You’ve probably heard people mentioning Lara Logan’s blunt talk about Afghanistan last week, but you should take twenty minutes and actually watch it. It’s here.
If you are informed enough, and wise enough, not to be taken in by the steady diet of lies and self-serving propaganda this administration feeds us about our Mideast adventures (the latest being the transparent fairy tale we were told about Benghazi), you’ll find it refreshing to see a mainstream journalist like Ms. Logan (who was stripped naked and sexually assaulted in Tahrir Square by the “Facebook revolutionaries” our useful idiots were cheering for at home) pushing back.
22 Comments
I pronounce myself informed. Thanks for the link. Logan does talk tough.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/12194
Thanks for both links, Malcolm and JK. Unfortunately, these intelligent analyses will only confirm for people who appreciate them already understood. I doubt that anyone else will pay any attention whatsoever.
This business about convincing the “undecided” voters is, in my humble opinion, a mirage. Anybody who is still undecided about the important issues of our time, at this very late date, is too stupid to discern shit from Shinola.
Not to dispute anything the lass says, but that hardly means staying there is going to do any good.
Al Qaeda did not attack us in 2011 with a carrier fleet and several divisions via an amphibious landing.
We let them in.
If we don’t control the borders, let’s not pretend that fighting them over there “Shinola.”
Joseph, I completely agree. Ms. Logan has the description right — in flat contradiction to what we’re being told by our handlers in Washington — but she seems committed to the nation-building prescription.
As I wrote here three years ago (see also here and here), there are no good options in Afghanistan. I think it’s time to go.
@Joseph,
You misunderstood my remarks, which were not intended as specific to our “policy” in Afghanistan. I was addressing the title of this post and the treasonous machinations of this administration in choreographing national policy strictly for political gain.
Before there can be reasonable discussion of specific policy, we need to establish an administration that actually means to administer in support of the best interests of our Nation.
http://news.yahoo.com/yemeni-security-officer-us-embassy-killed-114522824.html
It’s not been “only” the current administration Henry – sadly all pols are under pressure to show good results. I linked sometime ago to the October 2008 al-Maliki, Bush inked Status of Forces Agreement that effectively placed any remaining US troops to be stationed in Iraq post-June 2009 under the Iraqi “judicial system” ie shariah.
Recall it was Senators McCain, Lieberman and Graham in particular who told us all they’d, “spoken to the experts who all agreed the US should actively force Gaddafi out” (apparently they forgot to consult CIA’s Hadyn – on Romney’s Foreign Policy Team as of this date):
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/muammar-gaddafi-was-a-good-counter-terrorism-partner-retired-cia-chief/story-fn3dxix6-1226045357554
And recall from the video Ms. Logan’s “I don’t care who’s propagating these lies…” and then enumerating a long line of US General officers.
Or Michael Yon’s observation:
“The Taliban know one day we’ll be going home – the Taliban are already home.”
Another from the Taliban:
“They have all the watches. We have all the time.”
I am not so naive as to think that any pol can ignore entirely which side of his bread is buttered, JK. But having lived under 12 administrations, beginning with Truman, I can not recall such brazen disregard of our Nation’s best interest as is evident under Obama.
Henry, you’re among the least of whom I wish to engage with on the merits of this current administration. While it is true I’ve not had “the pleasure” of living under so many administrations, my book learning informs me of some little kerfluffle betwixt some entities around Suez.
And this:
“Any final status agreement must be reached between the two parties, and changes to the 1949 Armistice Lines (the pre-1967 borders) must be mutually agreed to. A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity on the West Bank, and a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. This is the position of the United States today; it will be the position of the United States at the time of final status negotiations.”
-George Bush, 2005 press conference
And while I’ll never mention much on any blogs, I’ve spent the greater portion of my life trying to forget Afghanistan.
Henry, I do not mean to be insulting, but I would love to know how about the brazen regard for our nation’s best interest by Bush fils.
JK,
I fully respect your position on or about Afghanistan; I think pounding the shit out of them, as was done in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, was the right thing to do, and too bad we missed the chance to get that scumbag Osama at that time. I also agree that trying to build a modern nation out of that backward hell-hole was, and continues to be a terrible waste of American lives and treasure. I am all for getting out and letting those ignorant bastards stew in their own bile (though I do feel sorry for the inevitable innocents who are doomed to suffer the consequences).
Again, I never claimed that dubya was a saint, nor was he a great friend of Israel, though a better friend than a lot of American Jews are (the stupid fucks). Even Truman, who pushed through Congress a major easing of immigration quotas for those few lucky survivors of the Holocaust (like me and my parents) was known to harbor some antipathy toward Jews in general. But his decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki to preempt the meat-grinder that invasion of the main islands would have been, was absolutely the best decision any American President ever made. And idiots like Jon Stewart, who has criticized Truman for it, doesn’t know shiite.
Even though my parents were liberal Democrats and voted for Stevenson, Eisenhower was a demi-god in their eyes (for his role in defeating Nazi Germany), and there was never any doubt about his love of his country.
Everyone I associated with loved and admired JFK, our nation’s superstar at the time. And despite having taken us to the brink of a nuclear exchange, no one doubted his devotion to our Nation above all else.
