July Deadliest Month Yet in Afghanistan; U.S. Limits Airstrikes
There were 43 U.S. casualties in July, the highest in the eight years we have been in Afghanistan. The British and other allies also have suffered high casualties during July. The total number of Coalition forces killed in July was 74 . 22 British soldiers were killed. Three more U.S. soldiers were killed August 1.
Now there is growing discontent among the British.
Yet, little has been said or written about July troop losses by the media. There are no protests by anti-war activists. Cindy Sheehan and the Code Pink ladies are nowhere to be seen (except in Honduras). The “Support Our Troops. Bring them Home” signs have all but disappeared.
It’s strange how quiet it has become since Barack Obama became President. Imagine the uproar if this occurred during the Bush Presidency or if John McCain had been elected.
At the same time, our military leaders seem to be more concerned about the possibility of civilian casualties than the safety of U.S. soldiers. Sounds kind of like a war many of us are familiar with.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The new U.S. commander in Afghanistan plans to issue a directive that will restrict the use of U.S. airstrikes in areas where civilian casualties might be a risk, his spokesman told CNN.
Gen. Stanley McChrystal will issue the classified directive by the end of this week, according to Rear Adm. Gregory Smith. It will tell troops that they have the right to defend themselves when they are under fire, but that they must consider the possibility of casualties when firing into an area where there might be civilians.
The new guidelines tell commanders, “in a situation where you are receiving fire from the enemy in a potentially populated structure and there is an option to extract yourself and your troops, consider that as a first option,” Smith said. “Don’t simply return fire where you have unknown consequences against innocent civilians that may be inside that structure.”
Hat tip: Reuters, USA Today, breitbart.com, cnn.com
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Winning “hearts and minds,” placing the safety of local citizens ahead of the American military, not having a plan to win, seven years with minimal progress … it’s all starting to look very familiar.
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Obama can’t be bothered.
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Gee he could call a beer summit with the Taliban and all would be at peace. Oh, forgot, Muslims don’t drink.
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Content warning, requires strong stomach against foolishness. Here.
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Obama is either the calmest guy who was ever President or he is totally clueless. My money is on the latter.
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Obama meet deer, deer meet Obama. Smack.
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‘Winning “hearts and minds,” placing the safety of local citizens ahead of the American military, not having a plan to win, seven years with minimal progress … it’s all starting to look very familiar.’
Very true–with the major exception being the state-run media. Funny how all those outraged cries against the inhumanity and injustice of it all ceased as soon as their man was ensconced in office. Almost like flipping a switch.
Note also the complete indifference to Iran, which is probably going to have a weaponized nuclear weapon within the year. That means within six months the ME is going to go up in flames as Israel takes preemptive action.
I’m sure the marxist will know just what to do and immediately apologize to the proper dictator.
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Maybe next they’ll start having beer summits to select targets that can be attacked.
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That slate piece is down right hilarious, blaming obama’s reaction to Iranian elections on GWB. That was laugh out loud funny.
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The countdown
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phineas, yeah, it is like a switch has been flipped.
Disgust, anger, horror–that’s about how I feel.
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Another good American Thinker article — Thanks Phineas!
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The AT piece was good. The ending troubled me. About the time somebody in foggy bottom figures out ‘we have a problem’, Phoenix AZ will have been razed in a nuclear cloud.
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The army will have less problem engaging American civilians when the order to confiscate weaps is given.
We are our own worst enemy, and in danger of extinction, and if this keeps up, deservedly so…