Boehner: Afghanistan now more important

From NBC's Shawna Thomas
House Speaker John Boehner sees the death of Osama bin Laden as proof that U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan is a necessity for the country’s safety. "It's important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to defeat terrorist enemies and protect the American people,” he said during a late afternoon press conference at the Capitol.  “This makes our engagement in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan more important not less.”

Surrounded by most of the Republican leadership in the House, Boehner began with talk of unity. “The tragic events of 9/11 10 years ago remind us that we’re all Americans and that what unites us as Americans is far greater than what divides us.” He honored the troops and the intelligence community, as well as those who died on September 11, but he and three other members who spoke -- Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy and GOP Conference Chair Jeb Hensarling -- all seemed to express a renewed commitment to American armed forces. Their choice of words was striking in the context of the continued spending debate. (Remember, the Defense Department was appropriated billions more than what it got last in fiscal year 2010 in last month’s compromise, but is a huge piece of the spending pie that will have to be dealt with.)

Hensarling, who was last to speak, congratulated President Obama, while reminding everyone that the war isn’t over. “One thing that has not changed after today is that the price of liberty remains eternal vigilance,” he said.

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What'd he say about jobs?

  • 31 votes
#1 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:45 PM EDT

What have I been saying for years?

When it comes to blowing sh!t up the Teapublicans will write a BLANK check!

Mission has been Accomplished NOT let's get our troops HOME ASAP!

  • 27 votes
#1.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:49 PM EDT

They are only trying to set our President up because of the planned summer troop drawdown.

They would gladly appropriate more funds, debt and deficit aside, just to get our President to delay the drawdown so they can use that decision against him even if it were in the national security best interest. Proving again that they don’t truly care about spending.

  • 27 votes
#1.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:53 PM EDT

You're right Red! They need to fix the dan# FEMA funding! When they did their so call cuts to the Presidents budget they reduced FEMA to millions instead of billions. What a bunch of a$$es

  • 15 votes
#1.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:02 PM EDT

Dennis& Feisty :

Very good points. The war mongers never give up. They say wars are big business. Well, from what I understand the mission is over, Our President has put people in place that are more going home minded than not and I think by the time 2012 comes around he will be able to say he got OBL and the troops are mostly out of that hell hole.

There is no reason to stay, we are not going to change the country to be a satellite of American democracy. Not going to happen. If they pop their ugly little heads up again, send a a strike force and destroy it before it get rooted in.

We can monitor security from here pretty well and send in a look and see group as needed.

  • 23 votes
#1.4 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:04 PM EDT
Comment author avatarno joe, no bo, njExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

You have just proved that the only Navy you ever were a part of was the Raingutter Regatta.

No one with a functioning brain thinks that killing OBL killed Al Queda- or the Taliban, which, by the way, is gearing up for a strong offensive, in case you missed the news in the last couple of days.

We need to take the shackles off our troops, and finish them off.

Now would be a good time.

  • 7 votes
#1.5 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:09 PM EDT

Am I the only one around here who can hear the usual right wing nuts BANGING the WAR DRUM?

Gut Medicare/Medicaid - cut eduction & balance the budget off the backs of what's left of the middle class & working poor...

God D@mnIT by ALL means continue to borrow on the Chinese VISA card!

Then continue to scream we're BROKE! What a JOKE!

  • 36 votes
#1.6 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:13 PM EDT

Unfortunately it's far from just the Right.

Feisty, surely you are not saying that Obama, who has us firmly engaged in Libya, is a "usual right wing nut." Because he sure did a number on the Libya drum.

That's not what you are saying, is it Feisty? I for one think we need to get the heck out of all those countries. NOW.

  • 11 votes
#1.7 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:20 PM EDT

Let us not forget that when Tea/Birthers speak....

......."it's not intended to be a factual statement"

  • 28 votes
#1.8 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:32 PM EDT

As usual, the neo-con ideology comes out in the Repubs. War is big money, and they are addicted to both, war and money. The Afgans and Iraqi's are what they are, and we will never win their "hearts and minds", only education and an economy built on production, not drugs, could bring them into the 21st. century. But they don't want that and don't see the value of that. Get out as fast as possible.

  • 16 votes
#1.9 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:34 PM EDT

Funny .... I noticed another FR article ......

Clinton to al Qaeda: 'You cannot wait us out; you cannot defeat us'

But the Taliban can.

Obama announced in December 2009we are pulling out this summer.

He announced to the world that we don't have the will to stay, to win.

And April was the deadliest April of the war - doubling the loses for all Bush months of April combined! Why is Obama sacrificing so many for nothing?

The most asinine decision in military history?

Obama can make the popular, easy decisions like sending in the SEALS to get Bin Laden, but when the decisions are tough, when the decisions are politically dangerous - he is gutless.

  • 4 votes
#1.10 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:34 PM EDT

bob, the world is changing, you need to keep up. We had this conversation three years ago with the draw down in Iraq. You and others like you said ..."this is a bad idea, you can't tell the enemy when you are leaving." But the drawdown was a success, dispite all the efforts of republicans to sabotage it. You asked if this is "The most asinine decision in military history?" Forming your critizism into a question. There have been hundreds of asinine decisions in military history like believing the north Vietnemese will honor a cess fire during tet. Obama is alot stronger in character and resolve than any republican would like to admit.

  • 11 votes
#1.11 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:33 PM EDT

Tom, you get the award.

