by John Sergeant
Right after President Obama selected a new general to manage the war in Afghanistan casualties began to creep upward as leading military officals said the Taliban presence is growing and the situation in Afghanistan is seriously deteriorating.
In response to the increasing threat, President Obama's new man, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, laid down stricter rules of engagement in a tactical directive sent to all foreign forces in Afghanistan. The US Army spokesman in Afghanistan, Col. Greg Julian, said, "The guidance to the troops clarifies that citizens are the centre of gravity and that we should do everything to gain their support and we must do everything to avoid civilian casualties...." He assured reporters this is absolutely not a repeat of the huge mistake we made in Iraq before General Petreaus introduced the SURGE and wiped out nests of enemy fighters and gained the trust of the locals by a show of force. This time taking the softer, kinder approach is different somehow, we're not sure exactly how it's different, but that's their story and they are sticking to it.
The new policy has already seen a strong cut back in precision bombing of high value targets due to a concern about possible non-combatant collateral damage. General McChrystal felt the trade off from grateful civilians verses killing enemy leaders would be well worth any American causalities this might cause. Already, this may be working as Taliban soldiers moving caravans of guns and ammo have expressed their deepest appreciation for the lull in arial bombings.
Soldiers may not fire upon anyone unless fired upon. Then if the enemy combatants flee in the direction of civilians, they may not be fired upon at all in order to avoid civilian casualties. Again, General McChrystal made it clear soldiers should consider themselves as good will ambassadors first and soldiers second. This outreach of concern and friendship should help the Taliban moderate their religious and political views, at least according to the new Obama/Army policy and then eventually we can talk them out of being evil, murderous thugs and we'll all live happily ever after.
The Unofficial US Army spokespeople responded to this and said:
"Obama is F#@$%!#@ nuts and so's his punk General! We are fightin and dyin over here against a determined, fanatical F^#$ing enemy who has NO F@%#ing rules whatsoever and he's telling us to F@*&%$%& cut back on the bombing in areas we can't reach any other way? Holy SH--! He's also telling us to check fire until we're shot at before engaging the enemy? And not to fire at all if there is one F#@#$%^& civilian in the area? You want us to check the civilians references first or what? Give us a break! We're here to fight a war - we only know one way to do that and this ain't it!
Meanwhile these Muth#%F#$%&%* Huns are running free all over the countryside, terrorizing the civilian populace, planting bombs, planning ambushes and killing soldiers right and left! What kind of A F%$#@&%% way is this to win a war? This is so F &^%$%$&#@# unbelievably stupid, and we know it's coming right out of the White House from this stupid F@#^%&*&%$ dope smokin, drug takin, liberal puke who has never spent one day in a uniform. This F#@#$%^ As#@*&* is getting us killed over here and it's going to get a lot worse... thanks to this F@%^&$#in idiot president!
You will never win sh## until the Taliban are taken out (dead) and the locals can finally feel safe. If this is the stupid F#@#@$%^ way we're supposed to fight you people back home might as well pull us out now and give it back to the F'n Taliban!
NOTE: The Mainstream Media and the White House did not authorize the publication of the unofficial response.
This guy is spot on. When our troups were not allowed to pursue the enemy north of the 38th parallel, we lost the war.
I don't mean to sound like a knee-jerk liberal, but those poor boys are someones son, father, brother, grandson, or husband. If it were my boy, I would not want him to be displayed on any news site.
Maybe it's just the nurturing mother in me, but I have to be honest with you about the way i feel on this one.
Please take the picture down.
Do we need a photo of those men laying there dead? I agree that those in charge are trying to turn this war on terrorism into Vietnam, but my head can give me the pictures. I really don't need to see them lying there everytime I check out your stories.
Can you just show it where those who wish to read the whole story can? The left has no respect for our men, we should be different than they are.
I cannot understand why the government allowed that photo to be distributed to the media.
