Why an Expanded Afghan War? "We will kill bin Laden...whether he is technically alive or not..."

[laststeamtrain]

Why an Expanded Afghan War?

By Lisa Pease
November 30, 2009

President Barack Obama appears set to approve a dramatic increase in troops in Afghanistan. The original goal of the U.S. effort there was to find and capture Osama bin Laden. Why is Washington not still seeking the man who allegedly masterminded the attack on American on Sept. 11, 2001?

In an Oct. 7, 2008, debate, candidate Obama said, "We will kill bin Laden. We will crush al-Qaeda. That has to be our biggest national security priority."

But Obama was already backtracking on that goal just days before his inauguration, saying "I think that we have to so weaken infrastructure that, whether he is technically alive or not, he is so pinned down that he cannot function," he said. "And I'm confident that we can keep them on the run and ensure that they cannot train terrorists to attack our homeland."

Why is the goal not still to capture bin Laden? Is it because capturing him might end the “war on terror,” a racket that continues to generate money for the military-industrial complex, even as it breeds more terrorists and makes us less safe, the longer it lasts?

Wouldn’t it be less expensive to us tax payers to capture bin Laden, rather than to keep his followers “on the run” and “pinned down”? Or was Obama signaling something when he said, “whether he is technically alive or not”?

Given the serious ransom payment the American taxpayers are being asked to make, isn’t it worth asking first, for “proof of life” for bin Laden? Is bin Laden even alive?

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http://www.consortiumnews.com/2009/113009b.html

[DavidDvorkin]

1. And whether he had anything to do with September 11 or not.

[RoseMead]

2. "Why is the goal not still to capture bin Laden?"

Hmmmm. Maybe because he's dead, and they know it? :shrug:

[classysassy]

3. " The war racket "

Think about it,why are only the poor put in harms way during combat,the generals sure not going to put themselves in danger,all of the high ranking officers are either in Washington or some plush military post?,when was the last time a general was killed in combat,Custer at the Bighorn,I believe The rough riders son was killed in ww2?the brass sit on their asses and send poor kid to their death so they can earn promotions and their rich friends can make more blood money.BRING BACK THE DRAFT,if you want to slow down this madness.