Obama’s delay in Afghanistan kills Americans.

During the Presidential campaign, Sen. Obama lambasted the Bush Administration and painted McCain as Bush 2.0 in regards to the war in Iraq. Part of the disdain was due to a lack of an exit plan in Iraq by the Bush administration. Prior to leaving office President Bush did set an 18-month timetable that was acceptable by both the Generals on the ground and the new Iraqi government. President Obama is keeping the plan intact rather than following up with his campaign promise to get combat troops out of Iraq by the end of his first year. In addition to his promise to draw down troops was the switch in focus on the "War on terror". That switch in focus was to take place in Afghanistan.

America enters the final week of October without a clear plan of action for Afghanistan. One of the concerns many had with Sen. Obama was his lack of foreign policy experience. President Obama has met with Gen. McChrystal only twice who has asked for an additional 40,000 troops. During a speech given to troops in Jacksonville, Fla., the president said, "I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is necessary, we will back you up to the hilt." While the president crafts a strategy we continue to see more and more troops being killed. According to icasualties.org 267 U.S. troops have been killed thus far this year compared to 155 being killed all of last year in Afghanistan.

It has been nearly 10 months since Obama has taken office. Granted some data and situations have changed on the ground but in the grand scheme of things little has changed. It appears that an increase in troops may part of the answer with Sen. Kerry (D-Mass.) stating that he'd "support a decision by President Obama to 'send some additional troops' provided improvements are made in Afghan troop training and government, and civilian aid efforts are increased" (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-obama-afghan27-2009oct27,0,7820767.story). Yet, Sen. Kerry believes that 20,000 troops would be enough and not the 40,000 that Gen. McChrystal is looking for.

Perhaps a bold move in Afghanistan is required in light of the resignation of United State Senior Civilian Representative Matthew Hoh. Hoh said his decision was not because of any political ideology; rather on the current and potential strategies. Hoh said, "I'm not some peacenik, pot-smoking hippie who wants everyone to be in love. I have doubts and reservations about our current strategy and planned future strategy, but my resignation is based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end" (http://www.examiner.com/x-4454-Chicago-Geopolitics-Examiner~y2009m10d28-US-diplomat-resigns-over-Afghan-war-and-puts-Obama-on-hot-seat). Mr. Hoh raises a great question in regards to our involvement in a war that has raged for over 8 years; is U.S. presence really having the desired effects.

"I have observed that the bulk of the insurgency fights not for the white banner of the Taliban, but rather against the presence of foreign soldiers and taxes imposed by an unrepresentative government in Kabul," stated Hoh. There is a run-off election going on in Afghanistan because objections were raised over the previous election results. The bumper crop in Afghanistan is opium. According to the United Nations, the market for "Afghan opium, heroin or morphine is about $65 billion per year" (http://blogs.kansascity.com/crime_scene/2009/10/opium-afghanistans-other-big-problem.html). These funds create a cash cow for the drug lords and terror networks in Afghanistan. It also employees the peasants, the very peasants that NATO is claiming to "liberate". Now why would these peasants want to be liberated if that means their job will go away as well?

President Obama has been given the opportunity to make a drastic change in the drug war and the war on terror. Especially in light of a report that is linking Ahmed Wali Karzai, the brother of Afghan President, to the opium trade and the Central Intelligence Agency payroll. For decades Americans have seen taxpayer dollars being poured down the abyss known as the war on drugs. It is time for a drastic change. The plan is twofold.

First, President Obama needs to stand up and establish a plan – today – that will remove troop presence in Afghanistan within the next six months. Some will argue that pulling out of Afghanistan will only increase the fervor of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda as it will be the second "Super Power" they have defeated. Allow them to think this as part two of the plan will greatly decrease their cash cow to fund their recruitment, training, and funding in carrying out attacks on Western targets.

Second, legalize illegal drugs. It is time for Americans to accept that drug use exists and to concede the war on drugs. The legalization of the drug market will have many benefits to American society. The benefits are:

1. Remove a cash cow from terror networks, street gangs and drug cartels.
   
2. Regulate the purity to reduce the risk of "hot" doses.
   
3. A revenue strain for the government through taxation along the lines of alcohol and tobacco.
   
4. Increase treatment of illicit drug users by removing the stigma.
   
5. Reduce prison populations thus saving taxpayer's money.
   

I understand that this is not a popular decision but neither is watching billions of dollars being wasted on the drug war. President Obama needs to act now on Afghanistan before more of our troops die needlessly. We need change we can believe in. Why not remove the troops while legalizing illicit drugs?