From what I see happening in Afghanistan, Obama and his fellow Democrats are living up to their image of being wimps when it comes to warfare. As many a pundit has stated, since Obama and the democrats gained complete control of the government, we will not lose this war in Afghanistan because the Taliban are better than us. No, if we lose, it will be lost the same way we lost the Vietnam war, in America with the media and the Democrats who want to quit the fight before the enemy is defeated.
We are fighting a war in Afghanistan that is an insurgency and Democrats seem to be wholly ignorant on the fact that we need to go where the enemy are camped. Just as we fought with rules only America followed in Vietnam, it seems we are beginning to use the same type of tactics as then. It is time to go take the fight to them, if that means crossing the border into Pakistan, then so be it. It is time we fight the insurgents like they are fighting us.
The Civil War was not won until we took the fight to the South by Sherman marching to the sea, and in WWII Patton rolled into Germany. Both times the war was won by taking it to the enemy. As long as we sit back and allow the enemy to come to us, we will always end up like like Davey Crockett and his fighting Kentuckian's, who were sitting ducks just waiting to die a soldiers death. But this isn't Texas and no one will build them a monument for their sacrifice. If you do not believe me, just tell me where the monument in Saigon is so I can go there and honor all the dead Americans who fought for Freedom.
Why is it Democrats always fight a war the same way? North Korea, Vietnam, now the war on terror against the Taliban. Like those wars, we will lose so many soldiers that the media and the people of America will demand that we abandon all we have gained.
This war will only be won when we show the world the kind of strength that Reagan showed the world, and I pray that day comes next year when we win back Congress. Then we can force Obama to do what is right by our soldiers and that is allow them to again shoot and kill the enemy wherever they may be or however they may disguise themselves.
Now I do understand the focus of the story is our leaders ineptitude at fighting a war, and that ineptitude is costing the lives of our young men. However, I must agree with Nancy, Peggy, and Anonymous in this. I see no benefit to showing the dead bodies of our young men. What if a family member should happen to come across this story? You want to show a dead body, then show the enemies dead bodies.
(by John Sergeant) As the author it was my honest intention that the deaths of U.S. soldiers in the photo make an impact on those who read this story. In so doing, it was my hope that eventually some anger would find it's way back to the White House and that this stupid commander-in-chief would feel the anger and distain from citizens for implementing a weak, destructive and deadly policy in Afghanistan. This new policy is getting soldiers killed and it needs to be stopped. We should not force them to fight with one hand tied behind their backs. We did that in Vietnam and it was wrong. Either we fight to win or we don't go into battle.
The ends can't justify the means, so I admit it was a mistake due to my heated anger. My appologies to anyone who was offended. This cartoon will replace the photo. I hope it will make people aware of what this fool Obama is doing in Afghanistan.
John I'm sure our readers who objected did so for the best of reasons...they honor and appreciate our soldiers offering heartfelt support, prayers and gratitude.
My beef is that we have had a virtual blackout on the war as far as war news is concerned. Incidents and losses are reported quickly and removed just as quickly. The protests of the Bush years have come to a screeching halt. These signal the sad probability of several things to me:
1) War protesters are liars.
2) The new name for war, "Overseas Contingency Operations," is a divice to provide cover for a weak, ineffectual leader ; it also signals appeasement.
3) This leader may have more in common with those who want to kill Americans and/or bury America than he does with ordianry citizens or the soldiers who defend this nation honorably.
4) The media absolutely cannot be trusted to inform the American public. (But, we already knew that)
At Post Scripts we welcome all news about the war...we support our brave and honorable military...and we thank you for bringing this to our attention. Thank you too for exchanging the photo. I for one get what your purpose was in using it. The faces of the men were not visable and too often we hide from the pictures we should remember out of respect and can't get enough of those we should disdain.
The Republican had their chance and couldn't win this war.
Oooh, the ladies have weighed in. So cool ... for a change.
I did have my doubts about the nation building aspect of this project being very attractive to the sort of fella that joins the Marines. Marines is head-busters. Head-busting and nation-building are not compatible.
I myself am having a great deal of difficulty with the Afghan project. I understand Obama's goal. But, I so far see no sign at all from the Afghan people, or their government, that they do. The corruption of Karzai's minions is seemingly boundless. The populace have made it plain that they will side with us, while we are there, and the Taliban, when we have gone ... and we're not staying forever.
