Boehner: Afgan troop withdrawl bad idea

[dbackjon]

US House Speaker John Boehner wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan Wednesday and assailed President Barack Obama's plan to begin pulling US troops out in July a risk to fragile security gains.

"Any drawdown of US troops must be based on the conditions on the ground, not on political calculations," Boehner, the White House's top Republican foe in the US Congress, said in a statement from his office in Washington.

"If the Obama administration insists on beginning to draw down troops in July, it must explain how the pace and scope of such a move will not undermine the tenuous progress we've made thus far. To date, it has not done so."

Boehner's comments came at the end of a two-day visit to Afghanistan, during which the congressional delegation he led heard from US General David Petraeus, US commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan.

"During our meeting with General Petraeus, he noted that security gains have been made in Afghanistan, but that they are fragile and reversible," said the speaker, the third-ranking US elected official.

"That is why we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the counterinsurgency strategy our commanders on the ground have put in place and to ensuring its success, rather than focusing on meeting arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal," said Boehner.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/20/i ... lout-plan/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[houndawg]

US House Speaker John Boehner wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan Wednesday and assailed President Barack Obama's plan to begin pulling US troops out in July a risk to fragile security gains.

"Any drawdown of US troops must be based on the conditions on the ground, not on political calculations," Boehner, the White House's top Republican foe in the US Congress, said in a statement from his office in Washington.

"If the Obama administration insists on beginning to draw down troops in July, it must explain how the pace and scope of such a move will not undermine the tenuous progress we've made thus far. To date, it has not done so."

Boehner's comments came at the end of a two-day visit to Afghanistan, during which the congressional delegation he led heard from US General David Petraeus, US commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan.

"During our meeting with General Petraeus, he noted that security gains have been made in Afghanistan, but that they are fragile and reversible," said the speaker, the third-ranking US elected official.

"That is why we must remain steadfast in our commitment to the counterinsurgency strategy our commanders on the ground have put in place and to ensuring its success, rather than focusing on meeting arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal," said Boehner.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/20/i ... lout-plan/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Maybe Boehner can explain to us why we are in Afghanistan in the first place?

[Skjellyfetti]

So Obama wants to begin pulling troops out. Republican leader is against that.

Wonder what Cluck U and AZGriz think about this? Could they possibly stomach critizing Boehner? Maybe even praise Obama?! We shall see.

[AZGrizFan]

So Obama wants to begin pulling troops out. Republican leader is against that.

Wonder what Cluck U and AZGriz think about this? Could they possibly stomach critizing Boehner? Maybe even praise Obama?! We shall see.

Boehner's wrong. Plain and simple. He's a politician, and having had politicians come through when I was in the military, they saw EXACTLY what we wanted them to see...nothing more, nothing less. All Boehner would have to do is watch Restrepo and he'd realize he's being duped...

One thing you'll learn as you get older, KYJelly....your ideals don't always neatly fit into one political party or the other. I have NO problem criticizing a conservative when I disagree with their position...on this, or any other issue (such as abortion, gay marriage, etc)....you, on the other hand are such a party hack that you'd march lockstep off the end of a fucking cliff if Obama told you it was the right thing to do.

[Skjellyfetti]

Boehner's wrong. Plain and simple. He's a politician, and having had politicians come through when I was in the military, they saw EXACTLY what we wanted them to see...nothing more, nothing less. All Boehner would have to do is watch Restrepo and he'd realize he's being duped...

So no credit for Obama wanting to begin withdrawing troops?

[AZGrizFan]

Boehner's wrong. Plain and simple. He's a politician, and having had politicians come through when I was in the military, they saw EXACTLY what we wanted them to see...nothing more, nothing less. All Boehner would have to do is watch Restrepo and he'd realize he's being duped...

So no credit for Obama wanting to begin withdrawing troops?

Sure.

[BDKJMU]

I'd go with what the generals (Petraeus and others) are saying about our involvement in Afghanistan behind closed doors. We know what they are saying publicly. Do we know what they are saying behind closed doors?

[Skjellyfetti]

I'd go with what the generals (Petraeus and others) are saying about our involvement in Afghanistan behind closed doors. We know what they are saying publicly. Do we know what they are saying behind closed doors?

Why would it necessarily be different? Especially from his testimony given to Congress?

If his actual "closed door" opinion differed greatly from what he testified... that would be highly, highly unethical, if not criminal, correct?

[BDKJMU]

I'd go with what the generals (Petraeus and others) are saying about our involvement in Afghanistan behind closed doors. We know what they are saying publicly. Do we know what they are saying behind closed doors?

Why would it necessarily be different? Especially from his testimony given to Congress?

If his actual "closed door" opinion differed greatly from what he testified... that would be highly, highly unethical, if not criminal, correct?

To lazy to look it up. What did he say during his last congressional testimony? When was that?

