Comments on: Obama to send 30,000 to Afghanistan http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/ A gripping first-hand account of the Iraq War by former Marine Sergeant Mark Perna Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:56:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Johanna http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Johanna Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:58:56 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-87 Well thought and well said, as usual, Mark! Well thought and well said, as usual, Mark!

]]> By: Mark http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-18 Mark Sat, 05 Dec 2009 14:39:57 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-18 You have a good point, Joe. Still, it's believed that high level Taliban commanders are in Pakistan, where the Paki military has faltered in pursuing them into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and where we don't have any presence whatsoever. It complicates things because it gives them a way out, even if we do pursue them decisively. Semper Fi, Joe, and best wishes to your son. You have a good point, Joe. Still, it’s believed that high level Taliban commanders are in Pakistan, where the Paki military has faltered in pursuing them into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and where we don’t have any presence whatsoever. It complicates things because it gives them a way out, even if we do pursue them decisively. Semper Fi, Joe, and best wishes to your son.

]]> By: Joseph Wilson http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Joseph Wilson Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:19:15 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-16 Hello Mark: Reponding to your last paragraph. I had my four in the Corps a long time ago 1960 - 1964. If you want job details I'll be glad supply them. But, what I'm addressing is a critical policy issue, that is to engage or not to engage, and if it is necessary to engage to do so with maximum force in the fastest manner possible. Prolonged combat carries other consequences and isn't an exceptable method of achieving an objective. I don't want to sound pedantic about this, but a good bloody illustration with a time schedule taking events to the breaking point can be found at the battle for Vicksburg. The time table almost eleminated General Grant as a commander and nearly left the south with a resilient suppy line to the west. But what seemed like the last moment Grant divided the south permanently. I'm addressing a strategy issue. I find nothing pleasing about war. I have served my time and so did you as my son now serves the 10th Mountain Division. Carry on Semper Fi. Hello Mark: Reponding to your last paragraph. I had my four in the Corps a long time ago 1960 – 1964. If you want job details I’ll be glad supply them. But, what I’m addressing is a critical policy issue, that is to engage or not to engage, and if it is necessary to engage to do so with maximum force in the fastest manner possible. Prolonged combat carries other consequences and isn’t an exceptable method of achieving an objective. I don’t want to sound pedantic about this, but a good bloody illustration with a time schedule taking events to the breaking point can be found at the battle for Vicksburg. The time table almost eleminated General Grant as a commander and nearly left the south with a resilient suppy line to the west. But what seemed like the last moment Grant divided the south permanently. I’m addressing a strategy issue. I find nothing pleasing about war. I have served my time and so did you as my son now serves the 10th Mountain Division. Carry on Semper Fi.

]]> By: Mark http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Mark Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:03:17 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-15 Joe, Obama's speech was primarily a rallying call. It gave no details as to specifics of the plan, which of course is a gradual withdrawal as Afghan security forces take over the security of their own country. It's not an all or nothing in 18 months sort of thing, though it sounds that way to those who would feel satisfied with an "exit-strategy" (I will always use quotations around political catch phrases I disagree with). I doubt the real cost of this venture being a devastating attack on our country. Najibullah Zazi, the US's latest terror suspect, was arrested five miles from my apartment in Englewood, Colorado. He lived a mere half mile from the mass transit station I use to travel to school everyday, a campus of 40,000 people. Concealed weapons are not allowed on campus and police are overweight, understaffed, and primarily deal with ticketing bicycles and smokers. Soft target much? The threat for terror attacks will always be there. It has always been there, but has been compounded by political terminology and media scare tactics. Does continuing the war as is improve or degrade our perceived safety? Because that's what it is, perception alone. The CDC in Washington puts forth the following chances for dying of different events: 1 in 10,000 of drowning in your bathtub; 1 in 9,000 of excessive heat; 1 in 8,000 of excessive cold; and 1 in 88,000 of dying in a terrorist attack. To those who wish for America to stay in Afghanistan, to stay in the war, I pose the following moral dilemma, and Joe, this is pointed at your message, not at you personally. If you believe in it so much, why are you not there? Why are you not serving a cause that you so passionately believe in? Why aren't you the one on the ground making the difference that is so strongly presented? Joe, Obama’s speech was primarily a rallying call. It gave no details as to specifics of the plan, which of course is a gradual withdrawal as Afghan security forces take over the security of their own country. It’s not an all or nothing in 18 months sort of thing, though it sounds that way to those who would feel satisfied with an “exit-strategy” (I will always use quotations around political catch phrases I disagree with). I doubt the real cost of this venture being a devastating attack on our country. Najibullah Zazi, the US’s latest terror suspect, was arrested five miles from my apartment in Englewood, Colorado. He lived a mere half mile from the mass transit station I use to travel to school everyday, a campus of 40,000 people. Concealed weapons are not allowed on campus and police are overweight, understaffed, and primarily deal with ticketing bicycles and smokers. Soft target much? The threat for terror attacks will always be there. It has always been there, but has been compounded by political terminology and media scare tactics. Does continuing the war as is improve or degrade our perceived safety? Because that’s what it is, perception alone. The CDC in Washington puts forth the following chances for dying of different events: 1 in 10,000 of drowning in your bathtub; 1 in 9,000 of excessive heat; 1 in 8,000 of excessive cold; and 1 in 88,000 of dying in a terrorist attack.