That is possibly the dumbest statement I have ever read. You think this took any thought at all?

Get real.

There are upwards of 50,000 troops in Iraq- the only drawdown was of the troops put in place for the surge.

Care to address Obama's purely idiotic warplane in Afghanistan- where our troops need signed confessions that the guys leaving the buildings are actually them people who had just been shooting at them?

Caremto address the doubling and tripling of our casualties since thenObama plan was put into effect?

Never mind the situation throughout the Middle East since he took office. Think things are better there? Cause, most people do not.

He acted on intelligence that was gathered before he took office, put it together with new evidence, and got bin Laden. Great.

Does not make him a genius.

  • 4 votes
#1.12 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:55 PM EDT

President Obama demonstrated his "genius" by carefully commanding the troops to conduct a delicate exercise with no loss of American lives. He kept a campaign promise and did something that all "patriotic" Americans wanted done. Facts are inarguable. He is the Commander in Chief. He made the decision to act on this intelligence. He approved the plan.

More importantly, why are the Republicans even talking about the debt? They increase defense spending above levels requested, argue with the Defense Secretary when he asks them not to spend money on things he thinks we no longer need, and then have the audacity to claim that we need to continue spending money by funding wars while claiming Democrats are fiscally irresponsible? How does that logic work?

As long as "No Joe" wants to talk about intelligence "gathered before [Obama] took office..." let's recall that Clinton gathered lots of intelligence on Bin Laden and handed it to Bush. Bush did not "put it together with new evidence" and did not "get bin Laden." Sorry.

That most assuredly proves Bush was not a genius.

How is it that the party "of Lincoln" supposedly against "big government" seems to do nothing but spend money, increase the size of the military, and then bemoan the fact we have no money to spend?

Seriously.

  • 17 votes
#1.13 - Mon May 2, 2011 11:28 PM EDT

We currently account for 46.5 percent of the world's military spending with China our closest rival at just 6.6 percent. We could cut our military spending in half and still be spending three times more than our nearest rival. We have 737 military bases and facilities world wide. We need to close most of them. We have two unfunded, multi trillion dollar quagmires on the other side of the planet. We need shut them down and re commit our resources to America.

Paul Ryan's budget proposal INCREASES military spending while maintaining tax cuts to the rich. That has always been the recipe for fiscal disaster.

The Republicans are taking credit for the $38 billion in spending cuts, but the same Republicans voted for the $40 billion contract to Boeing to build the next generation of super tankers for the Air Force. Why do we need super tankers? Most quagmires on the other side of the planet? ONE MILITARY CONTRACT WIPED OUT ALL OF THE SPENDING CUTS.

  • 9 votes
#1.14 - Tue May 3, 2011 6:34 AM EDT

The most telling thing I have noticed about staying in Afghanistan is that every person I have ever met who actually has served in that rat hole country has universally stated that we should get out immediately. That includes special forces personnel. We are wasting out time there and there is no doubt about that. Religious delusion and a tribal mentality ain't gonna change there in our lifetime.

Get out and monitor situation. If necessary, we can always drop a hammer there when needed as circumstances dictate. That would always include poppy field eradication and terrorist termination. If the Afghans don't like that, they can go pound sand.

  • 4 votes
#1.15 - Tue May 3, 2011 6:57 AM EDT

I've heard much to the effect that there are fairly...unreasonable restrictions on US troops concerning combat engagements - restrictions that have no business being placed on our soldiers if we're to take our involvement in Afghanistan (and Iraq, and anywhere else) as a serious war with serious consequences.

This may be rather cruel-minded of me from another's point of view, but in my opinion the life of one US service member is of entirely greater worth than the whole population of any enemy nation; if it meant sparing the life of a single American soldier I would see a million Afghanis burn. If we really have restricted the ability to effectively fight hostile opponents, that is something I have a serious problem with.

That said, I agree with NJ - to an extent. While I believe that it is, in fact, quite stupid to generate a time table and publicly declare when a draw-down of forces will take place (for reasons both strategic and political), it seems stupider to me to expect to continue occupying enemy territory when it demands you rob Peter to pay Paul.

Whether or not this fight carries on with the hawkish demands of the right wing and the tacit approval of the left, the one thing I want to know is how, exactly, they propose to continue funding these shenanigans going forward.

    #1.16 - Tue May 3, 2011 8:51 AM EDT

    General McCafferty said it best. The Afghan conflict is TRIBAL. It consist of 5 tribes fighting each other with, the "Pastoons" being the largest.

    He said "get the hell out of Afghanistan because they...[the TRIBES] will be fighting, among themselves indefinitely".

    We have no more reasons to be there, Bin Laden is dead game over.

    • 6 votes
    #1.17 - Tue May 3, 2011 9:17 AM EDT

    Feisty,

    What on earth are you talking about Ron Paul has voted against EVERY war in his 30 years in office. Obama has merely shifted troops from Iraq to Afghanistan and then when the pupeteers pulled his strings he got us started in a THIRD war with Libya. You obviously do not understand that the Tea party wants our military out of foreign countries and NO WAR without a DECLARATION of war. That means no UN or NATO BS like Iraq Libya and Afghanistan. Well look at that, if we stuck to our constitution we would not be in ANY of these wars! Ron Paul has the balls to tell it like it is. Many people don't want to hear the truth becuase the truth is, this country is in serious trouble. If you want to stop wars and giving BILLIONS to our enemies like Pakistan and stop propping up dictators that will fail llike we did with 70 billion in Egypt over the last 30 years then vote for Ron Paul. The rest will say they are against war then start it, just like Obama did in Libya and l don't think anyone is stupid enough to still believe that the Libya war is about "protecting civilians" anymore.

      #1.18 - Tue May 3, 2011 9:41 AM EDT

      It never ceases to amaze all the war experts in Congress that never served one day Boehner! I guess its OK to stay if its not your kid fighting and being killed Boehner! I guess the debt is not important Boehner!

      • 4 votes
      #1.19 - Tue May 3, 2011 10:39 AM EDT

      Come on No Jo, play fair. If the mission had gone pear shaped, you would have howled from the highest rafters about how inept the President is, how stupid the President is that and the rest. Give us all a break. The Commander in Chief authorized the end run. The Navy Seals did an heroic mission which is exactly what they're suppose to do. I run my own company but I don't drive the vans. You just gotta stop that ever popular "I hate Obama, I hate Obama" rhetoric.

      • 2 votes
      #1.20 - Tue May 3, 2011 2:24 PM EDT
      Reply

      Republicans can't get anything done. Democrats are the new fiscally responsible group. Also the new security hawks in our nation. Republican are too busy pandering to a fringe element they need to win primaries and they have completely forgotten to represent most of us Americans. Osama Bin Laden's demise puts a nail in the Republican party once and for all until they become the reasonable conservatives they once were and stop pandering to the idiots of their party.

      • 19 votes
      Reply#2 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:57 PM EDT

      "Democrats are the new fiscally responsible group" Oh please, I agree with your post, but can't we just say they're trying not to be fiscally irresponsible, as they have been, forever ;-)

      • 1 vote
      #2.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:19 PM EDT

      At least Obama continued the secret prisons, Gitmo and enhanced interrogations.

      At a minimum he has now fully endorsed all, and used the info to brilliantly conclude last night's raid.

      He really has come a long, long way from his campaign days. Thank goodness.

      • 6 votes
      #2.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:23 PM EDT

      Good thing Obama kept Bush's policies in place or we wouldn't have witnessed this at all.

      Had Obama closed Gitmo, we wouldn't have gotten the CIA information and the military wouldn't have finished the job.

      Great job CIA and US Military! You ROCK!

      • 5 votes
      #2.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:48 PM EDT
      Comment author avatarsafecracker-1205811Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      The democraticprogressive party can't even provide a budget! And they are the new party of what?

      Feisty, your proctologist left a message that he has time to examine your mouth.

      • 2 votes
      #2.4 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:56 PM EDT

      Hey safecracker-1205811

      Stop trying to diss Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL, especially when you are off your meds. You have been warned about taking that tin-foil hat off for more than one hour a day!

      • 10 votes
      #2.5 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:02 PM EDT
      Comment author avatarsafecracker-1205811Expand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

      ORB,

      Not critical of Feisty, just being honest. She never offers any solution, nor interesting discussion. Just attacks anyone she deams necessary.

      Heck, her rectum always seems to be falling out of her mouth, hence the need to visit the proctologist.

      Can you explain the term dissing? Is it in the dictonary? But feel free to continue to provide your most interesting posts.

      • 2 votes
      #2.6 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:24 PM EDT

      safecracker-1205811

      The intent is to amuse, not offend; except when it comes to politicians who probably have earned / deserved tons more disrespect that we could shovel out in a lifetime.

      diss is an ebonic term for disrespect, hence dissing as a verb

      • 3 votes
      #2.7 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:26 PM EDT

      The intent may be to amuse, but to me (an independent), it usually seems spiteful and childish. It's one of the reasons I rarely post on the First Read boards.

      I don't find anything amusing in continually bashing one group of people, be they Republicans, Democrats, Tea Party or anyone else. I prefer constructive debates where both sides attempt to make rational arguments and listen to what the other person is saying.

        #2.8 - Tue May 3, 2011 7:48 AM EDT

        Annabannana,

        How on earth can you claim that? Obama has not only continued the ridiculous Bush era spending habits but INCREASED them!  You call this "fiscal responsibility"?   HAHA that's a good one!   I am afraid your love for the Democratic party has blinded you, that is why I am an independent....both parties suck!

        Mr. Obama's major contribution to deficits has been a record spending spree. In 2007, before the recession, federal expenditures reached $2.73 trillion. By 2009 expenditures had climbed to $3.52 trillion. In 2009 alone, overall federal spending rose 18%, or $536 billion. Throw in a $65 billion reduction in debt service costs due to low interest rates, and the overall spending increase was 22%.

        In one year.

          #2.9 - Tue May 3, 2011 10:24 AM EDT

          Ron - I think you have come to the wrong place, my friend.

          Firstly, you can't reason somebody out of a position they did not reason themselves into. I have to repeat this mantra to myself all the time when confronted by creationists and libertarians.

          Secondly, a debate doesn't prove anything but how good the debater is. In-person or televised debates have been shown to hold to the 70-20-10 ratio (as in 70% how you look, 20% how you sound, 10% what you actually say). Remove the debate to the internet and, well, you get a whole lot more dynamics in play.

          Anonymity, which provides for more than just hiding the person, but also their credentials, their backgrounds, their motivations (can be hidden in an open debate, but much less likely since reporters can check on people's backgrounds, funding, etc.), and even shields them from the blowback of an unpopular position. Then you get sockpuppeting, groupthink, misunderstandings due to lack of contextual information, etc. You get false IDs, flat-out not-even-wrong links of "information" that look plausible because they might have hired a good web designer (avoid Timecube, please), and questionable remarks due to differences of background, upbringing, and other social anomolies that are less apparent online than in person.

          No, "reasoned" debates are, and to an extent have always been, unreasonable. The proof is around. Critical thinking is the best way to separate wheat from chaff. {Insert your favorite platitude here}

            #2.10 - Tue May 3, 2011 5:58 PM EDT
            Reply

            Did Boehner just wake up? Could someone please tell him that Bin Laden is dead?

            • 17 votes
            Reply#3 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:59 PM EDT

            Everyone wants to grab a share of the spotlight. Yesterday the President could barely get arrested and today Boehner wants to tell him what to do after the great success. Hey Johnboy--he don't need your advice.

            • 12 votes
            Reply#4 - Mon May 2, 2011 5:59 PM EDT

            Lets just kill the poppy firelds, depriving the Taliban of their revenue source, pack up the troops and get out of there.

            • 14 votes
            Reply#5 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:06 PM EDT

            Now that's a plan I could support kirby!

            • 13 votes
            #5.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:14 PM EDT

            Kirby, best idea I've heard in a long, long time.

            • 7 votes
            #5.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:35 PM EDT

            Sound idea Kirby....

            Where are the drug busters internationally to let a known cash crop still bloom?

            • 5 votes
            #5.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:41 PM EDT

            And where are the people going to get the money to eat once you kill their cash crop?

            I'm not saying don't do it, but I am saying there are consequences and we'd better be prepared to do something to make up for the damages we'd cause by destroying the poppy fields. If an equivalent economic system isn't put in place, the poppy fields will just be replanted tomorrow.

            My guess is putting an equivalent system in place will require thousands of Americans on the ground helping and tens of billions in US aid...

            • 2 votes
            #5.4 - Tue May 3, 2011 7:43 AM EDT
            Reply

            it conveniently puts an importance on not cutting the Defense Budget like the POTUS proposed as part of his budget plan.

              Reply#6 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:07 PM EDT

              actually this proves you can cut the budget. Quick strike action works instead of a long drawn out war.

              • 4 votes
              #6.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 10:26 PM EDT

              Nav - while I agree with large cuts in the defense budget (after foreign policy changes so we stop getting in new wars), I don't think it's accurate to say that this proves only quick strike capability is needed. The quick strike was the final step in a multi-year process that involved thousands of intelligence personnel and numerous military operations. I think something between what we have now and and quick strike capability is needed. (say, close 50% of overseas bases and reduce the force size by 20% - after pulling out of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya)

              • 1 vote
              #6.2 - Tue May 3, 2011 7:46 AM EDT

              First of all there is a significant difference when it comes to intelligence gathering and a war machine. Intelligence gathering if it is accurate can greatly reduce the need for a very large war machine, because you can accurately strategize your plan. My issue is with the war machine, not intelligence gathering. In any type of action plan, proper preparation greatly reduces the cost of maintenance in the long term.

              • 1 vote
              #6.3 - Wed May 4, 2011 11:25 AM EDT
              Reply

              There are some issues that both political parties do support and a strong national defense is one of them. This support isn't a surprise, nor is the paranoia and aspersion casting of the usual suspects.

              There are too many folks here who remind me of the old Robert Conrad "Dare you to knock it off" battery commercial. They can't remove that chip from their shoulder on any topic or under any circumstance.

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoAmQGzcLkc

                Reply#7 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:08 PM EDT

                We can conjecture what could have been had GWBush been as strong and as aggressive as Obama, back in the early days of the Afghanistan conflict when bin Laden was cornered, or even if Bush had just stayed focused on Afghanistan and on getting Pakistan’s better cooperation, instead of giving in to the pressure from his strong supporters and shifting resources and concentration to attacking oil rich Iraq ... but that is only conjecture and the important thing is really that this “mission has been accomplished”. What is called for now is to give credit where credit is due, to those who dug out the intelligence, that kept focused on the goal, that put their “boots on the ground” and accomplished the task, and to President Obama for unrelentingly authorizing and pushing the effort. It would really be nice now if there could just be an end to the unfounded and self-serving classless slander (“un-American”, “unPatriotic”, non-citizen,,) thrown at President Obama and then, with the deserved respect and credit given, to have our representatives check their concentration on individual political ambitions and instead seriously, honestly and responsibly work with bipartisanship and cooperation to effectively solve our problems. Do you think they are mature and unselfish enough?

                • 7 votes
                Reply#8 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:21 PM EDT

                John, sorry, I don't think they are mature or unselfish enough, and isn't that a damn shame?

                • 3 votes
                #8.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:37 PM EDT

                So many on the left are so clueless.

                How did Bush go after bin Laden? The CIA and Special Forces/SEALs.

                How did Obama get bin Laden? The CIA and Special Forces/SEALs.

                Oh and btw, in 2001 bin Laden wasn't residing and known to be in a little compound. He wasn't protected by just a handful of guys either.

