Frist has just said we should surrender in Afghanistan! WTF?

[beachmom]

http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/ap/2006/10/02/asia/AS_GEN_Afghanistan_Frist.php

QALAT, Afghanistan U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Monday that the Afghan guerrilla war can never be won militarily and called for efforts to bring the Taliban and their supporters into the Afghan government.

The Tennessee Republican said he had learned from briefings that Taliban fighters were too numerous and had too much popular support to be defeated by military means.

"You need to bring them into a more transparent type of government," Frist said during a brief visit to a U.S. and Romanian military base in the southern Taliban stronghold of Qalat. "And if that's accomplished we'll be successful."




Okay, that's it!! These Republicans do NOT know how to fight the WOT. I mean -- they insist on fighting forever in Iraq which had NOTHING to do with 9/11, and now they're calling for negotiations with terrorist backers like the Taliban in Afghanistan which was the CENTER of the WOT? This diary includes comments by conservatives, who acknowledge the Dems are tougher on Afghanistan:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/10/2/183139/861

And there are no parallels to Iraq. Kerry called for a summit in Iraq, but al Qaeda would NOT be involved. Yet Frist wants to negotiate with terrorists? Guys, it's time to get scared. Not only have we lost a great deal of our rights, but I really do think we are in danger of another attack. These people are so inept, I don't see there being any way they're doing what needs to be done stateside. This development coupled with the Condi revelation that she blew off Tenet when he was begging for action in July 2001, and it is becoming chrystal clear that had these people never been in office, it is a big possibility 9/11 would never have happened.

[sandnsea]

1. WOW

My mouth literally fell open. What in the hell are they thinking??

Are they trying to sucker some of the way far left who want to leave Afghanistan?? I can't figure this one out at all.

[TayTay]

2. Frist has retracted this and says he was misquoted

That is one hell of a misquote. Wow! It is hard to believe that the media would have allowed something this explosive out without running it by Frist again for accuracy.

The media worm has truly turned, whether this story is true or not.

[beachmom]

3. Do you have a link for that?

It's now been front paged on Kos, and I saw nothing in the comments. Thanks.

[TayTay]

5. From the DKos comments

Frist issues correction: (4+ / 0-)
Recommended by: thebes, dday, College Progressive, keikekaze
Re-post, but I want to make sure y'all see this, too, only because I want us to have the info.

http://pajamasmedia.com/...

"I’m currently overseas visiting our troops in Afghanistan, but I wanted to take a moment to address an Associated Press story titled, “Frist: Taliban Should Be in Afghan Gov’t.” The story badly distorts my remarks and takes them out of context.

"First of all, let me make something clear: The Taliban is a murderous band of terrorists who’ve oppressed the people of Afghanistan with their hateful ideology long enough. America’s overthrow of the Taliban and support for responsible, democratic governance in Afghanistan is a great accomplishment that should not and will not be reversed.

Having discussed the situation with commanders on the ground, I believe that we cannot stabilize Afghanistan purely through military means. Our counter-insurgency strategy must win hearts and minds and persuade moderate Islamists potentially sympathetic to the Taliban to accept the legitimacy of the Afghan national government and democratic political processes.

National reconciliation is a necessary and an urgent priority ... but America will never negotiate with terrorists or support their entry into Afghanistan’s government."

[beachmom]

6. If you read the whole article, you can see where the confusion is

He's using the word "Taliban" interchangeably between the fighter/terrorists and the civilian population who support them.

I think it's his own fault. He screwed up in how he talked about it. He can clarify a few more times, but this proves he's a bit of an idiot.

[TayTay]

7. I know and I am enjoying every second of it

Last week was awful. This week, it basted Rethug on a spike. I like this week better, quite frankly.

[fedupinBushcountry]

4. This is also on Huffington Post

Frist: Taliban Should Be in Afghan Gov't
Mon Oct 2, 2006 4:01 PM EDTworld-news, afghanistan, bill-frist, frist
Jim Krane, AP Writer


QALAT, AFGHANISTAN — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Monday that the Afghan war against Taliban guerrillas can never be won militarily and urged support for efforts to bring "people who call themselves Taliban" and their allies into the government.

The Tennessee Republican said he learned from briefings that Taliban fighters were too numerous and had too much popular support to be defeated on the battlefield.

more>
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2006/10/02/383378-frist-taliban-should-be-in-afghan-govt