Johnson was, of course, a superb domestic politician who was done in by the quagmire of Vietnam, not entirely his own doing; there was an abundance of blame to share with many other power players. But at least Lyndon had the decency not to seek re-election, which, by all accounts, was his for the taking.
Nixon had the decency to resign. Ford had the decency to pardon Nixon (which infuriated me at the time, but which I now believe was in the best interest of our then divided Nation). As for Carter, whom, to my everlasting shame I voted for (both times!), the less said the better. I ascribe my support of him to temporary insanity.
Reagan was an anomaly. During his eight years in office, I thought he was Howdy Doody’s uncle. But there is no denying the accomplishments under his administration, however much was to his personal credit.
Bush 41 was the boss of Schwarzkopf and Powell, the victors of Desert Storm. Of course he blew it when he prevented the pursuit of the demoralized Iraqis all the way to Baghdad. Nevertheless, that very decision speaks volumes about the absence of any self-aggrandising motives on his part.
I thought Bubba was a very good president. Sure, he liked the perks of the office (especially the privacy under the desk in the Oval Office). But I never thought he went out of his way to pursue policy that harmed the Nation so as to gain a modicum of personal political advantage.
As for Dubya, it is my considered opinion that he was a near-great, like Truman. Certainly not Washington or Lincoln caliber, but in a class with Truman, Jefferson, and Jackson. BTW, I didn’t vote for him either time (the first time because I was still a liberal at the time; the second time because my wife and I decided to abstain because our votes would have cancelled each other out).
I am not in the mood to enter into an endless debate about Dubya’s asserted “brazen” disregard for our Nation’s best interests. I don’t believe there was any, but I know there is great animosity towards “Bushitler” from the Left. I am content to let future historians make the call about his legacy.
Well, Henry, for someone without the mood, you did have quite a bit to say.
I thought Afghanistan was foolish from day one and believe I’ve been proved correct.
If the man who led us into the Iraq folly is near great, My Good Man, we are on different planets, if not dimensions.
For my view on the folly of Twentieth Century US foreign, it is here: http://theneutralist.blogspot.com/2006/11/americas-greatest-20th-century-victory.html
Actually, Joseph, I said I wasn’t in the mood to debate Dubya’s legacy, and my only mention of it was in my very last paragraph.
I apologize for the very long comment, which is quite unusual for me (in this or any other online venue). But JK did allude to the “many administrations” I had lived under, so I decided to survey my memories of them, to reassure myself that my abhorrence of the current administration was justified.
Henry.
I’ve had some doubts but I think now, we’re “pretty much” on the same page.
My Friend.
(Even though you wasted your good time with the ratbags on Snopes. I’d only ask – was that just to shame me ’cause I’m a hillbilly?)
Keep in mind Henry, hillbilly I may be – but I’m pretty proud of my part in moving Hillary to become Malcolm’s Senator.
But if I ever find out where you live, I’m tempted to run Bill for your Governor.
JK,
I happen to like hillbillies, ever since I saw the movie “Deliverance“. I especially like how most of them have more fingers than teeth … :) Jon Voight is one of my favorite Holyshitwoods, though his daughter is a c*nt, albeit a very hot c*nt …
Anyway, Malcolm knows where I live (for the time being), and I hereby grant him permission to tell you, but you will be sworn to secrecy after he does.
I would love to have Bubba as my governor …
I’ve never thought much of his taste in women, but he is an ass-man extraordinaire, just like Big Al Einstein was. I’ve always admired them both for that reason …
Y’all be cool …
I’ve thought the better of my thinking Henry, whether you’ll agree with me or not – it’s only my effort to “clear the air” in a manner of speaking.
Bush 41’s (or 42 depending on President Atchison) did the best by not ordering the follow-on crush of Baghdad. I didn’t think then – and for damn sure now – taking the only “strategic” block on Iranian ambitions out of the equation was very smart. Too bad children sometimes fail to heed the good example of their parent’s hard-earned lessons of life.
41 (or if you will, 42) served as the USN’s youngest bomber/fighter pilot – he knew war first-hand, up-close and personal. Then; Ambassador, CIA Director, perhaps least Veep [forgive that last – I’ve always wanted to type, “least Veep”] was a pretty good grounding for controlling gung-ho unreined military types. 41’s former boss could’ve used the advice himself. Or perhaps he did when the Khobar Towers came down – but I doubt we’ll ever know. I do think Ronnie must’ve had somebody whispering in his ear where certain weapons capabilities were concerned. You’re aware no doubt of Stingers but I doubt very much you ever heard of shaped charges used against armor. Then.
And of course there was the necessity of “coalition-force” not to mention regional balance – and the latter in that whole snake-pit was actually the very-most important of considerations.
And it is precisely that, regional balance, that is no longer a tool we or our verymost friendly or even our erstwhile friends have in our tool-kits to use. Now our most useful tool is the weapon we most certainly will never use – cutting off foreign aid.
I see you’ve cross-posted Henry.