                • 3 votes
                #8.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:54 PM EDT

                once again bob, you don't explain all of the facts. Yes bush used the CIA and special forces to try and find Usama, but when you look in the wrong place you are not going to find what you want. The difference is that Obama didn't move too soon. He waited until he had all the information needed to insure a successful mission. And it is rather pathetic that you are offering excusses for w.

                • 7 votes
                #8.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:49 PM EDT

                independent Tom,

                I have been trying to keep partisan politics out of this great day, and yes, I actually have given Obama credit for giving the order to pull the trigger.

                But your comment is annoying to me. Yes, Bush looked in the wrong places, due to the lack of hard intell provided him. Obama received intel that was worth waiting for, because they had to find and fix the exact location. The military accomplished the mission for the President. Yes, it happened on his watch, but it could have also happened on the watch of the previous Prez. or the next Prez.

                Obama was lucky with Osama. There are no excuses, just fact Tom.

                • 2 votes
                #8.4 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:55 PM EDT

                WOW! An operation that was 8 months in the working, and you call that luck? Or is just the overall outcome considered luck? You think just any President could have done this? So the fact that the 2 previous Presidents didn't is unlucky? Safecracker, please accept the fact that Obama KNEW enough NOT to tell the Pakistanis what was going on, so he could get the results he wanted. Bush and Clinton both informed the Pakistanis and both failed. That pattern was found and Obama planned his mission accordingly. This is proof of learning from past mistakes, not luck. Was it luck that there were no American casualties during the operation, yes. But that kind of luck is something we all are happy to have. I would say that the overall outcome was lucky given the results and lack of injuries on our part, but the planning and execution of the plan was not luck.

                • 6 votes
                #8.5 - Tue May 3, 2011 2:19 AM EDT

                Safecracker,

                It takes guts to make a decision to send these seals into the heart of a sovereign Nation to extract someone who may or may not even be there. Guts W. did not have but Obama did have. Too bad you want to call it luck. I call it "LEADERSHIP!"

                • 1 vote
                #8.6 - Tue May 3, 2011 10:05 PM EDT
                Reply

                John of Orange just wants to keep building those Tanks in his State, which the DOD has already said they don't need! But when your taking $$$ from every corporation around you gotta stand up for the tank man! What a pathetic excuse this guy is, when Bush said "I really don't give much thought as to where Bin Laden is" I don't recall hearing the Tan man stand up and say, "wait we have to get him, we have to stay in Afghanistan", guess he was too busy warming the bar stool.

                • 8 votes
                Reply#9 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:31 PM EDT

                You'd expect Tan-Man to be an expert on hyprocrisy, and stuffing his pockets with 'supporting funds' from defense constractors. In many ways he's as evil as Osama.

                • 7 votes
                #9.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:53 PM EDT

                Obama didn't lose any sleep looking for Osama either. He deligated to the CIA and the Military. He was just asked a simple question - "do we go after him now or not." He answered it like any other president - Dem or Rep - would have answered it.

                It's not like he hunted him down and pulled the trigger. Give credit where credit is due. Obama said "yes" and the CIA and the military are the heros. This isn't about Obama...stroking his ego yet again.

                God bless the troops and the CIA!

                • 2 votes
                #9.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:54 PM EDT

                The CIA is part of the big government you rile about, isn't it Vote Dem out? God bless anything that causes pain. And sabotage anything for the greater good of a populace. This is why I left the republican party. You people think you have it figured out but you are your own worst enemies, you can't lessen government without endangering the people.

                • 9 votes
                #9.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:57 PM EDT

                I like to take this time to congratulate FDR for giving the green light on the D-Day Invasion. I like to take this time to thank President Lincoln for giving the green light to Gen. Grant for bringing the Civil War to a conclusion. Oh, I'd also like to thank President Obama for giving the green light to the mission against Osama bin Laden to our Navy Seals. Congrads all around. Oh by the way, Vote Dem Out.........I'd love to hear your take had the mission gone pear shaped. Now, that would have been worth listening to. More than "vote 'em out" I think we'd have been treated to impeachment proceedings. So, I'll put the words in your mouth; The President of the United States proving his patriotic committment in authorizing the elimination of Osama bin Laden also demonstrated his ability at decisive action without regards for the consequences to himself. He fulfilled the resolve of the American people to bring bin Laden to justice. We commend him on his leadership and ability to meet that challenge. There, not so tough huh?!

                • 1 vote
                #9.4 - Tue May 3, 2011 2:33 PM EDT
                Reply

                Nice side show ,Gives the sheep something to talk about.

                END THE FED , DEFAULT , No wars if there is no money.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#10 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:37 PM EDT

                Are you talking about the Republican Party's candidate for 2012?

                  #10.1 - Tue May 3, 2011 10:32 PM EDT
                  Reply

                  Is the Orange Boner going to Afghanistan to weep?

                  • 5 votes
                  Reply#11 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:45 PM EDT

                  No, no, no: he's too busy boning the lobbist 'crotch candy' that the defense contractors send over with their campaign conributions.

                  • 6 votes
                  #11.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:56 PM EDT

                  hey Orb,

                  I trust you are not an English major in college..........do you often have such interesting remarks for discussion? You should do well on this libbie site. Keep your hatred coming ORB, it seems to make you a more happy person.

                  • 2 votes
                  #11.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:26 PM EDT

                  safecracker-1205811

                  How can you possibly equate 'hatred' with a few home thruths about the ethics and intelligence of the likes of Trump, Newt, Boehner, Palin, and Bachmann? Perhaps if I toss-in Rangle you'll feel better?

