Analysis: Barack Obama's moment of truth in Afghanistan
The thunderous rumble of American armoured personnel carriers storming the Taliban's Helmand citadel, and the whir of its largest helicopter deployment since the Vietnam war - these are the backing tracks as President Barack Obama's Afghanistan policy arrives at its moment of truth.
By Dean Nelson, South Asia Editor. Telegraph
Published: 9:59AM BST 03 Jul 2009
Operation Khanjar or "sword strike" was launched in the early hours of yesterday morning with two immediate aims: to break the militants' grip over "Taliban central" so free presidential elections can be held, and to clear enough space to introduce the benefits of the good governance Afghans have not known for 30 years, if ever.
Brigadier-General Larry Nicholson flagged off more than 4,000 US marines with a Churchillian statement of intent. "Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces," he said.
That's the plan in a nutshell. The marines go in, Terry Taliban retreats to his mountain lair, the good governance folk come in, the people vote, and suddenly life is better: civilian police, improved schools and clinics. Finally, the more rational militants see they cannot win.
From this new reality, a negotiation is possible. There may be some unreconcilables, but it will be manageable. So the theory goes, and most hope and pray it's one which holds true, because this is President Obama's much-vaunted "surge" and there does not appear to be a plan B.
The omens look better than they have some time. The Americans have withdrawn from Iraq's cities, which means Afghanistan will have its full focus in a way it hasn't had since the initial invasion in 2001. Pakistan appears to have finally realised the Taliban and al-Qaeda threaten its existence as a state and no longer feels so passionately that it's "America's war." More importantly, Pakistan's armed forces appear to have reached the same conclusion after a series of bloody attacks on its major cities. Yesterday, it moved its forces up to the Afghan border to capture Taliban militants fleeing the American advance. Finally there appears to be evidence of the joined up thinking President Obama's new "Af-Pak" policy promised.
But both Western critics and those who oppose America's presence and influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan say it's the wishful thinking of a man looking for a way out. "It's front-loaded withdrawal," as one retired Pakistani general described it last night.
There are two major weaknesses: The Karzai government is riddled with corruption which has alienated many Afghans from both his administration and his NATO allies.
Official figures show that despite hundreds of millions of pounds in foreign aid for raising and training Afghanistan's national police, there are many areas which still have no functioning police force at all. The Western benchmarks of good governance – access to decent education and services - are in many parts of Afghanistan hard to make out from the rubble.
One diplomat in Kabul last night said he believed the new strategy has a year or two to deliver before Afghans decisively turn against them, but a former head of Pakistan's ISI intelligence service, General Hamid Gul, said he believes Obama's surge will have foundered by October.
The Taliban will fight a two-pronged strategy, he said: retreat to the hills where America's air power will not be so effective, while the remainder will disappear and wage a guerilla resistance campaign.
He believes the Taliban will learn more about American weaknesses from this new battle, as he says they did in Operation Anaconda in 2002. Then, several thousand American special forces with air support failed to deliver the knock-out blow they had expected.
The truth behind operation Operation Khanjar is that the Taliban has fought the western allies to a stale-mate in Helmand, and now the only hope lies in a devastating display of overwhelming force, the rapid delivery of good services, and the remotely possibility that it will be enough to impress senior Taliban commanders.
"In other words," as one leading Afghanistan expert said last night, "the US has to show its ability to inflict some serious damage on the Taliban before any real political talks with the Taliban, to reach agreement with at least some significant factions, so maybe it ends up as scoring a few points before the last round when the ref will decide." That appears to be the best victory in prospect
97 comments:
If we remember, the President gave US and his six stars over Afpakistan a three year mission parameter.
Our den mother corrected him, almnost immediately, telling US it would take five years, or until her Ranger daddy got his thirty years in.
Myself, I'd bet on that three year timeline. Win or lose, we are not on a five year mission, to go where no man has gone before. Betcha it's three years, in & out by the elections of 2012.
Spun as victory, perhaps, but out by 2012.
There are so few numbers of troops in country that success hinges on an "Afghani Awakening." Until that happens, small detachments "embedded" in communities will be sitting targets.
Cross your fingers, say your prayers.
"Afghani Awakening"
---
A Splendid Contradiction in Terms!
Clergy now pushing for health care reform bill
The basic problem they have is that instead of 4,000 Marines and 600 Afghani used in this "Operation Afghani Word" there should be 4,000 Afghani and 600 Marines.