Afghan pullout will boost morale of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban

For the past few decades United States military actions around the globe have been seen as imperialistic. During that same time frame, I wondered why it is our role as Americans to defend those in the world from tyranny. We have assisted, overtly and covertly, countries to stay off an aggressor or overthrow a dictator. Now we fight an enemy that holds no allegiance but to a book of words. With no country to affiliate Al-Qaeda or the Taliban with it makes engaging them difficult as well as a legal nightmare at home. President Obama promised to close Gitmo by year end and looks to be inching closer to accomplishing that. While the focus has shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan, Gen. McChrystal, U.S. Commander in the region, has hit a road block with the Obama Administration. In fact, Gen. McChrystal has limited, only two meetings, with the president on the issue of Afghanistan.

Gen. McChrystal seeks additional troops in the region to take the fight to the Taliban. In an unprecedented move General Sir David Richards, head of the British Army, said, "If Al-Qaeda and the Taliban believe they have defeated us – what next? Would they stop at Afghanistan? Pakistan is clearly a tempting target not least because of the fact that it is a nuclear-weaponed state and that is a terrifying prospect. Even if only a few of those weapons fell into their hands, believe me they would use them. The recent airlines plot has reminded us that there are people out there who would happily blow all of us up" (Telegraph.uk.com). Gen. Richards added, "Failure would have a catalytic effect on militant Islam around the world and in the region because the message would be that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have defeated the US and the British and NATO, the most powerful alliance in the world. So why wouldn't that have an intoxication effect on militants everywhere? The geo-strategic implications would be immense."

Gen. McChrystal has asked President Obama for 30,000 to 40,000 additional troops. Yet, President Obama wants to take a "wait and see" approach to Afghanistan. I recall back when the first Gulf War took place and troops were sent without the proper gear and armor. Why if the General on the ground is asking for more troops does the president balk at the idea? Vice President Biden has stated that NATO should reduce troop numbers and concentrate on a counter-terrorist approach of using Special Forces; an approach the Gen. Richards believes will be a failure. In listening the Gen. Richards words and reading his interview it is the first time in recent memory that another NATO member has voiced concern of this magnitude.

Imagine if NATO fails in Afghanistan. Imagine the ego boast it will give, as Gen. Richards points out, to the militant Islam nation. Not only have they defeated NATO but not too long ago they embarrassed, with the help of anti-aircraft missiles from the United States, Russia. With Russia, US, Britain, and NATO all groups the Taliban have conquered in their region, can you imagine the reaction and recruitment abilities of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban? The recruitment and Western hatred will multiply more than any transgressions the CIA may have undertaken with water boarding or other torture methods.

In the mean time our Commander-in-Chief Obama will use this week to determine what is the best approach with two meetings with his war council. The one thing I cannot understand is why Gen. McChrystal is not part of the war council. While we wait, 8 more Americans died yesterday when Taliban insurgents attacked a lightly manned outpost near the border of Pakistan. According to an article in L.A. Times, 8 Americans die in fierce Afghan battle, the two outposts attacked had "recently received word that they soon would be pulling out" to defend higher populated areas.

President Obama is in a difficult situation as the Democrat base is pushing for a complete withdrawal of the Afghanistan while Gen. McChrystal, and others, are pushing for more troops and resources to finish the battle. The Afghan War is now Obama's War. During the Presidential campaign, Sen. Obama said he'd pull out of Iraq and bring home the troops while taking the fight to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Many missed this impossibility and recognizing the shell game Sen. Obama was playing. A recent CBS/New York Times poll said that 47% of the people approved of the War in Afghanistan while 42% oppose it.

The poll also revealed that 55% of Democrats oppose the war. As President Obama continues his push for Health Care reform it will be intriguing to see where he puts his political capital. No matter which course President Obama decides on, I hope it is done quickly so events like yesterday do not continue. Leaving our troops in undermanned outpost is suicidal and their blood is on Obama's hands.