Today's Poll: Should the U.S. negotiate with the Taliban?

How do you negotiate with murderers that ascribe to the annihilation of all that live free and that do not follow their savage twist on "religion"? That have consistently proven that they are the very definition of untrustworthy? That purposely live a 16th century life - except when current technology will help them kill?

Even entertaining the thought of negotiation is absurd.

We should have learned in Vietnam that a war cannot be run from Washington. Give the commanders their objectives and get out of their way. If this had been done in 2002, both Iraq and Afghanistan wars would have been successful and over years ago,

Bring it on, liberals.. :)

Bob: Just to let you know I'm not a liberal, and have had two of my son's in both of those places. What does successful look like?

Why would we negotiate with the Taliban anyways? About what? If the Afghanis want to negotiate with them, that's their business. Why we are still there is beyond me, let alone trying to tell them how to run their country. Obama should focus on the specific people who are still wanted for crimes including the 9-11 attacks, I thought he wanted to be FDR; FDR demanded unconditional surrender and never wavered.

Bob, I'm a liberal and I voted no. I'd have voted 'Hell no' if it had been an option.

My definition? I believe it to be very simple, measurable, and absolutely achievable.

The complete and verifiable defeat and removal of all threats to our country, and our way of life. We should have no interest in reforming any government in the world, as long as it is not a threat to us. Let the Afghans run thier country. Let the Iraqis run Iraq. But our "keeping our nose out of their business" ends when threats to our national security arise.

The problem of Iran is only slightly more complicated. Let the Iranians dispose of the regime if they wish. HOWEVER, Iran's military mission is a definite threat to the US and our interests. WE should immediately get out of Israel's way and let them do what they have to to protect their own way of life. And yes, assist them if they ask. We have the capabilities to destroy Iran's military/nuclear threats in less than 48 hours, with minimal impact on civilian life.

Speaking of civilian casualties, they are an unfortunate reality of war. If our soldiers and commanders were not hog tied by politicians, I believe this would have/will be much less of an issue. I would be less than honest if I didn't add that I would rather see the horrible reality of civilian casualties occur there, rather than here.

What about civilian murders Bob?

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-10-14/justice/griffin.afghan.murder.soldie…

Bob,
Liberal here, too. I voted 'no' and like Chris, if it were an option, my answer would be "hell no!".

Nukes would have been the economical option, 1 plane, 1 bomb, 1 day, end of story. All diplomacy does with these twisted, radical, jihadist, nutcases is cost lives and money. The only thing they would have left to worry about is Allah running out of virgins.

Chris,
Civilians killed unintentionally as a result of combat are one thing, murder is something else, as you should know. Bob was in no way saying murder is OK.

Conservative Tim is so proud of both liberal Bea, and liberal Chris :)

John, what I'm saying is that the longer a war goes on and the more deployments you put our soldiers through the more likely it is that things like this happen. I'm with Dave, we need to get out of there, but I can't imagine that negotiating with the Taliban is the way.

John if it was my innocent family killed for no reason I'd call it murder.
A recent quote from Gen. Stanley McChrystal
"We have shot an amazing number of people,but to my knowledge,none have proven to be a threat"

Sounds like murder to me.

Chris, not sure what the purpose of the CNN link. Read it twice and it refers to allegations, an investigation, no charges filed, and a definitive statement by CNN that this platoon is out of control. Do we now presume that once someone levels an allegation, the person is automatically a civilian murderer? Even the tatoos are a stretch, could be legitimate enemy kills. Not the best taste, but not proof of wrongdoing either.

Terry.
When our troops are fired on, and are allowed to shoot back and against all efforts to avoid it, an innocent person is killed, you can call our troops murders, I will not.

John, read your Generals quote

Terry,
I did and while he was right about many not being a threat, he never said US soldiers were murders either. However, you are entitled to your opinion that they are.

We need to consider the toll on our servicemen and women and their families:

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20101002/NEWS03/310029951/0/NEWS09

http://militaryconnection.com/articles%5Cinterest%5CMilitary-Divorce-Ra…

http://girightsnews.blogspot.com/2010/09/as-iraq-winds-down-us-army-con…

Howard, I think you are ignoring the best alternative of all - the one mentioned above. Get Washington out of the war business - other than declaring it. Give the objectives to the commanders and turn them loose. No more never ending war, less casualties, both military and civilian, our forces home sooner, and a sustainable peace.

