How dare American military personal be expected into staying in Afghanistan for years upon years! There is no reason a core of their own soldiers can't be trained by ours how to fight against terrorists and then they passing that training onto their armies. Including how to dig out their own mines and clearing out fields.

We are not talking about some subhuman species which is incapable of learning such things. Of course, this isn't the real reason we are there. Our government isn't tell us the truth. It has other vested interests for being there. It is profitable to engage in war.

How dare our military and President Obama expect the American people to line up and give to Afghanistan a steady line of good men and financial support, risking lives with no end in sight. It must stop.They must accept responsibility to train its own people to clean up their mess, fix their own problems and we must walk out. If a country can't protect itself from 100 people, it has proven it is unworthy to be last. Because it has invested its resources and strengths in the wrong places and is doomed. We have given more than 70 billion in aid to them in the past ten years. It is enough.

Anyone can say, we must guard against terrorists, for that is an endless threat anywhere. So why not let that country do its own guarding where generations may grow up and guard itself. Instead of shipping outsiders from thousands of miles away where their own country has the same problem. It is illogical. Grow ones own protections. Cheaper, more economical and they know the area much better and are adapted. Only a fool wastes resources, manpower, money doing it the other way. Then again, America has many fools in leadership positions.The higher up, the more.

Panetta: US foresees 'enduring presence' to fight al-Qaida in Afghanistan

Panetta said Thursday, cautioning that battling the group would be a core U.S. mission there for years to come.

OMG!!! Didnt Barry and Joe say Al Qaida was DEAD????????????

And there you have it, folks - the lunacy continues. The equivalent of treating a Stage 4 cancer patient with obsolete chemo. We'll be pizzing money and lives down that rathole while over here, Rome continues to burn. Greater love hath no man, courtesy of the 'tards in Washington, eh?????

Panetta said fighting the core al-Qaida group to prevent it from re-establishing a haven in Afghanistan was "going to be the fundamental thrust of the (counter-terrorism) effort."

The United States currently maintains approximately 66,000 troops in Afghanistan, but the residual force may number less than 10,000. President Barack Obama could decide in the coming weeks, although no deadline has been set.

So Barry thinks 10,000 can twart Al Qaida? Looks like those 10,000 will be in the same boat that Ambassador Stevens was in! Up a creek without a paddle......and NO help from this administration!

He better start writing down the lies to keep them all straight!

Our troops will be there untill at least 2024 as per the agreement obama made with Afganistan. After 2014 the amount of troops there will shrink by a large amount putting those few remaining soldiers there at an even greater risk.

Is this the same Al Qaida that Obama managed to "decimate"? With all of his talk about decreasing the military spending - is he sending them over there with slingshots?

Geez America - you did yourself proud on this one. Again I say - be careful what you wish for! Or is it "you reap what you sow"......

You cannot beat a birthrate, or an enemy that appears out of, and disappears back into, the shadows.

But, but, but, hasn't Barrack Hussein, Joe "Bite Me" Biden and all the Liberal/Progressive bobbleheads been telling us that Al Qaeda is dead? We killed Osama Porn Laden. Barrack Hussein told us that's all we had to do and terrorism would just stop. The Middle East would be peaceful and everyone would be singing Koombaya!

Let me see if I can remember the cute little chant, "GM is alive and Al Qaeda is dead"! Or was it "Al Qaeda is on the run"? Yeah they're on the run, right back into Afghanistan and last month the Wall Street Journal reported the increasing Al Qaeda insurgency there also.

But there is a sliver of good news, Barrack Husseins policies have helped Afghanistans economy. Afghanistan opium production is up 18% in 2012. At least we're not interrupting that vital resource from getting to our streets and ruining more American lives. I mean, we've only had a decade to eradicate their heroin production.

Just like Barrack Husseins domestic and economic policies are a disaster, so is his foreign policy.

I guess the best we can do is "hope" that this will all "change" in the next 4 years.

Don't hold your breath!

