In Pakistan, Taliban force military to take action
The most troubling development of the past year in Afghanistan/Pakistan was the widespread election fraud used to re-elect Hamid Karzai, which makes it difficult to sell his government as legitimate. On the other hand, I think that’s more than offset by developments in Pakistan, where the military finally seems to gotten the message that the Taliban want to kill them.
The trend in Iraq, you might recall, began to turn when Sunni Iraqis began to understand just how extreme and violent al Qaida really was, and thus began to fight back against them. The same process is now occurring in Pakistan. Military officials have concluded that the Taliban pose a real threat to Pakistan’s future, and it’s a message that the Taliban confirmed this morning:
“Taliban gunmen disguised as soldiers tried to infiltrate the headquarters of Pakistan’s military Saturday, setting off a fire fight near the capital that left at least four attackers and six soldiers dead, officials said….
Saturday’s assault was the latest in a week of broadsides from the Pakistan Taliban. The group has in recent days warned of a sustained campaign of terror attacks unless the military backs off plans to invade a militant stronghold along the Afghan border.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack in a phone call to the private Geo TV television station. The group, an offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, has been behind the vast majority of terror attacks in Pakistan over the past two years, officials say.
Few of the attacks have matched Saturday’s in terms of sheer audacity. The military is arguably Pakistan’s most powerful institution, and was once a patron of the militants who are now attacking it. The assault seemed intended to send a clear message that no where in Pakistan is safe, not even military headquarters.
Pakistan has made it clear the attacks will be answered with an offensive against the Taliban in the South Waziristan tribal area, one of the major Islamist militant bases in Pakistan. The military has been bombarding the area with artillery and aircraft for months, but timing of the ground invasion remains uncertain.”
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257 comments Add your comment
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
October 10th, 2009
10:42 am
It always cracks me up to hear a lib whine about election fraud, how do they think we got Obozo, mmm, mmmm, mmmm?
The military is arguably Pakistan’s most powerful institution, and was once a patron of the militants who are now attacking it. The assault seemed intended to send a clear message that no where in Pakistan is safe, not even military headquarters.
You can’t pack any more hidden messages into a few sentences than you did there, the most powerful, but yet the most impotent also. Sounds familiar don’t it?
What if all the Taliban were dead, duh, freaking duh?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator :-) You Whine :-(
October 10th, 2009
10:45 am
The most troubling development of the past year in Afghanistan/Pakistan was the widespread election fraud used to re-elect Hamid Karzai, which makes it difficult to sell his government as legitimate.
What does this make the US Senate with Al Freakan in it?
josef nix
October 10th, 2009
10:46 am
Pakistan tried the compromise “solution” in the Swat Valley and now they see where it got them. We’ll see if the military approach works any better.
Jackie
October 10th, 2009
10:53 am
The EXTRAPOLATION has begun.
The Pakistanis did it, therefore the USA must have done it.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
11:02 am
Let’s dissect and distill this latest liberal bright idea down to it’s purest form of idiocy; on behalf of a few “innocent” civilians a month, civilians who may or may not in fact be innocent, the United States Military, the most powerful organization ever assembled on God’s great Earth, is going to pull it’s punches and let the Taliban walk free. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the Taliban slaughter hundreds of innocent civilians a week and now are free to concentrate their full attention on said slaughter.
Ya follow me?
It almost makes you wonder if the libs want innocent civilians to be killed.
You know, to “save” the Earth and all that?
Jay
October 10th, 2009
11:08 am
I was off-line a good part of yesterday, so just finished skimming through the comments. So Gandalf, when you discover that your posting privileges have been revoked, it was in response to personal attacks posted yesterday.
ACORN fraud
October 10th, 2009
11:08 am
Just change the 1st sentence a little bit to see what truly troubling:
The most troubling development of the past year in America was the widespread election fraud used to elect Barack Obama, which makes it difficult to sell his government as legitimate.
Brad Steel
October 10th, 2009
11:16 am
The Taliban has typically been described as a relatively small group of battle-hardened muslim radicals living in the backwoods of Afghanistan, one of the poorest illiterate countries in the world.
Now the Taliban seems to have developed the resources and means to create global unrest by tipping the power balance in Pakistan and Iraq. And this is after more than 7 years of war with the US.
How in the hell is the Taliban becoming stronger and more influential?
TnGelding
October 10th, 2009
11:18 am
Have the Afghans gotten the message yet?
