Petraeus Opposes a Rapid Pullout in Afghanistan

[Jeffersons Ghost]

Petraeus Opposes a Rapid Pullout in Afghanistan
By DEXTER FILKINS
Published: August 15, 2010

KABUL, Afghanistan — Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of American and NATO forces, began a campaign on Sunday to convince an increasingly skeptical public that the American-led coalition can still succeed here despite months of setbacks, saying he had not come to Afghanistan to preside over a “graceful exit.”

In an hourlong interview with The New York Times, the general argued against any precipitous withdrawal of forces in July 2011, the date set by President Obama to begin at least a gradual reduction of the 100,000 troops on the ground. General Petraeus said that it was only in the last few weeks that the war plan had been fine-tuned and given the resources that it required. “For the first time,” he said, “we will have what we have been working to put in place for the last year and a half.”

In another in a series of interviews, on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” General Petraeus even appeared to leave open the possibility that he would recommend against any withdrawal of American forces next summer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/16/world/asia/16petraeus.html?_r=1&ref=global-home

[sendero]

1. Yes..

... he sees "green shoots" in Afghanistan. After 8 freaking years we have "pockets of improvement". In another 80 maybe we'll have something more.

These generals would rather see thousands more of our troops die for nothing than admit there is no way to accomplish what they claim they can accomplish.

[flyarm]

2. Let's see Under Bush he was Betrayus..what is he now????????

Hypocrisy is so amazing.

33,000 troops in Afghan under Bush
now??

100,000!

with no end in sight!

[mmonk]

3. A professional warrior only sees what a professional warrior

wants to see (Generals is who I mean).

[unhappycamper]

4. That "increasingly skeptical public" is finally undestanding the cost of war.

Teacher's salaries, firemen's salaries, aid to cities and towns, jobs and homes are just a few things that come to mind.

Between the Wall Street casino and the military industrial complex, our economy is being plundered even as you read this.

Notice I didn't say a damn thing about the five thousand six hundred forty two American soldiers killed in the sandbox. Nor did I say a damn thing about the medical care that will be required to take care of our wounded. Nor did I say a damn thing about the military families ripped apart, the upcoming wave of veterans with PTSD, TBI and depleted uranium poisoning.

[USA_1]

5. "Rapid" Pullout After 9 Years

... typical reichwing idiocy. The military industrial complex has its cronies in power just to spread idiotic ideas of those like Betrayus. He should go on trial for treason.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

6. nine expensive years

[Barack2theFuture]

7. Gee! I'm shocked!

He'd be happy if we went to war with the whole planet.