What Obama and Romney left out of their debates was the fact that they had already signed a 10 yr extension in Afghanistan. The reason neither mentioned it is because they were both for it and knew it would be unpopular as far as public opinion.

Let me tell you the other reason for staying there besides Al Qeada, rare earth minerals, and lithium. If we were to leave completely there would be all out war between the Taliban and the Afghans for control of these resources.We need these rare earth minerals for guidance in our weaponry, and cell phones.

No lithium no I phones.

China as usual has already slipped in under the radar and started mining in Afghanistan, once again without shedding any of their blood for it. I am sick of this trend. The kicker is China is the one supplying these resources to us now out of their own country.

This is also an opportunity to lessen our reliance on China. I believe everyone is for that.

"Panetta said fighting the core al-Qaida group to prevent it from re-establishing a haven in Afghanistan was "going to be the fundamental thrust of the (counter-terrorism) effort.""

Since 2001, most of rulers and military planners missed the point that "strategic ally," Pakistan is the real culprit and has proved to be most ungrateful and big backstabbing "ally."

In Afghanistan, Pakis have backstabbed the US and NATO forces big time. Half of NATO forces deaths are due to ungrateful and backstabbing Pakis.

When the NATO forces were entering Kandahar in 2001, Pakis airlifted key al-Qaida, Taliban, ISI and others militants by back door from Kandahar.

This includes Mullah Omar, Osama and many including Paki Haqqani militant network leaders.

Hope people remember about Pakis sheltering Osama.

These Paki Islamic religious Nazis don't bother about their people and they are into reckless killing games in the name of jihad.

Drone attacks are not enough. To reduce NATO forces losses, carpet bomb Paki militant areas just like 1991 Iraqi war.

Or else just get out right now

If we decide to get out of Afghanistan, it should be bye, bye to Afghanistan and Pakistan once for all.

Also kick out all problematic Paki Trojan horses or traitors from all non-Muslim nations starting from the US.

Looks like Mr Panetta knows how to take one for the team.  His statements are a good setup for Mr Obama to distance himself from his campaign promises to "end American involvement in Afghanistan". I am sure it is just a matter of time before Democrats spin continued troop deployments to Afghanistan as a "jobs act".

Coral Taxi, Romney didn't sign ANYTHING in regards to Afghanistan. He's a private citizen. It was OBOZO who signed that pact.

This coming of course after Obozo has been telling us for years that the "War on Terror" is over. With Osama dead, they have no power over us.

Yeah right.

@janine;

was the fact that they had already signed a 10 yr extension in Afghanistan.

"They" meaning congress mam, not Romney himself.lol My point was that Romney was not against it, to show that this decision was bi partisan.

Obama kept this under the radar also before the elections. Do you think that it is coincidence this is becoming news once again after being swept under the rug during the debates. Not hardly.lol

It is called politics mam.

NO, NO, NO Panetta.

Obama told the American people that Al Qaeda were decimated, gone, kaput, finished.

The people who killed four Americans in Benghazi were make believe terrorists who just happen to be carrying AK-47s while leisurely walking by the consulate after watching a youtube video. It was nothing, just a one time deal.

The American people believe Obama because he speaks the truth. Listen to what Jamie Foxx said about Obama. Obama speaks with truth. You are wrong Panetta. Jamie Foxx knows more than you do Panetta. *eyeroll*

Wonder how long the "American People" will put up with the lies and deceit from our "elected" officials.

Well, we surely know that 50% of them will put up with it forever as long as they get welfare and free phones for the rest of thier lives.

The other 50% should be gearing up for a revolution.

can you say...WARMONGERS? How many of our children must die? Send your own kids Washington and Wall Street...then see how fast we bring 'em home. Oops, i forgot, warmongers would eat there own, if not for profit, just for the thrill of the kill. Meanwhile, keep bickering about deficits, national debt, and "entitlements". You don't fool all of us...we know who the entitled ones are!