So?
Obama wants us to commit twelve years to the project on the off chance that the Afghans will evolve into republicans. If the last 300 years have made no impact, I really cannot see the next twelve being of any use ... and he cannot have my nephews for this project. So?
It would seem to be hopeless.
Jim...The Republican told you from the very beginning that this war would take twenty years or more to win. Twenty years is longer than the two terms Bush knew he "might" have. He told you the truth.
"Overseas Contingency Operations" could go on for much longer than twenty years also...unless we dishonor ourselves again; unless we let the good people of the region down (again) by turning tail and leaving. I fear this CIC may not have what it takes to win...I pray for him and his advisors as well as our troops.
Libby: "Head-busting and nation-building are not compatible."
Fortunately our Marines are also gentlemen...I have pictures and storiesd that prove it.
"and he cannot have my nephews for this project."
It is, so far, a volunteer project. Do you anticipate a change from the President?
Hey Sarge,
I really liked your article and agree with you and what OV wrote, and I for one was not offended by the picture but I understand how some could be.
I had an uncle who was killed taking Hamburger Hill in 69, then it was given back to the Viet Cong. Typical day in Nam back then. Well, my family was on vacation at Yellowstone park that summer and my aunt came with us. She never received an official notice because we were away from home. Before my Aunt Betty ever had a chance to find out her husband was killed, she saw a picture of him in a Time Life Magazine that was being sold at the Old Faithful Inn.
Needless to say she was devastated, and the staff removed every copy from the rack. The damage was done though. My Aunt did eventually got over it, but those who made the decision to print that photo got what they wanted. To this day she is glaringly anti military and anti war, regardless of the reason. Yes even this war on terrorism.
Interesting thing is that picture made me want to be a military man like him someday. I did, and I was until I retired just last year after two wars and three tours in Iraq.
I thought your article is worth a million words, and that the drawing gets the idea across.
Sgt. John says we should either fight to win or don't go into battle. That decision was made in January, so let's get the hell out of there. As a former combat soldier and current disabled vet, I say we should get the groundpounders (which is what I was 40 years ago) out of harm's way in this futile mission. If we want to blast the enemy, do it from the air, where we have military superiority, not from the ground, where our soldiers are equal opportuntiy targets.
While I am no fan of seeing pictures of dead people this one brings up a question. What happened to the Left wing protests of the war and all the negative media coverage of the war? If I were a liberal (before I blew my brains out) I would ask "what happened to the ass-clown I voted for?"
War is Hell....Pictures of the war are the reality of the Hell. When people don't want to see pictures of reality & want to live in the never-neverland, they are unwilling to face reality. I hope for the sake of those women who complained, that war never touches their lives.
One Solution: Put OBAMA, his family, and all of their cronies on the FRONT LINES of this war. That will change his attitude VERY quickly!
John Sergeant says: People like Snopes defended this country with their lives now they must watch as the far left tries to undermine everything they sacrificed for! It's not right! For our vets, and especially our disabled vets like Snopes, we must stand up for them and fight back against the radical leftists. Snopes is a hero and he desrves our respect and appreciation. Thank you Snopes, you are a true American Patriot.
Their was a rule during WWII that no pictures of dead American soldiers were to be shown to the public. It never seemed to cause us to lose that war. However, Vietnam changed things. By the 60"s Liberals were in control of the decision to print pictures, and they did it to change public opinion away from supporting the war. It worked.
No my friend, we do not need to see the death of an American soldier. You want to see pictures, well in my opinion the only pictures of death and destruction of Americans we should see are the ones of 911. Let us run pictures of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the rubble of flight 93. Then maybe Americans will wake up and realize why we are fighting this war.
So no, we do not need to see dead American soldiers on the battlefield, we need to see dead American civilians on main street USA. Then again as long as the Fascists in control keep doing what they are, it will be just a matter of time before the very ones who attacked us on 911 will do it again. Then there will be plenty of pictures again.