                  • 3 votes
                  #11.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:32 PM EDT

                  ORB,

                  No matter what anyone has to offer, you wouldn't know the truth. You don't want to believe anything but what you hear from the libbie information sites.

                  Trump, Newt, Boehner, Palin, Bachmann and Rangle all have one thing in common: the intelligence to survive. And they have the ability to talk to people on their level, no matter what their political preference may be. Unfortunately, you are unable to accomplish what they have accomplished during their careers.

                  Not in the House, Senate or even city government, right Orb? You just like to talk a game hidden behind your computer screen.

                  • 1 vote
                  #11.4 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:40 PM EDT

                  No, not sure if John knows where Afghanistan might be. He's also very busy right now building a jobs program that will address the unemployment figures in the United States. Opps, sorry, no word from him that yet.

                    #11.5 - Tue May 3, 2011 5:54 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    The lefties truly are clueless if they think this is over by a longshot. Osama hasn't been the ringleader in a very long time. In fact, he's been living right under everyone's noses for the past 5 years.

                    Now that we've killed him, do you think they're actually going to say, okay, we're done with the USA?

                    Bring the troops home so they can protect the USA. We're going to need it now more than ever.

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#12 - Mon May 2, 2011 6:51 PM EDT

                    Vote Dem Out,

                    Whats wrong? Are you scared? Don't tell that you are. This is the Land of the free and the Home of the brave! Wonder what Rush will say then the fence sitter. What a cluster F!

                    • 10 votes
                    #12.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:01 PM EDT

                    Whats wrong? Are you scared?

                    I don't know about VDO - but the NJ nut job has been practically pi$$ing herself all day! ;o)

                    Come to think of it - it's not like it's anything new with her!

                    • 9 votes
                    #12.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:04 PM EDT

                    ROTFLMAO!!

                    • 5 votes
                    #12.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:09 PM EDT

                    Dangit Feisty, you had to go and make me curious. Now I'm gonna have to go back through all the articles today just to read NoJo's comments. Is it really worth it? Will it amuse and delight?

                    • 5 votes
                    #12.4 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:22 PM EDT

                    Will it amuse and delight?

                    NJNB amuse and delight?

                    Eh... not for at least the last 40 years are so!

                    There's a reason her husband travels the way he does... ;o)

                    She's well past her expiration date!

                    Is it really worth it?

                    You be the judge - *YAWN*

                    Another day another I HATE OBAMA tirade! You've seen one, you've seen them all! lol

                    • 7 votes
                    #12.5 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:28 PM EDT

                    Now why would you have to sink so low as to go after someone's husband.

                    A new low for this board and you in particular.

                    • 2 votes
                    #12.6 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:29 PM EDT

                    You have to ignore Fiesty Fire Crotch and her ilk. Don't you notice how she's always first to come on any board - and then collapsed because she really wasn't that good?

                    • 2 votes
                    #12.7 - Tue May 3, 2011 6:48 AM EDT

                    VDO,

                    At least she doesn't vote for her own posts like you..ROTFLMFAO!!

                    So, how is the whole "stealing from your boss, posting all day long from a company computer" working out for you?

                    VDO has proven to be nothing but a bigot, a birther, and a troll...and gets paid by the post, too!

                    • 6 votes
                    #12.8 - Tue May 3, 2011 7:20 AM EDT

                    If Bin Laden was under everyone's noses, how come Bush didn't take him out? How come it took Pres. Obama 2 years to get him, well, it was he was busy cleaning up the Republican mess left to him by " WORTHLESS BUSH & THE REPUBLICONS " Beside Bush was too busy spending his time down in Crawford Texas. We finally have a man who is doing his job flawlessly and even better making the Republicons crap in their jeans. WELL DONE NAVY SEALS AND PRESIDENT OBAMA~~A SUPERB TEAM TO KEEP US --S A F E !!!!!

                    • 4 votes
                    #12.9 - Tue May 3, 2011 9:19 AM EDT
                    Reply

                    hOW IRONIC, Typical GOP draft dodging politician that OK'ed 2 wars and hid the costs, Now wants to be a participant of the Obama success. Boehner who either sweet talked his way out of the Navy or Cried his way out now wants the real America to have any faith in his comments or action. You Boehner are partly responsible for the DEATHS of more than 5000 american kids and wounding and maiming more than 34,000. America knows about you and the rest of the GOP ANTI-MILITARY participation, but have no compuntion to send other peoples kids to fight your battle. LIVE WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                    • 10 votes
                    Reply#13 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:06 PM EDT

                    Finally a few of you responding understand the value of keeping the wars going.It enriches the republican party...they will keep us at war regardless...they are bribed by all the vendors involved ...like building the jet we don't need or use but it keeps the company going and the bribes come your way as a senator /congress member !

                    We are done we won ...now let's all come home.... so no one else is slaughtered needlessly !

                    • 9 votes
                    Reply#14 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:10 PM EDT

                    We are done we won ...now let's all come home.... so no one else is slaughtered needlessly !

                    --------------------------------------------------------------------

                    I agree. Fortunately, the republicans have no say in the matter; all Pres. Obama has to do is sign the orders!

                    • 6 votes
                    #14.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:14 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    Nice job Pres. Obama. Now lets follow up with a reevaluation of our "friends" the Pakistanis. With "friends" like that.........

