Scott Ritter: McChrystal Doesn’t Get It — Does Obama?

[Dr. X]

Truthdig - McChrystal Doesn’t Get It—Does Obama?

McChrystal, or more accurately, his staff, has authored a not-so-secret report that outlines the reasoning behind this massive increase in American military involvement in Afghanistan. Rightly noting that the American-led effort is currently failing, McChrystal argues that only a massive infusion of U.S. troops, and a corresponding “surge” of American civilians, can achieve the stability necessary to transform Afghanistan from the failed state it is today. A viable nation capable of self-government, the new Afghanistan could maintain internal security so that terrorist organizations like al-Qaida will not be able to take root, flourish and once again threaten American security from the sanctuary of a lawless land. This concept certainly looks good on paper and plays well in the editorial section. And why shouldn’t it? It touches on all the romantic notions of America as liberator and defender of the oppressed. The problem is that the assumptions made in the McChrystal report are so far removed from reality as to be ludicrous.

McChrystal operates under the illusion that American military power can provide a shield from behind which Afghanistan can remake itself into a viable modern society. He has deluded himself and others into believing that the people of Afghanistan want to be part of such a grand social experiment, and furthermore that they will tolerate the United States being in charge. The reality of Afghan history, culture and society argue otherwise. The Taliban, once a defeated entity in the months following the initial American military incursion into Afghanistan, are resurgent and growing stronger every day. The principle source of the Taliban’s popularity is the resentment of the Afghan people toward the American occupation and the corrupt proxy government of Hamid Karzai. There is nothing an additional 40,000 American troops will be able to do to change that basic equation. The Soviets tried and failed. They deployed 110,000 troops, operating on less restrictive lines of communication and logistical supply than the United States. They built an Afghan army of some 45,000 troops. They operated without the constraints of American rules of engagement. They slaughtered around a million Afghans. And they lost, for the simple reason that the people of Afghanistan did not want them, or their Afghan proxies.

Hammer meet nail. This article, as most of Ritter's analysis on the Middle East, is spot on.

[Bob Sakimano]

interesting....

most Americans, though, are more concerned with American Idol and Jon and Kate plus 8, hence their inability to discern nuance and, thereby, allowing the mainstream media to control their thoughts on subjects such as this (provided, of course, that they even have thoughts).

good article, though.

[Dr. X]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

interesting....

most Americans, though, are more concerned with American Idol and Jon and Kate plus 8, hence their inability to discern nuance and, thereby, allowing the mainstream media to control their thoughts on subjects such as this (provided, of course, that they even have thoughts).

good article, though.

Yep. I agree. Hence the thread linked below:

http://www.spartantailgate.com/forum...v-network.html

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Dr. X

Yep. I agree. Hence the thread linked below:

http://www.spartantailgate.com/forum...v-network.html

yep..

[Dr. Strangelove]

Could we please stop posting Scott Ritter material? Unless of course the topic is picking up underage girls at the Burger King.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Could we please stop posting Scott Ritter material? Unless of course the topic is picking up underage girls at the Burger King.

[Vlad_the_Impaler]

You mean they don't view us as liberators?? That's what Cheney told us.

Seriously, the best strategy at this point is to keep a small military presence in both Iraq and Afganistan, just to prevent/destroy any build up of terrorist camps, etc. That can be done a lot easier by air than by ground.

All this nation-building stuff....waste of American life and money.

[Dr. X]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Could we please stop posting Scott Ritter material? Unless of course the topic is picking up underage girls at the Burger King.

I'll stop posting Ritter articles when you stop defending coke heads, drug pushers, mudsharks, child traffickers, organ harvesters, death squad lovers, warmongers and terrorist trainers/funders/protectors.

Deal?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Great moments from Scott Ritter:

CNN.com - Ex-arms inspector, war foe Ritter confirms 2001 arrest ... Scott Ritter, a former US Marine and UN weapons inspector who has been an ... in an Internet chat room to meet with the girl at a Burger King in Colonie, ...
www.cnn.com/2003/US/01/22/ritter.arrest/ - 38k - Cached - Similar pages

Saddam's Cash, Dearborn and ScottRitter
Editor's note, 1/30/04: On January 25, 2004, a daily newspaper in Iraq called al Mada published a list of individuals and organizations who it says received oil from the now-deposed regime. Among those listed is Shakir al Khafaji, an Iraqi-American from Detroit, who ran "Expatriate Conferences" for the regime in Baghdad. Al Khafaji also contributed $400,000 to the production of Scott Ritter's film "In Shifting Sands."