What about some of the commanders on the ground, some of the Generals under Petraeus, who haven't testified before Congress. What have they said behind closed doors?

[Skjellyfetti]

To lazy to look it up. What did he say during his last congressional testimony? When was that?

Same as Obama's perspective. Disagrees with Boehner's... says we are able to begin withdrawing forces in July and should be able to have Afghanistan troops in the lead by 2014. Boehner doesn't like that.

March 15, 2011

As a bottom line up front, it is ISAF's assessment that the momentum achieved by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2005 has been arrested in much of the country and reversed in a number of important areas. However, while the security progress achieved over the past year is significant, it is also fragile and reversible. Moreover, it is clear that much difficult work lies ahead with our Afghan partners to solidify and expand our gains in the face of the expected Taliban spring offensive. Nonetheless, the hard-fought achievements in 2010 and early 2011 have enabled the Joint Afghan-NATO Transition Board to recommend initiation this spring of transition to Afghan lead in several provinces. The achievements of the past year are also very important as I prepare to provide options and a recommendation to President Obama for commencement of the drawdown of the US surge forces in July. Of note, as well, the progress achieved has put us on the right azimuth to accomplish the objective agreed upon at last November's Lisbon Summit, that of Afghan forces in the lead throughout the country by the end of 2014.

ISAF has focused enormous attention and resources over the past two
years on building the organizations needed to conduct a comprehensive, civil-military
counterinsurgency campaign, on staffing those organizations properly, on developing – in close
coordination with our Afghan partners – the requisite concepts and plans, and, above all, on
deploying the additional forces, civilians, and funding needed. Indeed, more than 87,000
additional ISAF troopers and 1,000 additional civilians have been added to the effort in
Afghanistan since the beginning of 2009. And Afghanistan’s Security Forces have grown by
over 122,000 in that time, as well.

In closing, the past eight months have seen important, but hard-fought, progress in Afghanistan. Key insurgent safe havens have been taken away from the Taliban, numerous insurgent leaders have been killed or captured, and hundreds of reconcilable mid-level leaders and fighters have been reintegrated into Afghan society. Meanwhile, Afghan forces have grown in number and capability, local security solutions have been instituted, and security improvements in key areas like Kabul, Kandahar, and Helmand Provinces have, in turn, enabled progress in the areas of governance and development.

http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cf ... dd8afad749" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[houndawg]

Why are we still in Afghanistan? Anybody?

[AZGrizFan]

Why are we still in Afghanistan? Anybody?

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

[houndawg]

Why are we still in Afghanistan? Anybody?

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

It was the right place to be right up until ol' Dead or Alive mentioned that he didn't think about bin Laden much.

Now that we've given up on killing him why are we still there? When did the mission change?

[Skjellyfetti]

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

It's time to start withdrawing according to me and Obama and Petraeus.

Your Repubs want to keep us there long term. McCain (who would be president if you had your way) wants us to send more troops to Libya and Afghanistan. He (along with Boehner) thinks July is too soon to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. Somehow you can't wrap your head around the fact that you are on Obama's side of this issue.

[Bronco]

As long as OBomba is the commander in Chief I'm in favor of getting all our troops out of harms way.
The guy screws up everything he touches.

[BDKJMU]

Alread, read the article and paid close attention to Boehner's quotes.

Dback's thread title "Boehner: Afgan troop withdrawl bad idea" as is the title of the article, "In Afghanistan, House Speaker John Boehner assails pullout plan" are misleading. Boehner isn't quoted as saying there shouldn't be the beginnings of a troop drawdown. Here's what he said:

"Any drawdown of US troops must be based on the conditions on the ground, not on political calculations." Didn't say t shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July. Just said should be based on conditions on the ground, not political calculations. Nothing wrong there.

"If the Obama administration insists on beginning to draw down troops in July, it must explain how the pace and scope of such a move will not undermine the tenuous progress we've made thus far."
Didn't say shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July, just that need to some splainin before beginning the troop drawdown. Nothing wrong there.

"To date, it has not done so." Ok, time for the Obama admin to do some splainin'. Nothing wrong there.

"During our meeting with General Petraeus, he noted that security gains have been made in Afghanistan, but that they are fragile and reversible," Ok, didn't say shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July, just noted that Petraeus said they are fragile and reversible.

Petraeus made his comments to Congress a month ago. If the condition changes between mid April and July to where he believes it wouldn't warrant the begginiing of a withdrawl, I'm sure he'll say so.

So this whole thread sounds like a bunch of unecessary hub-bub. A misleading article title and a misleading thread title by d-back trying to stir the pot.

But now you're going to have idiots on here and elsewhere falsely claiming that Boehner is against a troop drawdown in Afghanistan.

Really nothing to see here. This whole thread is much ado about nothing.

[Col Hogan]

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

It's time to start withdrawing according to me and Obama and Petraeus.

