Meanwhile, back in Afghanistan...

[frogcycle]

http://www.icasualties.org/oef/

01/31/08 Reuters: Bomb kills one in Kabul
Suicide car bomber targets an Afghan army bus in Kabul, killing one and injuring many.

01/31/08 BBC: Afghanistan's future 'in peril'
Two more Western reports say that international efforts are failing to make Afghanistan a stable state. The Atlantic Council says that Nato is not winning in Afghanistan and Oxfam warns that the country faces a humanitarian disaster.

01/31/08 AP: Bomber kills Afghan deputy governor, 5 others in mosque attack
A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a mosque in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing Helmand province's deputy governor and five other people, officials said.

01/30/08 Reuters: Half-trained troops to fight the Taleban
Afghanistan risks reverting to a failed state and a haven for global terrorism without new U.S. and international efforts to win the war and achieve development, two studies said on Wednesday

01/30/08 AP: 3 Civilians Killed in Afghan Bombings
Roadside bombings and a suicide attack in southern Afghanistan killed three civilians and wounded nine others, a police chief said Wednesday. A suicide bomber in a vehicle tried to attack a NATO convoy in Kandahar province's Zhari district Wednesday...

01/30/08 Reuters: Afghan upper house backs journalist death sentence
Afghanistan's upper house of parliament has backed a death sentence issued against a reporter accused of blasphemy, one of the members said on Wednesday.

01/30/08 NPR: Children Try to Make a Living on Afghan Streets
On any given day in the towns and cities of Afghanistan, tens of thousands of children head to the streets to beg and hawk sundries — even during the winter, when bitter winds and snow keep most adults indoors.

[islandmkl]

1. just another case of the media not reporting the 'good news'....

i guess they were too busy to make stuff up about the war-fronts today.

[gateley]

2. Biden released a plan today, and chaired the SFRC Afghanistan Hearing.

I'll find the link and post it.

I watched the hearings, and although most of the Dems weren't in attendance due to some Dem caucus (?), the Reps were absolutely fed up with the reports they were getting, so that was encouraging.

Just wanted to let you know that SOME people are trying to DO something about it.

[frogcycle]

4. I think there is a good chance

that if we somehow manage to gain a few senate seats and a dem president with lots of hope but little substance, the "old men" of the Senate could start running the country. Let Biden, Dodd, Leahy, et al start really driving issues, passing laws, and the executive can just execute those laws. Of course, Reid would have to go. Good job for Hillary, IMO.

Joe Biden and Chris Dodd could end up GLAD they didn't succeed in their bids.

[malaise]

3. Didn't the Canadians threaten to withdraw

their troops?

[gateley]

5. Today during the hearings, a rep from Canada was there (may have been an

ambassador). Biden made it VERY clear, as did another Senator or two, how very much Canada's help and support was appreciated. so you're probably right.