To Surge or Not to Surge

ggmae

Obama will be addressing the nation tomorrow regarding the situation in Afghanistan (# of troops, mission statement, plan for disengagement, etc.) Many people are speculating that he will announce a significant troop surge.

Here is the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34205747/ns/politics-white_house/

Thoughts?

pandasquishy

They announced/confirmed on the NBC Evening News that he has already authorized a troop surge of 30,000.  At the moment, I have no opinion.

ggmae

Oh they did? I was trying to find stories to see if it had been confirmed, but couldn't find any.

pandasquishy

Yes, I can't find an article, but here's the video from the news (I hope this is the right link): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/

tlv204

I don't think I like it, but lately I've discovered that I've been waffling about a lot of things. I feel like I can't make up my mind unless i know every single fact about everything, which is just about impossible. It makes me feel dumb because I change my mind every time someone freaks out about Obama being a socialist and then change it back when I remember my mom doesn't have health insurance. Hmm.

ggmae

Thank you, Panda!


My opinion is that I don't know enough information to have a solid opinion. It worries me personally because DH can be called back into the Army for the next 2 years and this just increases the chance that he will be. It also worries me because of the added cost and the debt we as a country are in - but at the same time I do understand why we (or someone) needs to be there and I support our troops 100%.

MeaghanandMichael

I really don't know GG. If it helps the situation over there then I would think it would be for the best. However, I worry it might effect you and others I know. Do you think it will?

ggmae

Meg - That's what I worry about. My brother is also set to go over the Afghanistan next summer and I worry that this surge will initially make it MORE dangerous over there. Those terrorists are going to put up a good fight, and they are going to gain strength before they lose it, IMO.

pandasquishy

GG, I worry about the cost and debt and families who will have to send their loved ones away again.  It's hurtful for the families, but our soldiers have not been forced to take this career and it's their job so in that sense I don't disagree with the surge (as some would oppose it by saying we need to bring all our troops home).  Without many facts to back me up though, I have an instinct that the situation there is better than Iraq, which I believe to be a lost cause at this point.  At the moment I'm good with the troop surge, I think we'll just have to see how it goes.

squirrly

gg, I know exactly how you feel.  FI is due to get out at the end of June.  What's your DH's army job?  If it's something that's really training intensive, he's more likely to be recalled than a more 'average' job.  FI's a tanker, and there are lots of those, so I'm not *as* worried. 

ggmae

Squirrly - DH is/was a cavalry scout with the 101st Airborne Division. He is/was a gunner in a Humvee and shot a .50 cal. Is that good or bad?? I know he did a lot of training - he was always away!

And he was stop-lossed for a year too.