for whatever it's worth (0.00 / 0)

Here's the denial from NSA advisor Jones that a decision has been reached.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/...

Personally, I think at a minimum it's a trial balloon and more likely the report is correct.  

As I noted at Blue Jersey, NBC/WSJ polled on this exact question and sending 40K was the least popular choice, with 49% saying it is "unacceptable."


New Jersey politics at Blue Jersey.

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by: Hopeful in NJ @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 03:18:06 AM UTC

As I said in the Quick Hit (0.00 / 0)

Keep in mind here that Jones isn't denying the 40k figure at all. He's only saying that Obama hasn't made up his mind as to whether it'll be exactly that high. My guess is that it'll be around 35,000-37,000 or so in the end, which again is twice as big as the Iraq surge. Between this, the Stupak Amendment and Obama pushing hardcore Chenyism with regarding to the state secrets privilege, it's enough for me to just lock myself in the basement with a bottle of tequila.

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by: rayj @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 03:23:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The veracity of the report doesn't matter (4.00 / 1)

It should be shouted down.  It doesn't matter whether Obama wants to do this, or is thinking about it, or if someone within his administration is trying to pressure him. It should be shouted down.

Of course, these decisions should be made by Congress, and Congress has the power to limit or prevent these increases.  

Politics is the art of the possible, but that means you have to think about changing what is possible, not that you have to accept it in perpetuity.

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by: David Kaib @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 03:44:05 AM UTC

The veracity of war should be shouted down. (4.00 / 2)

We are constantly being told how much the troops fighting overseas do for "us" and for our "freedom." Bullshit. Not to dismiss the courage, sacrifice and altruistic intentions of most of our service members, but wars are generally waged for the benefit of rich people. I challenge anyone to make the case that either of our current wars have helped the working class in this country in any way. Perhaps it's time to get over our collective fear of not "supporting the troops" long enough to actually support them by speaking truth to power and getting their asses home safe and sound.

(This is just a general rant directed at people on TV, not at anyone at this site.)

miasmo.com

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by: miasmo @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 06:08:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly (4.00 / 4)

There is no overseas enemy who threatens American freedom (though perhaps some who threaten the bottom line for some stateless multinationals the MSM and the Dems lyingly call "American" corporations).

Rather, the enemies of American freedom are 100% domestic, and it's domestic activists who are fighting them. (Or failing to fight them, in more and more cases.)


http://attempter.wordpress.com

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by: Russ @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 11:08:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

we need a War Tax (4.00 / 4)

we've just heard endless bloviating about the turrible debt we're loading onto The Children and such. but it's a funny thing: that only ever comes up in connection with government services for the general public.

these wars aren't free. we should bring that home.

it seems to me this would be an ideal Progressive Caucus demand. most of them are probably opposed to an expansion and an open-ended commitment anyway. asking for an "exit strategy" hasn't worked out very well in the past because 1) it truly is difficult to make guarantees about future events and b) they'll just make shit up in any case.

we don't want a draft. so let's hit these bastards in their next nearest and dearest target - their wallets. a progressive surtax that starts out steeply at a new top bracket or two, sliding down to zero for the lowest bracket (or lowest two). if the Moustaches of Understanding and the Beards of Seriousness think this is so important, let them prove it. pay for it.

not everything worth doing is profitable. not everything profitable is worth doing.

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by: tatere @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 08:20:17 AM UTC

great idea (0.00 / 0)

Then when the elected corporate whores in both parties oppose the "war tax" to keep on borrowing the funds for endless war, their "concern" regarding the debt will be more exposed as the lie it really is. Haveing another blatent example of their hypocrisy can't hurt next years election chances for our cantidates.

Government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mob..... FDR

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by: reggiewhitefish @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 15:49:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Obama hearts Gates... (4.00 / 1)

Isn't that enough reason to waste more people and money on this useless war?  

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by: dkmich @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 11:27:11 AM UTC

Brilliant plan! (0.00 / 0)

Pres, Obama has come up with a brilliant plan to continue fighting with no goals defined, no mission to accomplish, and a brilliant way to put aside the irrelevancy of the utter corruption of the Afghan police and government. We don't need Afghanis. We'll do it all ourselves.

Obama has brilliantly adopted the tactical approach of Al Queda - continue fighting to not lose, but never expect to win.

At least we now know why we are in Afghanistan - to not lose. We have become another permanent Afghan tribe.

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by: Citizen0 @ Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 14:24:27 PM UTC