Just So Ya’ Know…
This is a political post.
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Afghanistan is a mess.
It has been a mess for a long time.
But right now, media (both Conservative and Liberal) are bashing Biden on the head. As if it is all his fault.
Do not buy into this bullshit.
.
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I totally agree. Thanks, Ross.
Thank you, Karen.
A month ago Trump said: “I started the process, all the troops are coming home, they (Biden) couldn’t stop the process. 21 years is enough. They (Biden) couldn’t stop the process, they (Biden) wanted to but couldn’t stop the process.”
Trump also froze the Biden transition team out of Pentagon briefings on Afghanistan. So, almost three critical months lost which could have mitigated things.
And Trump did this:
“One year ago, Trump released 5,000 Taliban fighters in exchange for a cease-fire to help his flailing presidential campaign, despite strenuous objections from both the Pentagon and the Afghan government. President Ashraf Ghani warned that their release would be a “danger to the world.””
But, yea, it’s all Biden’s fault.
I think Biden is doing a terrific job, considering what he inherited. Not only does he have to get up to speed on current problems, make decisions, listen to advisors, but undo all the hundreds of idiotic ideas that Trump put into effect. Which reminds me, shouldn’t Trump be in prison by now?
Agreed, Cindy. I think the Biden administration is doing a great job.
It’s SOOOOOOOOOO refreshing having intelligent, decent, and qualified people back in charge again.
It is nice to not be completely embarrassed by POTUS. The mess, the clean up from the criminal Cheeto, will last past Biden Administration. Glad that a person with a heart and care for humans is in office.
Agree with others, why is the Cheeto not in jail, I hope by the time covid clears he is broke and in jail.
The people who refer to the situation in Kabul as Biden’s “Saigon moment” are ignoring the fact that Afghan forces were expected to be able to slow the Taliban forces’ advance to give Kabul at least another week or so for the transfer of power–even if it couldn’t hold out to the end of the month. As it turns out, the Taliban prefers a military victory to a settlement and peaceful transfer of power, and the Afghan forces are not up to the task at hand. (Of course, it’s their country, and I don’t question their qualifications or actions, as their decisions and motivations regarding the disposition of their country are their own. I don’t want the United States to become a backward theocracy myself, but I’m not sure that I would kill or die to prevent it.)
President Biden was dealt a hand that probably should never have been dealt, and which should have been folded long ago.
Grey Davis inherited a mess from Pete Wilson but he got blamed for it and was recalled.
Biden will get the blame because that is what some people do. Doesn’t matter who is at fault.
We know it’s all political and it is the very people that created this mess that are now blaming Biden.
I voted for Biden although he was almost the last candidate on the list I wanted. Kamala Harris was last. I ignored Tulsi and the New Age chick.
But basically anyone but Trump. Because anyone, even the Moon Unit sage sniffing chakra loonie would have done a better job than Trump. Any high school student could.
I’m just waiting for the money laundering in Scotland to be exposed. I just hope it is admissible in the state of New York.
I agree. Didn’t we train their military to take over? Seems few shots were fired and the president left the country. I don’t think Biden could have done anything but what he did. How many Americans have to die or be maimed to protect another country – after more than 20 years? Biden’s got more on his plate than I think any other president, and his calm demeanor is what we need. (If only Trump and his minions would go away) 🙂
I totally agree with the withdrawal. If anything it should have occurred long ago. But the method leaves a lot to be desired. In war you plan for contingencies. Whether we expected the country to fall quickly or not, the fate of our allies there should have been addressed before the withdrawal. The fact that we did not is a critical failure that will result in many of the people who helped us to be tortured and killed. That will likely come back to haunt us down the road when we need help again but are refused as a result of this debacle. There is no way that this is not going to be a stain on Biden’s legacy and beneficial to the Republicans.
Makes no difference what the previous administration did or did not do. Once Biden took office, all the responsibilities fall upon him. That is the simple fact. Trying to say something is not his fault completely ignores Harry Truman’s “The Buck Stops Here” acknowledgement of presidential responsibility. Once you are the Commander-in-Chief, the buck stops there.
John Blick is totally right. This withdrawal was poorly planned (if planned at all) and isn’t being well executed. All the civilians and Afghani assistants should have been pulled out in stages over the last few weeks, rather than what we are seeing today. From a strategic perspective, it looks very much to me like the State Department indulged in its standard decades old fantasyland concept that everything will be just fine as long as we keep talking to (fill in the blank). It appears no one in State is old enough to have lived through some of our previous bug-outs/NEO evacuations, and certainly did not learn from history.
There will be Afghans left behind who should have been rescued. That is a stain on the US’ reputation that will not be erased anytime soon.
I can only hope that people will finally give up on this nonsensical nation building concept that only worked immediately after WWII in modern nation states and hasn’t worked since. Afghanistan will pull itself out of the 7th century only when it decides to — no outsiders can have any effect. If any educated/forward thinking Afghans survive the Taliban, maybe, just maybe, they can influence the nation’s future.