But, even after eight years of preperation, we have not gotten the Afghans ready.
Another failure to preplan and prep a replacement for US force. As we saw in Iraq, the US military's failures repeat themselves, as they so aptly exemplify the institutional and cultural short comings within the US military
U.S. Faces Resentment in Afghan Region
By CARLOTTA GALL
A new American military operation in southern Afghanistan may ignite further tensions among a weary population, officials warn.
---
Carlotta has Yon's stamp of approval, as I recall.
Yeah, I replayed the 600 part, hoping I had missed "6,000"
“People are hostages of the Taliban, but they look at the coalition also as the enemy, because they have not seen anything good from them in seven or eight years,” said Hajji Abdul Ahad Helmandwal, a district council leader from Nadali in Helmand Province.
---
Fazel Muhammad, a member of the district council of Panjwai, an area west of Kandahar, said he knew people who were laying mines for the Taliban in order to feed their families. He estimated that 80 percent of insurgents were local people driven to fight out of poverty and despair. Offered another way out, only 2 percent would support the Taliban, he said.
Yet mistrust of the government remains so strong that even if the Taliban were defeated militarily, the government and the American-led coalition would find the population reluctant to cooperate, said Hajji Abdullah Jan, the leader of the provincial council of Helmand. “These people will still not trust the government,” he said. “Even if security is 100 percent, it will take time because the government did not keep its promises in the past.”
Doubt if the Afghans could field a force of 6,000 troops, at one place and time, doug.
Instead of using a Ranger Bn as the blocking force at the border, we are, again, depending on the Pakis for that part of the mission. As we did at Tora Bora.
Cyclical repetition of tactics that have continually failed to achieve victory or even success, for US.
I'll bet if we formed a division of Afghanis, paid them US rates minus something. Told them after twenty, they go out on half pay, we would have some mean fightin Mike Foxtorts.
We can look to both Colombia and the Phillipines as "success" stories for the US military.
Each each case the local insurgents have been greatly diminished, without US troops on the ground. Just a few advisors.
Hundreds of US troops, not tens or hundreds of thousands of them.
In both cases, because US troops were not available we empowered the locals, which has been proven, again, to be the most successful way forward.
What the South Africans learned, as will the Israeli, is that massive conventional force structures are not an efficent nor effective means to address the challenges faced in an asymetrical struggle.
The US has the facts at hand, but fails to heed the leasons of history. Still obsessed with prepping for the last century, not the present one.
We have a great aversion to utilizing foreign auxiliaries, duece.
Both institutionally and culturally, within the US military.
But the US "professionals" cannot field enough force, themselves, to achieve victory.
So they devise strategies that do not achieve victory, but guarentee that the missions never end.
Providing for institutional growth and security
Eternal War, just as George Orwell predicted
Looks to me like a large part of the current strategy is dependent on the Pakis taking care of the problem but we haven't heard much about SE Pakistan which borders Helmand. I have read that the problem is in Quetta...What are the Pakis doing there? Hmm?
The difference from Orwell to reality, our eternal war is against border bandits, not another "great power".
Whether we are there for three years or five years or ten years will have little impact on the outcome unless one fundamental flaw is addressed. We need to have the SAME people on the ground throughout. Given our current system of rotation, that is not going to happen.
It would be enormously helpful to also have a plan for "victory" other than an exit strategy.
ya think?
So WWII of you, Allen!
Here ya go, al-Bob:
'RatWar Paradise:
---
Michael Yon
Michael Yon
Southern Philippines
This is the nicest war I’ve ever been to. Outside Magazine seems to think the same:
---
This Is the War on Terror. Wish You Were Here!
Welcome to the tropical Philippine island of Jolo, where life is like a Corona ad—coconut trees, white-sand beaches, bathtub-warm seas. Except those guys in the water are U.S. Green Berets, and those kids on dirt bikes are jihadists known for kidnapping Western tourists. Even stranger? On this front, at least, America seems to be winning.
Jolo Philippines
The history of this land is mysterious and rich. Rudyard Kipling apparently based his book
"The Man Who Would Be King"
on the Pennsylvania-born American, Josiah Harlan, who’d come here to conquer and rule.
A BBC article explains:
"Dawn of the Dead"
gotta love it.
Allen: It would be enormously helpful to also have a plan for "victory" other than an exit strategy.
Victory consists of obtaining a 100% monopoly on the use of force for the government forces. See: Tamil Tigers, The
Tamil Tigers, The Former.
Afghanistan is a remote arid piece of real estate which is of no particular interest to the US other than the potential for being the devil's workshop. This we know from experience. So, the question really is, what do we do to insure that the Islamists do not once again control a nation state? That is or should be our objective. There is a limited amount of time to figure it out before we leave once again to its own devices.
Will check in later. For now, it's another 4 hour road trip.
Be safe.
Russia to Allow U.S. Weapon Shipments to Afghanistan
teresita,
A monopoly of force will probably not be a realistic outcome, given the ancient Mafia like tribal/clan structure of the society. A monopoly on the use of heavy weaponry, on the other hand, might be possible.
doug,
Re: WWII
What I had in mind was more in line with the various European East India Companies and subsequent mandates. Although they eventually collapsed (and what doesn't), they managed for several centuries to hold things together.
we are screwed... FROM THE LEFT LEANING HAARETZ
Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Iran, Nuclear Program
The United States is opposed to enacting a new set of financial sanctions against Iran that are due to be discussed in the G8 summit next week, diplomatic officials in New York reported Friday.
According to officials, sanctions against Iran are expected to top the G8's agenda. Sources are also predicting a pointed debate between the heads of the industrialized nations over an appropriate response to Iranian authorities' suppression of reformist demonstrations in Iran led by Mir Hossein Mousavi and other Iranian opposition leaders.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi hinted in a newspaper interview earlier in the week that the G8 is due to decide on new financial sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Berlusconi disclosed that he had spoken with the heads of the G8 nations and has discussed such steps with them.
According to the Italian prime minister, "the general leaning [among G8 leaders] is toward sanctions."
However, diplomatic sources in New York reported that American officials are working behind the scenes to prevent new sanctions from being imposed against Iran.
U.S. officials claimed that a tough stance toward Iran could backfire, bringing about an opposite outcome to that desired by those who support such measures.
The Obama administration, according to the diplomatic sources, has discarded the notion of direct talks with Iran. However, the United States is still interested in re-engaging Iran through the renewed discussion of its nuclear program through the six permanent United Nations Security Council members.
American officials expressed concern that a decision to enact harsh steps against Iran during the G8 meeting could badly hurt the prospect of Tehran agreeing to renew negotiations with the permanent Security Council members.
In addition to U.S. reluctance to enact fresh sanctions, G8 members Russia and China have been known to oppose any punitive steps against Tehran.
The Security Council has already imposed several rounds of sanctions against Iran, including a weapons embargo and a ban on supplying Iran any materials which could be used to advance its disputed nuclear program.
New sanctions could include forbidding western oil companies from maintaining commercial ties with Iran.
I guess we're there to Protect the Poppy Fields.
INDEPENDENCE DAY!
I'll be driving over to Wynne, Ar, today to fill up with E85.
Made in the USA.
WiO that's what you get when your whole tribe votes straight "D" every time.
al-Doug. I was checking out, had signed my last check to Whit and Deuce, when karma sucked me back in.
Let us get this straight. There may be be something to this birth certificate idea, but that's not the Real Deal, not the
Real Deal, even though our Resident Constitutionsl Scholar, D. Rat, says it is.
The more important and underlying question, a question of first import, is the issue of paternity, and the idea that our framers of our Constitution mandated that a President had to have a momma and pappa, both being American Citizens.
That's the issue.
The main issue.
It might be true that Obumer doesn't have a bona fide birth certificate.
But, that's not the main question.
Dumb Rat has not picked on this yet, though I have sent him to "Natural Born Citizen" many a time.
Our courts have failed to rule on this question, so far.
Just for your information.
These thoughts go past Rat.
Al-Doug, you can go Here,To Natural Born Citizen and pick on the argument, you'll get it, cause you're smarter than Rat.
Teresita said...
WiO that's what you get when your whole tribe votes straight "D" every time.
I do not disagree that 80% of my "tribe" are drinking koolaid...
but your inaccurate term "whole" should be amended...
as for real impact?
my WHOLE tribe's voting numbers barely cracks 1.5% of America... so as for that's what you get?
America is GETTING this T, not JUST Israel or the Jews...
America, under Obama, who 55% of AMerica selected....
Is getting this....
