Graham favors permanent Afghan basesWASHINGTON (CNN) - A U.S. Senator is calling for permanent U.S. presence in Afghanistan. Senator Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina, said in an interview airing on CNN's Parker Spitzer on Friday night that an enduring military relationship and permanent U.S. installations in Afghanistan would benefit both countries. "Under the right circumstances I think it would really secure the gains we made to have a U.S. presence in Afghanistan, two airbases that would be beneficial to the Afghan security forces," Graham said in the interview. "Only if the Afghans want it as a way to make sure this country never goes back into the hands of the Taliban. I think that would be a good way to end the Afghan conflict," Graham said. "Senator, I hear what you are saying and I am actually kind of startled by it," co-host Eliot Spitzer responded, "because my recollection was that this war was about Al-Qaeda and terrorism, not about nation building in Afghanistan." Pentagon spokesman, Col. Dave Lapan, was cautious when asked about Graham's call for permanent bases. "While we will have an enduring relationship with Afghanistan, there are currently no plans for permanent US military bases there," Lapan told CNN by email. "It would be premature to discuss any US role or presence beyond the end of 2014." "I am appalled by Senator Graham’s comments," Congresswoman Barbara Lee, (D) California, said in a statement. "Rather than advocating for a permanent extension of the costly and counterproductive military occupation of Afghanistan, it is time to finally end America’s longest war and bring our men and women in uniform home." In his CNN interview, Graham said the goal is securing national security interests, like the U.S. has troops in South Korea. "My belief is it would be good to have an enduring relationship with the Afghan people, in a political, economic and military fashion without a100,000 troops to make sure that the place we attacked from on 9/11 never becomes a sanctuary again for Al Qaeda," Graham said. |
  @inthearena on Twitter Last night was our final show. Thanks so much for your support. What will you miss most about the show? #cnn inthearena.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/04/mar…
Columnist Laura Washington and @nprscottsimon revealed their 50th birthday wishes for President @BarackObama. #cnn inthearena.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/05/50t…
#Debt commission co-chair Alan Simpson slams the "disappointing" debt deal, saying Washington is "dysfunctional." #cnn inthearena.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/04/deb…
Ben Stein says we may very well be headed towards a double-dip recession, but "things are not that terrible." #cnn inthearena.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/04/ste…
Our last show is 2nite, please join us at 8pm ET. One of our favorites was @FareedZakaria, who was on last night! #cnn inthearena.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/03/zak…
 |
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Who's going to Pay for It? Oh, cut social security and medicaid, that'll do the trick. What a joke.
Also, Congress needs a pay hike.
Where the heck are we going to get the money? Borrow it from China and reduce social securityhecks for the elderly, medicaid reductions, medicare reductions, tax cuts for the wealthy, ending unemployment pay. Alll tax increases. It was Grahan and the Republicans who got us into this mess and reduced the taxes to pay for it. What a check.
We could move troops from other permanant bases around the world where we don't need to be but I really don't think our government would do that. They only know how to ADD! $$$$$$$$$
Did we forget this already? On June 14, 2010, it was revealed that "...the whole place is chock full of precious metals — $1 trillion in reserves, maybe, including “huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium.” The moment Republicans start talking about permanet military bases in Afghanistan, I was reminded of a motivating factor...money, Of course, like in Iraq, it is the US military working "cover" for those who are making millions on the back of taxpayers. Why did CNN not talk about this as motive!
On June 14, 2010, it was revealed about Afghanistan that “...the whole place is chock full of precious metals — $1 trillion in reserves, maybe, including “huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium.” The moment that Graham opened his mouth to speak about permanent bases there I knew the motive had to be protection for his "good friends" while the military, as in Iraq, provides cover for the "contractors". Did we forget about this already?
As SoWhat said, WHO THE F IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? MY GRANDCHILDREN?! We don't need more bases. We don't need more war. We need more internal healing and rebuild our wonderful nation. That starts with the roads.
Well said my friend.
Please run for President!
WE SHOULD CLOSE ALL OF OUR OVERSEAS BASES – S. Korea, Europe, Qatar, etc. WE CANNOT AFFORD THEM. We are fighting relics of the Cold War by having troops all over Western Europe and South Korea. Have you gotten your 1990 "Peace Dividend" check yet from the collapse of the USSR? Our government is still fighting that war while looking for more: Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, etc.
Sorry Gary, your grandkids can't afford it. They are way too deep in debt for that.
