President Obama to Send 34,000 Additional Troops to Afghanistan

Personally I wish he would just pull all troops out of everywhere and have them here where they belong so they can actually defend the country instead of offending other countries. In a lesser sense, I would be for this as long as he pulls the troops from Iraq, where they shouldn't have been to begin with. Anybody who still believes we should be in Iraq like we are needs their head examined.

Honestly, at this point, I'm done with the military occupation in the middle east. I stayed on the fence about it for years. War is an economic and emotional drain for the entire country, and sometimes I just feel like we should pull out and let them play the game by themselves. I disagree because I don't like the war - just as I did when it started.

I have always tried to be supportive of President Obama, anniepa, but I must admit that this move puts the lie to his promise to end the war during his campaign. I fear that these wars we are presently involved in will be never-ending, with much loss of human life and finances. That is how I honestly feel about it.

I have mixed emotions about deploying a lot more troops over there. This isn't a mop-up action though and until those governments over there in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan take control and commit themselves to eliminating the terrorist and war mongers, I guess we'll have to be there in force. It only took a few years for Bush and Cheney to make a mess over there and it's going to take a lot more years to clean it up. The hardliners and righties should be reminded that they didn't worry how much the War over there was costing in lives, wounded and dollars when they were in office. Now let's see how many jump up and complained about the cost now.

Annie, You know how I feel about Obama and this move, even if it was not by him, I do not agree with. I see more families that are going to have Dover visits because of this choice. Honestly it has nothing to do with him, it has to do with the move of the troops and where they are coming from. Have we not lost enough of our Soldiers to this needless war? Do we really need to send more, especially around the holidays, to come home in boxes covered with a flag. I would be ripping if it were McCain as well. Ainge May the soldiers be kept safe and come home to their families in this journey.

I have to agree with Lil...the military has been asking for more troops and that's exactly what we need to do, send more in, unless we want another Vietnam on our hands. There are many factors involved when it comes to Afghanistan. The future of the country...it's people have to be taken into consideration. We can't simply pull out and leave those who have supported the allies to be slaughtered and we can't win with the current troop numbers. I also heard that other allied troops will be joining ours.

Hi, Anniepa, the minions of the attack machine are gathering their forces to see how they can spin this one to a negative. It will be interesting to see what they come up with. Keep in mind that the contrived and malicious grass roots reform movement cannot ever say anything positive about this administration. They might be taken out and shot at sunrise. I think all of us are afraid, as well we should be. At the same time, we must listen and look at everything that is going on over there and around the world, as well as at home. Either we are committed or we are not. We cannot put our troops in a war and not give them the resources to win it. Will it be another Viet Nam? God, I hope not. Only time will tell. This is one of those situations where President Obama did not start this fight, but he sure as h_ll has to do everything in his power to end it and effectively. There may come a time when we walk away, but now is not the time. As for who will pay, where will we get the money; those are all questions that need to be answered. But to paraphrase a line from Saturday Night Live, "We're smart enough, we're good enough, and doggone it people like us again."

I haven't been on mylot for a few days, been busy spending time with my lady and doin the holiday thing, so I have not yet had a chance to comment. Hard to say yet what he is planning on doing as he has not yet made an official announcement. I do know he has been asked, almost begged for more troops. I say if this is what his guys on the ground have said they need they should have gotten them already. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I am not one to sit and armchair quarterback a war, there are people in charge and on the ground who know what their doing, we have some of the best military minds onthe planet and given the chance and the right things and personal to do the job, they can do it. We allowed Afghanistan to go by the way side for too long, Bush neglected it, and up to now, Obama has taken a half hearted stance. So, again, lets see what he intends to do and if he does in fact honor the many requests he has recieved. If he is willing to do what needs to be done, then he has my full 100% support in this effort.

Offensive War is NOT the war to end war. I did a long winded comment of response #1.

I don't think we can afford this. We have a huge debt and plenty of issues in our own country to deal with. Also, the war is unconstitutional because we never declared war like the Constitution says. Our empire is overstretched and we are running out of money. These same issues are what brought all other empires down, including the Roman empire.