There’s a little known practice among hillbillies I’m not sure you’re aware of – I know greater Washington DC certainly wasn’t (or at least Kenneth Starr never brought it up as an impeachable offense – though I’d liked to heard it brought up for our children’s History books – probably brought up our kids SAT scores too).
Ever heard of those Kentucky cigars called “Crooks” Henry? No, the cigars weren’t named as a nod to “K-
Street” but rather for the cigars being soaked in a certain “juice.” Kentucky Crooks were soaked in rum Henry. Cousin Bill took soaking cigars to a higher plane. Monica was Jewish wasn’t she?
Don’t know it was “By-the-Book” kosher but I’m of the same frame of mind (I think) as you Henry, and now that I think of it, I’m figuring you to be living in a very dry state, AZ, NM maybe? If you’d entertain having a Clinton around for when your cable TV is cut off – I figure you’re near Mexico.
@Joseph Moroco:
I spent some bit of intensive time on the link you provided above:
In my opinion Sir, the comparisons with Nam are completely out of whack – in the nicest possible way mind, I’m merely saying (but in this case, not Henry’s) your Shit isn’t even close to Shinola.
[With Henry’s it’s a Wahhabist/Salafist …uhm… “degree” sort of thing. & Centuries of same.]
French Indochina compares far closer to Revolutionary America and to The Louisiana Purchase, but if you Joseph Moroco take a summarily close look at the timelines and very especially the coincident/concurrent “advances” … … well Nam being historically not so buddy with China, never too much buddyship with Russia either -duh- well Joseph Moroco it comes down pretty much to geography, sea-lanes, and ethnicities. The “Natural Ally” would be the Philippines, complicated by first Spain and then us (Spanish-American War) but then again it was earlier complicated by the Arabs – who were intruding into the interior of Africa to capture slaves to do who knows what as requested for redheads from where we now know as Thrace. But those wanting redheads weren’t customers of Bass-Pro – these were Chinese.
But we know now from genetics studies these “immigrations” were also pretty “specific” tweren’t the Viet Minh trading goods in exchange to the people they fought alot of wars with – and no one in the American South wanted (much – except for maybe Louisiana) a fair red-haired lady – anyway Sir, and being as best I can –
Damn you Henry! That Woman had the best looking ass I ever saw in my life until I asked the other one’s husband how much he’d paid for my admiration. Jewish doctor of course.
Now I support ObamaCare.
JK,
I kinda sorta catch your drift, though some of your tech talk is a bit above my paygrade. On the other hand, it may just be the nice Pinot noir I’ve been sipping, and by tomorrow morning, it will all become gibberish …
I believe you’re correct about Monica being a Jewish girl. Who would have thunk it, a nice girl like that becoming Bubba’s walking/talking ceegar humidor? I wonder if that’s in her new book?
JK,
If there is a point you are making, I’m not getting it.
It should’ve been gibberish from the start Henry.’Smeant to.
America’s first “Black President” enjoying a slurp or three – perhaps an engulf beneath the desk in the Oval Office.
Certainly no “sip” of a Pinot I’d think – he was after all, from “Hope” – you (and very likely many Americans) realize not Arkansas’ Capitol building is very near both the Peabody Hotel and the Arkansas River.
Gennifer Flowers knows ‘Room 605’ pretty well. (“Supposedly”) 605 perhaps coincidentally is the only room from which the entire parking lot of a bar/big game-room bordering both Cantrell Avenue [Street south of the Capitol building and north of the Pulaski County jail is – adjacent to the jail is the bar/big game-room which… even many years before the name became well-known to the greater American public had a sign out front but not neon nor well lit, Slick Willy’s.
I lived in Little Rock in the early-mid 70’s, on Cantrell as it happens but further west – but then I got advertised into, “Join the Navy – See The Adventure.” I’m a month older than our host and there’s a link near the top of our host’s page that “were you in” you’d know how I happened on Waka. That shall not be. Although for me it seemed destiny. Not exactly that simple – there’s an Arkie expat.
I grew up kinda amazingly much like our host, though we never knew each other, nor did our parents, our fathers did – in their individual ways – pretty much the same. But for me at least, it was our Mothers. I was missing, Not Mom in my case but in what I read I felt… oh, it’s hard to explain. I’m told I’m “pretty good” in some certain stuff but I recognize without envy, what intellect, talent I’ve been gifted, is not the same as possessed as whom I’ve come to consider my friend.
Our host Henry enjoyed a life much different than my own, in some ways I envy him very much. but I’m not sure if I were given the choice, I’d change very much of my own path. Except to have to say, without Waka, I don’t think I’d feel … and I do mean in a real sense, “feel” a sort of friendhip indeed kinship that is otherwise unavailble to me.
I suppose much of that is my own doing, but I … well I was gona type “kind of” but not a few days ago I lost a good friend – loks like I’m gonna be losing my co9nnection pretty quick so Malcolm, if you can intercede, I’d appreciate you getting this to Henry.
Henry my new friend – being alone is not in a particular dictionary. Realize – Ol’ One Eye is our Friend too. And my hillbilly head tells me we’re gonna butt up against stuff again.
Maybe not that girl you mentioned…
I’ve got an electrical storm bearing down. Bye.