A poli-sci study exists showing a strong correlation between occupation and terrorism. In other words, when a sovereign nation is not occupied, terrorism coming from that nation drops significantly. By suggesting a permanent base in Afghanistan, Graham is advocating for infinite terrorism. That's a real smart idea, kid.
Um, that's like the whole idea. Perpetual war = perpetual money for the war machine.
Also perpetual war powers for the Executive Branch.
Funny, as the US had ZERO military presence in Afghanistan when Al Qaeda attacked us, killing 3000 people in the World Trade Center.
I suggest that that pol-sci group re-examine their data.
Let's review your pol-sci results.
Number of US military in Afghanistan before 9/11, zero. Number of Al Qaeda attacks against the US, 6 with two INSIDE the US.
I suggest that the pol-sci folks should re-examine their data.
@Wzrd1 – weren't the hijackers all Saudis?
Well folks lets not let the facts get in the way. According to Saudi Osama Bin Laden, 911 happened because the US had established an air base in his sacred muslim country of Saudi Arabia. This tends to confirm the correlation between occupation and terrorism. One more time, 911 was perpetrated by Saudis because of an established US presence in Saudi Arabia.
If there isn't a presence, then they attack other targets including other countries around them and their own country's people. Happens all the time. We don't cause anything, we get in the middle of it. They start targeting us instead of the other people. That's how we help them out, by helping them fight. So then we attack. Then we get attacked. But that attack came at us and not our ally, and we are more capable of absorbing it. It's called War. Yeah, it sucks, but it takes strategy, strengthens our relationship with that country, and helps our national security at the same time.
Thefactsloseagain, don't confuse the Wiz with facts. He won't accept them, doesn't get it, now or forever.
Wzrd, restating the same thing doesn't do anything to mask your obvious lack of understanding.
the 9-11 attackers and other alqaida assaults were against the usa for our invasion and occupation of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Not to mention the US policies involving the palestinians and israel. So no we didnt have a presence in afghanistan but the talban were trained by the US to fight off the Russians and then bolstered by Alqaida to support and protect them after they attacked the USA. In truth its all one big cauldron of hell over there. Nuke Israel (it is in the center pretty much) and take away all their reasons for wanting to fight us over here. then maybe we would get some peace.
Keep in mind that if all the military assets come home, they might be deployed against us.
Watch some of those house to house raids our solders do searching for insurgents and weapons.
Those guys are going to come home and join the SWAT teams. When they search houses in Iraq, they
are practicing for future jobs searching OUR houses
He's just saying what others fail to see what will eventually happen. If you think for one second we are going to pack our bags and let the terrorist flood back in and slaughter all the allies we have made in that country, because thats what will happen...sorry liberals not everyone is nice and is living in the US. Graham knows because he gets the reports, obama knows but he puts off telling you because thats what you want to hear, he just extends the deadline....look at iraq still got troops there. Reality check people.
What the heck do you think we do come back thinking you our like the people whos houses we search in iraq, thats a crock, so what if we come back and join swat, two diff worlds man, two diff worlds. If you had ever been in you would know this.
I think that's a real insult to our troops and to SWAT teams. I really would not want to do either job.
Exactly, let Afghanistan pay all expenses for our service men and weapons. Karzai and company can pay out of their own pocket which is our money any way. That government is worst than Somali pirates.
I agree. I know.... I think Senator Graham should head up those US Bases. I think he should go over there and spend 2 years......even though he wouldn't last 2 weeks and then tell us WHY IN THE HELL WE ARE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
I think he should be the one to notify the parents of fallen soldiers that their child is dead. Do you think he would change
his tune?
Think the Senator is going to pay for any bases staying in Afghanistan out of his own pocket. Think the time has come to bring everyone home & start rebuilding our economy. The world isn't going to help us rebuilt its time to say enough is enough & start fixing our country. We can't rebuild every country we go to war with. Think someone forgot what war is you kick ass & get out. But ssome of these countries start a war with us so they can be rebuilt better than they was before. We're going broke trying to fix the world's problems some where a long the line we are going to have to say no more.
I am sure Mr. Graham won't mind giving up his share of $165,200 salary he makes, for this "noble" cause.
Why don't we just leave Iraq and Afghanistan now? I frankly don't care if they fall back into chaos because it's not my responsibility as an American to fix everything. When will the politicians also realize this? We don't have be in everyone else's business. Let Afghanistan go back to Taliban rule. So many of them are fighting us, why not leave them how they were? Our "ally" Pakistan is supporting the Taliban as well, so give them what they want already. Call it a day.