Afghanistan has been the "Graveyard of Empires" for centuries , Great Britain , Russia , India . and even Ghenghis Khan failed....and now America , it started with Reagan CIA support of the Mujhadeen and then are abandoning them after we accomplished the downfall of Russia...that bought about 911 along with the incomptence of the Clinton administration in foreign policy...we have reaped what we have sown..this whole nation building/changing policy which came about with Bush2 and Obama is a farce...we are not going to change a people who have fought amongst each other in tribal wars for literally 10's of centuries all it is doing is ruining us and making the industrialist richer with the blood of the common citizen...just look around , only a blindman can't see where are nations is at and where it is going....unfortunately the recent election didn't help any since niether numbnut running for POTUS has any vision just alot of blah blah blah rhetoric about bovine manure...the American century is in its downward spiral and thats the fact..greed , corruption and materialism is at the heart of it and the fact we don't learn from ares and other nations previous mistakes....Vietnam comes to mind also

Once again Ron Paul was the only guy telling the truth, but the TV set tells everyone he's crazy and not to listen....and the obedient sheep did as they were told. Even now the idiots argue over Obama, Bush, Romney, Clinton(s) etc.etc. instead of looking at the truth.

Wait a minute. I though Obama said it was Romney that wanted to keep forces in Afghanistan for years to come? And what's up with this Al Qaeda thing? Didn't Obama tell us they were "decimated"? Geezzzz....and wasn't it Obama that was saying Romney wanted to do away with the mortgage deduction.....and now there is talk that Obama is planning to do so?

And the most surprising thing for me is how many Americans still believe a word out of any politicians mouth!! They are all about themselves and only pretend to care about us when election time rolls around! They live the lifestyle of the rich and famous, on our dime....eating steak and lobster tail...and couldn't care less about the fact that the people they are taking the money from are left eating beans.

I read an interesting fact last night that put the huge lottery drawing Wednesday into better perspective. Think about this one.....if the federal government had the single winning ticket, and paid zero taxes on the Jackpot Prize......the entire $575 Million would be spent in about an hour.

.

Face it. The USA is a military nation that wants to occupy and control strategic parts of the world - forever. What other country hasmilitary bases all over the world? Military is also big busine$$.

Common Sense Mike

Wait a minute. I though Obama said it was Romney that wanted to keep forces in Afghanistan for years to come? And what's up with this Al Qaeda thing? Didn't Obama tell us they were "decimated"? Geezzzz....and wasn't it Obama that was saying Romney wanted to do away with the mortgage deduction.....and now there is talk that Obama is planning to do so?

And the most surprising thing for me is how many Americans still believe a word out of any politicians mouth!!

Some lemmings sheeple folks like the feeling from having hot air blown up their butts.

This is all about keeping the military complex growing. This is NOT about terrorist or saving Afghanistan, it is all about our big contractors making money. I am sure our economy will collapse way before we decide to get out of Afghanistan.

American taxpayers are being SCAMMED by the military industrial complex. Why do we need tens of thousand of troops in Europe, Japan, and South Korea? Why do we need hundreds of thousands of troops in Middle East? Russia is bigger than US and spends on defense less than 6% of what we do. and nobody f.. with them anyway! Quit pissing away hundreds of billions dollars per year on defense - money borrowed from China, mind you. Who is a fiscal conservative in Washington that approves this outrage? We are being scammed. Heck, even our grandchildren are being scammed!

Glad I'm retired. So sick of the empty promises to end this. Sending our military to fight for people who do not care, that includes the American people. If they cared more people in Washington would have been fired for not doing their job.

Just what we don't need...an 'endless war' to feed the military complex while they get rich and the country goes deeper in debt. When are we going to vote those self serving weasels out of office???

@Common Sense Mike.......I think you said what we all feel....nothing

tontosh-2444879

This is all about keeping the military complex growing. This is NOT about terrorist or saving Afghanistan, it is all about our big contractors making money. I am sure our economy will collapse way before we decide to get out of Afghanistan.

i think it is much worse, the military is being downsized, which means private contractors are handling much of this...and i mean MUCH...they have been under Bush and I think somehow they got a stronghold on Obama and his admin...so many military are being shown the door...somehow these private contractors are pulling all the strings.