Obama is setting the stage for a Nuke armed Iran...
period...
Not past me at all, bobbie.
Where is the Federal law suit?
Why did you not go to Court, to keep him off the ballot, in Idaho?
It takes about $50,000 to start.
We spent our legal war chest saving the wild horses of Overgaard.
Where did you spend yours?
My entire life, bobbie, I have understood "Natural Born" to mean born in the USA.
John McCain was not, born in the USA, and that did not seem to matter. You advance a novel definition of "Nartural Born" and it does intrique, but there is no case law.
There are no precedents.
So, your legal theory, it not only does not pass me, it does not pass any reasonable legal muster.
Or Mr Coleman's supporters have wasted their money on the wrong legal case.
Since there is no case pending with regards "Natural Born", not for lack of funding, it would seem more than obvious to an observer, one that is not in denial of reality, that the "case" will not stand the light of day.
Here's A Primer, For Those That Don't Get It Yet--
/-
Will anything come of this?
Probably not, but it is an interesting question.
Particularily for Constitutional Scholars and Conspiracy Theorists.
UAH Temp Anomoly for June - ZERO
That be "Zip, Zilch, Nada, Non-existent, Lost in the Mire, Deceased, Kicked the Bucket, expired, joined the Heavenly Choir, shuffled off the mortal coil, Dade."
The question of where Senator McCain was born seems to up in the air. That seems to be a question of whether he was born on a military base, on in a civilian hospital.
I have no way of knowing, for sure.
I salute you for paying some bucks for helping some horses.
I don't have that ready cash, myself.
But, I am glad you do.
Make Your Own Ethanol...
Less than $1 per gallon Easy, simple, and fast...
--------------
Save the drive to Wynne.
Celebrate the temp anomaly.
Have a Happy 4th!
Leaving the heavy lifting to others, as usual, bobbie?
As I said, a novel idea.
As to the conspiracy, it is the System protecting itself.
The only way to remove him now, is impeachment. The US reaction to the situation in Honduras proves that point.
A group of armed US soldiers will not be escorting Mr Obama to a plane bound for exile in Kenya, Malayasia, Bermuda not even Palau.
Sarah Palin will not seek re-election!
JONATHAN MARTIN
Rat, you really must--you must, you must!--read The Vanity of Human Wishes, by Doc Johnson.
Then you will have a clue as to why you are so fucked up.
Why you hate Jews, why you are a moron, why you hate farmers, and etc.
God Bless you, Linear.
I'm deep, deep into dissing Rat.
The best of the Fourth of July to you!
John was born at Gorgas Hospital, in the Canal Zone.
What the legal status of the Canal Zone was, now that is a debatable point.
Well, it was debated and the US decided that the Canal Zone was really, truly, Panama.
Back in 1978 or '79, as I recall.
I arrived at Howard AFB in the Canal Zone, I left from Howard AFB, Panama.
Hate farmers?
Jews?
You better get back on your meds, bobbie.
I'm not the one, bobbie, that epounds upon how Judism is but a divergent branch of Zorro Mastery, along with the Christians and Muslims.
That is your trumpted intellectual secularism denying the divinity of Abrahamic religions. Acolyte of Mr Campbell and his brand of Publicly Broadcast secular humanist intellectualism.
The equalivency of myth.
You exude hatred of famers, and Jews.
In the first instance, it's jeousy, pure and simple, in the second, it's a lack of understanding.
It's all over all the things you have written here.
And, everybody here knows it.
Everybody hates farmers.
I just happen to believe the US Government's report that paraphrases Israel as a Jim Crow society.
I believe that the Israeli are in violation of the Geneva Accords.
I know that they are not compliant with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, same as Pakistan, Iran and India, North Korea. Israel's soul mates in non-compliance with the civilized norms of peaceful coexistance.
But that is the State of Israel, not Jews in general, or even in particular. They are all redeemable.
To bad you do not understand the difference, between Israel and Judism.
Regardless, I do not even hate Israel, no more than I hate Libya. In fact they rate about the same lack of concern, on balance.
The Libyans coming into compliance with the NPT. Proliferating nuclear weapons, the most important issue facing humanity, as Mr Reagan said.
First we should start with those that have the weapons, force them to disarm that capability.
Which would show those that desire nuclear capability that it is a road to ruin.
