quote:
Originally posted by Gaelic:
Oh boy, I have been gone too long.
1. The guy in charge of coloring the cluster bombs and the guy in charge of coloring the food packets are not likely the same guy. It was a mistake which has been fixed.
2. The food being dropped is not "pathetic airline food." The standard issue MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) issued to US soldiers has over 3000 calories in it. It is enough to sustain the average person doing moderate physical activity for a day. The meals being dropped are special versions with more food and over 5000 calories per day. This is likely enough to sustain the average Afghan adult male for 2 days. Hardly airline food.
3. Turn the other cheek does not work in war or politics. Ask Poland if you don't believe me.
4. The stated objectives of the bombing included both the death or apprehension of bin Laden AND the suppression or destruction of terrorist organizations and the governments that sustain them. The Taliban fits this objective perfectly and ought to be destroyed.
5. This is not about being on America's side, or Bush's side, or Blair's side. This is about rooting out and destroying criminals and their organizations. The bombing, to include cluster munitions, is part of that. I guarantee that additional ground forces will be employed at some stage. This will occur after the bombing has destroyed as much Taliban equipment and infrastructure as is possible. Once we are done with the Taliban, we will hopefully move on to Iraq as well. If another country does not like that, so be it. America can do things alone, but then we do it completely our way.
6. Last, and I know I will be flamed for this, in war civilians sometimes die. It is regretable, but it happens. For those that are upset about the Afghan civilians who have been killed in the bombing, point the finger at Osama and Omar. They bear the responsibility for their deaths as sure as if the choked the life out of them themselves.
You have been gone too long
The only slight disagreement I have is with the first sentance of your last point.
#6. "...in war civilians sometimes die."
I disagree not with the idea, but the wording because "in war, civilians
always die." It can't be prevented.