Report: Special ops raids halted last month

[babylonsister]

Seymour Hersh mentioned McRaven...


Report: Special ops raids halted last month
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, March 11, 2009


Most American special operations raids in Afghanistan were halted for two weeks in February because of concerns over civilian casualties, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Citing unnamed military officials, the Times reported that the temporary halt was ordered by U.S. commanders after a series of nighttime raids killed women and children — adding to mounting criticism from the Afghan government and public.

The order included all commando missions except those "against the highest-ranking leaders of the Taliban and al Qaeda," the Times reported.

The decision was an indication "of just how worried military officials are that the fallout from civilian casualties is putting in peril the overall American mission in Afghanistan, including an effort to drain the Taliban of popular support," the Times said.

Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have risen by nearly 40 percent compared to 2007, though recent reports by international organizations — including the United Nations — say most of those casualties are now caused by Taliban attacks.

The stand down was ordered by Vice Adm. William H. McRaven, chief of the Joint Special Operations Command, officials said. The raids have since been resumed.

more...

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61251

[midnight]

1. When does this nightmare end!

[burythehatchet]

3. When the country has bankrupted all future generations. i.e., a couple more years

[babylonsister]

4. Stop being so upbeat, would ya? nt

[burythehatchet]

5. heh heh

Upbeat starts Saturday, when I get to pick up my son. :-))

[babylonsister]

6. Good, and enjoy your time together!

:toast:

[derby378]

2. This Steve Earle song reminds me of McRaven and his death squad

Beggin' your pardon there, stranger
You look like you're new to this town
We're a long way away from the beach here
You won't see many gringos around
Well, I come from west Colorado
And I've wandered this world far and wide
I've lived for some years in the shadows
And my eyes aren't used to this light
If you buy me a strong drink of whiskey
I will tell you the tale of my life
It's long and it's sad, but it fits me
And it may bring a tear to your eye

All the men of my family were solidiers
The hard-fightin', straight-talkin' kind
When my turn came, all that was over
But I'd already made up my mind
I was there when we blew though Grenada
And I still have to ask myself why
Then we took down that fool Noriega
That's where I caught the good Colonel's eye
Well, he asked me if I loved my country
And before I had time to reply
He regaled me with tales of past glories
And I believed every one of his lies

So I left my old life behind me
Turned my back on my family and friends
And I did everything that they asked me
And I lost some sleep now and again
And I lived like a thief and assassin
And I smuggled their poisons sometimes
Until I asked the wrong question in passing
And the Colonel himself dropped the dime

So if you're ever in west Colorado
Tell the folks in Durango goodbye
There's a price on my head and I can't go
So I'll just wait around here 'til I die