When will it be time to leave?

[Election Watcher]

I would like to hear from you, regarding Afghanistan.
We have many who have been saying we need to "win". We need "victory". But few have every stated their vision of what that victory would constitute.

So tell me. Not how long should we stay, because "Until we defeat the enemy" is rather empty.

But what would "winning"/"victory", be?

OR, from the other side of the coin, is it time to leave now?

[Safiel]

I would like to hear from you.
We have many who have been saying we need to "win". We need "victory". But few have every stated their vision of what that victory would constitute.

So tell me. Not how long should we stay, because "Until we defeat the enemy" is rather empty.

But what would "winning"/"victory", be?

OR, from the other side of the coin, is it time to leave now?

Assuming you are talking about Afghanistan.

The time to leave occurred the instant bin Laden was killed.

We should have left then.

We should leave right now.

We could have declared "victory" on the death of bin Laden.

There is no other victory to be had there.

Just pointless engagements, death and dismemberment.

[ArmyCowboy]

I would like to hear from you.
We have many who have been saying we need to "win". We need "victory". But few have every stated their vision of what that victory would constitute.

So tell me. Not how long should we stay, because "Until we defeat the enemy" is rather empty.

But what would "winning"/"victory", be?

OR, from the other side of the coin, is it time to leave now?

Afghanistan?

2002

[Creefer]

They don't want a victory. The nameless, stateless enemy is perfect for the authoritarians. Always a boogie man and a reason to give up liberties in the nmae of supposed security.

[UK Glenmont]

Assuming you are talking about Afghanistan.

The time to leave occurred the instant bin Laden was killed.

We should have left then.

We should leave right now.

We could have declared "victory" on the death of bin Laden.

There is no other victory to be had there.

Just pointless engagements, death and dismemberment.

saved me some typing, thanks.

[Election Watcher]

Sorry. And isn't it sad I have to specify!!! Yes, Afghanistan.

[northshoreguy]

any chance we had at real victory in afghanastan ended on jan. 20, 2009 ... that said, it was time to leave as soon as we decided to tie the troops hands. since we did not do that, well, last week would have been perfect timing, that is before our generals and potus started their truly pathetic groveling act. just sayin'

[Safiel]

any chance we had at real victory in afghanastan ended on jan. 20, 2009 ... that said, it was time to leave as soon as we decided to tie the troops hands. since we did not do that, well, last week would have been perfect timing, that is before our generals and potus started their truly pathetic groveling act. just sayin'

And it won't change if Santorum or Gingrich take office on January 20, 2013. I would rather hope that we are gone from Afghanistan on that date.

Victory is getting the hell out of there before one more soldier gets killed, dismembered or otherwise injured.

[northshoreguy]

And it won't change if Santorum or Gingrich take office on January 20, 2013. I would rather hope that we are gone from Afghanistan on that date.

Victory is getting the hell out of there before one more soldier gets killed, dismembered or otherwise injured.

yes, we are well past the tipping point. no new politician(s) on the scene will change that. plus, we lack the will to let our troops do their job .... so, at this point, i totally agree with your assessment except for the calling it a "victory" part.

[bigtwnvin]

The Soviets left Afghanistan after wasting time money and lives albeit trying to weild an iron fist, and gained nothing.
You would think the geniuses at the Pentagon would have taken a page from history. The US is trying to be friends with a tribal mentality that basically rejects our values and morals for crissakes let alone a government that is corrupt and tolerates America as long as the check clears.
As mentioned earlier, after Oh Slimey Bin Hidin' was greased, they should have pulled up stakes and beat it on out of there.

[Antrel]

Afghanistan?

2002

I think even that's a bit late if we're discussing conventional ground forces. Not that the Taliban should have even been part of the mission, but given it, we coulda just let them fester in Kandahar and called it a day before Thanksgiving 2001 while much of the 1-87 was still lime green. Driving them into Pakistan has been a geopolitical nightmare from the get-go.

[ArmyCowboy]

I think even that's a bit late if we're discussing conventional ground forces. Not that the Taliban should have even been part of the mission, but given it, we coulda just let them fester in Kandahar and called it a day before Thanksgiving 2001 while much of the 1-87 was still lime green. Driving them into Pakistan has been a geopolitical nightmare from the get-go.

That works fine for me.

[ALcard]

Personally, I think we've accomplished everything we said we would. Its up to the Afghans now.