Article

2012-03-14 Afghanistan

Leon Panetta unhurt after suspected attack

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Posted by tipper 2012-03-14 14:38|| || Front Page|| [11141 views ] Top

#1 Yeah, let's not rush to judgment here. For instance, was the truck actually burning or simply rusting very, very fast?

Posted by SteveS 2012-03-14 15:50|| 2012-03-14 15:50|| Front Page Top

#2 Update
A British serviceman was also injured in the incident when the local employee at Camp Bastion deliberately drove the stolen vehicle into a group of soldiers undergoing training near the airfield.

The Afghan managed to get through the heavy security cordon surrounding the airfield in the middle of the base and onto the runway where the politician was arriving.

He managed to break through the perimeter surrounded by armed security and large concrete block guards.

The truck, possibly a pick-up, caught fire and crashed into a ditch on the runway close to where Mr Panettas jet had just landed or was coming into land.

Initial military reports indicate there were no explosive devices inside the vehicle at Camp Bastion. The car was heading towards a welcoming committee for Mr Panetta when it burst into flames and the alleged perpetrator was arrested.

Posted by tipper 2012-03-14 16:02|| 2012-03-14 16:02|| Front Page Top

#3 It was the new replacement for leading Afghanistan into the future from the secret cabal somewhere in Maryland! Kabobs Rule! Army is getting new flag check it out fox news!

Posted by Slats Angomp6229 2012-03-14 16:18|| 2012-03-14 16:18|| Front Page Top

#4 workplace violence.

Posted by jack salami 2012-03-14 16:23|| 2012-03-14 16:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Taliban surge.

Posted by Grunter 2012-03-14 17:15|| 2012-03-14 17:15|| Front Page Top

#6 NYT article sez it was not the truck, but the Afghan himself that was on fire:
Mr. Little said that the stolen vehicle had not exploded, contrary to some earlier reports, and that Mr. Panetta had never been in danger. But he could not explain the Afghans motive or explain why he was on fire.

Allow me to suggest that no explanation is needed beyond the volatile nature of your everyday Musselman. Spontaneous human combustion is, no doubt, a common but underreported phenomenon in regions afflicted by the Religion of Pieces.

Posted by SteveS 2012-03-14 18:23|| 2012-03-14 18:23|| Front Page Top

#7 On Drudge, from the Telegraph:

Less than a week after a US staff sergeant allegedly massacred 16 civilians in Kandahar, American soldiers were banned from bringing guns into a talk by Mr Panetta at a base in Helmand province.

Around 200 troops who had gathered in a tent at Camp Leatherneck were told "something had come to light" and asked abruptly to file outside and lay down their automatic rifles and 9mm pistols.

"Somebody got itchy, that's all I've got to say. Somebody got itchy we just adjust," said the sergeant who was told to clear the hall of weapons.

Major General Mark Gurganus later said he gave the order because Afghan troops attending the talk were unarmed and he wanted the policy to be consistent for all.

Posted by Muggsy Glink 2012-03-14 19:54|| 2012-03-14 19:54|| Front Page Top

#8 "Major General Mark Gurganus later said he gave the order because Afghan troops attending the talk were unarmed and he wanted the policy to be consistent for all. "

All hail the "peaceful one" OUR SECDEF.

Ferris, Trump... anyone?

Posted by newc 2012-03-14 21:01|| 2012-03-14 21:01|| Front Page Top

#9 Sounds to me that since so many of our guys hjave been shot by their Afghan counter parts, it makes perfect sense that Pantyetta would demand our guys to disarm themselves.

Posted by George Ebbeamp4828 2012-03-14 21:21|| 2012-03-14 21:21|| Front Page Top

#10 I would think if I suspected an attack the safest place in Afghanistan would be in a tent with 200 Marines with guns.

Posted by airandee 2012-03-14 21:26|| 2012-03-14 21:26|| Front Page Top

#11 Agree #10. What a set up.

Remembering Seal Team 6.

I'm certain the Marines felt super insulted to "be numbered" as equals with their Afghanistan counterparts. What a demotion.

Posted by ex-lib 2012-03-14 21:42|| 2012-03-14 21:42|| Front Page Top

#12 Panetta didn't order it, at least from what I reading. An itchy commander worried about PR, or an assistant to the SoD. I'd also like to point out we STILL don't know what the hell the story is regarding the soldier who did the killings. Friday News Dump edition will be informative I hope.

Posted by Charles 2012-03-14 21:45|| 2012-03-14 21:45|| Front Page Top

#13 After the Fort Hood incident with just one person having a gun, now in the midst of lots of them. This qualifies as a retirement submission. Why should any marine or soldier have any trust of their superiors with an act like that.

Posted by Procopius2k 2012-03-14 23:07|| 2012-03-14 23:07|| Front Page Top

#14 You people are all retarded.

How did the bad guys know what the good guys were doing?

There are a lot of people who need to die, forthwith.

Posted by rammer 2012-03-14 23:50|| 2012-03-14 23:50|| Front Page Top

23:50 rammer
23:14 RandomJD
23:07 Procopius2k
22:29 manversgwtw
22:04 Procopius2k
21:45 Charles
21:43 JosephMendiola
21:43 Charles
21:42 ex-lib
21:39 ex-lib
21:39 Charles
21:35 Charles
21:34 ex-lib
21:26 airandee
21:21 George Ebbeamp4828
21:14 JosephMendiola
21:04 RandomJD
21:01 newc
20:39 newc
20:15 Besoeker
20:00 newc
19:54 Muggsy Glink
19:47 Deacon Blues
19:44 JosephMendiola