See other War, War, War Articles
Title: Stormy Weather Greets President Obama in Surprise Visit to Afghanistan
Source:
[None]
URL Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pres ... -afghanistan/story?id=12303710
Published: Dec 3, 2010
Author: ABC
Post Date: 2010-12-03 11:48:02 by Jethro Tull
Ping List: *Obama Blood Dancers* Subscribe to *Obama Blood Dancers*
Keywords: None
Views: 155
Comments: 13
President Obama appeared before an audience at West Point and told the nation he was sending 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, he has come to meet with troops in the war-torn country for his second visit as commander-in-chief -- where he is being greeted by bad weather and storms of an altogether different kind. The rough winds and dark clouds could symbolize the challenges the president and his team face here, as the war -- now in its 10th year -- risks being undermined by a corrupt government, a strong insurgency, leaks of classified cables, waning public support and shifting political winds. The president was originally scheduled to have a "working dinner" with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at his presidential palace in Kabul in this unannounced visit, and to meet with civilian personnel at the U.S. Embassy in the capital city. There are more than 1,000 U.S. government civilian employees here, from the State Department, USAID and nine other agencies, a tripling since the president announced his new policy one year ago. But strong winds and low cloud cover made helicopter travel hazardous, so in the last few hours of the president's trip to Bagram on Air Force One, the Kabul part of the visit was scrapped. The "ceiling" -- the cloud cover -- between Bagram and Kabul is less than one thousand feet, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters on Air Force One. Wind speeds are 45 mph and above, with less than two miles of visibility. "It all made helicopter travel not an option," Gibbs said. The trip was shrouded in secrecy for security reasons, with the reporters who accompanied the president not permitted to announce his presence here until after the president landed. This visit comes at a pivotal moment for the president. More than 1,300 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the war began, with more dying this year than any previous year, as President Obama has increased the number of troops to 100,000.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Two programs are on the table... The nukes in Pakistan... The Bush initiative to increase the military by 100,000 grunts... Neither can be put off much longer. One or both needs to be exercised or forgotten. Obama is between a rock and a hard place.
How 'bout "growing public contempt"?
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. - Aesop
Was it Frank Church in the House that actually put into motion the pieces to defund the war in Vietnam? When Rengle is booted from his Chair, whoever takes his place needs to be reminded we are spending $3 billion a day to fight these messes.
When a loser like Obama begins playing "Commander in Chief", it is time to worry. Pretending to be president is ok, we can live with that. CIC is scary.
"It all made helicopter travel not an option," Gibbs said. Ef that! Put that Kenyan cs in the helicopter and let him show us all how a superhero does $#it!
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. Bump to #3.
How 'bout "growing public contempt"? Amen. Even some of the O'tards are waking up to the reality. "One of the least understood strategies of the world revolution now moving rapidly toward its goal is the use of mind control as a major means of obtaining the consent of the people who will be subjects of the New World Order." K.M. Heaton, The National Educator
LOLOLOL 10-4!!!! Peace brother.
And the CIA???? Or am I thinking wrong???? Obama making a trip to Afghan during this lame duck Congress does not bode well. I fear some long range decisions will be settled upon, not to our liking.
Thanks. Peace be with you and yours too.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. Calm down James. We expect far too much from Obama.
We expect far too much from Obama. I don't expect anything from him but more of the same ol', same ol'. And so far he has been delivering--Bush on steroids.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. He (Gordon Duff) also implies that forcibly removing Obama, a Constitution-hating, on-the-down-low, crackhead Communist, is an attack on America, Mom, and apple pie. I swear these military people are worse than useless. Just look around at the condition of the country and tell me if they have fulfilled their oaths to protect the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. IIRC, Frank Church was initially tasked to look into the CIA and abuses in Vietnam. When he was done, the result was the War Powers Act, whereby the President can commit troops anywhere, anytime, *but* had 90? days to report to congress about the why. I do recall he was so PO'd he was about to withhold funding at one point.
This visit comes at a pivotal moment for the president. More than 1,300 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since the war began, with more dying this year than any previous year, as President Obama has increased the number of troops to 100,000.
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
waning public support
#3. To: Cynicom (#1)
Obama is between a rock and a hard place.
#4. To: randge (#2)
How 'bout "growing public contempt"?
#5. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
The "ceiling" -- the cloud cover -- between Bagram and Kabul is less than one thousand feet, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters on Air Force One. Wind speeds are 45 mph and above, with less than two miles of visibility.
Lord Acton
OsamaBinGoldstein posted on 2010-05-25 9:39:59 ET (2 images) Reply Trace
#6. To: randge (#2)
How 'bout "growing public contempt"?
#7. To: randge (#2)
waning public support
#8. To: James Deffenbach (#5)
Ef that! Put that Kenyan cs in the helicopter and let him show us all how a superhero does $#it!
#9. To: Jethro Tull (#3)
Was it Frank Church in the House that actually put into motion the pieces to defund the war in Vietnam?
#10. To: Jethro Tull (#8)
Lord Acton
OsamaBinGoldstein posted on 2010-05-25 9:39:59 ET (2 images) Reply Trace
#11. To: James Deffenbach (#5)
Ef that! Put that Kenyan cs in the helicopter and let him show us all how a superhero does $#it!
#12. To: Cynicom (#11)
Calm down James.
Lord Acton
OsamaBinGoldstein posted on 2010-05-25 9:39:59 ET (2 images) Reply Trace
#13. To: Cynicom (#9)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest