Increase US military presence in Afghanistan or decrease US military presence in Afghanistan.

[blm]

Where do DU Dems stand?

With the hawks or those standing against the hawks?

Replies expressing WHY you want or don't want more military presence in Afghanistan are welcome.

[sarge43]

1. My reasons for decreasing

1. History isn't on our side. With the exception of G. Khan, who did a 12th century version of nuking the place, every army that has gone in there has had its head handed to it. Plus it's the worst possible ground for an army to fight on.

2. The mission hasn't been satisfactorily defined.

3. Terrorism isn't war; it's a crime. An army isn't a police force.

4. Did I mention? The mission hasn't been defined.

5. Wars have a bad habit of spilling over into another places.

[blm]

2. Well said.

.

[lamp_shade]

3. I don't feel qualified to judge.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. Everyone voting to increase troop presence in Afghanistan should volunteer for duty

We don't need chickenhawks on DU.

That's what the rethugs do.

[blm]

6. They have a right to their opinion. It would be interesting to read their reasons why they believe

the hawks (McChrystal, Gates, Holbrooke, Clinton) are right, and why they think Biden, Kerry and Reed are wrong for wanting a decrease.

And I say that even though the visceral side of me agrees with your view.

[SIMPLYB1980]

11. Some of those who have family over there know

they could use some backup right now.

[Mari333]

8. [phone]

[bigwillq]

5. Decrease (nt)

[Vattel]

7. It's a tough call

because I don't know enough about the situation there to be at all confident about what the consequences of an increase or decrease would be. The historical argument is unconvincing partly because the vast majority of Afghans hate the Taleban and, although they are very frustrated with the Karzai government, they vastly prefer that government to the Taleban alternative. Judging by the most recent poll that I am familiar with (Feb 2009), the majority also still want an American military presence, with about half wanting the Americans to leave "only after order is restored," and another substantial portion wanting us to remain for 1-2 years. On the other hand, if the "experts" are talking about 1-3 billion dollars per month and hundreds or thousands of American lives, then Obama needs to think really hard about whether there wouldn't be a better investment of the resources in question. I think Obama is thinking hard about the situation, and I'm really glad he's making the call and not McCain.

[prostomulgus]

9. What if they gave a war and nobody came? nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. END the military presence in Afghanistan.

No possible outcome in Afghanistan is worth sacrificing American lives.

[VMI Dem]

12. Whatever our President decides.

Because he is smarter than you or I.

[Sebastian Doyle]

13. Smart people can still listen to bad advice

And Obama's getting a lot of that, unfortunately. :evilfrown: