Orangekite1’s Weblog

Ten U.S./NATO troops died in Afghanistan yesterday, first there were 7 Americans, then three more in a NATO helicopter crash to total 10. I heard later the 3 in the helicopter were Canadian, and some reports it went down in a dust storm. God bless the families of our Canadian allies who went down. In any case, 10 troop deaths of US and/or allies. God bless our troops, and I do not want they dying for defeat with restricted rules of engagement. Various stories below. Links:

1.) Marine casualty identified in Afghansitan. The Afghan government and U.S. generals need to have a ceremony and collect compensation and apologies from this death for this U.S. Marine:

http://www.jdnews.com/news/casualty-65454-identified-marine.html#slComments

2.) Info from a woman living in Afghanistan:

http://www.sarahchayes.net/

http://arghand.org/

3.)  US Marines tread softly in Southen Afghanistan. Told by commanders that even one civilian death means mission failure. I think Marines should only be sent to fight and the villagers should be told we do not target civilians, but in any war there will be civilian deaths. The hearts and minds of American military families and the general American public should be won first. This is not done when commanders say they will sacrifice U.S. troops. Link:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=8020992&page=1

4.)  Why 17,000 US troops were sent to Afghansitan, very good explanation:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-fitzgerald/17000-troops-whats-really_b_227285.html

5.)  July 8 security devlopments in Afghanistan. I have to wonder if the Taliban the US Commander Gen. McChrystal’s policy’s let escape, such as those dressed as women, could have been the ones who killed the 8 Afghan policemen and kidnapped eight? Letting the Taliban go is not good policy. They could kill again and they could even kill civilians the American commander thinks he is shielding. I don’t see why Ugandian troops are not contracted like they are at Al Asad airbase in Iraq, sent to Afghan villages, and tasked with shielding the villagers from the Taliban? This makes much more sense and economic sense than sending in U.S. Marines who should be reserved for fighting and not occupation or security duty. Link:

http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSISL442768

6.) US deaths in Afghanistan at 646; restricted rules of engagement will cause more:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jmVICVPpmVGLrJ2f3c53jVXJy9vQD999V2700

7.) Relatives of US soldier killed in Afghanistan decry lack of coverage:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530361,00.html