Scott Ritter Says U.S. Plans June Attack On Iran
Feb 19, 2005 ... The principal theme of Scott Ritter's talk was Americans' duty to ... off on orders for an aerial attack on Iran planned for June 2005.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Great moments from Scott Ritter:

CNN.com - Ex-arms inspector, war foe Ritter confirms 2001 arrest ... Scott Ritter, a former US Marine and UN weapons inspector who has been an ... in an Internet chat room to meet with the girl at a Burger King in Colonie, ...
www.cnn.com/2003/US/01/22/ritter.arrest/ - 38k - Cached - Similar pages

Saddam's Cash, Dearborn and ScottRitter
Editor's note, 1/30/04: On January 25, 2004, a daily newspaper in Iraq called al Mada published a list of individuals and organizations who it says received oil from the now-deposed regime. Among those listed is Shakir al Khafaji, an Iraqi-American from Detroit, who ran "Expatriate Conferences" for the regime in Baghdad. Al Khafaji also contributed $400,000 to the production of Scott Ritter's film "In Shifting Sands."

Scott Ritter Says U.S. Plans June Attack On Iran
Feb 19, 2005 ... The principal theme of Scott Ritter's talk was Americans' duty to ... off on orders for an aerial attack on Iran planned for June 2005.

so did he get busy in a Burger King bathroom?

[Gotham_Spartan]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

so did he get busy in a Burger King bathroom?

If so, then he must have been a Republican Senator or Congressman at the time.

Snidely yours,

[SpartanStu]

Why does everyone who invades Afghanistan employ the "chess" philosphy and not the "go" strategy?

[EComCon]

Originally Posted by Dr. X

Truthdig - McChrystal Doesn’t Get It—Does Obama?

McChrystal operates under the illusion that American military power can provide a shield from behind which Afghanistan can remake itself into a viable modern society. He has deluded himself and others into believing that the people of Afghanistan want to be part of such a grand social experiment...

Actually, Ritter might be the one who "Doesn’t Get It", McChystal is there to keep the narco-dollars flowing in a last ditch attempt to prop up Wall Street.
http://www.spartantailgate.com/forum...ml#post6259844

America's Phoney War in Afghanistan

The US military is in Afghanistan for two reasons. First to restore and control the world’s largest supply of opium for the world heroin markets and to use the drugs as a geopolitical weapon against opponents, especially Russia. That control of the Afghan drug market is essential for the liquidity of the bankrupt and corrupt Wall Street financial mafia.

Geopolitics of Afghan Opium

According even to an official UN report, opium production in Afghanistan has risen dramatically since the downfall of the Taliban in 2001. UNODC data shows more opium poppy cultivation in each of the past four growing seasons (2004-2007), than in any one year during Taliban rule. More land is now used for opium in Afghanistan, than for coca cultivation in Latin America. In 2007, 93% of the opiates on the world market originated in Afghanistan. This is no accident.

It has been documented that Washington hand-picked the controversial Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun warlord from the Popalzai tribe, long in the CIA’s service, brought him back from exile in the USA, created a Hollywood mythology around his “courageous leadership of his people.” According to Afghan sources, Karzai is the Opium “Godfather” of Afghanistan today...

Jon Krakauer: McChrystal's Explanation For Pat Tillman Cover-up Is "Preposterous"

YouTube - Jon Krakauer: Gen. McChrystal's Explanation For Pat Tillman Cover-up "Preposterous"

U.S. Needs Hit Squads, ‘Manhunting Agency’: Spec Ops Report | Danger Room | Wired.com

[Dr. X]

Originally Posted by EComCon

Actually, Ritter might be the one who "Doesn’t Get It", McChystal is there to keep the narco-dollars flowing in a last ditch attempt to prop up Wall Street.
http://www.spartantailgate.com/forum...ml#post6259844

Jon Krakauer: McChrystal's Explanation For Pat Tillman Cover-up Is "Preposterous"

YouTube - Jon Krakauer: Gen. McChrystal's Explanation For Pat Tillman Cover-up "Preposterous"

U.S. Needs Hit Squads, ‘Manhunting Agency’: Spec Ops Report | Danger Room | Wired.com

It seems to me that you're suggesting that Pat Tillman was murdered?

And I find it so absurd that you suggest our government would be involved in the drug trade. We are the United States, the beacon of light for all of humanity to aspire to.

[MSU '73]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Great moments from Scott Ritter:


Saddam's Cash, Dearborn and ScottRitter
Editor's note, 1/30/04: On January 25, 2004, a daily newspaper in Iraq called al Mada published a list of individuals and organizations who it says received oil from the now-deposed regime. Among those listed is Shakir al Khafaji, an Iraqi-American from Detroit, who ran "Expatriate Conferences" for the regime in Baghdad. Al Khafaji also contributed $400,000 to the production of Scott Ritter's film "In Shifting Sands."