ACORN fraud
October 10th, 2009
11:08 am
You seem to miss the difference beween election fraud and voter registration fraud. And ACORN reported the discrepancies when it handed in the forms.
TnGelding
October 10th, 2009
11:21 am
Brad Steel
October 10th, 2009
11:16 am
Our meddling in their affairs created a recruiting bonanza. Sending in troops was the last thing that should have been done, not the first.
TnGelding
October 10th, 2009
11:25 am
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
11:02 am
The Taliban never was a threat to us and having troops in the region has only increaed their resolve.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator
You Whine 
October 10th, 2009
10:45 am
Franken won fair and square and has conducted himself admirably. What’s your beef?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator
You Whine 
October 10th, 2009
10:42 am
For every one you kill, you create at least 10 more.
joe matarotz
October 10th, 2009
11:31 am
This is from the White House website:
“Good morning,” began the President today. “Today, I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. And this marks the conclusion of a careful policy review, led by Bruce [Reidel], that I ordered as soon as I took office.”
The President stressed the perilous position we find ourselves in there, and the threat that would arise should safe havens on Pakistan go unchallenged or should the government in Afghanistan fall to the Taliban again. He also noted that 2008 was the deadliest year to date in that war.
This was dated FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2009 AT 10:32 AM
You can read the rest here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/27/A-New-Strategy-for-Afghanistan-and-Pakistan/
The bottome line is that in March, Obama stated that there is a new strategy in place for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since March, he has done what he usually does – nothing. For the Libs who are busy glad-handing and backslapping each other over his igNobel Prize, be advised that Fearless Leader is asleep at the switch.
The good news is that if he continues to do nothing, at least he won’t screw something else up. So cons, get off his back and let him idle along until the next election.
getalife
October 10th, 2009
11:31 am
Jones declared there are about 100 AQ left looking to the skies for drones.
Taliban declared they are not at war with the west.
Biden declared less of a foot print with drone bases.
McCrystal declared need more troops on a “protect the people” ( nation building mission)
Obama will ?
I have no idea.
Kamchak
October 10th, 2009
11:35 am
The most troubling development of year 2000 in The United States of America was the widespread election fraud used to elect George W. Bush, which made it difficult to sell his government as legitimate.
fyt
josef nix
October 10th, 2009
11:48 am
The only reason we’re jumping on Bush as “the worst” is that he is the most recent. Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln and Ulyssis Grant could lay him in the shade and as for election fraud’s they’ve all got to get up earlier than they are now if they’re out to compete with 1876.
Jackie
October 10th, 2009
11:49 am
The so-called conservatives are NEVER satisfied with actions taken by President Obama.
The country was on the edge of the economic abyss, he put in place the economic stimulus package; they complained!
The President loaned money to the auto companies and Wall Street bankers; they complained.
President Obama worked on mortgage overhaul, consumer loan overhaul, troop levels for Iraq and Afghanistan; they complained!
If Jesus were to walk the earth again, THEY WOULD COMPLAIN because he was not sufficiently conservative enough!
Soothsayer
October 10th, 2009
11:51 am
As middle class jobs are cut, demand falls, exacerbating overcapacity. Global capital shifts away from high cost production (except where that opportunity is limited by the State), replacing middle class employment in advanced economies with lower-cost labor in less-developed economies.
Ironically, this lowers demand for the global companies’ goods even as their overseas capacity expands. The net result is that financial speculation becomes an increasingly attractive use for capital. Thus selling consumers credit with which to buy cars becomes more profitable than selling them cars. Additional profit is reaped by bundling these consumer loans into packages–securitization–and selling the newly minted securities to credulous imvestors around the world.
Thus speculative leveraged credit and securitization can vastly increase profits even as production falls.
This is a great article for anyone interested in learning how we got into the mess we’re in. That is, if you can break from “full howl” for a minute or two.
Midori
October 10th, 2009
11:57 am
Jackie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tU8_uUeGys
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:04 pm
Franken won fair and square and has conducted himself admirably. What’s your beef?
Why, that he won fair and square and has conducted himself admirably, of course.
I have yet to meet a conservative, online or in real life, who has the slightest clue of what Franken actually believes or what he’s actually done in the past five years. Not one.
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:04 pm
So Gandalf, when you discover that your posting privileges have been revoked, it was in response to personal attacks posted yesterday.
Thank you, Jay.
Soothsayer
October 10th, 2009
12:12 pm
This is a great graph. The Case-Shiller home price index is in black. The amount of gold needed to buy that house is in red.
