U.S. will give free weapons to Afghan civilians

from RawStory: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/CNN_U.S._to_arm_Afghan_civilians_1226.html

Saturday December 27, 2008

One way to quell a violent and deteriorating situation, according to the U.S. military, is to flood the place with guns.

That's exactly what is planned for Afghanistan, where a rising tide of chaos is slowly pushing the country past Iraq as the most dangerous battlefield Americans tread upon.

"The U.S. military plans to help the Afghanistan government recruit, train and arm local Afghans to fight a resurgent Taliban," reported CNN's Barbara Starr.

"For the United States, the most sensitive part of the proposal will be the use of American military funds to purchase small arms, most likely AK-47 rifles, that will be given to local Afghans, according to a U.S. military official."

"There are worries," Starr continued, "putting even more weapons in the hands of local communities could lead to tribes fighting each other instead of the Taliban. U.S. troops could get caught in the middle." The plan would also hinge upon the weak Afghan government to maintain the loyalties of the newly armed populace.

I wouldn't mind having one of those AK's...

Agent Mike? Are you listening?

are you?

I still wouldn't mind having one of those AK's though...

Another brilliant plan from the geniuses in the Pentagon doomed to fail.

because they were armed. No more guilt afterwards for killing women and children because "the armed men folkterrorests were using them as shields".

when our troops are fired on by Afgan civilians, there won't be any reason not to destroy the entire villages anymore. Just out and out level the countryside. :argh:

sheesh, the brass is having a hard time explaining away civilian casualties at this point in time. Just think how much easier their job will become?

I'm sure we had a good reason for going into Afganistan, but what the hell, how long are we gonna keep on doing the same dumb shit over and over and over?

I presume he is on side with this lunatic strategy or the brass wouldn't be promoting it.

It is beginning to look like Afghanistan will be a cancer on Obama's presidency.

He should be figuring out how to end this war rather than escalating it.

- B

. . .but it's really still an open question what posture the Pentagon will assume with Bush gone. I agree that it appears that Mr. Obama isn't in opposition to this because of the relative silence from him and his transition team.

I don't know that this will get any more traction than those did in the end.