Regarding this story today: Gen. David Petraeus, in an interview with The New York Times, says he didn’t go to Afghanistan to preside over a “graceful exit” from the war there. Petreaus is campaigning to win over Americans who are quickly growing skeptical of the U.S.’s ability to win in Afghanistan. The general said the war plan had been tweaked and fine-tuned only in the last few weeks, and that the U.S. shouldn’t rapidly withdraw at the start of President Obama’s deadline to pull troops out in July 2011. At that date, “For the first time,” Petraeus said, “we will have what we have been working to put in place for the last year and a half.” Petraeus also said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday that he might call for the drawdown to be delayed. The statements are the beginning of what could be a huge political fight over the war, as some Democrats in Congress are already pushing to withdraw soon. Obama offered the withdrawal deadline to placate the war’s critics, but recent campaigns to retake land from the Taliban haven’t gone as well as military planners had hoped, spurring them to consider asking the White House to delay or limit the pullout.
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To which one must say, What The Hell? On Oct 31, 2008 General Petraeus took over the command of CENTCOM (United States Central Command : headquartered in Tampa, Florida). Petraeus was responsible for U.S. operations in 20 countries spreading from Egypt to Pakistan—including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
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When taking over for General McChrystal he stated he agreed with the President on the draw down date in Afganistan.
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Now he going to the Press to do what exactely? Publicably raise questions about the President's Leadership? Get us to stay in Afghanistan for another 9 years? Blame someone else for the military command's failure (not the boots on the ground - the incorhent ideas from the brass on this.)
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He has been in charge of Afghanistan plans since October 2008. That is almost 2 years. If the war plan is only "just now" getting completed, what the hell has he been doing? Why on EARTH would one believe that it is in place now - and this goal line won't be moved again! I could list the "final push in Afghanistan" quotes for over 5 years. I could push the "last chance" quotes for years!
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Get out. Get out now. No more chances, no more "final pushes" that never never never end. No more dead people in Afganistan for nothing.