Four Elephants in the Afghan Room.

[Colpy]

It'a a rifle! And the kids are running around with them, probably going to kill an American!! I will say, they probably found them lying around and they were just playing Cops and Robbers!!;-)

Thank you, Colpy, for the explanation.

In Afghanistan, it is traditional that upon the BIRTH of a male child, the father begins to shop for a rifle for him.....I've seen pics of kids a whole lot younger than 12 hauling around guns in tribal villages......why do you think nobody has successfully conquered them?

Initially they took on the Soviet Army with bolt action Lee-Enfield .303 British rifles..........made in huts in the hills by native gun makers, without electricity, amazing copies of the standard British (and Canadian) infantry rifle of WW II.

They used to trade captured full auto AKs for .303 ammo, as the AK's lacked range.......and they prefered the Lee-Enfield......

 

[Chriskander]

Thanks, Dancing Loon, glad you had the article at your fingertips. Some dissension from the blinkered right, but unfortunately little room for debate. That requires cogent argument and evidence.

Interesting that Philip Roth, interviewed by Der Spiegel this week, gave his opinion that Bush has been the most incompetent US president ever. It seems that the worst contribution of his presidency has been the legitimizing of lies, and the propagandization of a whole country. It’s taken seven years so far to lift the blinkers from American’s eyes – somewhat – but there will always be a frightened fringe who are not intellectually capable of examining their mental states or preconceptions.

It’s a pity that most of us will be dead before the solid scholarship of history is able to pronounce a verdict on these arguments, but at least some of us can use the knowledge of history we have lived through to give substance to our opinions. There is, however, a test that can be applied today – just ask one’s disputant if they have ever changed their mind when confronted by new information.

 

[Chriskander]

Oh, and the definition of a satrapy: the territory ruled by a subordinate governor. Something like the way the Israeli oil interests operate the Kurds.

 

[mbryant26]

Hi, Mike, glad to hear you got safely out of there. But why did you have to go to war at all? Isn't the American Armee made up of volunteers... there's no have to, yet, is there? In Canada, the boys also go voluntarily into the military.
I read somewhere the troops will leave next year... all of them apparently.

I know the meaning of IED, but what is an ak?

When you say you did your tours, how long were you there? I thought, the Soldiers have to continue until the war is over.

Thanks for your answers, Mike;-)

Hey dancing-loon, Colby explained the Ak greatly. In the u.s. when you sign up for the military you automatically give them 2-4 years of your life. If they tell you to go to war and you dont, you could end up in prison. I havent heard anything about all of them leaving next year. Most of them might, but it would be crazy to pull all of them out.
I was there for 2 tours, 8 months apeice. They give you time, you usually stay a year, then come home for a month or two, then go back. The military rotates you out like shifts at work.

Thanks for your questions. Ill be happy to explain anything else, or my current job with the u.s. government.

 

[dancing-loon]

In Afghanistan, it is traditional that upon the BIRTH of a male child, the father begins to shop for a rifle for him.....I've seen pics of kids a whole lot younger than 12 hauling around guns in tribal villages......why do you think nobody has successfully conquered them?

Initially they took on the Soviet Army with bolt action Lee-Enfield .303 British rifles..........made in huts in the hills by native gun makers, without electricity, amazing copies of the standard British (and Canadian) infantry rifle of WW II.

They used to trade captured full auto AKs for .303 ammo, as the AK's lacked range.......and they prefered the Lee-Enfield......

Colpy.... you are a sweetheart! Now I'm really educated about rifles!!! Actually, I'm not that dumb-- I just remember!!:idea: I did shoot a rifle at a country fair some years ago and hit the target!!! But I don't think I won anything!:lol:
Thanks again, Colpy!

 

[dancing-loon]

Thanks, Dancing Loon, glad you had the article at your fingertips. Some dissension from the blinkered right, but unfortunately little room for debate. That requires cogent argument and evidence.

Interesting that Philip Roth, interviewed by Der Spiegel this week, gave his opinion that Bush has been the most incompetent US president ever. It seems that the worst contribution of his presidency has been the legitimizing of lies, and the propagandization of a whole country. It’s taken seven years so far to lift the blinkers from American’s eyes – somewhat – but there will always be a frightened fringe who are not intellectually capable of examining their mental states or preconceptions.

It’s a pity that most of us will be dead before the solid scholarship of history is able to pronounce a verdict on these arguments, but at least some of us can use the knowledge of history we have lived through to give substance to our opinions. There is, however, a test that can be applied today – just ask one’s disputant if they have ever changed their mind when confronted by new information.

Hi, Chris;
Bush' legacy is especially remarkable in that he has been able to stay in office this long despite it all! Of course, what we outsiders find detrimental, looks like good tactics to the average American. They do need the oil!

