On Christmas, Obama marks end of Afghan combat

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By JOSH LEDERMAN

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (AP) — President Barack Obama marked the end of more than a decade of combat in Afghanistan by paying tribute to America's military, telling troops on Christmas Day that their sacrifices have allowed for a more peaceful, prosperous world to emerge out of the ashes of 9/11.

At an oceanfront Marine Corps base in Hawaii, Obama told troops that while tough challenges remain for the U.S. military in hotspots like Iraq and West Africa, the world as a whole is better off because American troops put country first and served with distinction. He said Americans and their president could not be more thankful.

"Because of the extraordinary service of the men and women in the American armed forces, Afghanistan has a chance to rebuild its own country," Obama said to applause from Marines and their families. "We are safer. It's not going to be a source of terrorist attacks again."

Thirteen years and $1 trillion later, the U.S. is preparing to pull the vast majority of its combat troops out of Afghanistan by year's end, as the U.S. and its partners seek to turn the page on a bloody chapter that started the day that al-Qaida militants struck American soil on Sept. 11, 2011. From a peak 140,000 troops in 2010, the U.S. and NATO plan to leave just 13,500 behind for training and battlefield support.

FULL story at link.



President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, speaks to troops and their families on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii during the Obama family vacation. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141226/us--obama-e22ced19e2.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Isn't that what he promised about Iraq?

Then he sent 1300 troops back to Iraq and Hagel has just asked for 1,000 plus more.

"It's not going to be a source of terrorist attacks again."
The only way he can promise that is if WE are in control of the "terrorists".

We still droning Pakistan???

[24601]

2. The end of combat? Somebody better tell the Taliban because I don't believe they are on board. n/t

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. It took the Soviets ten years to figure out that Afghanistan was unwinnable.

It ended up helping to destroy the Soviet Union. I'd really hoped Obama would have been smarter than that. I'm disappointed he wasn't.

But then again we all know it's really all about war profits anyway. So very many lives lost for so little a reason...

[joshdawg]

4. Ok, since the mission is over, why not bring ALL our troops home.

We have no further need for military types in the M.E.

[uppityperson]

6. I'd like to see the military building schools, clinics, infrastructure to help the people

Non-religious schools that is, for girls as well as boys to learn other than the Taliban's twisted idea for of free indoctrination religious schools. Schools, clinics, roads, etc. Employ Afghanis and supervise, support them. That'd be a good use of the military.

[former9thward]

5. I wonder what future troops who are killed there

will think about the President's remarks in their final seconds?