Brad Steel
October 10th, 2009
12:14 pm
At least we can have some confidence that the Obama team will handle the Taliban better than the Bush-Cheney-Rummy buffoon brigade.
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
12:15 pm
The Taliban never was a threat to us and having troops in the region has only increaed their resolve.
They hide behind women and children, hero, any more praises you’d like to lavish on them?
For every one you kill, you create at least 10 more.
Well then kill those ten new ones, and if that makes a hundred more, then kill them too.
Look at these libs, it won’t be an hour and they’ll be whining and moaning about the American Taliban telling them that they can’t fornicate with their boyfriends in public, and here they are now giving cold blooded killers a pass in a country that they have a duty to defend.
Absolve yourselves liberals, we know you are not man enough to handle it.
~~~~~
So why does Gandalf take the fall but not the other participants in the melee?
They don’t do anything BUT attack other bloggers.
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:15 pm
The same process is now occurring in Pakistan.
Hope you’re right about that.
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:17 pm
Well then kill those ten new ones, and if that makes a hundred more, then kill them too.
You pray in church with that mouth?
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:21 pm
Soothsayer, do you have any home value graphs that go back before ‘87 that you trust?
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
12:25 pm
Back in the days when bluster was cheap and easy-
“Now, the choice for the American people could not be clearer. John McCain has been talking a lot about change, but he’s running for four more years of the same foreign policy that we’ve had under George Bush. Senator McCain will continue the overwhelming focus on Iraq that has taken our eye off of the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11,” Obozo, mmm, mmmmm, mmmm, said.
Obozo, mmm, mmmmm, mmmm, has also proposed sending about 7,000 addition troops to Afghanistan to combat the Taliban and chase down bin Laden, who is believed to be hiding along the rugged border in neighboring Pakistan.-PMSNBC
Now it’s safe to let the inner coward emerge, and so it does.
mmm, mmmm, mmmm!
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
12:28 pm
You pray in church with that mouth?
Stands For Dingbat- Evil walks the Earth, fool.
Oh, nevermind, you wouldn’t understand.
mmm, mmmm, mmmm!
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:34 pm
“Evil walks the Earth”
Lame excuse noted.
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:35 pm
If Jesus were to walk the earth again, THEY WOULD COMPLAIN because he was not sufficiently conservative enough!
They wouldn’t bother complaining; they’d just find a reason to execute Him again.
stands for decibels
October 10th, 2009
12:41 pm
I’m usually not a big fan of posting diaries from the Orange Satan, but I thought this one had some bearing on Jay’s post as well as the news-shocker from yesterday, so here goes:
====================
The conservative media’s collective unraveling at the news of Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize should surprise no one at this point. They have actively hated the Peace Prize since Carter won it.
But the tone and substance of the analysis from the Right clearly reveal, once again, a more deeply seated, and somewhat disturbing, basis for their criticism. Their vision of the world at peace is essentially a Roman one: the eagle victorious atop crushed ‘enemies,’ a fearful prospect to allies and rivals alike. “Oderint dum metuant – let them hate so long as they fear.”
Of course, the problem with this approach to peacemaking is obvious.
1) It’s not really peace and
2) it fools exactly no one.
The Roman Historian Tacitus, in one of his more remarkable moments of empathy, has a British chieftain say of the Romans, “Auferre, trucidare, rapere falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.” – “to ravage, to kill, to steal under false pretenses they call “empire;” and when they make a desert and they call it peace.”
Obama’s initial rapprochement with the Muslim world, his trip to Egypt, his opening of discussions with Iran, his insistence on ending the occupation of Iraq, and his reformulating of the mission in Afghanistan have turned the basic neoconservative foreign policy formulation on its head. For that alone, for repudiating the imperial course laid by the the previous administration, he richly deserves the Nobel.
Soothsayer
October 10th, 2009
12:41 pm
What few are willing to accept is that the U.S. economy is entering a decades-long period of structural unemployment in which there will not be enough jobs for tens of millions of citizens. My January analysis remains conservative; given the end of the credit/debt bubble and other structural issues, it seems very likely that the U.S. economy might have about 100 million jobs in a few years–leaving some 35 to 40 million people without formal fulltime work or employer-paid benefits.