We could be dead? Yes, for sure. Just look how long it has taken to write the "correct" history of the Hitler Period? And there is still more coming... I'm waiting for the day when the historians will state that he wasn't as bad as.. soandso!!

In your case I can believe there is substance to your opinions! In my case I still have to work on the substance part... opinions I have plenty!

Nice to have you back!:smile:

 

[dancing-loon]

Oh, and the definition of a satrapy: the territory ruled by a subordinate governor. Something like the way the Israeli oil interests operate the Kurds.

What was that? Israelis - oil - Kurds? Are you testing me to see if I'm all there??
The Kurds are in Northern Iraq - Israel lies far south.
Here, check the map:
http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~globalstudies/blog/uploaded_images/map-middle-east-735329.gif

You are right!! I just googled and found out, the Kurds do have oil!
http://thomko.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/29/iraq-kurds-have-their-own-oil-contracts.html

Thanks for explaining the satrapy so nicely. Data had a good explanation, too.

Good Night!

 

[talloola]

It seems to me that there is a lot missing from the present
The George Bush administration did not start the overthrow of the then legitimate regime in Afghanistan in order to improve the country and the lives of its citizens. It seems to my memory that it was purely a reflexive reaction to the 9/11 attack. The motive was almost entirely one of revenge. A secondary motive apparent at the time was the exercise of pure muscle – ‘allow something we don’t like and we’ll swat you down!’

I'm certainly not a fan of Bush, the exact opposite, but the fact is that, the swatting
down was done by Osama Bin Laden, who was being protected by the taliban, who were
in Afghanistan doing a good job of stealing the country from the afghan people.

The swatting down was done to 3000 people who were going about their business, innocent to the plans under way to murder them, let's not forget that, irrespective
of the rest of your story. That is 'in respect' of those people who died that day.

It isn't a revenge attack for something 'they' just didn't like, that is insulting to the dead.

The taliban had a chance to turn over Bin Laden, they chose not to do that, but if they had of made a better
choice, there would have been 'no' attack.

 

[dancing-loon]

Hey dancing-loon, Colby explained the Ak greatly. In the u.s. when you sign up for the military you automatically give them 2-4 years of your life. If they tell you to go to war and you dont, you could end up in prison. I havent heard anything about all of them leaving next year. Most of them might, but it would be crazy to pull all of them out.
I was there for 2 tours, 8 months apeice. They give you time, you usually stay a year, then come home for a month or two, then go back. The military rotates you out like shifts at work.

Thanks for your questions. Ill be happy to explain anything else, or my current job with the u.s. government.

You are not restricted to talk about your war experiences? I guess you weren't doing classified or secret stuff.
Yes, some day I would like to hear more, especially about the war. I value your contributions to our discussions. It makes a big difference to listen to someone who has actually been there, right in the middle of it.
A hug for the brave little soldier!:smile:

 

[mbryant26]

You are not restricted to talk about your war experiences? I guess you weren't doing classified or secret stuff.
Yes, some day I would like to hear more, especially about the war. I value your contributions to our discussions. It makes a big difference to listen to someone who has actually been there, right in the middle of it.
A hug for the brave little soldier!:smile:

No problem, I would love to discuss it with you. I'm not restricted to tell you or anyone about the war. Thank You for the hug. Just anytime you want to talk, email me. Talk to you later/

 

[MikeyDB]

How is it any more Canada's responsibility to fight the Taliban than it is for instance Pakistan's? No one seems to make much noise regarding the fact that the Pakistani government with support from the United States are far more responsible for the rise of the Taliban than any Canadian or anyone else for that matter, and where is the support for quashing this renegade rabble from within Pakistan? The U.S. supports Pakistan who then feeds money materiel and men to the Taliban...how does this make any sense?

 

[data]

American logic

What the hell does "Ever heared from an American logic?" mean, exactly?

With American logic I mean something, like Pope's logic: "Anything We say, is absolute truth. Arguments are futile."
Look, how Japanese democrats think about: http://www.911video.de/ex/jap111.htm

 

[CDNBear]

The U.S. supports Pakistan who then feeds money materiel and men to the Taliban...how does this make any sense?

It doesn't.

 

[dancing-loon]

How is it any more Canada's responsibility to fight the Taliban than it is for instance Pakistan's? No one seems to make much noise regarding the fact that the Pakistani government with support from the United States are far more responsible for the rise of the Taliban than any Canadian or anyone else for that matter, and where is the support for quashing this renegade rabble from within Pakistan? The U.S. supports Pakistan who then feeds money materiel and men to the Taliban...how does this make any sense?

