The war in Afghanistan enters its second decade: Rivers of blood, shattered lives in decade of war

[Cali_Democrat]

Fantastic article. Definitely a must read.

Afghanistan: Rivers of blood, shattered lives in decade of war
By SHARON COHEN
The Associated Press
Updated Oct 6, 2011 10:13PM

Ten years after America began its war in Afghanistan, the decade can be measured by different yardsticks: Dollars. Deployments. Deaths. Or maybe this striking fact: Some soldiers have childhood memories of when the fighting began.

A decade is longer than the time ground troops were in Vietnam, longer than the Revolutionary War (both eight years). The invasion of Afghanistan — launched about four weeks after the 9/11 attacks — introduced the nation to a new enemy, the Taliban, and a seemingly endless mission, the global war on terror.

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While there are plans to wind down the war, the costs already have been staggering. Hundreds of billions of dollars. Thousands of U.S. troops injured and nearly 1,700 dead, not counting the deaths of Afghan civilians and U.S. coalition partners.

But no war can be reduced to numbers on a ledger. The real impact is measured in the widows left behind, the children who will never know fathers or mothers, the names of the fallen etched in marble memorials and a new generation of veterans with wounds, memories and lives forever changed.

Read More: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/52685321-68/afghanistan-war-says-troops.html.csp

[ProSense]

1. Dems use 10th anniversary to urge end to Afghan war

Dems use 10th anniversary to urge end to Afghan war

By Mike Lillis

On the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan, a growing chorus of liberal House Democrats is calling for its end.

"Let’s not forget why we entered Afghanistan 10 years ago: to find Osama bin Laden and prevent Al-Qaeda from using the country as a base to attack the United States," Rep. Louise Slaughter (N.Y.), senior Democrat on the Rules Committee, said Thursday in a statement.

"Bin Laden is gone, Al-Qaeda has been scattered around the globe, and yet we continue to risk the lives of brave Americans and squander billions of dollars after a decade of interminable conflict," she added. "It has to stop."

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the U.S. simply can't afford the conflict any longer — an issue he said should resonate with an administration searching for ways to cut deficit spending.

more

Good!

[Supersedeas]

4. notice how the Media give the Repub Presidential candidates a free pass on this issue

[StarsInHerHair]

2. get them out NOW! drop real edible food, medicine that isnt expired, & supplies

[Supersedeas]

3. has anyone explained with any specificity what more we expect to accomplish there