something I just read, we have now been in Afghanistan longer than we were in Viet Nam ... hoo-boy! ... what a “milestone” to have passed ...

And up until Jan. 20, 2009, it had not irretrievably turned down the dead-end of quagmire; now, unfortunately, I fear that it has.

[greyfoxx39]

One of your best. Stolen.

[Oceander]

Thanks! Don’t forget to hotlink when you can (I like to see the hit counts go up - I’m weird that way!). The direct url for the image hosted on photobucket is: http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx221/B_Oceander/2010%20Campaigns/why-govern_sm.png

[Dimez_Recon]

In shalla, right?

[MinuteGal]

While we agonize, speculate, analyze over every change in personnel or policy, the muzzie fighters and the population just sit around gnawing barbequed goat ribs, sipping tea and waiting it out. They couldn't care less about what excites us politically.

All they've ever known is insurrection, war, poverty, tribalism and the lowest living standards. I think they're used to it and just don't care what kind of power is running the show on any given day.

They're content to live for today, never mind what possibilities the future could bring to a motivated, educated, industrious society. They cannot visualize it at all, except for any modern intellects among them.

At least the Iraqis were partly civilized and educated and had the benefit of a long, sometimes illustrious national history in early times which motivated them somewhat to restore at least a semblance of a functioning, progressive society.

This generation of Afghanis as a whole does not truly comprehend a civil society, not having experienced one in its lifetime what with the Russians plus tribal incidents as a regular occurence for decades. They are used to what they have and don't have. They appear to be content to be led like the animals they herd. We see them as stuck in the cave age as the march of time moves forward. As a placid society, they don't see things this way like we do. Do they really care to live like Westerners do?

My take is that if they choose to remain slaves while ruled by militant dictators and murderers, so be it. However, as long as the radical muzzies among them persist and plot against us we must resist them.

A nuclear "glassifying" in Afghan would be extreme......perhaps pulpifying would be a better option. There's not much left of a "country" anymore, anyhow.

At any rate, in a never-ending war, many are killed.....is it going to be the muzzies and their zombie-like followers in the populace......or our troops?

The "cause" still necessitates us sticking around for a while. But it's wearing thin and I know our own population will not support it much longer. Obama knows this and is just waiting it out, conducting a minimum war and Petraeus is window-dressing. The Usurper is desperate for money to keep this country from collapse and he's got to end the war somehow. So I doubt if there'll be a winning "surge", just gradual disengagement.....and I'll wager just about most everyone, including conservatives, will be secretly happy to be out of that desolate, futureless country

Leni