Hi, Mikey;
your pondering mind came up with a very good question! I, too, would like to know why the NATO countries get whipped by the US and not Pakistan?
Remember, there was earlier the question, WHY did Musharaff resolutely deny the coalition forces the permission to cross over the border and get at the hide-outs and training camps of the Taliban? It was our opposition leader Dion who suggested that move.

How do you rate the alliance between US and Pakistan? Do you think it is still good?

 

[data]

How do you rate the alliance between US and Pakistan? Do you think it is still good?

US pay Pakistan, delivered their A-Bomb and protect their thorn function in the region (satrap).

What the hell does "Ever heared from an American logic?" mean, exactly?

With American logic I mean something, like Pope's logic: "Anything We say, is absolute truth. Arguments are futile."
Look, how Japanese democrats think about: http://www.911video.de/ex/jap111.htm
In Germany that looks like: 8O
http://bb.focus.de/focus/t=Zensur+9+11+Rede+des+jap+Abgeordneten+Yukihisa+Fujita-96942

 

[dancing-loon]

Quoting dancing-loon How do you rate the alliance between US and Pakistan? Do you think it is still good?

US pay Pakistan, delivered their A-Bomb and protect their thorn function in the region (satrap).

So, the alliance and relationship is good!! I was a little worried around the time of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

 

[dancing-loon]

data
Look, how Japanese democrats think about: http://www.911video.de/ex/jap111.htm
In Germany that looks like: :shock:
http://bb.focus.de/focus/t=Zensur+9+...F ujita-96942

Data, that is just about a bombshell!!
That Japanese minister is very precise and persistent with his questions, and already just by his questions one gets the eerie feeling something is not right with 9/11 and the "war on terror"!!

I suppose this video about the Japanese parliamentary session has not been "edited" for the Western audiences. Asking Google, I got this link:
http://www.infowars.com/?p=92
and this link:
http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=215453&Disp=4

 

[mbryant26]

Hi, Mikey;
your pondering mind came up with a very good question! I, too, would like to know why the NATO countries get whipped by the US and not Pakistan?
Remember, there was earlier the question, WHY did Musharaff resolutely deny the coalition forces the permission to cross over the border and get at the hide-outs and training camps of the Taliban? It was our opposition leader Dion who suggested that move.

How do you rate the alliance between US and Pakistan? Do you think it is still good?

U.S. and pakistans alliance is fishy. Some days its good, but If Iran or another middle eastern country talks to pakistan and demands them to do something else then they do it. All that crap that happened before, with pakistans president and him wearing his uniform, was all caused by Iran talking to them. Iran has gotten very influentional over the last year.

 

[dancing-loon]

Look, how Japanese democrats think about: http://www.911video.de/ex/jap111.htm
In Germany that looks like: 8O
http://bb.focus.de/focus/t=Zensur+9+11+Rede+des+jap+Abgeordneten+Yukihisa+Fujita-96942

Hi, data; I just noticed your bb.focus thread no longer exists!!! Not only did the focus administration remove the thread with the Jap. videos, but now also the poster's inquiry, why it was removed and where it went. Strange indeed!.
I've got to go there and check it out, perhaps a separate explanation was given!!

I'm disappointed nobody here at CC has commented on the Japanese videos! Well, it is possible most people don't have high speed internet, and without that it sucks.... sitting there waiting to finish loading. Too bad, so sad!

Look, what I found this morning:
US charges six suspects over 9/11

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003

The Pentagon has announced charges against six Guantanamo Bay prisoners over their alleged involvement in the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US.

Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the six, who include alleged plot mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The charges, the first for Guantanamo inmates directly related to 9/11, are expected to be heard by a controversial military tribunal system.

The process of 9/11 prosecutions continues:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7239099.stm
----------------------------------------------------------
This appears almost like an answer to the Japanese arguments over 9/11, doesn't it?

I wonder, what kind of method will be used to finish the six suspects finally off, after having tortured them halfway to death already anyway? Perhaps one more water-boarding, or one more beating, or one more shock treatment session, or hanging like Saddam?
It's gruesome thinking about it!:--(

 

[dancing-loon]

U.S. and pakistans alliance is fishy. Some days its good, but If Iran or another middle eastern country talks to pakistan and demands them to do something else then they do it. All that crap that happened before, with pakistans president and him wearing his uniform, was all caused by Iran talking to them. Iran has gotten very influentional over the last year.

Hello, Michael.... I have to keep you apart from "Mikey";-), ... nice to hear from you!:-D
So, you think Iran is the one playing the fiddle there in the area? And Pakistan dances?
Here is a link of interest; it explains some of the more recent events and who is all involved there. China, Russia and India are all doing big business with Iran, while Pakistan is hanging on to US support.

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/11/09/10166031.html

Illustration by Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
Iran and Pakistan can be friends