Gates, Petraeus Urge Obama To Reject Substantial Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal

[tekisui]

Source: Democracy Now!

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gen. David Petraeus are urging President Obama to reject calls for a substantial withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan this summer. Despite growing opposition to the nearly 10-year-long war, Gates and Petraeus are arguing that to leave too early would imperil hard-fought gains. The war in Afghanistan is already the longest in U.S. history. Gates spoke in Afghanistan on Monday.

Video at link: http://www.democracynow.org/2011/6/7/headlines/gates_petraeus_urge_obama_to_reject_substantial_afghanistan_troop_withdrawal

[Atman]

1. "There are still profits to be made!"

Think of the MONEY! We must stay indefinitely!

.

[Raine1967]

2. While I understand you sentiment, regarding contractors...

How exactly are these 2 men making money off of that?

I disagree with both about this, but I don;t see how money is being made by them.

[Arctic Dave]

4. When they retire, they get to go through the revolving door to MIC contractor.

They will be paid millions.

[ProSense]

3. Well

let's hope President Obama doesn't listen to them. ABC

<...>

While Obama has said there will be a substantial drawdown of the 100,000 U.S. forces, Gates has framed it as "modest" one for July, but said the number has not been decided on.

"The question is how do you tie it with what you're going to do by the end of 2012," said Gates. "What I have said is that it is important as we did in Iraq to have a strategy behind the numbers, not to just pluck a single number out and say, okay, that's the number."

Petraeus said their job is to provide Obama with options and gauge the risks of each potential plan.

"It is ultimately the president's decision. And of course... we need to have congressional support. But they also need to understand consequences," the general said.

<...>

[tekisui]

5. Let's hope so. It'd be great to see 15-20,000 come out, with

the entirety of Obama's surge out by the end of the year. The sooner the better. There is nothing left to be gained and much to be lost.

[Bragi]

6. Their bleatings might make withdrawal easier for Obama

Maybe the political sands have shifted enough that Obama may now be able to make significant strides towards ending the pointless Afghan war that he mistakenly escalated. I hope so.

I'm even okay with him pretending he accomplished something, if it makes him feel better about finally ending this post 9-11 Bushian war-on-terror travesty.

[monmouth]

7. No wonder they talked POTUS out of choosing Gen. Cartwright, the

one Obama wanted in the first place. I still don't get that. Is not the POTUS CIC, head of the military? I don't trust these guys at all. Out..Completely..Now dammit!