Simplistic? Maybe. Achievable? Absolutely, if only political correctness would relinquish it's death grip on our society.

A new development, as posted on Foxnews.com.

"Two weeks after Afghan authorities intercepted a shipment of Iranian weapons meant for the Taliban, the Obama administration invites diplomats from Iran to NATO conference in Rome to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan."

Unfortunately, this is not a joke. May God bless America - as she used to be.

Fox is known for fabrication. Yet, people flock to it like ants to honey. I guess they prefer the made up stuff more than substance.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/06/afghanistan.iran.weapons/in…

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/10/06/Iranian-arms-seized-i…

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/afghan_police_seize_tons_of_…

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/07/eveningnews/main5370148.shtml

Bea,
"Fox is known for fabrication". This from the lady that insinuated that if we support Republicans, we support child molesters.

Jeff,

I think you need to spend a little more time reading about that case. The article I provided was only a small sample.

I put it out there for you as an example of what can happen to people's minds after a prolonged war. Many of our soldiers have spent more time deployed in combat zones over the last nine years than they've spent at home. That can do a number on a person psychologically.

The small group of soldiers committing murder in Afghanistan are not a paradigm of our military as a whole, but they are a symptom long term war.

Jeff,

I just re-read the article because I was positive that charges had been filed and I was right. I'm not sure if you clicked through all four or five pages, but the article states that 5 of the 12 have been charged with premeditated murder.

O.K. Chris, charges have been filed. Still doesn't validate the point since 5 charged and not yet convicted out of 100's of thousands doesn't even register statistically. These isolated cases, as tragic as they are do not constitute a reason to abandon a war. These psychological symptoms are not new. In the Civil War it was called "Soldiers Heart"; WWI "Combat Fatigue or Shell Shock"; WWII "Battle Fatigue"; Vietnam "post-Vietnam Syndrome" and now referred to as PTSD. It is a serious issue in our current military as it has been in every past conflict, but we shouldn't stop fighting wars because of it.

Howard, I admit to being a little surprised at the Fox comments since they are your fellow media professionals. You may not agree with what they report, but it would also be difficult to back up the 75% percent crap assertion. If Fox were put through a "truth-o-meter" along with all the other mainstream media, I don't think there would be a tremendous imbalance. Just as a side note, I put myself on a self-imposed moratorium from Fox, Rush, Bill Press, MSNBC. It was in part to see if my blood pressure and anxiety level would decrease, but also to see if I was indeed being unduly influenced by either side of the spectrum. I am nearing the end of month no. 2. Not so sure about the physical effects, but my leanings have not changed.

Posted by Howard Owens on October 20, 2010 - 7:22pm
Fox, however, has become a joke. My knee-jerk response to anything from Fox is "it's a lie." They just lie habitually. It's gone from being a fair and balanced anecdote to liberal media to nothing but a propaganda machine.

Wow, are you walking a thin line.

Please click on this link. It will undoubtedly put an end to this controversy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avw0n9b2o9U

Bob, too funny.
It might just be the answer.

that's pretty funny Bob, gas would be cheap, but the taxes would definitely be higher. President Soprano LOL. I'm talkin' 'bout the daughter not Tony, you follow me?

Interesting that some, like Bea, say Fox is biased, but the left leaning National Public Radio (NPR) just fired Juan Williams, a middle of the road senior commentator, for not following the company line and staying politically correct.

Bea, what is your opinion of this firing?

Sorry John, the needling isn't going to work.
I don't listen to NPR so I have no opinion.
Try someone else.

I just read about this (I haven't watched my TV in the past few days, I've been under the weather).
Sounds like Fox News is having a hayday with it, but they have targeted Islamic for quite some time.
http://www.eurweb.com/?p=59505
If Juan Williams breached his contract then he had to be aware of the consequences. (sort of like taking food off a buffet table and hiding it in a garbage bag).
Juan Williams may have lost his job at NPR, but he received a new three year contract with Fox News and a multi million dollar raise for those 3 years.