That is though the exact opposite course than that the US has previously taken. Under Obama, it remains steady as she goes. Loan guarentees to Israel, direct aid to Pakistan, nuclear support to India and who knows what with regards lil' Kim.
Don't cotton to Defamers, myself.
We got a loan to the company that provides Iran much of it's gasoline.
Wouldn't want to tamper with that just to save a few GI's.
Even Iran, no greater sanctions are envisioned, maintaining GW Bush's course and speed, esactly.
While the World Bank will continue to fund that water treatment facility, to the tune of hundreds of millions USD.
So, even with regards Iran, seems steady as she goes and stay the course is the order of the day.
Iran's Gas Station
GOP Pushes Amendment to Pressure Iran by Targeting Gasoline ...
Mon Jun 22, 9:30 pm ET
A Republican effort Tuesday to cut off U.S. loans to some companies doing business with Iran will bring Congress deeper into the fray over the U.S. response to the Iranian elections.
The amendment to the draft fiscal 2010 State and foreign operations appropriations bill will give members their first chance to vote on binding Iran policy since that country's presidential election June 12.
Rep. Mark Steven Kirk, R-Ill., said the amendment was aimed at Reliance Industries, a large energy company based in India that reportedly has provided Iran with as much as a third of its refined petroleum. He will offer the measure when the House Appropriations Committee takes up the draft bill on Tuesday.
Direct face to face negotiations are reported to be off the table, with Iran.
This will either lead to Abracadabra's departure, as postulated by Mr Cohen, yesterday, or the continued prominence of the EU in the nuclear negotiations.
In either case, Bush policies are continued, no direct talks and a limited sanctions regime.
DR: I know that they are not compliant with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, same as Pakistan, Iran and India, North Korea. Israel's soul mates in non-compliance with the civilized norms of peaceful coexistance.
to put Iran and Israel in the same group is bullshit...
Iran SIGNED and LIED about the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, whereas Israel is NOT a signer, has not received the BENEFITS OF BEING A SIGNER AS IRAN HAS..
North Korea as well, SIGNED AND LIED...
Obama now adds a Hospital Association in addition to Walmart as allies wanting socialized medicine.
Amazing what a little Chicago Style Blackmail will do.
Plus Preachers of the Gospel according to Obama.
Bibi=Kim
QED
Palin resigning as Alaska governor
That is true, wi"o", past regimes signed those Treaties and the current regimes have reneged on the responsibilities therein.
As Israel has with regards the Geneva Accords, the Fourth Convention.
Israel, like the apartheid regime in South Africa never signed on to the NPT. Because they wanted to remain outside the circle of civilized societies. The others signed on, then quit, when it suited their national interests.
Amounts to non-compliance, regardless.
dr: I believe that the Israeli are in violation of the Geneva Accords.
Now that's a nice BROAD brush...
I think Israel should follow the Geneva Convention too! Israel should execute all Palestinians arrested while attempting terrorism.
bobbie, pull up your socks, buddy!
Get on that Palin bandwagon, start a Committee in Moscow, get on it!
A cause close to your heart, that would fulfill your need to elevate the civic discourse in the United States.
She needs volunteers, whether she knows it or not. Get on it, here's a chance to do your fair share, for America.
The Israeli's, I'm led to believe, do not execute anyone.
Do not believe in it, or some such.
Maybe I am misinformed.
Palin Speaks
Dedicate about 20 hours a week to 'Sarah for President', bobbie.
Call your friends around Moscow, have some meetings, a few tea parties. Raise some awareness, then some money.
She is gonna need it.
The sun is still shining, bobbie, even a psuedo intellectual like you can create a chance to become a real patriot. This is still the land of opportunity, you can be redeemed.
Bundle up about $50,000 in donations, she'll be thankful, as will 'real' Americans, everywhere.
rat:
desert rat said...
That is true, wi"o", past regimes signed those Treaties and the current regimes have reneged on the responsibilities therein.
As Israel has with regards the Geneva Accords, the Fourth Convention.
Your weak comparisons show that you are not serious, just provocative....
and I aint in the mood for your shit today...
YouTube - Rahm Emanuel on the Opportunities of Crisis
ht RCM
You see, wi"o", after I vowed to defend the Constitution, against enemies foreign and domestic, there were these interminable classes about the Geneva Accords.
Hour after hour about the importance, to the US, the Army and all civilization that these Accords be followed. Even if it meant disobeying an otherwise lawful order.
