Article

2004-03-19 Afghanistan/South Asia

2 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghan Fighting

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Posted by Steve White 2004-03-19 12:21:54 AM|| || Front Page|| [11126 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This hurts, as does every single loss of an American soldier simply trying to help these people have a future better than warlord warfare.

What bothers me most about stories like this is that nagging suspicion that, simply put, the Afghans haven't earned my / our trust. I would be outraged, but not surprised, to find that it is common for Afghan "Army" troops to either shoot US soldiers themselves when the opportunity (such as a firefight) presents itself, or to collaborate with "anti-coalition militia" by leaking info which sets us up.

Yeah, I know, call me paranoid. But the Afghanis aren't the Hmong - and I don't trust them at all.

Posted by .com 2004-3-19 6:03:59 AM|| 2004-3-19 6:03:59 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I've often read Afghans are the most un trustworthy bunch on the whole planet

Posted by Jon Shep U.K 2004-3-19 8:52:30 AM|| 2004-3-19 8:52:30 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Did we earn the Afghan's trust?? Did we do anything for the Northern Alliance, when the Afghan people were oppressed by the Taliban - EVEN when Al Qaeeda blew up two US embassies? Even when they attacked a US Navy ship (blame Clinton if you will, im not making a partisan point, but looking from an Afghan point of view)

How many Afghan Army troops have been killed fighting the Taliban? Do THOSE deaths warrant headlines in our newspapers?? How many Afghan troops have to die to earn our trust??

Posted by Liberalhawk 2004-3-19 10:01:02 AM|| 2004-3-19 10:01:02 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Two more pigs gone...a handful more to go...Hurrah....This calls for a celebration...!

Posted by Anonymous 2004-3-19 10:08:54 AM|| 2004-3-19 10:08:54 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Please ignore the man in the bike helmet with his fly open waiting on the short bus. He just doesn't know any better.

Posted by whitecollar redneck 2004-3-19 10:19:04 AM|| 2004-3-19 10:19:04 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 LH -
We've armed them for, what, the last 25+ years? Would there have even BEEN a Nortern Alliance without our help and support? No. The Soviets would still be rattlin' around Kabul.

We inserted irregulars (CIA, etc) to work with the Alliance long before we decided the Taliban had to go.

We provided the tipping power, air power, and then a lot of boots on the ground once we decided to take the Taliban out.

We poured money into Karzai's coffers so he could wear spiffy shawls and hats and begin buying off various warloards - the Afghan way.

We were (still are?) the only force who works outside of Kabul area to try to bring the warlord society into the fold - to create the first ever (including when they had their "king") inkling of a national entity.

We poured money into their military, including pay scales which (finally) rivalled what the warlords were paying. Because that's the Afghan way - power goes to the highest bidder.

I would question your statement about headlines as being a red herring. One, they usually DO report Afghan deaths when their Army acts jointly with US troops - US papers tend to report US activities, no? Two, I doubt whether any Afghanis besides (and this is only a maybe) Karzai gives a rat's ass about being mentioned in the US press.

As for them dying to earn our trust, the answer is when they are not a "For Sale" society. When they decide they want modernity and civility and rule of law and to BE trusted because the CAN BE trusted, then I will trust them - it's called honor. I submit without hesitation that they lack honor as long as their services are for sale.

You know what, LH? It seems to me that you've just decided to declare war on everything I post that falls outside of your view - which seems to be narrowing. Is the election season upsetting you? I've often tried to meet you half or part way. I've made my case and listened to yours. I don't find dick overlap in this Venn diagram anymore. Thanx, but no thanx. I said what I meant and I meant what I said and I consider your commentary lame and reactionary, not thoughtful.

Anonymous. No sweat porkie, you're prolly next.

Posted by .com 2004-3-19 10:32:38 AM|| 2004-3-19 10:32:38 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 LH: Did we earn the Afghan's trust??

Well, since I advocated nuking the country, we have done them a big favor by putting them back in charge.

I am not exagerating about the nuking either. A saturation nuclear strike would have made it very clear who was going to give the orders, and iraq could have been settled without invasion, pakistan would have been quiet, and saudi would be cleaning house right now.

Nothing says serious like nuclear weapons.

Posted by flash91 2004-3-19 11:16:28 AM|| 2004-3-19 11:16:28 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 Is there such a thing as an Afghan? There are Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras, Nuristanis, etc. -- and that's what really counts. Different languages, different cultures, different codes. How much of the present-day Taliban is Pashtun? Close to 100%, no?

Posted by closet neo-con 2004-3-19 11:35:14 AM|| 2004-3-19 11:35:14 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 Flash91, My inner LeMay agrees with you. Next time. Next time.

Posted by Shipman 2004-3-19 12:40:21 PM|| 2004-3-19 12:40:21 PM|| Front Page Top

16:23 Shipman
14:49 Shipman
14:44 Shipman
11:47 Aris Katsaris
03:12 Barry
01:06 Jen
00:38 Brewer
00:25 Jen
00:22 Jen
00:22 Barry
00:13 Jen
00:12 ex-lib
00:02 OldeForce
23:58 ex-lib
23:57 Mr. Davis
23:44 Super Hose
23:43 Super Hose
23:42 Traveller
23:39 Super Hose
23:31 ex-lib
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