20,28,26,21,25,21,23,20,20,19...

[Minimalist]

The ages of the last 10 Americans killed in Afghanistan who have been identified by the Defense Department between 8-21 and 8-27. Nine more are awaiting identification through 8-29.

http://icasualties.org/OEF/ByTheatre.aspx



I keep wondering what they are dying for?

[chasm]

I keep wondering, too.

[Gfailure]

to answer that you need to open a whole new can of worms! One thing is sure, its a crying shame....

[Dotard]

Here are dozen reasons;


1. The Afghan Army is growing in size, experience, and leadership capabilities.
2. A recent study found that 90% of the Afghan population trusted the country’s military force.
3. More than 4,000 km of roads have been built where only 50 km existed in 2001.
4. The rehabilitation of the North-East power system has advanced and access of the rural households to electricity has been significantly increased.
5. In 2007 alone, ISAF nations completed 1,080 civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) projects.
6. 2,000 schools were built or repaired in the last five years and around 6.4 million children (including 1.5 million girls) are now in schools.
7. Since 2001, both infant and under-five mortality has declined by 26% and 22% respectively.
8. In 2001, 8% of Afghans had access to some form of healthcare. Now more than 80% of the population has access to medical care.
9. The non-opium economy has grown at an average of 12% over the past four years; the number of poppy-free provinces has grown from six in 2006 to 13 in 2007.
10. Afghan public support for international involvement in Afghanistan remains high with around 70% of Afghans supporting the presence of international forces.
11. The majority of Afghans believe their country is going in the right direction and 84% support their current government (as opposed to 4% who would support the Taliban).
12. They also maintain a positive view of reconstruction efforts with 63% saying that reconstruction efforts in their area have been effective since 2002.

[Gfailure]

Hmmm, I don't remember Afghanistan ever asking for help? But even if it did, why aren't other countries who are even worse off that Afghanistan receiving help when they ask for it? Or do they have to be bombed first?

Also, why is it, that when the Taliban where fighting the Soviets, they were helped and praised as heroes, there's even a Rambo movie dedicated to them, despite the fact that all the negative things they brought to their country was still there and when they stopped obeying Uncle Sam, we all of a sudden remembered how bad they are?

But you forgot probably the most important reason as to why these kids wont get to see their families again :

They were send there for all the wrong reasons based on an event whose validity is questionable at best?

[Minimalist]

General Petraeus seems to disagree about #1.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/29/...ghting-ah/

The United States has spent $27 billion on Afghan soldiers and police, but the army lacks "combat power" and cannot hold territory against Taliban insurgents, according to the new Afghan war commander Gen. David Petraeus.

The competence in battle of Afghan security forces is critical if U.S. troops are to begin withdrawing a year from this July, as proposed by President Obama.

[downbeatplumb]

I know a uk combat medic who describes the 'afghan army as like children'
engaging in petty squabbles and larsoney and general stupity, (he was in charge of a squad of afghans to train as medics)
they used all the sterile bandages they were issued with as extra layers when it got parky.

[Entropist]

I keep wondering what they are dying for?

Hmmm... Oh, yeah! now I remember! There was that guy over there... what was his name? Oh, yeah Osama bin Laden! We were looking for him, weren't we...?

~ ~ ~

The day after 9/11 I knew the US was going to step into hubris boldly. Like a lynch mob thirsty for blood, anyone and by any means.

[Minimalist]

That was 9 years ago. The question is why are we still there?

The only answer I can seem to come up with is that we prefer one group of drug dealers to another and that is simply not good enough.


Let's not pretend that this cocksucker Karzai is any great improvement.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=8327666

A controversial bill that Afghan President Hamid Karzai promised to review before implementing quietly became law last month, allowing police to enforce language that stipulates a wife's sexual duties and restricts a woman's ability to leave her own home.

[AnunZi]

Hmmm, I don't remember Afghanistan ever asking for help? But even if it did, why aren't other countries who are even worse off that Afghanistan receiving help when they ask for it? Or do they have to be bombed first?

Also, why is it, that when the Taliban where fighting the Soviets, they were helped and praised as heroes, there's even a Rambo movie dedicated to them, despite the fact that all the negative things they brought to their country was still there and when they stopped obeying Uncle Sam, we all of a sudden remembered how bad they are?

But you forgot probably the most important reason as to why these kids wont get to see their families again :

They were send there for all the wrong reasons based on an event whose validity is questionable at best?

If my reading is correct…….

The Taliban did not fight the Soviets.

The faction that fought against them (the Soviets) were called the Mujahideen. The Taliban formed in India after the Soviets had left.
A “Talib” is a preacher from a specific type of Islamic school prevalent in north west India. They crossed the border and pushed the Mujahideen out of Afghanistan.

In regard as to why the ISAF is in Afghanistan. Well I would say thats to get rid of the Taliban. Their particular form of Islamic fundamentalism is so anti western that they were responsible for a large part of the terrorist cells operating in the west.
A lot of my mates serve in the British army. Most of them have done tours over there and they all say the same thing. The people of Afghanistan are very much in favour of them being there. They see and appreciate the effort that those boys go through. They hate the Taliban, but at the same time they fear them. They fear what will happen if our forces leave and the Taliban come back.