Pretending they did it out of a patriotic duty, pretending they are innocent of any crimes...

Almost every criminal in prison declares their innocence of the crimes for which they are doing time.

The insurrectionists pretend they attacked our Capitol because the election was stolen from them. They were doing it out of patriotism. They love their country. They respect our institutions. They pretended that the lies were true. They felt that Donald Trump was ripped off. (They don't seem to understand that Donald Trump does not get "ripped off" - he is always the one doing the "ripping off&quot

They are not patriots. They do not love our country or our freedoms. They are not honest with themselves or anyone else.

They can continue to live in their pretend world. They can continue to believe they did everything for patriotic reasons.

But the fact remains. They are criminals.

How do the US troops get out of Afghanistan?

Do they just get on a plane and fly out?

Will they be permitted to do that?

Will the Taliban or the terrorists attempt to stop them?

It was reported on BBC last night that there were loud explosions going off near the airport? The reporter thought it might be the Americans setting off bang grenades or destroying some equipment ?

Everyone will breathe much better when the troops are out of that trap. The longer they are there, the more likely there will be a disaster.

It is quite a gamble to trust the Taliban to protect the troops on their withdrawal.

The word is probably used too often and too lightly but the guys at Kabul are true heroes.

They are in an impossible situation and are putting their lives on the line.

They are saving tens of thousands of Afghans from the Taliban.

They are very courageous.

They are true heroes.

I would like to see the Supreme Court rule on "Executive Privilege"...

...for present and former Presidents.

Can they claim "executive privilege" in a criminal investigation? It's as simple as that.

Can they cover up criminal conduct by claiming "executive privilege"?

One would expect the Court to rule that Presidents have a right to claim executive privilege in almost every instance, except when there is a crime involved and the evidence requested by Congress is needed as evidence in their investigation.

I hope the Committee does request the ruling by the Court in this matter.

The security of the troops is paramount to the evacuation or withdrawal.

If the new Taliban government cannot secure the area, then the US troops will have to secure it themselves. They cannot be sitting ducks for these suicide bombers.

They may have to postpone the evacuation until order is restored?

This is a serious development.

Thick As A Brick (Classic)

"There is no good way to lose a war."

I have heard several people say that, the latest being Sir James Carville, on the 11th Hour with Brian Williams.

Perhaps someday we will learn that we cannot force our ideas of democracy and federalized government on other people around the world? Let us hope that Afghanistan was the last.

We lost the Vietnam War, also. Today, Vietnam is a staunch ally. Hopefully, somewhere, someone can plant a seed that America does have some good people in it. And after we are gone, they will remember us.

But the imperial age is over. The world is much smaller. There are no vast empires to exploit.

More than anything else, Afghanistan was a cash cow for the Defense industry. Many of them are associated with the media networks in this country. They have maintained a rather symbiotic relationship.

But now, we are leaving. In perhaps the only bright spot of this 20-year war, America is evacuating tens of thousands of Afghans who fought by our side in this lost war. Many will become American citizens. They will be as American as you and I.

Who is your favorite talking head on MSNBC ?

Tastes will vary.

America should be united at this time, but we are not.

Just as when our country was attacked on 9/11, the people put their political differences aside and united as one nation. And George W Bush was not the most-loved politician in the world at that time.

Our troops and our allies are in severe danger in Afghanistan and as Americans, we should all be pulling for them to succeed. We should not be playing petty politics at this time. As Lindsey Graham and others are doing.

There is a time to put politics aside and work together. This is one of those times. No one should be pulling for the Taliban over America at this time. Unfortunately, that seems to be the case.

It doesn't matter if they evacuate a million Afghans...

The media would still be saying that "someone was left behind".

When the operation began, the number of evacuations that was mentioned as needed was 70-80,000. They have reached that number.

But, someone will be left behind. That will be the story.

No matter how many people are evacuated.

Up to this point, it has been a success.

Some might even call it an American "victory"?