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2009-10-27 Afghanistan

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Posted by tipper 2009-10-27 02:16|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 my resignation is based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end

Indeed.

Posted by Phil_B 2009-10-27 03:41|| 2009-10-27 03:41|| Front Page Top

#2 This story leaves a lot out, especially exactely WHY he has a problem. "Strategic purposes" are mentioned as the reason but no actual details are given or what his solution might be. We know he is unhappy but not exactly why. Purpose of mission, ROE, Tactics, what?

Posted by tipover 2009-10-27 03:42|| 2009-10-27 03:42|| Front Page Top

#3 Marine Corps Captain to Foggy Bottom? That is a damned unlikely career path, unless his next stop is McLean Virginia, which it very well might be.

Posted by Anonymoose 2009-10-27 09:02|| 2009-10-27 09:02|| Front Page Top

#4 "I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States' presence in Afghanistan.

Here's a little reminder.

(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

(b) War Powers Resolution Requirements-

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION- Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.
- SJR:23, Sept. 2001.

Posted by Procopius2k 2009-10-27 10:00|| 2009-10-27 10:00|| Front Page Top

#5 More
Hoh, a former Marine who fought in Iraq, wrote in his letter that many Afghans take up arms against US forces because of their presence in the country, and Washington's backing of the national government that is widely seen as corrupt.

If readying to stay in the country, Hoh called for a reduction in US troop numbers. He also urged more support for neighboring Pakistan in its fight against extremist elements, and increased pressure on Kabul to rid corruption in government.

"We want to have some kind of governance there, and we have some obligation for it not to be a bloodbath," Hoh told the Post. "But you have to draw the line somewhere, and say this is their problem to solve."

In his resignation letter -- posted online at washingtonpost.com -- Hoh noted that next year "the United States' occupation will equal in length the Soviet Union's own physical involvement in Afghanistan.

"Like the Soviets, we continue to secure and bolster a failing state, while encouraging an ideology and system of government unknown and unwanted by its people," he wrote.

Posted by ed 2009-10-27 11:22|| 2009-10-27 11:22|| Front Page Top

#6 Resignation letter (1MB PDF)

Posted by ed 2009-10-27 11:40|| 2009-10-27 11:40|| Front Page Top

#7 From #5; "If readying to stay in the country, Hoh called for a reduction in US troop numbers. He also urged more support for neighboring Pakistan in its fight against extremist elements, and increased pressure on Kabul to rid corruption in government."

1. Reduction of troop numbers? This is going to help us how?

2. How do you support Pakistan more than we have? Give them more tanks, UAV's and jets to face against India?

Was this guy a lawyer in Iraq or a grunt? He seems to fit very nicely into the State Dept mindset. Anonymoose (#3) may have a point about his future plans but I would suspect political office is in his plans.

Posted by tipover 2009-10-27 11:43|| 2009-10-27 11:43|| Front Page Top

#8 What would Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland do?
If there was one thing we learned in a very compressed course of study of Afghanistan, it was that this was a people who ... frequently fight amongst themselves, and were somewhat springloaded to band together and fight against an external invader. It seemed that the unconventional warfare methodology was a logical solution ...

Posted by tipper 2009-10-27 12:13|| 2009-10-27 12:13|| Front Page Top

#9 If you resign from the government over your differences with US policy then do so quietly, then Shut the F&*K up! He is grandstanding his policy against the US in a public forum. He is using his past deeds to bolster his agenda. He is no longer helping but now fighting in the PR wars with the enemy. If he really cared he would not be a QUITER, instead he would continue to fight to affect a meaningfull change in policy..

Posted by 49 Pan 2009-10-27 13:54|| 2009-10-27 13:54|| Front Page Top

#10 I think this dude is clearly a PTSD casualty. He just couldn't take it anymore, and finally thought up the justification he felt he needed to quit.

No shame in that, if he really tried his best.

The pathetic part is that the brass is giving this clown so much attention (and plum assignment offers) trying to make him happy again.

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2009-10-27 14:46|| 2009-10-27 14:46|| Front Page Top

#11 The man should be listened to, not scorned.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-10-27 15:09|| 2009-10-27 15:09|| Front Page Top

#12 After five months and two assignments in-country Mr. Hoh has concluded the job cannot be done? That strikes me as awfully quick -- we budget a full year to master an assignment in a new environment, whether a country or a division... the first six months of which are devoted to finding the bathroom and who really is in charge of what, regardless what the organization chart claims.

Posted by trailing wife">trailing wife 2009-10-27 15:26|| 2009-10-27 15:26|| Front Page Top

#13 the first six months of which are devoted to finding the bathroom

Only a task for the morning of day #1. The entire region is a 'latrine.'

Posted by Besoeker 2009-10-27 15:31|| 2009-10-27 15:31|| Front Page Top

#14 #11 The man should be listened to, not scorned.

By talking to The Post, he's pretty well ensured that he'll be heard.

Disagreeing with his assessment isn't necessarily 'scorn', to my way of thinking.

Posted by Woozle Uneter9007 2009-10-27 15:35|| 2009-10-27 15:35|| Front Page Top

#15 Point taken Wooz, but attributing his actions to a medical condition or simply blowing him off as a malcontent might be a stretch as well. Appears he placed his stuff squarely in the street. Most men don't initiate such actions lightly.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-10-27 15:53|| 2009-10-27 15:53|| Front Page Top

#16 OK, he was just on the news here and, yeah, he's a bit dilusional. If he sincerely thinks that the only reason they hate us is because we're 'occupying' their country, he's sadly mistaken. He states, "The people we are fighting there are fighting us because we're occupying them, not for ideological reasons, not because of any links to Al Qaeda, not because of any kind of fundamental hatred toward the West. The only reason they're fighting us is because we're occupying them".

So, according to him, if we just up and leave, all will be hunky-dory. Uh huh. Grow up, Mr. Hoh.

Posted by Woozle Uneter9007 2009-10-27 16:02|| 2009-10-27 16:02|| Front Page Top

#17 That statement surely puts him squarely in the 'loon' category Wooz. But I recommend we keep listening to him. If for nother other reason, simple comic relief.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-10-27 16:07|| 2009-10-27 16:07|| Front Page Top

#18 Is the concept that the Pashtun's really don't like outsiders, including the folks from the city that far out? Does that make him a loon?

So the reason they don't want us there may be wrong, but I think it is pretty clear that they don't want us there. Screw em. Lets leave.

Posted by remoteman 2009-10-27 23:06|| 2009-10-27 23:06|| Front Page Top

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