Graham is nuts...let him go there in perpetuity!
LOL
...and his entire line of descendants in perpetuity...
AMEN!! I just want to thank Elliott on how he handled Flimsey Graham. We in South Carolina do not have any respect for Graham. What was up with all the weird movements he was making as Elliott went in for the attack during the interview.
Thanks Elliott, I really like you now.
Worked in Germany
Afghanistan isn't Germany.
thats two different concepts....germany (and Korea) was a nation...what we are battling here is not a nation but a terrorist group/organization, or whatever you want to call it, but this is almost a world wide terror group, NOT a country. This idea by Graham is assinine. Ask the Russians how well it worked!
Germany was alot different. They had an economy. They had education, leaders, and manufacturing. They just had a dictator problem. Afghanistan has not had an actual government in ever. In ever, Brian, in ever. It won't work. We ned to play Lets Make a Deal with the Taliban to keep Al Qaeda out and make like a tree.
We conquered Germany.....Forced them into surrender. We are not trying to conquer Afghanistan. Same as Korea and Viet Nam...........You can't win unless you totally defeat the people or country. History does repeat but no one looks back at it.
This is how the GOP wants to deal with the deficit... Cut spending for health, education, safety, and regulation and instead spend to maintain more military bases in places here we can't even meet our objectives. OK, clear enough.
i've been reading cnn for years from my phone. Cnn has moved the video up in the menu when i want to read news instead. They also started hiding ads like this one for their show as actual articles. For this reason i have went to msnbc.com twice this week and it was for the first time. I will be using this website much less now. I wanted cnn to know and possibly change.
What does that have to do with Lindsey Graham wanting permanent US military installations in Afghanistan?
Aw.....You don't get your news with video any more? Try the comedy channel. Or go to MSNBC and learn to drink the Kool-Aid. Google "sheep"
Republicants calling anyone sheep is just funny. Beck/Limbaugh Moron perhaps?
And if you are tired of hearing the crazy voices you might try turning off Fox News.
Shame on Graham. This is the kind of crap that we do not need from elected officials and it is also a major problem with our reputation in the world. We try to tell people that we are not rtying to run their business then someone says something stupid like this. We need to get out as soon as s possible and leave it alone. There is nothing to be gained by the US by staying. Using Graham's logic, it would be a really good idea to have bases everywhere so that we can keep people under control because it would be in our best interest...That's imperialism!
We need to replace LG with a conservative with a brain.
Well, we don't pull the police out of the worst portions of most major cities. We maintain a presence to preempt chaos and lawlessness. Perhaps this would be operational plan here also.
Who said anything about nationbuilding. This is keeping guns and boots in Afghanistan instead of bombs in the USA.
Bunch of weak kneed folks want an instant victory, when none is forthcoming run for the hills. There will be no victory in Afghanistan, only a running skirmish with terrorists. Better there than here, I say.
Right, and that way the war never ends and we can keep the military-industrial complex humming on poor and middle class tax dollars. Remember, deficits only matter when there is a Democrat in the White House, and we all know that's gonna be over in 2 years.
I say we just nuke it along with Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and North Korea. Kill millions just to kill the top five of each.
Talk about an oxymoron.
That will be a difficult task, at best ...
Fine, let him grab a weapon and go over there and man the bases. Maybe he can take the rest of Congress with him.
No.
That's a dangerous and stupid idea! Just what I would expect from a US Senator...
I think he's on the right track, but we need to narrow our mission – keep the Taliban out of the cities and take out terrorist camps/bases throughout the region as they arise.
Your solution will require how many boots on the ground, how many dead or wounded soldiers, and how many dollars????? For how many years? To achieve what goal? Oh, yes, to keep the Taliban out of the "cities". What a moron you must be to even suggest that Lindsey Graham is correct on this topic.
Take out terrorist bases, great idea..sure, who decides what is a terrorist base? Remember we once supported Sadam and the Taliban...so if the same folks were good allies then, and terrorist later, who decides? Of course, do we send bombers, or new missles into soverign nations to destroy these camps? Would German, China, Russia, Israel, or any of the other 200 countries find this objectionable? Seems more like an idea to cause major troubles for the USA.
"...keep the Taliban out of the cities and take out terrorist camps/bases throughout the region as they arise."
