What Has Happened Since The U.S. Killed Osama bin Laden?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

What Has Happened Since The U.S. Killed Osama bin Laden?

On May 2, 2011 in Pakistan, the U.S. killed Osama bin Laden, in a war the U.S. launched 10 years ago today. With great fanfare, President Obama proudly proclaimed this killing in a speech to the American people. But what has happened since then? What difference did it make?

None! This endless war and occupation continues as does the killing and maiming of men, women and children, as President Obama with funding from Congress escalates the violence. Nearly 1,700 U.S. soldiers have been killed, at least 12,000 soldiers have been severely injured, all with devastating impact on their families. The families of U.S. "contractors" and allies in smaller numbers are also bearing the loss of their loved ones. While tens of thousands of Afghans have been killed or severely injured and thousands of Afghan children have been orphaned. And for what?

The financial cost of the Afghan War to Americans is approaching a $1/2 trillion and that doesn't count the financial cost U.S. taxpayers will bear for decades to come taking care of the severely injured and establishing programs for those who will otherwise homelessly wander the streets. All of these people could otherwise have had productive lives.

What will it take for the U.S. to end this war and occupation it launched 10 years ago? How much longer does the U.S. intend to fight in and occupy Afghanistan? What are the U.S.'s objectives there? And what are the consequences to U.S. safety when some Afghan families seek revenge for the horrific losses the U.S. has caused them?

http://sane-ramblings.blogspot.com

[SoCalDem]

1. We are all just continuing to pay for George W's wars of revenge & pique

He needed those wars so he could "divert" surpluses & create mega windfalls for his donors.

[FiveGoodMen]

6. They are not Bush's wars anymore...

[indepat]

9. Nor his tax cuts

:patriot:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

2. This.

http://costofwar.com/en/

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

5. Thanks for adding that link to the thread...

It really brings the cost of these fiasco's home.

[bluestate10]

3. You're right.

Armed unmanned Drones that are capable of flying undetected for thousands of miles are at hand.

[soryang]

4. The predicate foundation for the question is not established

Assumes facts not in evidence.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

7. How would you have worded the question?

The author's point is that the war continues, and not much has changed.

[JoePhilly]

8. Really ... Obama announced that with "great fanfare"??????????

What ... did he land on an aircraft carrier??????

What total and complete BULLSHIT.

If you have an agenda, you really need to do better at hiding it.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

11. Re: If you have an agenda, you really need to do better at hiding it.

Yeah, we do have an agenda. End these senseless wars, drone attacks, etc., and bring the troops home now.
The author and I demanded that of Bush, and will continue to demand that regardless who the president is (especially because we voted for him!).

Why should we hide that agenda?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

10. The author adds...

Throughout the Afghan War, the killing of Osama bin Laden was supposed to be the key to destroying Al Qaeda and their Taliban allies. Bin Laden was killed over 5 months ago (5/2/11) and the War continues as before. General John Allen, is the 4th Commander of the Afghan War since Mr. Obama’s Presidency began in January, 2009. About three weeks ago in Kabul, the Taliban attacked the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters and Afghan Police Headquarters and it took 20 hours to repel them. That sent the message to Afghans and the world that after 10 years of U.S. War, no place in Afghanistan is safe from the Taliban.

Yesterday, on the 10th anniversary of the Afghan War, President Obama quietly issued a paper statement on that War, one filled with omissions and falsehoods. Attached is that statement for all to see: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-we-are-ending-afghanistan-war-responsibly/1?csp=34news Why didn’t the President hold a national news conference on Afghanistan and answer questions about the U.S.’s objectives, timeframes and projected expenses there? Where was any reference to U.S. “contractors?” Where was any reference to “Operation Enduring Freedom,” as President Bush termed the Afghan War. Is this War still supposedly for the freedom of the Afghan people? What do the Afghan people get for all the death and maiming of their men, women and children and the orphaning of many more of their children? What effect has the Afghan War had on the U.S. Drug War? Where is there any exploration of ideas and results with the American people from the President and Congress who authorize and fund this War all on the U.S. taxpayer credit card? Instead, the Presidential statement was sneaked out, much as the bodies of the dead U.S. soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq are sneaked in.

(edited for spelling)