To those who wish for America to stay in Afghanistan, to stay in the war, I pose the following moral dilemma, and Joe, this is pointed at your message, not at you personally. If you believe in it so much, why are you not there? Why are you not serving a cause that you so passionately believe in? Why aren’t you the one on the ground making the difference that is so strongly presented?

]]> By: Joseph Wilson http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Joseph Wilson Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:33:44 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-14 Well written and guided by that "I've been there," experience topped off with some smoking Joe infantry photography. You are on target with the infantry man's view point. What most infantry don't get to see or hear is the inside Washington DC insulated air conditioned political jabber of a thousand empty Brooks Brothers suits pursuing the getting re-elected path. Agreeing with Obama on a military tactical or strategic level isn't to my liking. I feel he is truely driven by immediate political consequences rather than considerate long range planning. Seven and twelve, or 19 months to acquire something or pack it in. That is not a military or even a decent politcal plan. In the executive demanded 19 month plan we should ask ourselves. What are the benefits if successful? What are the benefits to the opposition in the event of our failure? What is the real cost of this venture, which can be inclusive of another more devestating attack on our country. The type of leadership we currently have results in massive confusion. But, I believe this. We must have a go or no go directive. Furthermore, there is no room for limp half way measures to replace a well designed aggressive application of force if victory is the goal.Remember the movie Apollo. "Hellow Houston. I think we've got a problem." Oh, yeah we do. Well written and guided by that “I’ve been there,” experience topped off with some smoking Joe infantry photography. You are on target with the infantry man’s view point. What most infantry don’t get to see or hear is the inside Washington DC insulated air conditioned political jabber of a thousand empty Brooks Brothers suits pursuing the getting re-elected path.

Agreeing with Obama on a military tactical or strategic level isn’t to my liking. I feel he is truely driven by immediate political consequences rather than considerate long range planning. Seven and twelve, or 19 months to acquire something or pack it in. That is not a military or even a decent politcal plan. In the executive demanded 19 month plan we should ask ourselves. What are the benefits if successful? What are the benefits to the opposition in the event of our failure? What is the real cost of this venture, which can be inclusive of another more devestating attack on our country. The type of leadership we currently have results in massive confusion. But, I believe this. We must have a go or no go directive. Furthermore, there is no room for limp half way measures to replace a well designed aggressive application of force if victory is the goal.Remember the movie Apollo. “Hellow Houston. I think we’ve got a problem.” Oh, yeah we do.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-13 uberVU - social comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:49:03 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-13 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by iammilitary: A Marine's take on the new war plan #military http://bit.ly/61TVUj... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by iammilitary: A Marine’s take on the new war plan #military http://bit.ly/61TVUj...

]]> By: Tweeted » Obama to send 30,000 to Afghanistan -- Topsy.com http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Tweeted » Obama to send 30,000 to Afghanistan -- Topsy.com Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:24:28 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-11 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by I am Military, Cathy Carson. Cathy Carson said: RT @iammilitary: A Marine's take on the new war plan #military http://bit.ly/61TVUj [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by I am Military, Cathy Carson. Cathy Carson said: RT @iammilitary: A Marine's take on the new war plan #military http://bit.ly/61TVUj [...]

]]> By: Katy L http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/02/obama-to-send-30000-to-afghanistan/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Katy L Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:17:37 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=53#comment-10 Thank you for your thoughts on this. Your experience carries a lot of weight with me. I am usually against war on principle, but Obama inherited a lousy situation in a war that languished for years while much of the focus was on Iraq. I disagree with my liberal friends who think we should just pull out, and who were under the false impression that Obama was going to do so with Afghanistan. At the same time, we can't stay there forever. I hope and pray that our troops can establish enough stability to enable education, infrastructure and positive Afghan leaders to emerge. Greg Mortenson, author or Three Cups of Tea and advisor on the region to the Obama Administration, says this is the most effective way to fight terrorism. But it seems to me we can't get there until we establish security and stability and drive the Taliban back. If such a thing is possible. Lastly, I really appreciate his thoughtful, serious, deliberative approach to this very difficult decision. He owes that to our service men and women, to the Afghan people, and to the American people. Thank you for your thoughts on this. Your experience carries a lot of weight with me. I am usually against war on principle, but Obama inherited a lousy situation in a war that languished for years while much of the focus was on Iraq. I disagree with my liberal friends who think we should just pull out, and who were under the false impression that Obama was going to do so with Afghanistan.
At the same time, we can’t stay there forever. I hope and pray that our troops can establish enough stability to enable education, infrastructure and positive Afghan leaders to emerge. Greg Mortenson, author or Three Cups of Tea and advisor on the region to the Obama Administration, says this is the most effective way to fight terrorism.
But it seems to me we can’t get there until we establish security and stability and drive the Taliban back. If such a thing is possible.
Lastly, I really appreciate his thoughtful, serious, deliberative approach to this very difficult decision. He owes that to our service men and women, to the Afghan people, and to the American people.

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