Soothsayer
October 10th, 2009
1:06 pm
When debt levels are enormous, as they are right now in the United States, an economic downturn becomes existential for a great many forcing people to reduce debt. Recession lowers asset prices (think houses and shares) while the debt used to buy those assets remains. Because the debt levels are so high, suddenly everyone is over-indebted. Many are technically insolvent, their assets now worth less than their debts. And the three D’s come into play: a downturn leads to debt deflation, deleveraging, and ultimately depression. The D-Process is what truly separates depression from recession and why I have said we are living through a depression with a small ‘d’ right now.
Secular inflation will be non-existent.
Therefore, the problem is a lack of demand for loans not a lack of supply. The Federal Reserve can print all the money it wants. But, if there is little demand for more indebtedness, it is not going to have the desired effect of permanently reflating the economy.
In case you missed it:
And the three D’s come into play: a downturn leads to debt deflation, deleveraging, and ultimately depression. The D-Process is what truly separates depression from recession and why I have said we are living through a depression with a small ‘d’ right now.
DebbieDoRight
October 10th, 2009
1:11 pm
Repubs + Taliban = Best Friends.
Isn’t that considered TREASON what big boy said yesterday? I wonder if he’ll say his treasonous speech was actually “free” speech in disguise……….
I Report/ Vast White Wing Conspirator (-: You Whine )-:
October 10th, 2009
1:13 pm
Obama’s initial rapprochement with the Muslim world, his trip to Egypt, his opening of discussions with Iran, his insistence on ending the occupation of Iraq, and his reformulating of the mission in Afghanistan have turned the basic neoconservative foreign policy formulation on its head. For that alone, for repudiating the imperial course laid by the the previous administration, he richly deserves the Nobel.
Nice missive, Stands For Dingbat, I didn’t know you were an author.
Why the Right REALLY hates Obama’s Nobel
by Paganus
Why the Right REALLY hates Obama’s NobelTweet this submit to reddit Share This
Sat Oct 10, 2009 at 06:44:58 AM PDT- Daily Kooks>/i>
Paganus or non attributer?
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:15 pm
sfb –
“Their vision of the world at peace is essentially a Roman one: the eagle victorious atop crushed ‘enemies,’ a fearful prospect to allies and rivals alike.”
This is absurd as saying that liberals want an America that is obsequious to other nations and that abdicates its government to the UN.
I am tired of extremists on either fringe ascribing false arguments to their political opponents. Is is pathetic game that both sides use and one that only demonstrates a need to demonize those who don’t share your views.
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:16 pm
sfb –
“They wouldn’t bother complaining; they’d just find a reason to execute Him again.”
Right because anyone who does not share your views is evil right?
@@
October 10th, 2009
1:18 pm
The Pakistani people, more than anything, value their sovereignty as a nation. They look to their civilian leadership, as well as the military leadership, to protect that sovereignty. The Kerry-Lugar bill restricting aide to non-military has put the two…civilian leadership and military leadership at odds.
How can a fragile leadership, absent aide to the military, protect the Pakistani people?
They can’t.
The Pakistani people lodge complaints when U.S. drones are allowed to invade their sovereignty. The civilian leadership must, in some way, placate the people. Their re-election depends on it. They’re asking for our drone technology so that any offensive action is their own.
What a mess.
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:19 pm
DebbieDoRight –
“Repubs + Taliban = Best Friends.”
Why because both the Taliban and many conservatives think that the Nobel Prize was not deserved. Looks like plenty of Democrats are Best Friends with the Taliban too.
By your pathetic logic, Democrats are also best friends with Qaddafi, as he thinks Obama is great too. Both claims are ridiculous.
“Isn’t that considered TREASON what big boy said yesterday? I wonder if he’ll say his treasonous speech was actually “free” speech in disguise……….”
Ah, yet another liberal playing the patriotism card. Isn’t it funny how those that are truly intolerant of other views all use the same disgusting tactics
Kamchak
October 10th, 2009
1:20 pm
But the tone and substance of the analysis from the Right clearly reveal, once again, a more deeply seated, and somewhat disturbing basis for their criticism.
And what is Erick, son of Erick’s “deeply seated, and somewhat disturbing basis for [his] criticism”?
I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only reason I can think of for this news.
Yep–He plays the race card.
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:22 pm
Brad Steel -
“At least we can have some confidence that the Obama team will handle the Taliban better than the Bush-Cheney-Rummy buffoon brigade.”
What ignorance.
First of all, the professional military is the professional military. They don’t perform better under one President than the other.
Second, even if the above was true, the US casualty rate has skyrocketed in Afghanistan since Obama took office. Now I am not blaming him, but since you are the one who wants to compare Obama to Bush, you can at least acknowledge the facts.