                    • 6 votes
                    Reply#15 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:11 PM EDT

                    . Now lets follow up with a reevaluation of our "friends" the Pakistanis. With "friends" like that.........

                    I couldn't agree with you MORE Indy!

                    • 3 votes
                    #15.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:13 PM EDT

                    A large military training facility with 1 km of bin Ladin's compound? Sheesh!

                    • 2 votes
                    #15.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:17 PM EDT

                    A large military training facility with 1 km of bin Ladin's compound?

                    Couldn't believe it when I heard it!

                    In NO way does THAT pass the smell test!

                    • 2 votes
                    #15.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:20 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    Let's institute the draft and see how much the right-wingers like war.

                    • 5 votes
                    Reply#16 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:25 PM EDT

                    The rich ones will just find their way around it through deferments or whatever. They don't care about the poor ones, they are cannon fodder like the rest of us.

                    • 3 votes
                    #16.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

                    Keep in mind Tom, the CHUMP beat out the Dick for more deferrments....

                    Donny had 5!

                    Questions are now being raised about how, exactly, it was that Donald Trump didn't serve in the military during the Vietnam War. Trump, who was in his early to mid-20s at the height of the war, addressed the issue in an interview with a local morning show in New York this week, explaining that

                    "I actually got lucky because I had a very high draft number. I was sitting at college, watching. I was going to the Wharton School of Finance. And I was watching as they did the draft numbers and I got a very, very high number and those numbers never got up to."

                    But, as the National Review's Brian Bolduc quickly pointed out, Gwenda Blair previously reported (in her 2005 book "Donald Trump: Master Apprentice") that Trump received a medical deferment that kept him out of the draft. Also, as Bolduc notes, Trump actually graduated from Wharton in 1968 -- more than a year before the December 1969 draft lottery for which a man with his birth year (1946) would have been eligible.

                    http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.salon.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fwar_room%2F2011%2F04%2F29%2Ftrump_vietnam_draft&ei=iD6_TaSxMeHc0QHG0KjVBQ&usg=AFQjCNEXYQgqtnVnWLosNWONyw3YZmnVuw

                    • 2 votes
                    #16.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:32 PM EDT

                    Dick Cheney had five as well. Which was the same number Joe Biden had.

                    • 2 votes
                    #16.3 - Tue May 3, 2011 5:07 AM EDT
                    Reply

                    Hey, Boehner:

                    How many of your children have fought in Afghanistan (or Iraq)?

                    • 9 votes
                    Reply#17 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:28 PM EDT

                    I wonder if Boehner wept when he heard the news...I bet his Scotch and water was a bit salty...

                    • 7 votes
                    Reply#18 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:32 PM EDT

                    What do you expect from a guy who dilutes perfectly good Scotch with water?

                    • 5 votes
                    #18.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:35 PM EDT

                    Indy Lib:

                    [What do you expect from a guy who dilutes perfectly good Scotch with water?]

                    Touche`...

                    • 3 votes
                    #18.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:58 PM EDT

                    Nah, that's not water, it's vodka.

                    • 3 votes
                    #18.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:35 PM EDT

                    ORB, that's disgusting! Scotch and vodka? Just the thought of a vodka taint in my scotch makes my skin crawl. That is almost blasphemous. Good night.

                    • 2 votes
                    #18.4 - Tue May 3, 2011 2:31 AM EDT
                    Reply

                    That's so true Indy, but when your son or daughter are forced to die in a pointless war the Republican town-hall meetings would be very embarrassing for them.

                    • 2 votes
                    Reply#19 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:34 PM EDT

                    People are delusional if you think they are going to bring all the troops home now when they finaly got him! He was the number one person but there are more on the list and now that they got him they may have leads to get the others! In germany we didnt just go in kill the one guy and boom all was forgiven it doesnt work that way you have to make sure it is finished so it doesnt come back to bite you later! I know people want peace truth be told it hink we all do! But you have to make sure you finish a job don't do it half ass because if you do it is gona cost way more later or haven't we learned that this time since we missed him in the late 90s! If things had been done properly back then the war wouldn't have cost nearly as much as what it did in todays economy! But no everyone wanted peace! Then they came back killed thousands of Americans and here we are in a very costly war! I say finish it this time! Get it over with so the next time we get sucked into somthing like this it is a different lot of crazies instead of the same old BS! Everyone wants the troops home but if you talk to them there are so many who say no let us finish this, let us do our jobs and end it once and for all! We all want our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters to come home safely and we all would love it to happen tomorrow, but what will the cost be 10 years from now if we do not finish it this time? We know what it has cost us this time!

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#20 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:39 PM EDT

                    I should have added sons and daughters my appologies!

                      #20.1 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:57 PM EDT

                      Fiesty,

                      I do not think we will ever see an ending to this war, there will always be terrorist that will replace the ones we killed. I for one think we should pull our troops, and try to protect our country from here. We could still have special forces to monitor whats going on. I am so sick of hearing about more soldiers and civilians alike being killed.

