U.S. launches artillery into Pakistan

[maddezmom]

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Asserting a right to self-defense, American forces in eastern Afghanistan have launched artillery rounds into Pakistan to strike Taliban fighters who attack remote U.S. outposts, the commander of U.S. forces in the region said Sunday.

The skirmishes are politically sensitive because Pakistan's government, regarded by the Bush administration as an important ally against Islamic extremists, has denied that it allows U.S. forces to strike inside its territory.

The use of the largely ungoverned Waziristan area of Pakistan as a haven for Taliban and al-Qaida fighters has become a greater irritant between Washington and Islamabad since Pakistan put in place a peace agreement there in September that was intended to stop cross-border incursions.

Army Col. John W. Nicholson, commander of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, said in an Associated Press interview that rather than halt such incursions, the peace deal has led to a substantial increase.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070211/ap_on_re_as/us_afghanistan;_ylt=Al7m_vMQSG3I2bUPG9t59Z5vaA8F

[ShortnFiery]

1. This is DUMB. Pakistan is NOT politically stable and has NUKES!

It's figuratively equivalent to tickling a wild bear in the ass, i.e., It's f**king insane!

[fed-up]

2. some info on Pakistan/ISI

http://forums.therandirhodesshow.com/index.php?showtopic=69632
What About Pakistan's ISI?, The money trail.


http://forums.therandirhodesshow.com/index.php?showtopic=105994&hl=pakistan
Bush assigns self yet more power.

copy/pasted from post #6
Bush has repeatedly stated that he admires the dictator of Pakistan (who seized power in a military coup in 1999)

"Many nations are acting forcefully. Pakistan is now cracking down on terror, and I admire the strong leadership of President Musharraf." (2002 SOTU, paragraph 16 of 67)

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/2007...l?th&emc=th

"Can you name the general who is in charge of Pakistan?" asked Hiller, inquiring about Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, who took over last month in a military coup.

"Wait, wait, is this 50 questions?" replied Bush.

Hiller replied: "No, it's four questions of four leaders in four hot spots."

Bush said: "The new Pakistani general, he's just been elected – not elected, this guy took over office. It appears this guy is going to bring stability to the country and I think that's good news for the subcontinent." (from a 1999 interview)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponl...e181051_000.htm

If Only I Were A Dictator, by George W. Bush

Yes, George W. Bush has stated he'd prefer to be a dictator at least three times, according to BuzzFlash.com:

"You don't get everything you want. A dictatorship would be a lot easier." Describing what it's like to be governor of Texas. (Governing Magazine 7/98) -- From Paul Begala's "Is Our Children Learning?"

"I told all four that there are going to be some times where we don't agree with each other, but that's OK. If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator," Bush joked. -- CNN.com, December 18, 2000

"A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it, " said. -- Business Week, July 30, 2001

http://www.buzzflash.com/analysis/2002/10/29_Dictator.html

[stillcool]

3. who are the people in your neighborhood?

McCain criticises Nato on Afghan support
By Demetri Sevastopulo in Munich
Published: February 10 2007 20:05 | Last updated: February 10 2007 20:05

John McCain, the US Republican senator, on Saturday told the FT he was “fairly close” to making a decision about whether he would enter the 2008 race for the White House.
Mr McCain made his comments in Munich on the same day that Barack Obama, the Democratic senator, announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential race in Illinois.

The maverick Arizona politician was attending an influential Munich defence conference – attended by Russian president Vladimir Putin and a host of European defence ministers – where he criticised Nato allies for not contributing more military and financial support for the alliance’s mission in Afghanistan.

“There will undoubtedly be an offensive this spring in Afghanistan,” said Mr McCain. “The only question is whether it will be Nato’s offensive or the Taliban’s. Nato members can help ensure that we keep the Taliban on their heels by at least matching the US troop increase of 3,000 and by reconsidering national caveats.”

The US wants European countries, including Germany and Spain, to reduce restrictions imposed on their troops serving in Afghanistan.

Mr McCain said the Nato campaign in Afghanistan was crucial to ensuring its relevance. “If Nato does not prevail in Afghanistan, it is difficult to imagine the alliance undertaking another “hard security” operation – in or out of area – and its credibility would suffer a grievous blow”
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4e6110a6-b93f-11db-a5bc-0000779e2340.html

[Straight Shooter]

7. Financial Times refers to McCain as a maverick.

This leads me to wonder if "maverick" has become a euphemism for "brown-noser," or maybe "boot-licker," or perhaps "fawning sycophant."

http://onelook.com/?w=maverick&ls=a

adjective: independent in behavior or thought (Example: "Maverick politicians")

[stillcool]

11. John McCain reminds me of the Manchurian Candidate...

or the Invasion of the body-snatchers. There is no there, there any more.

[fujiyama]

12. McCain is a dumb ass

NATO has provided plenty of support in Afghanistan. It's the US that took its eye off the ball there and went after Iraq. He has no right to criticize anyone when he's busy endorsing a surge of troops in Iraq.

[sarcasmo]

4. Let's look at the big picture. This makes a three front War and the Idiot

wants to expand to a fourth front, Iran. If I am missing something please let me know. We are stretched way to thin, how can we fight a three, or four front War with an all volunteer Army.

[Joanne98]

5. contractors....

Blackwater hearing on c-span one right now. :)

[sarcasmo]

6. What is the Blackwater total 100,000? I guess we have become a Mercenary force.

[NYC]

8. A corporate army.

[shanti]

10. and it's ALL in the PNAC

bringing you all war, all the time! :grr: :mad:

[HuffleClaw]

9. so when they do the same with IRAN they can claim

'we're defending ourselves' and point to the fact that pakistan didn't retaliate.

[originalpckelly]

13. At least they're going after the right country...

unfortunately they have us off fucking things up in Iraq, when we should be working on Pakistan.

[USA No. 1]

14. This is scarey because this administration is crazy.

Who are they gonna bomb next, the French?

[Zhade]

16. Wait - you support attacking Pakistan?

NT!

[cliss]

15. Thanks for posting.

When I read this, I get incredibly nervous. Pakistan is a powder keg, ready to blow. The US is playing with fire as they repeatedly go in there. It's unbelievable: they drop bombs on homes, randomly, as they look for "Al Qaida #2 Man".

The biggest problem is how the US is acting like a Bull in a China Shop. They really believe they own this country, they can do whatever the hell they please. They run over 20 people in an intersection during rush hour traffic (remember that? - the fallout was unbelievable).

Musharraf is incredibly vulnerable. Regardless what Bush "thinks" the "President" (aka dictator) is hanging on by a thread. He is so hated from his friendship with Bush. DU:ers, whatever you do, do not get into a car with this man.

The Fuse is Burning...