There were lawful and unlawful orders and I was empowered to be the judge and jury. The Decider.
I have not been relieved of the responsibilities of the oath nor of the position of Decider.
The Accords are one of the cornerstones of modern civilization, which is why the disregard or violation of those Accords and Conventions is of such importance, at least to me.
Not weak comparisons, at all, wi"o".
That you'll leave the field, that's enough said.
Arnold Speaks:
We have every intention of fully reimbursing you.
Realities of the New Obama Refis
Modified Loan Default Rates
If we extend this out to another year and break the data out by Alt-A, subprime, and prime I bet you would see in some categories a 90 percent plus re-default rate.
The data is telling us this is a waste of time. It seems like people are hell bound to repeat the lessons from Japan.
Boom, Bust and Blame - The Inside Story of America's Economic Crisis
God Bless you, Linear.
I'm deep, deep into dissing Rat.
Thanks, bob. Same to you.
Remember Trish's advice.
Always.
--------
IMO rat has created his own "insults generator" in the style of the Shakespeare models. Or else he's a human insults generator, having evolved past the reliance on mere internet toys.
Applying the art of reverse engineering, I offer the following:
Syntax:
Insert (name)/(topic,topic)
Output: (Insult of the moment)
Sample:
Insert: bob/farming,Judism [sic]*
Output:
You better get back on your meds, bobbie.
I'm not the one, bobbie, that epounds upon how Judism is but a divergent branch of Zorro Mastery, along with the Christians and Muslims.
That is your trumpted intellectual secularism denying the divinity of Abrahamic religions. Acolyte of Mr Campbell and his brand of Publicly Broadcast secular humanist intellectualism.
The equalivency of myth.
*His personal insults generator, v.1.0, is adapted to override errors of spelling and syntax.
I fully support bobbie taking the den mother's advise.
He should do so, with vigor.
But he cannot.
So we'll continue.
Referencing bobbie's missionary work for the equalivency of myth is not an insult, lineman, it's a statement of fact.
He has rallied to the intellectual banner of Bill Moyers, that's a fact, if you find it an insult as well, that's on you.
The syntex and spelling exemplify the recreational nature of the time spent, here.
Always risky to put up examples in haste.
Cheers.
58. no mo uro:
Those of you who have been skeptical of my numerous posts regarding the inherent anti-Christian bigotry of the left, re-read Fletcher Christian’s post referencing “Jesusland” and answer me this:
How little distance is there between where Fletch is philosophically, and where he would have to be to build death camps for people who like to go to church on Sunday?
Politico: Hospitals Near a Deal with WH
You'll see the news that the American Hospital Association or whatever it's called has now aligned itself with Obama, that Walmart's lined itself up with Obama on his health care plan, and this is certainly him taking advantage of the fact that he knows that everybody is scared to death of him, and that everybody is scared to death of massive federal power being wielded against them.
- Limbaugh
Syntex is Rufus's Ethanol Still.
Quite a distance, I'd venture.
Jesse Ventura had equally impolite things to say about religion and the religious. There were no pogroms or purges in MN while he was Governor.
It is to Walmart's advantage to sign on to Obamacare. On about four or five different levels of reasoning.
Obama is utilizing the power of the Federal institutions, that's a fact.
He's not even experienced, yet.
66. Doug:
Fletch said:
Also, slight warming of ocean water and melting of permafrost has the possible consequence of the release of gigatons of methane locked into said permafrost and in ocean-bottom methane clathrate deposits. Methane is a much more powerful greenhouse gas than any other natural substance.
Paul replied:
Actually, my dear Fletcher, we are working on alleviating that problem even as we speak (write). Methane (aka natural gas) is being drilled and produced in a lot of these areas. Now if the Obama administration would allow them to exploit these deposits are energy problems would be alleviated to some extent and we would be getting rid of that nasty methane at the same time.
—
Several hundred million Americans Patriotically converting harmful methane into harmless CO2 in their homes, cars, and places of work.
—
One wonders how the farmers in Iceland just a few hundred years ago could til the soil while breathing all that methane.
I've seen that methane scenario in animation, doug, on PBS.
So we have that level of provable authenticity. Good computer graphics prove it viable to those of PBS caliber intellects.
Terrifying consequences
We have to do, something.
"Climate scientists such as James Hansen expect that methane clathrates in the permafrost regions will be released as a result of global warming, unleashing powerful feedback forces which may cause runaway climate change that cannot be controlled."