That sounds remarkably similar to the current plan. And how is that doing...?
That is a really bad idea.
Was there a contest for the dumbest quote of the week? Congratulations Senator, you won.
Is the Senator out of his mind!!! Lets waste more tax dollars, and risk American life in a country where we are not welcomed.
Nuts
Right, because that worked so well for the Soviets in the '80s.
Sign for three times of duty there or let your sons (if you have them to serve there) and then open your mouth again about the topic..
No. I don't want to pay for it. We have too many bases as it is.
Are you crazy or have you been smoking the California weed? Haven't we lost enough troops over there? With all the warlords wanting the power you will never have peace there. We should have learned after the Russians took off. We have you idiotic government people that don't know what you are doing or thinking. I think its about time some of retired NCO"s and Officers take over the missions around the world plus get intelligent people that know foreign policy, economics and not like our President that comes from ACORN, only a senator for 3 years in the most corrupt state in our nation, no foreign policy experience. You people voted for a change and now you got it.
I understand it must be really difficult, but just this once, do you think it might be possible to stay on topic?
How did you go from Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator from SC, who wants permanent bases in Afganistan, to blaming the president for this guy's idea? The president wants to bring the troops home, not put them in harms way "In perpetuity". Old Lindsey has been a Senator for a long time. He certainly does not represent a vote for change.
Chris, I am a retired combat soldier, disabled and spent years in combat. I know what is going on over there. I do not know if you have been in the military but we have a President that does not know even how to take care of us back here. Leaving soldiers over there in areas we have been would be wrong and not wise. Look at what our government has done. One, went to Korea, still problems, went to Iraq, still problems, in Afghanistan, still having problems with corrupt Afghanistan's. We have Commanders that know what to do but want to take their white collar brains, sitting behind desks in nice offices and getting paid by us taxpayers for doing nothing. By the way we do need a change. It starts with Congress and works its way up to the President. You would have thought that after the Russians ran home from Afghanistan some of these elected officials would look at past history. Same with Vietnam. I will leave it at that, since Grham has no credibility in his state.
And the American people elected this idiot????
Nope, just the idiots in South Carolina.
I thought I had submitted a pretty good political bashing comment, but I guess not. Suffice to say the above posters are correct.
IDIOT ! ! !
.
Yes, permanent bases in a place that hates us and will get shelled all the time. Korea Pt 2, anyone? And let's not even get into the whole cost issue. I mean, this is his way of reducing the deficit???
Worked in Korea too
I always thought Afghanistan was an independent nation. Does this mean US decides on its own where in the world our troops will be stationed.
And we wonder why the whole world hates us.
Afghanistan - the 51st state!
They want to be Americans so then they can vote Republican.
Another example of war mongering fear dripping repblican bull malarky.
I say we just pick up and leave right now...Taliban Schmaliban...they seem like reasonable people...what the worst they can do? come on
It's simple, bases are needed in Afghanistan to protect the middle east oil from China. Read Leon Uris Exodus written
in 1957, first chapter, "empires run on oil".
I agree. It is simple. "Exodus" is a very entertaining work of fiction.
I think that should be "protect the middle east oil FOR China". Because we owe them so much money, we're forced to do the dirty work.
We need to get out of the empire business and into the rebuilding our nation business. I can't possibly imagine having troops stationed there playing good cop/bad cop forever. Did he bring up tax increases and a draft to pay for it?
Of course not. He is a Republican.
Duh.... just get rid of Social Security. It's covered....
Good idea Lindsay, I hope you'll be happy there with Boehner and McCONNELL.
When someone asks why we would establish a permanent foothold in the region just show them the Twin Towers tumbling down...End of Story...
Then why not put these bases in Saudi Arabia, Hmmm? The hijackers were SAUDIS!
Well that is a stupid idea in the first place. Secondly why are we still there if the guys that did it have left. Oh I see, maybe they will come back for their U2 CD's they left in the cave.
The US not leaving after helping get Russia out of Afganistan is why they attacked us to begin with.
it's all just soooo simple for you radical righters huh? it's easy when you have no principles and just go along with WHATEVER plan your chosen TEAM says, I guess it's easy to not think for yourself but BAD FOR AMERICA
Good Answer!
Hooah!
Yes, show them that picture and tell them that will happen much more often if we decide to occupy a sovereign nation indefinitely.
