"Marines to get a longer tour; Afghan unit to stay till Nov." by Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press | July 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has extended the tour of 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan, after insisting for months the unit would come home on time.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, has repeatedly said he did not intend to extend or replace the US Marines in Afghanistan, calling their deployment there an extraordinary, one-time effort to help tamp down the increasing violence in the south.
Asked about the possibility of an extension in early May, Gates said he would be loathe to do that. "No one has suggested even the possibility of extending that rotation," he said.
Yeah, and Gates is gonna stand in the way on Iran, sure!
Lapan said yesterday that commanders in Afghanistan requested that the Marines stay longer.
Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the longer tour does not open the door to an extension beyond the 30 days, nor to the possibility of replacing them with other US troops when they come out in November.
"This is a slight addition to this tour and nothing more," Morrell said. "Commanders in Afghanistan asked for 30 more days to milk the fighting season to the bitter end and cement the gains they have made in the south."
I am SO SICK of PENTAGON BULLSHIT PROPAGANDA!!!
Commanders faced with increasing violence have said they need at least 7,500 more troops in Afghanistan. President Bush and defense officials have said they hope to identify additional units by the end of the year that could go to Afghanistan early next year.
Increased violence, need to tamp down violence.
I thought we were CEMENTING GAINS, pffffffttt!
And what about the ACTUAL FIGHTING?
Why NO REPORT on THAT?
The Pentagon has said that more US forces cannot be sent to the Afghan fight until decisions are made to further reduce troop levels in Iraq. In the last two months, violence in Afghanistan has led to more US and coalition casualties there than in Iraq, and June was the deadliest month for US troops in Afghanistan since the war began.
Seven fucking years and it is the WORST its ever been.
Another fucking BUSH FAILURE!!!!
"The Taliban and their supporters have, without question, grown more effective and more aggressive in recent weeks . . . as the casualty figures clearly demonstrate," Mullen told a Pentagon press conference Wednesday.
But we are CEMENTING GAINS, Admiral, haven't you heard?
This just ANOTHER LOSS, just like Iraq!!!
Not lost wars, but LOST OCCUPATIONS!
Time to COME HOME, AmeriKa!!!!
