Comments on: Downrange: An Informal Report of a trip to Afghanistan with Marine Gen. James N. Mattis

By: Pierdolenie pizdy

Pierdolenie pizdy — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:04:51 +0000

A lot of of what you mention happens to be supprisingly accurate and that makes me wonder why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This article truly did turn the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject matter goes. Nonetheless there is just one factor I am not necessarily too cozy with so while I attempt to reconcile that with the actual main theme of the issue, let me see just what all the rest of the readers have to say.Nicely done.

By: Liz Wallace

Liz Wallace — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:33:42 +0000

So true. If the Afghan or Iraqi people had expressed an overwhelming desire for our help I could understand investing so much (not as much as we have though). I believe in a strong military but here in the US our elders and poor children are getting squeezed to fund these conflicts. When do we cut our losses?

By: Dani H.

Dani H. — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:41:55 +0000

loved the post. I’m gonna show this to my (future) bf heh. Hope you’re having a good Sunday. – Danielle

By: Mila

Mila — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:01:06 +0000

A great series mr.Steve,thank you.
I have learned much more about the war in Afgaistan ( Middle-East).
Gen,J.Mattis is a hero to me.

By: Scott Usborne

Scott Usborne — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 02:00:24 +0000

I suggest you read Charles Chenevix Trench’s excellent book The Frontier Scouts. It is about the British officered Pashtun scout units on the Indian NW Frontier (now Pakistan’s FATA etc) of the late 19th and early 20th Centurys. Bascially the Brit officers did it similiar to Maj Gant’s approach in One Tribe at a Time, by showing respect and develeoping personal and enduring friendships with the Pashtun soldiers that they led. Steven is right you don’t need geniuses- “again and again, personal liking, trust, affection, overcame differences of religion and culture.” (p. xv) and “The wonderful thing about Scouts; … is that when they get to know you, you make such friends.” (p. 61)

By: Howard Stein

Howard Stein — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:53:50 +0000

Outstanding piece. As a South African, I have some understanding of tribes. It was our belief that what was going to prevent a black government from ever taking hold was tribal argument. It did not come to pass. A greater good was somehow entertained and the tribal clamor subsided. Elections were held. An entirely different third world issue looms now, the specter of a second Zimbabwe. So the true trouble ahead is seldom clear. Thanks for a very enlightening and well written report.

By: Shea Brown

Shea Brown — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:51:26 +0000

Dear Mr. Taslitz,
You certainly write well , and clearly express your opinions,, and I quote you;
““Maybe blame can be localized to whatever forces or events turned the U.S. electorate off to the idea that every citizen owes service to his country–and decreed that 100% of the burden for defending our nation be borne by 5% of its citizenry.” I believe the conditions this statement reflects point toward a fundamental obstacle to accomplishing our strategic goals in Afghanistan.”

And I quote you again;
“How we as a nation deal with the enemy at home will define our success in Afghanistan and our future role in the world.”
So,, let me get this straight,,, you believe we should bring back the draft,, and you feel like people back in the United States who do not want the draft brought back are your enemies ? Or are your enemies the people at home who do not share your definition of success in Afghanistan?
And , I would like to send a couple of my ideas your way for your consideration.
There are a considerable number of ex military and ex intelligence employees in the U.S. who know very well that our invasion of Iraq, and our current military occupation of Afghanistan, have both been quite unnecessary.
While you do not at all question the nature of our mission in Afghanistan,, you see as your enemy, the citizens who would question the role of our military.
I suggest you read a little about Matthew Ho,, an ex soldier who went to the State Dept,, was assigned to Afghanistan,, and resigned.
While the real experts,, whose salaries and benefits do not depend on following orders,, will tell you that there will never be a military solution to what is going on in Afghanistan,, and while other experts and committees are reporting on how we are actually paying insurgents not to attack our supply convoys in Afghanistan,, you see your enemy as the U.S. citizen who has the nerve to question our mission and role in Afghanistan.
Please look up fascism in any dictionary. There are many here who consider your types an enemy of sorts. Keep killing,, let the war profiteers make all the money,, keep loading your guns,, and let me know in about ten years how that has all worked out for you. It’s all about the money for the “complex” and all about the money in the heroin. And they both depend on brave blind fellows like yourself for their success. I suggest you take a long walk through Arlington National Cemetery,, and a slow walk by the Wall,, and then read the “Politics of Heroin” by Alfred W. McCoy,, and then study just a little bit about the political failures and the corporate greed that are the causes of all armed conflicts.
Yes,, we are a country that is slowly learning to question authority,, on so many levels. Good luck to you on your journey to fix this world with soldiers.

By: Baba Montana

Baba Montana — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:27:46 +0000

“Gen. McChrystal is the only U.S. commander with no budget. What he needs, he gets. He can cherry-pick any individual from any unit and get him sent wherever he wants. At least that’s the theory. But even the Machine can grind slowly sometimes. I ask him if he feels he is getting enough support from up the chain of command. He answers sincerely, I believe, that he feels backed up fully by the White House, the SecDef and all hands in the Capitol and the Pentagon.”

Interesting comment now.The American People will never be for this war with”both feet” Obama is harder to read. A lot can happen between now and July 2011. He will keep to his word and begin to back down the surge. How much depends on what Afghanistan looks like then.

By: Len Anderson IV

Len Anderson IV — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:52:44 +0000

Steve, an educational series once again. Thank you.

Semper Fi.

By: gary s. chapman

gary s. chapman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:43:30 +0000

Amazingly mind-picture creating writing. I hope, in the future, that you have the opportunity to embed with a ground-level platoon.

I understand what you mean by moving in the bubble. As a photographer, I have often felt the same working in Pakistan. The bubble sometimes keeps me from photographing what I want. But you seem to have been able to easily look through yours and give us rich insight. Thanks.