Wait a minute.....

• "Government Motors is alive and Al Qaeda is decimated."

Yep, this political theme is going down in the History books for sure.

So is Benghazi and "Fast and Furious".

We'll need some base of operations for going into Iran if it comes down to it. As much as some would like to ignore it, that problem isn't going away. The President may tow an anti-war line from time to time, but at the end of the day no administration is going to tolerate a nuclear Iran.

Apparently, Panetta didn't get the memo from Obama. Obama said the war will end in 2014, period! It seems Obama has forgotten his promise to end the war in Afghanistan and bring the troops home; ALL OF THEM!

The problem is Obama's constituency after elections is the "American Royalty", during campaigning he is the poor and middle class champion. Just another promise "dismissed" once again. We are becoming used to his changing, what he promised. Did anyone think he would be strong and stick with his promises to Americans in his second term. If anything he doesn't need to answer to the American people any longer, for he got them to elect him and now doesn't need them!

Extreme wealth is gained by the American Royalty/extremely wealthy/corps. when we are at war; there is no incentive for these "special people" to encourage an end to war.

War makes huge amounts of money for the "wealthy job creators", who don't create jobs! If you want a fascinating book to read from just prior to the start of WWII by a Marine Corp. General that speaks to this issue in detail, please get a copy of "War is Racket", by Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler. One of the most beloved, respected and decorated generals in our history. Nothing has changed in the 80 years since he wrote this book. http://www.amazon.com/War-Racket-Antiwar-Americas-Decorated/dp/1478387653/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354280167&sr=1-1&keywords=war+is+a+racket

You will never see the U.S. imperialism the same again, I hope.

2014, is the date Obama said our troops will leave Afghanistan; there goes another campaign promise up in smoke! Yes, leave Afghanistan, not reduce our troop level; end the war, and come home. There was no mincing of words when he stated this. We all must demand an end to this war and our other "leftover" wars that still have fairly large footprint of our military, with no end in sight.

Penetta and Obama should be over there leading the missions, and the "American royalty" for whom they serve; should be next to them. Then see how many wars they wage!

I am still not much sure Obama!

But about Bushes I am 200 percent sure.

Only Bush, Jr could open two toughest battle fronts (Iraq and Afghanistan) at the same time.

Where were the needs for Iraqi wars (1991 and 2003)?

Was saving the barbaric, beastly, bigoted, ungrateful and backstabbing highly corrupt despotic Sunni rulers of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and some other Sunni rulers from Saddam so important?

Where were the needs to save them without Bibles in Saudi Arabia or fix the toilet of the seventh century beastly ruler of Kuwait?

Pakistan has been breeding, training and exporting Islamic radicalism and terrorism to most of the non-Muslim nations including the US.

Here rich Sunni Saudi, Kuwaiti, UAE, Qatari and other ME bigoted and ungrateful and backstabbing sharks have been guilty of financing them.

Their hands were very much in 9/11.

The Islamic extremist Frankenstein monsters have started backstabbing big time the inventers of Pakistan, British, and the masters (US and allies) who kept them alive.

In most of the Islamic terrorism and plots in the US, Britain, Europe and other places, Pakis have a hand.

Before followers of Islamic cult set their feet on Afghan and Paki regions, these regions were quite peaceful and prosperous.

Once the cancer of Islam gradually got control of the region, those regions have become raping, stealing, looting and killing fields.

In Afghanistan, Paki proxies Taliban did not even tolerate Buddha’s statue in Bamiyan.

Many Paki areas and some Afghan areas have become breeding and exporting centers for illegal activities including drugs growing and trading and export of Islamic radicals and terrorists all over the world.

That backstabbing and ungrateful criminal and Islamic bigoted beast Gen Mush (Bush's friend) is hiding in Britain and his son is in the US.

And yet, as in Libya before...

US weighs whether to arm Syrian rebels

The United States is closely watching how rebel forces operate inside Syria, and what their end objectives might be as the Obama administration weighs whether or not to provide arms to the Syrian opposition.

