U.S. must stay in Afghanistan or risk more attacks: envoy

[n2doc]

By Emma Graham-HarrisonPosted 2011/09/05 at 10:30 am EDT

KABUL, Sep. 5, 2011 (Reuters) — The United States must keep fighting the Taliban or risk more attacks like those of September 11, 2001, because the insurgent group is a ruthless enemy that has not cut ties to al Qaeda, the U.S. ambassador to Kabul said.

Ryan Crocker, a career diplomat who was ambassador in Iraq, also warned the United States would have to spend billions more in the coming years to bolster Afghanistan's government and security forces as its own troops prepare to return home.

"What we have to do is I think demonstrate the strategic patience that is necessary to win a long war," he told Reuters, in an interview ahead of the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

"It is going to require more resources, its going to require time. I hope we can bring all those to bear, because as hard, painful, as expensive as this has been in blood and treasure, it has cost a lot less than 9/11 did."

Crocker flew into New York early on the morning of September 11, 2001, and saw the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapse as he drove into Manhattan after landing.

He has carried his boarding pass from that flight around the world with him, to a decade of senior positions at the heart of the conflicts that followed in the wake of the attack

more

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre7842am-us-afghanistan-us/

Doesn't sound like Crocker is capable of unbiased judgement in this matter.

[spanone]

1. send your children mr crocker.

[TwilightGardener]

2. I'd rather risk more terror attacks. Thanks anyway, Mr. Crocker.

[PSPS]

3. Thus begins this year's 9/11 annual masturbation ritual.

[durablend]

5. Fap fap fap...send more money n/t

[bemildred]

4. But think of the money we would save. nt

[Amonester]

6. In other words... TERRA! TERRA! TERRA!

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.

And don't forget to keep the checks coming this way...

The more things change, the more they remain the same. :grr:

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Other side of the equation:

Aren't we risking more attacks by our being there? We're seen by many as the invaders with no true interest in Afghanistan as much as our wellknown imperialism.

[GeorgeGist]

8. Bush Tool

[FarCenter]

9. The risk is there whether we stay in Afghanistan or not

What evidence is there that staying in Afghanistan lowers the risk?

[Angry Dragon]

10. He is wrong

the wars have cost more in blood and money than 9/11 did

"All acts of war should be put to a national vote. Anyone voting yes has to register as a volunteer for service in the United States Army."

—Proposed Amendment to US Constitution, not ratified, 1916

[n2doc]

12. NYC estimated a loss of 100 billion due to 9/11

Even if we double that to account for the other attacks, and gave $50 million to every family who lost a family member on that day, we still wouldn't come close to the trillion in war and 'security spending' we have wasted since then.

[lib2DaBone]

11. Ryan Crocker, a career diplomat ...says keep the money coming...

"Ryan Crocker, a career diplomat who was ambassador in Iraq, also warned the United States would have to spend billions more in the coming years to bolster Afghanistan's government and security forces as its own troops prepare to return home"
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What would $50 Billion a month spent in the USA loook like? I wonder.....

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. When Portland built its Westside Light Rail line in 1997, the cost was $475 million

Conservatives screamed about the price tag.

That very same year, Stealth bombers were costing $1 billion EACH.

In other words, each Stealth bomber cost two-plus light rail lines.