Obama has managed to get a lot of world face time in the last 61 days. Copenhagen and his Olympic Quest comes to mind. Just a few days ago, Obama and the press went to Edwards Air Force base to view 18 deceased troops as they arrived. Just an aside, but I don't believe George W. Bush used those visitations at Andrews Air Force base as a photo op.
And yesterday there was the White House Halloween Party. The President looks like a man with no worries or concerns.
Associated Press Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta We hear a lot in the news about the health care crisis and the health plan the "majority" of the country does not want passed but very little headway has been made on General McChrystal's request for back-up in Afghanistan.
Listening to the news daily it is hard to determine if Obama has the guts or fortitude to continue "his war".
However, last week the US government assured Pakistan we were with them for the long haul. I bet they really believe that especially when Obama can't make up his mind to back-up his own general and the troops in Afghanistan.
This is now really starting to look like another Vietnam, with a Democrat President micromanaging the generals while The Taliban and Al Qaeda (General Giap and the Vietcong troops) understands if they keep up the pressure they can again beat the USA (the devil).
US Hostile Fatalities in Afghanistan by Year and Month
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
2009 12 15 11 3 9 20 39 47 33 48 0 0 237
So since the General asked the President , his Commander in Chief, for backup 81 American troops have been killed by hostile action. Basically 1/3 of the deaths for 2009 have occurred after General McChrystal's request for assistance.
The longer Obama dithers, the more encouraged the other side becomes (just like Vietnam) and more troops die. So far Obama's campaign plans regarding the war on terror either copy George W Bush or the are lacking in substance and determination.
Here is a good read titled "Is It Amateur Hour in the White House?:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/215991
This is the kind of article the media is supposed to publish, in print and over the airwaves. It is also the type article that upsets Obama because it holds his feet to the fire.
