THE REAL REASON JOHN MCCAIN WANTS TO CANCEL THE DEBATE---->

[redstate_democrat]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/world/asia/26military.html

Pakistani and American Troops Exchange Fire

WASHINGTON — Pakistani and American ground troops exchanged fire along the border with Afghanistan on Thursday after the Pakistanis shot at two American helicopters, ratcheting up tensions as the United States increases its attacks against militants from Al Qaeda and the Taliban, who are being sheltered in Pakistan’s restive tribal areas.

The two American OH-58 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters were not damaged and no casualties were reported on either side from the ground fire. But American and Pakistani officials agreed on little else about what happened in the fleeting mid-afternoon clash between the allied troops.

American and NATO officials said that the two helicopters were flying about one mile inside Afghan air space to protect an American and Afghan patrol on the ground when the aircraft were fired on by small-caliber arms fire from a Pakistani military checkpoint near Tanai district in Khost Province.

In response, the American ground troops shot short bursts of warning fire, which hit well shy of the rocky, hilltop checkpoint, and the Pakistanis fired back, said Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, a spokesman for the Central Command.

But a spokesman for the Pakistani army, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, said Pakistani forces fired warning shots at the American aircraft after they crossed into Pakistan’s territory in the area of Saidgai, in North Waziristan’s Ghulam Khan region. “On this, the helicopters returned fire and flew back,” General Abbas said.

There has been growing tension regarding U.S.-Pakistani relations and Obama has really been the ONLY person running for President who has been on top of this. John McCain has been so naive and out of touch regarding the deteriorating relationship the U.S. has with Pakistan, to the point where he called Pakistan our allies, even as they provide sanctuary for bin Laden. John McCain hasn't demanded a thing from the Pakistanis in this "hunt to the gates of hell for bin Laden". We send millions to Pakistan and they are hosting bin Laden. Obama knows this and so does McCain. Now that events have "changed on the ground", he really doesn't want to have this debate on foreign policy until the Bushies can do their magic in Pakistan for the McCain campaign.

[DesertFlower]

1. exactly. the debate is

supposed to be about foreign policy.

[navarth]

2. recommend

[redstate_democrat]

3. kick

[hvn_nbr_2]

4. McCain is praying to Palin's witch-hunter to move the gates of hell out of Pakistan. nt

[redstate_democrat]

5. lol

:rofl:

[abumbyanyothername]

6. We send billions to Pakistan

But it looks like we are not going to pay it back anyway.

[redstate_democrat]

7. Yeah

I want the moderator tomorrow to ask McCain whether we should continue sending Pakistan billions when they are shooting at our troops. I think that is a relevant question as of today. A President has to handle many things at a time. Yes, we have a financial emergency right now, but we are also on the precipice of an all out bloodbath with this Pakistan issue.