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Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)

30. Depends wholly on the practicalities, which I am not in a position to have an informed opinion on.

Reply to Cali_Democrat (Original post)

Thu May 8, 2014, 02:57 AM

May 2014

Obama should ask his generals "Do you think that it would be possible for the US armed forces to free the kidnapped Nigerian girls using military means?"

They will, hopefully, be able to make at least an informed guess at the answer, or have specialists who will.

If they answer "probably", he should tell them to attempt to do so; if it is "probably not" he should defer to that expertise and tell them not to try.

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Should the US try to free the kidnapped Nigerian girls using military means? [View all] Cali_Democrat May 2014 OP

No. It is not the duty of the USA to try to free them. Throd May 2014 #1

So, if we are asked for help with this, we should say to take a hike? (nt) Nye Bevan May 2014 #3

Help in what capacity? Throd May 2014 #4

+1 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #16

I have no idea if the situation is there to carry out a rescue mission with minimal risk of loss of Douglas Carpenter May 2014 #2

If you stipulate practicality and permission... sure. cthulu2016 May 2014 #5

To me, that would include an OBL type of maneuver... CTyankee May 2014 #7

Yes. Something that is just a rescue effort and then get out, if that is possible. Squinch May 2014 #18

I'm usually anti-interventionist, but this is a especially heinous situation quinnox May 2014 #6

absolutely! I agree! CTyankee May 2014 #9

yes! nt hopemountain May 2014 #28

+1 nt Live and Learn May 2014 #29

No madville May 2014 #8

that sounds kind of heartless, doesn't it? Douglas Carpenter May 2014 #12

Insufficient data sarisataka May 2014 #10

No - This requires police-type work, not the military. chrisa May 2014 #11

Agreed. nt Cali_Democrat May 2014 #14

Yes. HooptieWagon May 2014 #20

Interestingly... 2naSalit May 2014 #13

No. But I might send them in to destroy both of the religious psycho groups. PeteSelman May 2014 #15

Yes, but that surprises nobody. Chan790 May 2014 #17

Its probably not possible. HooptieWagon May 2014 #19

I think the use of drones and satellites to provide military intel is warranted. Kaleva May 2014 #21

It's a heinous situation but if we're suddenly in favor of playing world police let's discuss terms. Nuclear Unicorn May 2014 #22

I think these lives are just as valuable as American lives. Nye Bevan May 2014 #23

A few things... davidn3600 May 2014 #24

I wouldn't rule it out. lumberjack_jeff May 2014 #25

covert only larkrake May 2014 #26

No, because that is likely to result in death of many hostages BainsBane May 2014 #27

Rather hard to negotiate with someone who thinks he's doing God's work. Kaleva May 2014 #31

Depends wholly on the practicalities, which I am not in a position to have an informed opinion on. Donald Ian Rankin May 2014 #30

No, just tell the Nigerian government to stop dragging their feet and get these girls already 951-Riverside May 2014 #32

Yes but only with UN authorization to protect (rescue) civilians that the government pampango May 2014 #33

Boko Haram- a suitable case for UN-approved intervention pampango May 2014 #34

Yes - as a singular, covert mission against Boko Haram to rescue any hostages they have cbdo2007 May 2014 #35