I thought the righties had learned not to be so ignorant as to link articles by the pathological liar Stephen F. Hayes.

How'd all those links between Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda that Hayes wrote an entire book about, work out, again?

I guess stupidity (and lying) never dies, eh strangelove?

Few things more ignorant that trying to use a PROVEN liar as your "evidence" against someone else.

[greenjoker]

The mistake of the past Administration which I hope is not repeated is thinking Afghans share the same values as is prized by Americans.

[EComCon]

Originally Posted by greenjoker

The mistake of the past Administration which I hope is not repeated is thinking Afghans share the same values as is prized by Americans.

They might share the same "Values"

They just can't afford it.

[Redwingenator]

Afghanistan is a mess. The troops are dying and they have no idea what their purpose is over there. The obvious problem with just packing up and leaving is that it would allow a safe haven for terrorists to train and plan attacks. However, the problem with staying without a specific plan and goal is that American lives will be wasted. I would say that the US should complete a surge and stabilize the country, then bring the troops home and hope that the new government can maintain control.

[EComCon]

Originally Posted by Dr. X

It seems to me that you're suggesting that Pat Tillman was murdered?

At the very least we know that Bush-Cheney-Rummy-McChrystal attempted to cover it up.

Speaking of cover-ups in Afghanistan. One of the go to guys for the CIA in the JFK case, Gerald 'Case Closed' Posner, has inadvertently exposed himself in a clumsy attempt to whitewash this NYTimes story. Posner has tacitly acknowledged his CIA ties by revealing his sources and methods:

Gerald Posner speed-dials the bros Karzai to air their side of the story

The brothers of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, Ahmed—reported Wednesday to be on the CIA payroll—and Mahmoud, talk exclusively with The Daily Beast's Gerald Posner. They fiercely deny the CIA claim and blame it on enemies of the Afghan regime and The New York Times.

Early Wednesday morning at nearly 1:00 a.m., I checked my email for a final time and saw notice of a newsbreak from The New York Times that Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of the Afghan president and the man often called the Pablo Escobar of the country’s heroin trade, has been on a CIA payroll for the past eight years. I immediately called him.

I reached him on his private cell number...

Real History Blog: Gerald Posner has private cell number of Afghanistan's leader's brother - accused of CIA ties

[IGGcitable]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Could we please stop posting Scott Ritter material? Unless of course the topic is picking up underage girls at the Burger King.

ding ding ding

[Booyah]

Post some original thoughts - don't just link and copy.

[ChicagoMark]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Could we please stop posting Scott Ritter material? Unless of course the topic is picking up underage girls at the Burger King.

Another mindless example of attacking the messenger and avoiding the message that comes straight from the first chapter of the right-wing playbook. I get so tired of this cowardly idiocy. Will it ever end?

[greenjoker]

Originally Posted by Redwingenator

Afghanistan is a mess. The troops are dying and they have no idea what their purpose is over there. The obvious problem with just packing up and leaving is that it would allow a safe haven for terrorists to train and plan attacks. However, the problem with staying without a specific plan and goal is that American lives will be wasted. I would say that the US should complete a surge and stabilize the country, then bring the troops home and hope that the new government can maintain control.

What makes anyone think that a surge will have a lasting effect when the country can not be ruled by a central government? We will just throw away money and lives with no lasting effect just to prove we tried and listened to our military who specialize in tactical measures and not long term political realities.

[kaiserpete]

Originally Posted by Vlad_the_Impaler

You mean they don't view us as liberators?? That's what Cheney told us.

Seriously, the best strategy at this point is to keep a small military presence in both Iraq and Afganistan, just to prevent/destroy any build up of terrorist camps, etc. That can be done a lot easier by air than by ground.

All this nation-building stuff....waste of American life and money.

There are a few valid arguments for both the "double down" and the "pull out now" crowds. The MAJOR reason we're still in Afghanistan, however, is the escalating destabilization in Pakistan. We pull out of Afghanistan and the "civilian" government in Islamabad falls to the 8th century crowd within a year.

Aren't you Indian by ethnicity? How would you like to have your relatives back there wake up one morning to the stark reality that a Taliban/al Queda hybrid is in full control of 80 odd nukes?

[EComCon]

This is slightly off topic but plays off the Afghanistan War. Has anyone checked out the movie The Objective?

YouTube - "The Objective" trailer