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#1 2009-10-08 3:05 pm
- radarman
- Member
- Registered: 2005-02-28
- Posts: 3991
As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w … 865359.ece
“We’re lost — that’s how I feel. I’m not exactly sure why we’re here,” said Specialist Raquime Mercer, 20, whose closest friend was shot dead by a renegade Afghan policeman last Friday. “I need a clear-cut purpose if I’m going to get hurt out here or if I’m going to die.”
Sergeant Christopher Hughes, 37, from Detroit, has lost six colleagues and survived two roadside bombs. Asked if the mission was worthwhile, he replied: “If I knew exactly what the mission was, probably so, but I don’t.”
Hmm, that sounds suspiciously familiar to quotes from another war...
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#2 2009-10-08 8:48 pm
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
There are disaffected troops in every war. In this war, the clear majority over here are still doing fine. Its easy to see when humanitarian assistance drops to the local community have so many volunteers they have to turn them away and when units who are fragged to redeploy home early have pretty much everyone desperate to stay here.
No one goes to a chaplain to tell them how happy they are to be here.
Just like back in Saigon! Eh, slick?
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#3 2009-10-08 9:31 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Steyr truly is the most optimistic guy in Afghanistan.
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#4 2009-10-08 9:43 pm
- Tallgeese
- Homo loquax nonnumquam sapiens
- Registered: 2000-10-17
- Posts: 34904
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
The chaplains said soldiers were seeking their help in unprecedented numbers
Though I'm sure Styer's time in the Chaplain Corps is an invaluable aid to tell us why these particular chaplains are wrong about their reported experiences.
I still believe in liberalism today as much as I ever did, but, oh, there was a happy time when I believed in liberals.
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#5 2009-10-08 10:23 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Wait ... do they let chaplains man .50s on Hummers?
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#6 2009-10-08 10:43 pm
- Warin
- Maple Leaf Wag
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2003-09-21
- Posts: 2441
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
ShnickyShnack wrote:
Wait ... do they let chaplains man .50s on Hummers?
.50s on hummers? I thought someone said it was 50 humm... er... never mind. 
From what I can tell, either way, you're screwed. Bad people are punished by society's laws, and good people are punished by Murphy's Law.
-- George, Dead Like Me
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#7 2009-10-08 11:55 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Warin wrote:
ShnickyShnack wrote:
Wait ... do they let chaplains man .50s on Hummers?
.50s on hummers? I thought someone said it was 50 humm... er... never mind.
Hmm ... perhaps "I have lunch with these guys every day" was code? Army speak for tossing salads or some such?
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#8 2009-10-09 7:06 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Tallgeese wrote:
The chaplains said soldiers were seeking their help in unprecedented numbers
Though I'm sure Styer's time in the Chaplain Corps is an invaluable aid to tell us why these particular chaplains are wrong about their reported experiences.
Not wrong, but its pretty obvious that pretty much the only people that are going to take the time to go visit a chaplain to talk one on one are people who are upset. Hardly representative of overall moral.
Just like back in Saigon! Eh, slick?
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#9 2009-10-09 7:10 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
They seem be upset in unprecedented numbers.
Brigid O'Shaughnessy: I haven't lived a good life. I've been bad, worse than you could know.
Sam Spade: You know, that's good, because if you actually were as innocent as you pretend to be, we'd never get anywhere.
http://sitruc.blip.tv/file/2661495/
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#10 2009-10-09 7:14 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
daemon wrote:
They seem be upset in unprecedented numbers.
Which is how many people exactly? Unprecedented is also the reporters paraphrase, not a direct quote.
Just like back in Saigon! Eh, slick?
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#11 2009-10-09 9:35 am
- macnuke
- just a plano guy
- Moderator
- From: North Dallas 40
- Registered: 2004-05-16
- Posts: 7322
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
the preceded number +1 = unprecedented.
the reporter stated "numbers" plural, so it surely must mean +2
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#12 2009-10-09 9:51 am
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
macnuke wrote:
the preceded number +1 = unprecedented.
the reporter stated "numbers" plural, so it surely must mean +2
But -1 because sty's morale is high.
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#13 2009-10-09 10:53 am
- macnuke
- just a plano guy
- Moderator
- From: North Dallas 40
- Registered: 2004-05-16
- Posts: 7322
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
so the article is the usual media hype in that he used a plural when in fact it was only +1 singular.
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#14 2009-10-09 11:20 am
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
To hear Steyr tell it, you are correct.
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#15 2009-10-09 4:22 pm
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
more media hype:
Kabul, Afghanistan - American troops have abandoned an isolated firebase where eight U.S. soldiers were killed in a fierce assault by insurgents last weekend, military officials said today.
The departure from the base in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan province, in northeastern Afghanistan, was part of a previously planned "repositioning" of troops, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said in a statement.
The Taliban, in its own statement, alleged it had driven the Americans out.
The daylong battle at Kamdesh, in which at least four members of the Afghan security forces and 100 attackers also reportedly died, was reminiscent of a much-scrutinized engagement in the same area in July 2008. In that battle, nine U.S. soldiers were killed and their remote firebase was nearly overrun.
What's Afghani for "Khe Sanh"?