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:23 pm
Kamchak –
“Yep–He plays the race card.”
Well he is an idiot for doing so.
Do you agree that Jimmy Carter is also an idiot for playing the race card?
getalife
October 10th, 2009
1:29 pm
Yes, the con’s hatred of our President has them positioned with the taliban and iran. American taliran, if you will.
Dusty will devote her true patriotism to the taliran
Andy chose rush and the enemy.
So, lets put to rest the lie of country first and recognize the cons on who they support.
Kamchak
October 10th, 2009
1:31 pm
Well he is an idiot for doing so.
Do you agree that Jimmy Carter is also an idiot for playing the race card?
I didn’t say that Erick, son of Erick was an idiot–you did. I will not defend a position that I did not take.
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:33 pm
geatalife –
“Yes, the con’s hatred of our President has them positioned with the taliban and iran. American taliran, if you will.”
This argument makes as much sense as saying liberals are positioned with Hamas, Chavez and Qaddafi as they like Obama too.
Both arguments are mindless but to be expected.
“Dusty will devote her true patriotism to the taliran. Andy chose rush and the enemy. So, lets put to rest the lie of country first and recognize the cons on who they support.”
Yet another liberal questioning the patriotism of others. As I said before, it is funny how those that are truly intolerant of other views all use the same disgusting tactics.
getalife
October 10th, 2009
1:34 pm
Which side are you on mike?
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:35 pm
Kamchak –
“I didn’t say that Erick, son of Erick was an idiot–you did. I will not defend a position that I did not take.”
Wow, that is quite a circuitous way to duck a question. Let me address your concerns and rephrase the question so you can find another way to duck it.
Was Jimmy Carter playing “the race card” too?
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:36 pm
getalife –
“Which side are you on mike?”
The side of people who think that the extremists on both sides are two side of the same coin. Whether it is you or Whiner, you are equally intolerant of other views and you actually use the same exact tactics.
DebbieDoRight
October 10th, 2009
1:37 pm
Sometimes I sit back and wonder…..what’s on the mind of the ConServA-Trons on the Reich?
The Nobel Prize to Obama: Europe’s Bid to Re-Colonize America
Whether it was rewarding Jimmy Carter for criticizing the Iraq War or supporting Al Gore in his crusade against global warming, the Norwegian Parliament — which chooses the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize — has sought to use the award as a political tool to influence American politics. Its prestige and moral power make the prize a potent weapon with which to help steer the direction of the colossus beyond the seas that controls a quarter of the world’s economy and most of its military power. Now, the Norwegians have weighed in to support Barack Obama in his bid to reshape America so it looks more like, well, Norway — or at least like Europe.
Obamacomedy (This is written by a guy who calls himself a “serial entrepreneur” whatever that is!!
<Thanks to the sycophantic mainstream press, he doesn’t even have to make a secret of his brazen recklessness. He has stocked the White House with a bunch of czars, including certifiable nutballs like the Science Advisor who favors trees, bushes, lakes and squirrels hiring lawyers to sue people. There was the avowed Communist, and far-leftist radicals, some directly attached even to the criminal enterprise known as Acorn. Had Bush – or any other president – dared surround himself with such a freak show, let alone done so openly, he would have been fried by mainstream media and most probably impeached. But the Magnificent Ozbama seems cheerfully certain he won’t face consequences for circumventing Congress, creating his own shadow government, and putting a lunatic fringe no one else would even risk any association with in charge. This would make for a terrific comedy movie, but it’d need to run on the Sci-Fi Channel.
And the last one…..
New King of Pop Accepts Nobel Peace Prize
This award exemplifies the hydraulic power Obama’s friends use to prop up their Dear Leader for the benefit of Obama sheeple everywhere. I can’t wait for the vision of this most sentient of human spiritual beings to be realized: A “world without nuclear weapons” and the “end of climate change!” Holy moly! When The One decrees to Mother Nature that she is no longer in charge, may I suggest — humbly, of course — a steady, eternal, 72 degrees.
SIDENOTE: I wonder if they get paid for writing that drivel and if so, how can i get that gig?!?
mike
October 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
DebbieDoRight –
“Sometimes I sit back and wonder…..what’s on the mind of the ConServA-Trons on the Reich?”
Wow, another liberal using a Nazi reference. I guess the whining when conservatives use such language is just hypocrisy, huh?
As I keep saying, the extremists on both sides use the same tactics. You are all the same.