@Urethra Franklin – who said occupy? We would stay because we are asked to. You really need to understand the definition of occupation. You throw it around like you understand what it means. I did not read anywhere that the Afghan government has asked us to leave.
Let him go and man the base take his fellow gop members with him and good luck to the bunch
NO! NO "permanent bases" in Afghanistan, or ANYWHERE ELSE!!! We have no more business putting our military bases in other peoples' countries than THEY have to put THEIR BASES HERE!!! Aside from the ridiculous costs involved, this is what fueld the idiots around the world who scream "Imperialist!" at America. We are PART of the international community, NOT RUNNING IT!
The Soviets wanted bases there permanently too. That worked out real well if I am not mistaken.
Wait...put one in Iraq too (since we're already there), and let's invade Iran and put one there also....now, where can we look around so we can put up some more. I see a real cottage industry developing here – The Halliburton Foreign Permanent Base Co., Inc. (whoops, strike 'Inc' and make that LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), just in case.
We have permanent bases in iraq already...
Is he really that unaware of what got us into this mess in the first place?
What a great idea? ASre you kidding me? This guy is a toatl idiot! When are we going to stop trying to police the world and take care of home first.
why is the west there anyrate. that country is cursed like haiti. its a narco state and never ending curruption.also we are propping up a government who will execute anyone who becomes a praticing christian
I learned everything I need to know about Afghanistan on 9/11. Beasterdamus is the only smart one in this "conversation"
Oh yeah, and it's time to open the internment camps for all muslims in the US. Hey sherriff Arpaio, what you doing these days?
How much will this cost? No proposal of this kind should be considered by anyone unless the proponent pairs it with a way to pay for it–SPECIFIC cuts somewhere else or SPECIFIC new taxes.
wait.... I thought the GOP was about fiscal responsibility???? OK so some down trodden welfare mom in newark NJ is going to bankrupt the nation but going to PERMANENT war in one of the most historically war torn areas of the world won't...... OK lets watch all the radical righters line up and "explain" it, if their TEAM said it then they have no choice but to go along with it....no matter how blazingly stooooopid it is!!
The Taliban is there, thanks to the fact that they were not eradicated the first time around, like they should have been. Graham's out of his freaking mind if he thinks the "gains" made there (?) won't be almost immediately erased once we announce our intention to occupy that country until the end of time. You want to finish this, then eliminate all Taliban members...period. We don't have the money to do anything else, unless anything else is picking up and leaving tomorrow.
wait.... I thought the GOP was about fiscal responsibility???? OK so some down trodden welfare mom in newark NJ is going to bankrupt the nation but going to PERMANENT war in one of the most historically war torn areas of the world won't...... OK lets watch all the raadical righters line up and "explain" it, if their TEAM said it then they have no choice but to go along with it....no matter how blazingly stooooopid it is!!
The only reason people would be surprised was if they actually believed that "because my recollection was that this war was about Al-Qaeda and terrorism" and are still in denial about American Imperialism. Really, whaqt actions or information is it going to take to convince people that America is practicing Empire Building and has since the turn of the century publicly and privately since the end of the Cold War. Are people still this deep in denial that they are actually surprised when someone talks as if these wars are more Manifest Destiny than defense?
Is anybode else noticing that Lindsey is looking more and more like Jesse Helms?
GOP, the party of the Military Industrial complex. They let homeless vets sleep under bridges and let American children live in poverty and even want to deny them medical coverage. Protect your children from the war mongers.
Sure let's do that and send Lindsey Graham as in-charge. With idiots like this person in senate, who knows what will happen to USA.
Working in Iraq. We built I believe 7 permanent bases there. And people wonder why the deficit is so high. We also built the largest American Embassy in Iraq. Let's do like Russia, spend everything on defense and let America crumble around us. Cut SS, cut medicare, cut all social programs, cut education, cut any spending on infrastructure and build bases in Afghanistan.
i think we should have bases ther and anywhere else we can it protects us keeping the war on there ground not ours americans dont know how lucky they are if the war was here what would all the overwight lazy people do then we better prey it stays over there
Yes, I can see the Taliban fighters flying close air support for the Taliban tanks coming ashore in South Carolina...can't you? Why does this argument sound so familiar? Oh yeah, I the Romans had the same argument about their permanant bases as well. Turned out pretty good for them right?