                        #20.2 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:52 PM EDT

                        Barb it will end when you get rid of enough of the al quieda! It is hard for everyone there are not many families in the usa that do not have a loved one there one way or another! But it needs tobe finished properly! It cost us alot because we did not finish it last time and now look where we are how long it took us to get this far! To stop and just say well that is that would be irresponsible! Th though of it taking another 5 years kilss us all but i would prefer to se our country do another 5 years now that to have to put in 10 to 15 again in 10 to 15 years and let it be a non sto revolving door! Yes there will always be terroist but the large majority of them will be single person or very very small groups making it hard for them to function! These people are very organized and have money if we do not finish this now it will rear back yet again like it did from the last time we dealt with his group and it will start all over and next time it could be worse! As hard as it is somtimes the best course of action is to stay the course! I grew up military and my dad made many comments year ago when the missed him! He said they would be back and it would be worse and so it was becasue they did not follow through! As parents we teach our kids follow through in life is everything, this situation is no different no matter how much we wish it was!

                          #20.3 - Mon May 2, 2011 9:13 PM EDT

                          The problem with your plan Feisty, is that Al Qeada has cells in many countries now, so even if we take out the ones in Afghanistan, they just regroup in another country where they already have cells, and then we are constantly hopping our military around Asia and the middle-east trying to take out each individual cell in many different countries. I do not think we can afford to be invading and occupying so many countries, not to mention the political backlash it would produce. As it sits now, both our country and our military are war weary, and the troops need to come home, if for no other reason than to help enforce our borders. They might even be able to be used to help repair our infrastructure, as it is in need of serious overhaul. At this point, as was previously mentioned, we can monitor Afghanistan from here and react accordingly. the Taliban are going to end up ruling over virtually all of the country, as Karzai is most likely only going to keep control over Kabul, if they even let him share any power. Remember, the Russian war in Afghanistan helped bankrupt their gov't., just as the wars are helping to bankrupt ours. If thesse were more profitable times, I'd be right with ya, but we aren't in prosperous times, so we have to go. Sorry, I just really disagree with this one point.

                            #20.4 - Tue May 3, 2011 2:47 AM EDT

                            brent you cannot monitor a country properly from here at home! As war weary as everyone is if you back down right after the biggest thing to happen in many years it is garenteed to backfire! You can bankrupt a country with out bankrupting the taliban and al quieda! If you think they have but one income there is not any logic in that! Pbviously we arent in prosperous time een my family has suffered! So even as hard as it is to say we should stay! We just gave back hope and should now have a renewed effort to get more people and they may have leads on some of the people next on the list! We need to do it right or face consequences later! Once you get enough of the top people they will have nothing left because the majority of the younger ones are not educated enough to pull anything off! The are still several older ones left! What i do not understand is when we finally get such a break when we have finally accomplished somthing so important why do so many want to turn tail and quit! This was was on terror not just finding Bin Laden! The United States may be weak or weary after such a long war but to just give up now would show not only lack of commitment but also weakness! You do that you are inviting further attacks! Not to mention we cannot stop students from taking guns to school and blowing away their friends or enemies so what is honestly going to be safer here in our current state to abandon our efforts at there and bring all the soldiers home! Not to mention the unemployment rate and so many other problems that will rise to all time levels of people who come home to no jobs! There are many things you have to consider just bringing everyone home would hurt us far more than to stay and finish this properly now!

                              #20.5 - Tue May 3, 2011 8:25 AM EDT
                              Reply

                              What an amazing day it has been. We can not say it enough, Kudos Mr President and everyone else for a brilliant outcome.

                              • 6 votes
                              Reply#21 - Mon May 2, 2011 7:57 PM EDT

                               Alas, killing bin laudin was the easy part,getting out of iraq and afganistan is the tricky part.And i do want us out. if we leave Iraq now we may as well just turn the keys to the country over to Iran,we know this and so does Iran.the Iraqi army is weak at best and not trust worthy and the worst. they'll cave and you'll see another islamic terrorist country born, this one also with billions of barrels of oil to sell to the chinese.the russians and anyone but us.this money will finance operations against us,so how do we leave there.some worry about Israel if Iraq falls,I don't,they've had plenty of chances for peace and have thrown them all a way,let them reap what they've sown. as for afganistan and packistan, afganistan doesn't want to change they don't want democracy,they're tribal in nature and have been for thousands of years and they like it.packistan is the real problem,they have nukes and don't put it past them not to sell or give one or a dozen away and claim they were stolen if we leave them high and dry with no aid money comming in.They don't like us and would not shed a tear if we got nuked by some craized terrorist group.     

                                Reply#22 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

                                Let Afganistan and Pakistan do what they want. Our job there is done. Do not allow anyone from over there into our country.

                                Bring our troops back, put them on our borders and yell " Cartels, You're next"

                                Let our military do their job, which is to protect us. 

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#23 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:23 PM EDT

                                I'm one that believes there was and is a terrorist threat, but that the level of threat is overblown.

                                What we need to do is withdraw entirly from the offensive war we keep going and do some serious defending here at home. Caling for us to spend yet more money and lives on a war that makes no sense, a war that makes us less safe, basically still a war to control the main oil producing region in the world, is insane.

                                The bottom line it is all about money and power. That is why the "Sobbing Boner" wants us to remain involved. Those that control him want tp keep the spending going. We can attempt to frame history anyway we want but the actual history of events continuously points to GREED + MONEY = POWER, together, the ultimate aphrodisiac for power addicted scum.

                                • 2 votes
                                Reply#24 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:29 PM EDT

                                Right Boehner, we have not killed enough Arabs yet.

                                The price of these occupations is not worth the benefit.

                                • 5 votes
                                Reply#25 - Mon May 2, 2011 8:32 PM EDT
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