Afghanistan Today-The GWOT Hotspot-July 4, 2009-Sat.

Is there  torture going on in Afghanistan? Yes, I would say so, from the story at #1 below.  I would call it that,  being on a forced march in over 100 degree heat, for 3 days, weighed down with over 100 lbs.  and a lack of water and food, resulting and dehydration and heat exhaustion.

These are U.S. troops facing these conditions, marched by their own command who apparently did not know it is over 100 degrees in Afghanistan and the human body will suffer heat stroke, dehydration, or heat exhaustion in conditions like this.

Who planned this march in the July heat of Afghanistan? I don’t see the Taliban treating their own troops like this.

Who told the Taliban in advance we were coming? There should be a court of inquiry and determine who should lose their command over this.

It is a VERY hot July 4th for American troops who are on a forced march through the desert of Afghanistan, as reported at story #1. I don’t see signs of Army Gen. McChrystal or Marine Brig. Gen Larry Nicholson on the march, but I could be wrong. Please contact your representatives about this abuse of our troops. Link:

1.) Marines face forced march across desert. Who planned this operation? Did they not know it is over 100 degrees F in the desert in Afghansitan and the Marines carry over 100 lbs on their back? Who told the Taliban in advance that they were coming so they could melt into the general population? I wrote my senators and congressman and asked for a COURT OF INQUIRY into who is responsible for this dereliction of duty? Did the Commander in Chief know that his generals planned this forced desert march? Who cares for our Marines besides their families and friends? Don’t our generals, Commander in Chief and officers care for the troops they lead anymore?

http://rr.com/news/news/article/rr/9002/8249773/Marines_march_in_grueling_Afghan_sun_for_July_4

2.)  A War Without Heroes:

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_12753546

3.) Gen. McChrystal sells out? Why not win the war? McChrystal states,

As McChrystal put it, he wants his soldiers “to convince people, not kill them”. In practice, this means the US forces will use their forward operating bases not just for offensive operations but also for winning hearts and minds of the local population.

From the story and link:

This is vital for any army attempting to win a counter-insurgency war, and the senior US commander in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal, has gone out of his way to make sure that his forces heed his orders.

“Anything that we do that offends Afghans, whose support we need, works against us,” he said ahead of the offensive. “So we have to modify the way we operate.”

http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.2518246.0.0.php

4.) U.S. troops sacrificed with McChrystal and Obama’s policy, two lost their lives today in Afghanistan:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jun/23/afghanistan-strategy-sacrifices-us-troops/

5.) U.S. in Afghanistan to “convince” not “kill” people. I say: Why have US troops or Marines at all? Send in the State Dept. McChrystal’s comment”

As McChrystal put it, he wants his soldiers “to convince people, not kill them”. In practice, this means the US forces will use their forward operating bases not just for offensive operations but also for winning hearts and minds of the local population.

“You don’t really need to chase and kill the Taliban,” he said on Friday. “What you need to do is take away the one thing they absolutely have to have and that’s access and support of the people.”

http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.2518246.0.0.php

6.) Sen. Leahy confident Afghanistan surge will win the war:

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=10644126

7.)  Gen. McChrystal: “YOU DON’T REALLY NEED TO CHASE AND KILL THE TALIBAN.” I sent this to my senators and representative and asked why are we in Afghanistan then? Why are Marines on forced marches in 100+F degree heat and getting heat exhaustion if we don’t need to chase and kill the Taliban?  I wrote my senators and representative and also asked if McChrystal’s restricted rules of engagement on airstrikes in any way led to the deaths of these 2 soldiers and injuring of the others? From the story:

 Now, however, a new American counterinsurgency doctrine puts protecting civilians above killing Taliban. “We do not want the people of Helmand province to see us as an enemy, we want to protect them from the enemy,” said Captain Bill Pelletier, an American spokesman.

That sentiment is echoed in a tactical directive designed to slash civilian casualties from airstrikes. McChrystal has ordered troops to avoid airstrikes unless they risk being overrun or they are sure there are no civilians nearby. US officials said last night that they had resisted using mortars, artillery or aircraft bombs during the push south.

However, the tactics and doctrine of “clear, hold and build” could expose soldiers to ambushes and roadside bombs of the sort that killed Thorneloe. Nor have the Taliban stopped opportunist attacks elsewhere.

Link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6638092.ece

8.) British officer, soldier killed in Afghanistan:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/04/my-heart-s-with-them-115875-21493469/

9.) The Captain’s Journal: interesting insight into Obama’s Nat’l Security Advisor Jim Jones, the former Marine, and what is going on ion Afghanistan:

http://www.captainsjournal.com/2009/07/03/afghanistan-the-wtf-war/

10.) British press gets to the bottom of what is wrong with the “Afghan Army” which is trained by U.S. Marines-after 7 years Afghan Army still not trained and Obama is sending 4,000 more US military trainers! Link to video:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/mar/27/obama-afghanistan-military

11.) 11/15/2007-NPR report on military dismissals for misconduct, mental issues:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16330374

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9691183