Deny job benefits unless they are funded. Yet lets go to war without funding and give continued tax breaks to the wealthy without funding. This isn't patriotism, it's stupidity.
and all the troops to man the bases should come from South Carolina
Do the Afghan people want us there? I don't mind the idea if it has the full support of the Afghan people. But if it's just Graham's personal opinion, I think we don't need to waste any more of our time or troops there. A permanent place for people who don't want us there to attack, is not exactly in our best interest, in my opinion.
Yet another reason why we need to get rid of senators like him. I'm not a Tea Party guy, but I think its agreeable to say that our government is getting beyond ridiculous.
This government is acting worse than the previous government. I think it is time for USA to change the policy and diplomacy toward middle east because people in there hate USA more and more everyday and this give more power to the anti-American government over there. Those nation see Americans as a threat for their country too so that's why we have never peace. It is time to bring the Iranian government and the USA to a table and have a conversation but with justice and fair one. Iran government is the only government that can bring peace in the middle east if this is really the goal here which I doubt. After all without the help of Iranian intelligence USA could never take over the northside of the country where the al- Qaida was really established. Having a base in Afghanistan would bring more hatress among the people in afghanistan toward USA.
Hatress?
Most everyone hit it on the nail. The USA is broke and this is clearly neocon idealogy. We cannot afford anymore wars let alone bases. Close them and get out! Most countries do not like us anymore because of our occupations and we are not any safer. Let's talk with them instead! It's cheaper......
LG's a goper. This is what y'all wanted. Enjoy.
Maybe the Grahm Family can relocate to Kabul
We should be cutting our foreign military presence, not expanding it. We need to leave Afghanistan to the Afghans and get out.
Newsflash: Other than Vietnam we are still in every country we ever went to war with. What's makes anyone think we won't remain in the Middle East as well? Those aren't "temporary" infrastructures built in Iraq and Afghanistan......
EXCELLENT OBSERVATION!!! Thank the Space pope that there are intelligent individuals on this planet!
Yes. The us needs to control the world. Too many primitive fanatical nuts in the region. Still, maybe iraq would be a better location for bases. Putting bases in afghanistan is like putting bases in north korea. Obviously he has no concept of military tactics.
We are not the world police. Bring all of our troops home! You cannot win a religious war...and when the country you are trying to democratize lives by principles (the Koran) that in are direct conflict with democracy then you really are in an unwinnable situation. Everyone hates to see people suffer, but we just cannot keep swimming upstream...
We are the world police. Haven't you ever heard of Team America: World police?
Good idea Lindsey, only if you gonna stay with the troops...
Take the BILLIONS from Afghanistan and invest it in America where it belongs in new jobs, roads-bridges, education,health-care, homeland security for our borders...please lets re-build and protect America first instead of a corrupt, extortion and drug lord Karzi!
So, how do we pay for this?
Get rid of social security, its just a perverted great depression holdover. Also put a time limit on welfare and make people work. Too many just sit on their ass and bleed the Gov't dry
We have done any nation building nor did we ever plan to do so, using human rights, democracy and the al qaeda we created, yes we created...as an excuse for Afghan submission...The Afghans are not Pakistani, Arabs or Koreans to bow to anyone, they did not bow to the Alexander the great, the Persians, Ghagzis Khan, British, Russians, etc nor will they accept US..so lets stop dreaming and give back the Afghans their country. NOT ONE afghan has ever been involved in terrorism in US, Europe or even Russia who were humiliated and defeated. Lets stop this propaganda that we are there for our security and against heavens of terrorists because we all know that the Mujahideen were trained in the early 70's before the Russian invasion by the real terrorist establishment of Pakistan(ARMY/ISI)..and we encouraged Arabs states to release their terrorist prisoners into Afghanistan. I have read many book, traveled to Afghanistan and have Afghan friends, we are sold a picture which is not reality on the ground. The Afghans do not like to be dictated to nor will they ever submit their soil(just as our forefathers, the forefathers of Afghans have fought for Afghanistan. Just like we have honor, their will and honor is much stronger than one can imagine. Not to forget Afghanistan was a nation before America and has a recorded history of thousands of years...Now lets brings our troops home, the Afghans knew what we know now..we were never sincere about their freedom or nation building.
Graham is a right-wing nut job. He also lied about his military service, claiming to be a gulf war veteran when he has never been overseas. His military service was as a pencil-pushing lawyer at McEntire (SC). Typical GOP hypocrite.
Senator Graham is doing a fine job.... for Israel. American boys securing Israels security for perpetuity. Securing it with American blood and tax dollars. Boy, Israel has a great senator in Mr. Graham!
