Article

2010-11-01 Afghanistan

Afghan, Foreign Forces Kill 108 Taliban Militants

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Posted by Fred 2010-11-01 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top
File under: Taliban

#1 Reported body counts seem significantly higher of late. Real, or just a change in reporting philosophy?
I recall during the Vietnam War the official counts were greeted with disbelief and scorn; then some time after the war a NVA general reported the size of their losses, and it was surprisingly close to the sum of our reported counts. No doubt the details were wrong, but that seems to have been statistical and not the result of serious bias. I wonder whether we (the people) might have proceeded differently had we believed our government? And have we (the people or the government) learned any lessons?
I am not convinced that we can win a 'hearts and minds' campaign - our propaganda ability is very inadequate. I am also not convinced we can win a body count war - we don't have the will to count that high (nor would we have the needed support or tolerance from other countries.) That makes me torn between thinking we should get out now and quit sacrificing good soldiers and thinking that killing as many as we can get away with is still worthwhile, even in a non-winning situation.

Posted by Glenmore 2010-11-01 08:39|| 2010-11-01 08:39|| Front Page Top

#2 If we don't stand up to them, no one will. These groups are global and will bring the war to our shores if we back down. American lives will be lost here or there. I'm proud of the American who stands up to these bullies but I wish we could fight with both hands untied and a bit smarter. When Allies aren't great and the media is total against us, it's hard to keep pushing but we must.

Posted by Uleger Barnsmell4617 2010-11-01 10:22|| 2010-11-01 10:22|| Front Page Top

#3 I'd like to take the gloves off, too, and begin by nuking Riyadh, which is money-central for all the jihadis worldwide. Second nuke should explode at ground level in Qom. After that, it doesn't make much difference.

We should be using a maximum effort in Afghanistan, instead of a minimum effort. Hang Karzai in the heart of Kabul, make Dostum President, and let him know he holds his office at our convenience. Start using ARCLIGHT strikes on all the passes between Afghanistan and Pakistan except the one or two we use for supplies. When the natives complain, explain to them their village could be the next recipient. Once we destroy EVERYTHING within a couple of miles of a village that supports the Taliban, the rest will understand the game has changed. We also need to start using napalm on Taliban on the trails away from cities or villages. There's nothing quite as terrifying as seeing your entire company wiped out in flaming goo that sticks and burns, burns, burns. The only way to win in a war with tribals like the Taliban is to be the meanest, nastiest, most successful warriors in the battle. Anything less is second place, which is worth nothing in a war.

Posted by Old Patriot 2010-11-01 15:30|| 2010-11-01 15:30|| Front Page Top

#4 @ #3

This...would be a good start.

Posted by Secret Asian Man 2010-11-01 17:48|| 2010-11-01 17:48|| Front Page Top

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