Your Repubs want to keep us there long term. McCain (who would be president if you had your way) wants us to send more troops to Libya and Afghanistan. He (along with Boehner) thinks July is too soon to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. Somehow you can't wrap your head around the fact that you are on Obama's side of this issue.

More troops to Libya???

Have we sent any troops to Libya???

Where have you read that McCain wants to send "more" troops to Libya...

Try wrapping your head around the truth once in a while...

[Skjellyfetti]

More troops to Libya???

Have we sent any troops to Libya???

Where have you read that McCain wants to send "more" troops to Libya...

Try wrapping your head around the truth once in a while...

Eh, you're right. I probably shouldn't have used the word "troops"... because that has connotations of ground soldiers... but, he wants more air strikes, more planes, more pilots, etc.

This is what I was referring to:

Sen. John McCain, on a visit to rebel-controlled eastern Libya on Friday, urged the United States and its allies to increase airstrikes and facilitate weapons deliveries to bolster the insurgent cause, a call for stepped-up intervention that clashes with the Obama administration's more cautious approach to the conflict.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 5620.story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[catamount man]

No shock. Republicans LOVE war and loss of life on the battlefield. Democrats love the loss of life within the womb. They both bathe in the blood of innocents and God will unleash his mighty fucking kickass fury on their cocksucking asses someday. I'm not talking gentle Jesus, I'm talking Yahweh God Jehovah of Old Testament lore!!!

[Grizalltheway]

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

It was the right place to be right up until ol' Dead or Alive mentioned that he didn't think about bin Laden much.

Now that we've given up on killing him why are we still there? When did the mission change?

Shit, AZ was one of the asshats calling Dems cowards and quitters for wanting to get the fuck out of Iraq when Bush was still in office. Then he watches a documentary and all of the sudden he's a peace-loving hippie.

[citdog]

As long as OBomba is the commander in Chief I'm in favor of getting all our troops out of harms way.
The guy screws up everything he touches.

Hey asshole a salute looks like this.

[BlueHen86]

As long as OBomba is the commander in Chief I'm in favor of getting all our troops out of harms way.
The guy screws up everything he touches.

Everything? Really?

Let me guess, you didn't vote for him, therefore everything he does is wrong. You sound just like the extreme left when Dubya was President.

[BDKJMU]

Ask KY. It's the right place to be, according to him.

It's time to start withdrawing according to me and Obama and Petraeus.

Your Repubs want to keep us there long term. McCain (who would be president if you had your way) wants us to send more troops to Libya and Afghanistan. He (along with Boehner) thinks July is too soon to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. Somehow you can't wrap your head around the fact that you are on Obama's side of this issue.

Not what Boehner said.

[houndawg]

Alread, read the article and paid close attention to Boehner's quotes.

Dback's thread title "Boehner: Afgan troop withdrawl bad idea" as is the title of the article, "In Afghanistan, House Speaker John Boehner assails pullout plan" are misleading. Boehner isn't quoted as saying there shouldn't be the beginnings of a troop drawdown. Here's what he said:

"Any drawdown of US troops must be based on the conditions on the ground, not on political calculations." Didn't say t shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July. Just said should be based on conditions on the ground, not political calculations. Nothing wrong there.

"If the Obama administration insists on beginning to draw down troops in July, it must explain how the pace and scope of such a move will not undermine the tenuous progress we've made thus far."
Didn't say shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July, just that need to some splainin before beginning the troop drawdown. Nothing wrong there.

"To date, it has not done so." Ok, time for the Obama admin to do some splainin'. Nothing wrong there.

"During our meeting with General Petraeus, he noted that security gains have been made in Afghanistan, but that they are fragile and reversible," Ok, didn't say shouldn't begin troop draw downs in July, just noted that Petraeus said they are fragile and reversible.

Petraeus made his comments to Congress a month ago. If the condition changes between mid April and July to where he believes it wouldn't warrant the begginiing of a withdrawl, I'm sure he'll say so.

So this whole thread sounds like a bunch of unecessary hub-bub. A misleading article title and a misleading thread title by d-back trying to stir the pot.

But now you're going to have idiots on here and elsewhere falsely claiming that Boehner is against a troop drawdown in Afghanistan.

Really nothing to see here. This whole thread is much ado about nothing.

What is this "tenuous progress" that we are alleged to have made?

And what are these "security gains" that are "fragile and reversible"?

W went into Afghanistan to get Osama bin Laden and failed.

What is the mission now, BD, and when did it change from getting bin Laden?


Get out of Afghanistan and Iraq yesterday.

[travelinman67]

Hey asshole a salute looks like this.

What's this?

I don't know what they taught at bellhop school, but a proper salute has the upper arm parallel to the ground, forearm straight, fingers together, hand flat, palm facing the ground, not the shoulder. Here's a bitch to show you how to do it correctly.



As you were, Colonel.