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Afghan War Debate Endangers U.S. Troops - Veterans
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/15/world/international-uk-afghanistan-usa.html
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. veterans criticized President Barack Obama's lengthy review of Afghan war strategy, saying on Thursday the drawn-out debate in Washington was a direct threat to troops and the nation's defence.
The head of Veterans of Foreign Wars, a group representing 1.5 million former soldiers, issued a tersely worded statement urging Obama to follow the advice of his military commanders, who want more troops for the eight-year war.
"The extremists are sensing weakness and indecision within the U.S. government, which plays into their hands," said Thomas J. Tradewell Sr., a Vietnam veteran and head of VFW.
That was "evidenced by the increased attacks in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan," he said.
"I fear that an emboldened enemy will now intensify their efforts to kill more U.S. soldiers," Tradewell added.
This is exactly what I have been saying, and have been bashed for for weeks here at DP. Obama's fiddling endangers our troops and destroys morale. He needs to piss or get off the pot.
I urge the president to heed the assessment and advice of his military leaders," Tradewell said, adding Obama needed to be "decisive during this critical juncture."
Exactly.
Nato also is wondering what to do as Obama demonstrates the same indecisiveness that he showed in the debates.