I'm more concerned with the stratagem being employed. Any good tactician knows that you must overwhelm your enemy, to have the quickest, least deadly battle. So yes, sending more troops is good, but is it enough? McChrystal, the International Security Assistance Force General, and General of all US Forces in Afghanistan, says we need at least 40K more troops and a shift in our combat plan. I happen to be the type that when the General who's there and in the trenches, says we need X number of troops and a new plan, I assume we really need X number of troops and a new plan. So why a new plan? Well because right now we have 'rules of engagement'. We have a situation where our people can't go where they need to go, and do what they need to do. In short, we have a re-enactment of Vietnam on our hands. This is why some people are calling him Lyndon B Obama. Consider... during the Vietnam war, we had rules of engagement. A system were you could bomb targets, but then you were not allowed to bomb again. So they simply rebuilt bunkers and other military assets. We couldn't go into Cambodia, so enemies would attack, kill a bunch of our people, and retreat to Cambodia where they regrouped for another attack. We have the exact same thing happening here. We find a hide out and bomb it, but then we can't bomb again. They cross over from Pakistan and kill a bunch of people, then retreat back to Pakistan where they regroup and for another attack. So, is Obama being an LBJ, and re-enacting the Vietnam war? I don't know. I've said for quite a while now, we need to either pull out completely, and call it a loss, or go in completely and wipe them out. You can't go half cocked. All or nothing. Obama needs to either call the whole thing off, or go all out. Send as much troops as they need, and take the shackles off our troops, and let them mop the floor with the Taliban. This is a good first step in that direction. We'll have to see how the rest of it goes. Now there is one thing I am pissed off at Obama for. Because of all his reckless spending, all the crap programs to "stimulate the economy" which have never worked in the past, and haven't helped now, we don't have the money for the troops we need. So now Obama is planning a special tax to pay for military spending. Oh well great... absolutely wonderful. Just what we need in a recession is a new tax! There's a plan... when consumer spending is down, take more money from consumers! Brilliant! Here's a thought... cut spending on those crap programs like Amtrak, and use that for the military.

Although I don't live in the US, I have always adopted a Democratic philosophy. I can't stand the Republicans. Therefore, as you can imagine I have adored Obama, much like the whole word, and as such is heavily biased. But, people of a right wing conservative persuasion must admit that, Obama's logic is quite exemplary. Firstly, he acknowledges that, being in Iraq or going into Iraq was a mistake and that 911 was as a result of the activities carried out by the insurgents in Afghanistan. So, his decision to send extra troops to Afghanistan and to finish the job that was started, not focused on for the past few years, is again a great example of his logic. We obviously can't just leave Iraq because of Bush's stupidity, so we must stay in there until the people of Iraq unite and resolve the problems caused by Bush. Lets just hope these extra troops can also resolve the war in Afghanistan.

i feel that the decision is not good on the military point of view but taking the account of the afghanistan it is essential to send the troop keeping in mind the atmosphere that is being existing in that country...and who know this may be an another political move to pressurize pakistan for stop feeding the terrorism

we have got enough men and women over there. Im sure who ever is over there can handle the job just fine. no need to waste more money and risk the lives of 34,000 more troops.

As I understand it, this info is a "leak" that the White House is angry about and there's no confirmation of it. I don't know if this is what Obama will announce next week or not. I do know he has said that we might not like what he's going to tell us but once we all know what his reasoning is, we'll all get on board. Of course, he keeps telling us that about health care reform - you only think you don't like this plan, just wait, you're gonna love it! I can't guess if this is accurate info or not. I am not a expert in the administration or fighting of wars and I suspect Obama isn't either. That's why I think he should do something in line with the advice given him by those who are experts, the ones he appointed advise him - like McChrystal. I think the exasperation with his decision-making regarding Afghanistan has been the time elapsed, as you said, it has been months.

I think you have not heard much on it because everyone is holding their breath to see if the "war tax" talk to going to happen. Some members of congress are asking for one to pay for the war. It is scaring the heck out of alot of people. And I don't blame them. It seems a new tax is brought up every other day. Now as the Obama's decision....I say if the generals are saying they need the extra troops....give it to them. They are the ones on the ground. They know what is going on. What the trooops need and how to win. Obama does not have military experience so he needs to rely on his military advicers and the generals in charge who do have the training, knowledge and experience to get the job done. The last thing I want is for our men and women already there to not get the support and supplies they need to do the job. That costs more lives.

If you want to give Taliban a chance to rise again then don't send more troops.

I heard about that issue in your country. But i don't think sending more troops is enough to stabilize the rouge country of Afghanistan. I don't see any win win solution for Afghanistan unless they are concentrate on local officials that will muddle the situation there because instead of providing good services to their constituent they corrupt the money that will help the people their to start a new living. Since, people there will not have enough foods and education Taliban forces will increasingly and violently because they provide money to the citizens that have no idea on where to find a living... US military should not be there for combatant but for providing aids to those needy and avoid killing more innocent civilian for not increasing their enemy...

That came to me as a shock as well, but somehow it seems as if he is still following the policies of the previous govenment. I thought he will be one who after Iraq will be calling back the troops from Afghanistan as well. But I think now it will take more time then ususal and of course American have to suffer