"Will providing arms to the opposition convince the people who support [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad, in many cases because they are afraid of their own existence, or will it simply lead to more fighting -- that is the question that we are considering," Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, said during a panel discussion in Washington on Thursday on the crisis in Syria.

"Arms are not a strategy, arms are a tactic," Ford said about the deliberation the administration is undertaking on the question, and that a "military solution" is not the best path forward for Syria.

"The president has never taken the provision of arms off the table," he said. "And so, as we think about our policy of sending arms or not, and today we do not, we want to make sure that tactic plays into and helps us achieve a strategy of enabling the Syrian people to reach a political solution."

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday the United States is not providing surface-to-air missiles, which have been seen used by the rebels.

The United States has not provided any support to the armed opposition, said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor.

"Our position on assistance to the Syrian opposition has not changed. The United States remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and providing non-lethal equipment and training to unarmed, civilian-led opposition groups," Vietor said in an e-mail.

wow, your hatred of our president is evident, but were you this hard on Bush, when it was actually happening and no one was speaking out?

jpatudi...it doesn't sound like hate to me but rather LOVE of country...a righteous anger in my humble opinion...and not hatred of "a" president but those who purposely want destruction, including a president with a different set of core values that are not characteristic of American values...

Try reading Thomas Paine, if fact all you liberals, republicant's and Independents need to read or re-read Thomas Paines "Common Sense" so it can remind you why we fought for this country in the first place...

We need to remind ourselves of "We the people" not me the potus...or government...They need to be reminded they work for US....

You forgot Vietnam, which we fled once for all. Here double dealing McCain was the hero!

Capt. I thought officers were supposed to be literate. Your sentence structure is horrible, even though your comments are correct.

Agreed!

At the same time, no more interventions or jumping in Syria or Iran the moment Sunni Saudis, oil companies and lobbyist flash "critical oil" or "money" at least for a decade.

Where is the need for sanctions on Iranian oil and manipulate oil prices higher and higher? Iran can get nukes from Pakis any time.

Bushes jumped as soon as Sunni Saudis flashed "critical oil" and money. Bush, Jr and some of his team members probably could not locate Iraq and Afghanistan on the map.

Hillary, McCains, Romney, Netanyahus have started again Sunni Saudis, Turkey and other "strategic allies" seventh century dances on Syria and Iran!

So will Americans who are losing their sons and daughters over there after our president has promised to bring them home.

Muw,

Cry me a river. Always rewriting history. When are you going to use Captain Kangaroo as your source?

Captian Kangaroo!....too funny and way too nice of you...

They are not the only ones to commit such atrocities and we can not afford to be the policemen of the world.

Yeah, that's what happen when the Jew's were being eliminated by the Nazi's during WW11

Jesus Dan!! It was not Al Qaida it was the Taliban. This is not about Al Qaida it's about mineral resources and having a regional foothold. Really, are we going to invade every country and establish bases where there are a couple of hundred people AFFILIATED with Al Qaida? The American Public is so stupid no wonder the government and big business gets away with whatever they want. The 8 million pound Gorilla in the room is the coming scarcity of resources worldwide from overpopulation and competition from developing (large population) countries like India and China.

Eventually the Arab world will have nukes and use them, at least as leverage. So put a few gold bars away while you can.

They'll blow one up for communication purpose. I could see in Egypt, Lybia or Algeria far away in the desert and then power struggles will ensue.

Iraqi wars, Afghan war and Libyan intervention has crippled most of the war machines!

Even oil machines can keep them going for long!

Cold war was over. But the seize mentality continued.

Instead of taking Russia and India's help, these idiots took backstabbing and ungrateful Pakis help.

Russia was willing to provide alternate routes and even a base for attacks on Afghanistan.

Still, top politicians and military planners continue to depend upon Pakis. Look back on the efforts to restore Paki supply routes! Hillary was dancing all around!

What can you expect when the top intelligence and military battle women instead of worrying about soldiers in Afghanistan?

Department heads run the Federal government not the President. 6th choice or B- candidate Romney would be facing the same fate.