Afghan veterans offer stories from 7-year US involvement

Sobering views but no calls for withdrawal

WASHINGTON - One held the hand of a dying fellow soldier and told himself that the sacrifice would not be in vain. Another watched an Afghan tribal leader risk his life to seek US protection for his village - only to be told that it was not possible. A third interviewed insurgents who said they expect American troops to get tired and go home. A fourth beat suspected terrorists, only to find out later that they were innocent.

The veterans of the Afghan war testified yesterday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about a seven-year conflict that has attracted little debate, even as President Obama sends reinforcements to take on the Taliban.

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However, one veteran - Rick Reyes, a former corporal in the US Marines - called Obama's decision to send 17,000 additional combat troops to Afghanistan "a mistake."

"At a minimum, this occupation needs to be rethought," he said.

Reyes, who was among the first US forces sent to Afghanistan after the 2001 terrorist attacks, said he arrested Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorism suspects in their homes based on tips by paid informants.

"Almost 100 percent of the time, we would find that the suspected terrorists were just innocent civilians," he said. "We began to feel we were chasing ghosts. How can you tell the difference between members of the Taliban from Afghan civilians? The answer is: You can't."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/04/24/afghan_veterans_offer_stories_from_7_year_us_involvement/

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j8SHzNiwwerV2mT7U0hp2ra9tqow

Veterans warn military solution won't end Afghan war

Lots of opinions, which is good. No good solutions. :(

Like you say, there aren't any good solutions. Lord knows I don't have any good answers.