Dear Arkay ,
You wrote: “Trying to say something is not his fault…”
But, that is not something I stated.
I stated: “But right now, media (both Conservative and Liberal) are bashing Biden on the head. As if it is all his fault.”
‘All’ being the operative word.
Biden inherited a mess. A mess George W created. A mess sustained by Obama. A mess made vastly messier by Trump.
But, sure, make it all Biden’s fault.
My opinion of Biden significantly rose this last week. He made an impossible decision in a lose-lose situation. Harry Truman did something similar when he desegregated the military which was WILDLY unpopular. But, he felt it was the right thing to do.
You also wrote: “There will be Afghans left behind who should have been rescued.”
Again, sure, make it all Biden’s fault. While absolving Afghans of responsibility to assure their own safety. When Trump arranged, A YEAR AGO, for the release of 5,000 Taliban fighters and leaders, the writing was on the wall: GET OUT! The writing was then hugely magnified by the massive reduction in troops under Trump. The writing was SCREAMING when Trump announced that ALL American troops would be gone by May 1, 2021.
In short, vulnerable Afghans had a large window of time to leave the country. How many did?
Biden actually created a larger window by extending the troop withdrawal to September, 2021.
And what of Afghans who did try and get out?
The European Union turned them away.
But, sure, Blame it all on Biden.
Trump also refused entry.
But, sure, Blame it all on Biden.
Canada has been slow-walking how to take in Afghan translators and other workers.
But, sure, blame it all on Biden.
In short, during the last five years, no country has stepped up to help 50,000 to 500,000 Afghan refugees.
But, sure, blame it all on Biden. Sure, Biden, alone, should somehow have had a magic wand to fix the problem.
During the last fews days I’ve talked with two vets who served in Afghanistan. Each supports what Biden did. “We needed to get out, and there was no way to do it well.”
All that said, I believe America has a responsibility to take in any Afghan seeking sanctuary. And we need to super-streamline the process. And we need a magic wand.
Yeeessss Ross!!👏👏👏
My husband served in the Military and spent time in combat zones. 100% agree.
No matter how we leave, it will not be perfect. That doesn’t exist in this situation.
This is a result of years and years not of 8 months of Biden being in office.
The Right (and many of the Left and a whole lot of us Independents) are not blaming Biden for the failure of the entire Afghanistan operation. They/We are blaming him for not having a smooth, well-planned operation for getting the American citizens and those Afghanis who aided us out of the country BEFORE the last American troops left the country.
President Trump began the draw-down of American troops from Afghanistan months ago, and more than 20,000 troops were removed while he was president. He and his team had made plans for evacuating all the remaining troops AFTER the American citizens, our embassy, and our Afghani aides had been evacuated. These last 2,500 or so troops were there to prevent the Taliban from doing what they are doing now — taking over the country and preventing a safe and orderly exit for all the people who need to get out.
President Biden refused to use Trump’s exit strategy. He also refused to take the advice of his military and diplomatic advisors and rushed the troop removal in order to have the American military out of Afghanistan by 9/11 (as if that wasn’t a bad PR idea). He also made this decision without consulting with any of our allies, forcing them to scramble to get their citizens, diplomats, and Afghani aides out faster than they had planned (if they had a plan).
Meanwhile, social media allowed the Taliban to coordinate its operations via their platforms, thus ensuring what could happen is exactly what is happening.
There was a way to get us out of Afghanistan in a far more efficient and safe manner. President Biden chose to not follow that plan. So, yes, the ongoing disaster does lie upon his and his administration’s heads.
I will say, however, that the State Department and ICE have been the ultimate sleezeballs through multiple administrations, in failing to efficiently and speedily process Afghani visas. That large window of which you speak was actively hindered by State/ICE refusal to act promptly. It should not have taken 2-4 years to process an Afghani interpreter’s visa, and yet it happened again and again and again. Having had to deal with them before I retired, and watching them through three more administrations since, I utterly despise their willingness to let true allies who deserve to come to the US die, in favor of anyone who decides to come here illegally over our southern border.
And I say again, President Biden is the Commander-in-Chief and head of foreign relations. The top dog is always where the buck stops — when one accepts that the top dog has responsibilities. Trying to shift responsibility to a previous administration or to subordinates simply does not fly. He signs off on the action (or not), so it remains his responsibility as head of state.
Hello again, Arkay!
In short, you are asserting:
1) Trump plan good!
2) Biden plan bad!
However….nothing I ever saw unfold under Trump was good! He and his administration were the poster child for evil and incompetence.
You also appear to ignore the elephant in the living room: Trump negotiated with the Taliban rather than the Afghans. Can’t you see that this had disaster written all over it?
You state that Biden: “refused to take the advice of his military and diplomatic advisors…”
Your proof of this?