This has nothing to do with Israel however your comment show that your knowledge of geopolitics is grossly limited and your hate is abundant.
Another stroke of brilliance from a conservative moron. I wonder if his knuckles are pernamently scarred as a result of their dragging on the ground.
Are you kidding me? No Afghan would ever support such a thing, not like they have any choice when the country is occupied by far more powerful invaders. But as long as you stay in Afg, you will die. It isn't your country.
Mr. Graham is a moron – and should be voted out of office.
Graham is a complete idiot. Let's round up the men and women in his family and let them defend the ground. I think the GOP have lost their minds. It's pathetic.
Either take the place over outright and own it, or get out and let them deal with things themselves. Between these two ideals seems to be nothing but economy building and pocket stuffing, has nothing to do with the average people at all.
Of course. Because Obama wants to bring troops home, the Republicans naturally want perpetual war instead. Obama should come out tomorrow for cuts in social spending and education, gay marraige and gay military service, and full throttle oil and gas exploration. It will virtually guarantee that Republicans will oppose him.
Well if permanent military bases in a Muslim country doesn't stop terrorism, nothing will! They say it's our presence on their soil that has them so angry with us, but "W" says it's because they are jealous of our freedoms. Now c'mon, who ya gonna listen to? Build the bases, give them the freedoms they are so jealous of, and bring the troops who aren't manning our bases back home to enjoy the everlasting peace and prosperity that only American imperialism can provide.
NO!
The man has lost it. While I fully support out being in afghanistan at this time, I think that we need to get out of other nations. We need to allow these nations to build up their own security and deal with issues. And I do NOT want us to EVER be an occupying force.
A village is missing its idiot, and I think we found him.
You got that right! The Idiot has been found and not on a cardboard box
Absolutely not!!!! But then, what do you expect from a Republican and Colonel in the huge military industrial complex. They
make money off every war they get us into and would love to keep us in both of the current wars "in perpetuity!"
Woe to thee America with the Republicans trying to get back in power...
He looks hypnotized. And, "...I know that the hypnotized never lie." Do ya?
hmmm... I'm all for it ONLY if Mr. Graham has to LIVE THERE
What's he been smoking? Does he have any idea why our soldiers keep finding bombs by the roadside?
I thought we were supposed to be "helping" the Afghans. Liberators do not build permanent bases, thats what conquerors do. Graham needs to shove it!
The Taliban want some permanent bases in South Carolina, so they can set up roadblocks, encourage massive corruption, bomb civilian weddings frequently and burn tobacco estates. Sounds fair to me.
Very typical and hypocritical stance that Republicans have. They say they are all for "limited government" in the US, but pretty actively do everything they can to push and expand our government on other countries. We are in Afghanistan for one reason, terrorism and OBL. Once the taliban opposition is sufficiently self sustainable we need to stop spending US tax dollars fruitlessly in other countries.
I can't wait until Graham is primaried out. NEOCON & RHINO
And so the "New Imperialism" marches on.
This "politician" clearly doesn't have a very solid understanding of history and both the difficulties associated with fighting in Afghanistan historically and the folly of defensive installations.
go away lindsay, and take your girl name with you
NO! Jesus Christ, this isn't the Cold War anymore! We can't continue to spend 20-25% of our budget maintaining a massive military presence all over the globe if we expect to be able to reign in the deficit and pay for things we actually need at home, like new infrastructure and better education for starters.
By the results of this poll, graham is severely out of touch with the american people. Maybe he can station himself over there permanently.....
I think its a good idea as long as he personally pays for it. I wish just one politician in Washington would
really care about the long term future of our Country and push to balance the Federal Budget. That would be as Patriotic an act as what George Washington did or Abraham Lincoln did for our Country. They have to be really stupid to think we can keep borrowing money from China and not eventually become like Greece or Ireland.
Graham's views are nothing new. Just the same-old imperialism in new words.
Amazing doesn’t even begin to sum up how stupid this man sounds. Republicans are always attempting to find a way work on exploiting someone or something. The revelations of the Wikileaks info regarding the degree of corruption in Afghanistan didn’t even penetrate his force field of stupidity. OMG, if you’re a Republican and you see this guy actually talking about putting a base in Afghanistan, and this does not appall you, then all I can say is,,, C’est la via.
Bush just left office after almost destroying this country, but, he left his team of cheering idiots in place, and they are like a bunch of 13 year old children running around the country without a adult to supervise their behavior.