Brigid O'Shaughnessy: I haven't lived a good life. I've been bad, worse than you could know.
Sam Spade: You know, that's good, because if you actually were as innocent as you pretend to be, we'd never get anywhere.
http://sitruc.blip.tv/file/2661495/
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#16 2009-10-09 4:39 pm
- ShnickyShnack
- ::: title edited due to Satanic influences :::
- From: Rockin' out
- Registered: 2001-05-25
- Posts: 22237
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Ugh, that biased reporting is horrible!
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#17 2009-10-09 4:45 pm
- Pariah
- James Carville Fan..
- From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
- Registered: 2001-05-24
- Posts: 19069
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Steyr AUG wrote:
Tallgeese wrote:
The chaplains said soldiers were seeking their help in unprecedented numbers
Though I'm sure Styer's time in the Chaplain Corps is an invaluable aid to tell us why these particular chaplains are wrong about their reported experiences.
Not wrong, but its pretty obvious that pretty much the only people that are going to take the time to go visit a chaplain to talk one on one are people who are upset. Hardly representative of overall moral.
How 'bout this Merc boy:
From now on when you stride in to dispute widely reported facts, you come up with an authoritative link or two to support your assertions.
It's easy to just sit back and contradict, prove it or stop wasting our time.
But now the sun beats down on the asphalt land
Like a hammer invoked from God's left hand
What little still grows cringes in the shadows till the night fall...
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#18 2009-10-10 1:50 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Pariah wrote:
From now on when you stride in to dispute widely reported facts, you come up with an authoritative link or two to support your assertions.
These facts as reported in this story represent a minority in afghanistan. There are no internet links for personal experience. The simple truth is, good moral isnt compelling news and is likely to never be reported. However, the fact that reenlistments are still good is a sign that things arent as bad as people are attempting to make it out to be.
Just like back in Saigon! Eh, slick?
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#19 2009-10-10 2:24 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Maybe they know about the current U.S. economy, stupide.
Post-Russian roullette.
Brigid O'Shaughnessy: I haven't lived a good life. I've been bad, worse than you could know.
Sam Spade: You know, that's good, because if you actually were as innocent as you pretend to be, we'd never get anywhere.
http://sitruc.blip.tv/file/2661495/
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#20 2009-10-10 10:23 am
- Pithecanthropus
- Roast Master
- From: St. Cloud, MN
- Registered: 2002-12-30
- Posts: 4549
- Website
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Ah, anecdotal evidence! The best kind.
Grandfatherly advice: You can drink 'em pretty, but you can't drink 'em smart.
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#21 2009-10-10 10:45 am
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
My nephew, after spending two terms in Iraq, is going to Afghanistan soon.
Funny thing - he asked for the assignment.
Even funnier - he doesn't like Bush. He does however like his job.
In the wind, we hear their laughter
In the rain, we see their tears
Hear their heartbeat
We hear their heartbeat -- U2
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#22 2009-10-10 12:29 pm
- Tallgeese
- Homo loquax nonnumquam sapiens
- Registered: 2000-10-17
- Posts: 34904
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
ShnickyShnack wrote:
macnuke wrote:
the preceded number +1 = unprecedented.
the reporter stated "numbers" plural, so it surely must mean +2But -1 because sty's morale is high.
Mine would be too.
I still believe in liberalism today as much as I ever did, but, oh, there was a happy time when I believed in liberals.
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#23 2009-10-10 12:45 pm
- sturner
- Royal High Poobah
- Moderator
- From: Carrollton, TX USA
- Registered: 2000-01-31
- Posts: 14594
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
resedit wrote:
My nephew, after spending two terms in Iraq, is going to Afghanistan soon.
Funny thing - he asked for the assignment.
Even funnier - he doesn't like Bush. He does however like his job.
That only speaks to his professionalism. Not to the morale of the troops in Afghanistan.
I'm not dead yet.
There are 3 types of people, those who can count and those who can't.
"There are few things graven in stone, excepting your date of death."
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#24 2009-10-10 2:30 pm
- Pariah
- James Carville Fan..
- From: Belly Of The Beast, Oklahoma!
- Registered: 2001-05-24
- Posts: 19069
Re: As we expected, morale low in Afghanistan
Steyr AUG wrote:
Pariah wrote:
From now on when you stride in to dispute widely reported facts, you come up with an authoritative link or two to support your assertions.
These facts as reported in this story represent a minority in afghanistan. There are no internet links for personal experience. The simple truth is, good moral isnt compelling news and is likely to never be reported. However, the fact that reenlistments are still good is a sign that things arent as bad as people are attempting to make it out to be.
I pay particular attention to news about Afghanistan, I believe we really do need to be in Afghanistan, that it is "The Right War".
That things seem to be going poorly disturbs me. I would prefer to believe your stories.
But I cannot because I read articles and hear reports from all over the political spectrum and top military spokesmen that things are not going well.
Your assertion run contrary to all the available information so without some supporting evidence, this poster is just going to be dismissing out of hand your Pollyannaisms.
But now the sun beats down on the asphalt land
Like a hammer invoked from God's left hand
What little still grows cringes in the shadows till the night fall...
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