Also, a phalanx of military and diplomatic advisors, for two decades, gave BAD advice about Afghanistan. Just as they did about Vietnam. Just as they did about Korea. So…is their advice of any value?
You state that Biden “rushed the troop removal in order to have the American military out of Afghanistan by 9/11.”
The Trump deal was that all troops would be out by May 1. Biden DELAYED this till 9/11. You do understand that RUSH and DELAY are opposite things, right?
You state: “He also made this decision without consulting with any of our allies…”
You proof of this?
The whole world knew were were getting out for a year now.
You state: “There was a way to get us out of Afghanistan in a far more efficient and safe manner.”
That is your opinion. Which is fine. But you present it as a fact.
Me? I defer to the opinion of the two military vets I quoted above, who stated: “We needed to get out, and there was no way to do it well.”
NOTE: I hope you note that Biden had adjusted his plans as events have unfolded. To me, this is a hallmark of a good commander.
No, I’m saying Trump plan semi-okay, Biden plan non-existent. It’s not about the administration — it’s about the plan or lack thereof. Having been one of those plans writers, I can tell a good plan from a bad one (or a non-existent one). Says nothing whatever about the president — just says a plan was workable versus clusterfrack.
Your two military vets correctly stated the situation. What they do not say is that the plan the previous administration had was the least bad way out. But this administration tossed it out the window, in favor of negotiating with the Taliban. Yes, both admins negotiated with the Taliban, much to my disgust. And we can all see what value any negotiation with the Taliban gains…
You keep asking for proof. Do you never read anything from international news or non-left oriented media? I do. It’s amazing what one can find out there. Granted, as a retiree, I also have links into current DoD folks, among other feds, so I do get a bit more that’s not general public knowledge. Between those sources and my own background and analysis, I came to those conclusions.
By the way, General Milley and SecDef were on the news, admitting that their advice was not taken, then trying to claim intelligence didn’t support the idea that the Taliban could take over so quickly. Intel folks say otherwise, and so does the timeline of Taliban incursions throughout Afghanistan. Come to think of it, if President Biden did listen to them, he was ill-served, indeed.
The Trump deal, had Biden continued to execute it, would have moved all US citizens out by May 1. Thanks to State’s continuing failure to get consular officials there in sufficient numbers to process the Afghanis’ visas, I do not believe they would have been clear by May 1. But you need to keep in mind that Biden rejected the Trump plan. In turn, he did nothing until a few weeks ago, so of course he had to move the “out by” date.
Having served under some truly outstanding and some truly horrid commanders, I can say with confidence that President Biden is nothing remotely resembling a good commander.
I’ll stop now, since we’re not going to agree on this subject. We should just go back to drooling over your lovely Cross House, on which we totally agree.
Hi again, Arkay!
You wrote: “Biden plan non-existent.”
That is an opinion rather than fact. And the facts refute your opinion.
You state that the Biden “administration tossed [the Trump plan] out the window, in favor of negotiating with the Taliban.”
Ahhh, it is Trump who negotiated with the Taliban, creating the We Are Leaving Plan. All Biden did was extend the withdrawal deadline.
Yes, I asked for proof as to your assertion that Biden ignored all advice. You didn’t provide any.
You state: “The Trump deal, had Biden continued to execute it, would have moved all US citizens out by May 1.”
No, the Trump deal was that all US troops would be out by May 1. Also, Biden has executed the Trump deal. He only extended the departure deadline.
You state: “But you need to keep in mind that Biden rejected the Trump plan. In turn, he did nothing until a few weeks ago…”
Sigh. Again, Biden did not reject the Trump plan. And Biden has been working on the issue since taking office. Your claim that Biden has done “nothing” until recently reveals your deep anti-Biden bias.
Here’s a good timeline:
https://www.factcheck.org/2021/08/timeline-of-u-s-withdrawal-from-afghanistan/
You state: “I can say with confidence that President Biden is nothing remotely resembling a good commander.”
That is your opinion, which reflects your obvious anti-Biden bias.
My opinion is the opposite. And the two vets I’ve talked with concur with my opinion.
Been reading the back and forth. I also heard today that the Afghan gov asked the US not to have a mass exodus of their people and our troops very early as it would look bad for their government. I feel anything Biden does will not be seen as good enough – he is just trying to handle a bad situation. I think our intelligence people need to evaluate their work: from the attack on Jan 6,
the russian computer hackers, Afghan and taliban situation. Aren’t we supposed to have the best info gathering people/tools? No win situation :/
I agree and stand by President Biden and by Ross. Getting into a war is easy. Getting out is never easy or neat.
I am concerned and hopeful for the Afghans and our administration.
Thank you, Karen!
Ross I respect and love when you say so well what I want to. Good, accurate and true statements all around.
Thank you, Linda! It’s comments such as yours which inspire me to create post like this one.