—
As opposed to the present NORMAL conditions in which we excercise total control.
Or rather, The Messiah does when he’s not busy parting the seas.
Doing nothing is the worst possible option.
65. Doug:
36. Aristide said,
“Act Now! Sieg Heil! Act Now! Sieg Heil!”
Fletch cannot see you:
He received the first new Chi-Com Computer w/filter.
WiO, you're right, Israel is not signatory to the NPT, so we got nothing to say about their alleged nuke program.
But Israel receives life support from the US in the form of billions of dollars of monetary aid. If I was President, I would decree that each new structure in the West Bank, from an apartment building to a villa, requires a million dollar annual permit fee, which comes straight out of Israel's "allowance". The whole thing would be handled automatically. sort of like your social security and medicare deductions. After that mechanism was in place, there would be a moratorium on official US bitching about Israeli settlements. Israel would be free to construct or demolish as many housing units in the West Bank as they wanted to, the bean counters would calculate the final bill, and we would have nothing else to say about it.
The Taliban are not signatory to the Geneva Accords, so are they exempt from its' structures, or guilty of War Crimes if they violate those Laws of War?
There is no dispute that the Israeli have not signed the NPT, which damning in and of itself.
But then nuclear prolifration has never been seen as a 'real' problem by most fo;k and not by our government. It still is not.
I agree with Mr Reagan, we should be working to make nuclear weapons obsolete.
Instead we subsidized the Pakistanis and the Israelis in both their efforts. With the Pakistani then further proliferating those technolgies to NorK and Iran.
While we continued to subsidize their military. It is a matter of priorities. Existing nuclear capacities, outside the structure of the NPT are, by their very existance provocative and dangerous.
I love the fireballs DR attempts to throw..
"There is no dispute that the Israeli have not signed the NPT, which damning in and of itself."
notice how he DOESNT back up what he says with any facts...
he just likes to provoke...
Teresita said...
WiO, you're right, Israel is not signatory to the NPT, so we got nothing to say about their alleged nuke program.
AGREED
But Israel receives life support from the US in the form of billions of dollars of monetary aid. I
T, Israel receives ZERO dollars a year in economic support.
It does get 3 billion a year in military help (last year Israel spent 150 billion of it's own on it's defense) andmost of that 3 billion is spent buying AMERICAN weapons & supplies.
The current Prime Minister has lead the charge to REDUCE funding from the USA and in fact is the one who got America to cut it's economic aid to ZERO.
T I would decree that each new structure in the West Bank, from an apartment building to a villa, requires a million dollar annual permit fee, which comes straight out of Israel's "allowance". The whole thing would be handled automatically. sort of like your social security and medicare deductions. After that mechanism was in place, there would be a moratorium on official US bitching about Israeli settlements. Israel would be free to construct or demolish as many housing units in the West Bank as they wanted to, the bean counters would calculate the final bill, and we would have nothing else to say about it.
For the sake of PEACE would you require the same of the Arabs building in the DISPUTED lands of the west bank or is this JUST for the Israelis to live up to...
As we speak, BHO is funding $600,000,000 in aid to GAZA & Hamas via the UNRWA, violating our laws about funding terrorists, since tens of THOUSANDS of UNRWA are Hamas MEMBERS...
Personally?
I'd say to the world, IF Jews are not allowed to build homes in Jerusalem, then noone has any real property rights anywhere on the globe... especially those squatters living in America on Indian lands,...
WiO: For the sake of PEACE would you require the same of the Arabs building in the DISPUTED lands of the west bank or is this JUST for the Israelis to live up to...
The Pallies would have a million dollar service fee applied to each rocket lobbed over the fence and each suicide bomber. I figure they would zero out their allowance in short order. But again, it would be the sort of impersonal punishment that would be garnered automatically and implacably, very much like the punishment for banging your head against a wall is instant bumps, or the punishment for polygamy is multiple mothers-in-law.
Teresita said...
WiO: For the sake of PEACE would you require the same of the Arabs building in the DISPUTED lands of the west bank or is this JUST for the Israelis to live up to...
The Pallies would have a million dollar service fee applied to each rocket lobbed over the fence and each suicide bomber. I figure they would zero out their allowance in short order.
So Jews building homes is the same as attempted murder?
nonsense....
your double standard is showing....
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