The more Graham talks the nuttier he seems to get. Hasn't he figured out the American Century is over and now it's time to retrench rather than expand? One side of his face babbles about deficit reduction and budget cutting, and the other wants to pretend it's still the Age of American Empire. He can't have it both ways.
Germany's first world war caused thousands of lives, then we said Oh! let them be, they have learned their lesson, then we had a Second World War, with War Crimes that to this date still haunt us, but some say, other nations won;t do that. Besides millions of lives lost, we lost hundreds of thousands soldiers, from all nations, especially ours, Wake Up, Have someone pinch you, the Taliban is just as bad as the other radical groups. We need to be there as long as it takes. We had to occupy even our own country after the Civil War, to prevent killings and hangings. Wake up Man! You run away now, you might as well keep on running. What has happened is that there are a lot of wimps in this Country parading they are Patriots. Tea Party, Cancervatives!!
senator graham needs to step up to the plate and hold the same standards to this idea as his party demands for exstending unemployment benifits.! he needs to show how he is going to pay for this idea. how about a ltttle pay as you go for senator graham a democratic idea that his party threw out during the bush years and is now back because of democrats. lets not forget that the last three republican president are responsible for almost half of the $13 trillion deficit we have now! the last bush in office added $5 trillion him self. i don't want a base in afganistan in fact i think we should close all bases in south korea you know the country that does not want to import american beef or cars into their country but want us to pay for their protection! if republicans loose anymore brain matter we are going to have to start watering them and put them under a grow light. what a stupid idea. a base give me a break!
This warmonger like most of the GOP need to be ignored.
your right ! he needs to look over his shoulder as well because the tea party will take this idiot out of office and replace him by an even bigger idiot!
I have believed since we went back to Iraq after 9/11 that we are there for one reason only...and
that reason is Iran. Iran is one of the 'Axis of Evil' and we need bases in the mideast to work from
if we are to go into Iran. We have had northern and southern no-fly zones in Iraq for nearly 20 years.
With a base in Afghanistan, Iran is the real target in our sights. I would like to think I was wrong, but I
thought we would go into Afghanistan when Iraq became unpopular. There are people getting rich
off of these conflicts, so don' t look for an end to conflict in the Mideast for many years to come.
That will really make the citizens of the U.S. safer + lower their bank accounts at the same time! What a deal!!! Can it get any better than that???
Yeah – need permanent bases in Afgan country, That could be a good boot camp training ground for our rusted military services man, that have been philandering their time in beer and women in Guam and other far-east bases at the cost of taxpayer expenses.
US Govt has Only two option here either shape-up the military skill in Afgan boot camp (or) outsource it.
I thought the GOP Senators said they weren't going to do anything until they made the Bush tax cuts for millionaires permanent. Can't trust those clowns as far as you can throw them.
Interesting. Ask the Senator if he thinks Karzai and the Afghan people need to be asked whether they want us there "in perpetuity."
Ahh.....just what every neocon wants for Christmas; U.S. military power based on foreign soil......or else.
Afghanistan leaders will probably fear us leaving cause it would mean their hold on power could leave. We probably are going to be there a long time rather we like it or not. Unless we elect someone who isn't a Repubacrat.
You mean like Obama.
That is the craziest idea I ever heard. I thought Senator Graham had more sense.
I think if the invite us to have bases or give permission then we should
Time to bring them all home.
The Tea Party lost against Harry Reid, why, because Harry knows how to fight. All those that lost against the Tea Party did so be cause they thought it is a permanent job, and once they get in, they don't have to do nothing, Well Harry Kicked their butts, just like the Great Senator from Alaska, Now That is a Real American Patriot.
Yes,, let's get rid of Social Security... Why didn't I think about that. Is the Government going to refund all of the money that has been paid into SS to those of us who are not retired? What about those people who ARE retired that need SS? Oh, we can just leave them homeless, hopeless, and starving. Then, we can be just like all the nations we mock or look down on. What we need to do is cut defense spending, and INCREASE social security benefits. They are a joke at the level they are at. They don't pay enough to cover housing in most states. But since we are on a war footing, I guess none of that matters. What a joke this country has become.
Social Security was never meant to be permanent
I am looking for a new country to live in ... I hear China has jobs ...
people actually elected this looney tune.
We have over 500 bases outside the US. I bet one or two more would really give us more security. We should check with Chine first to see if they will let us have the $$ to keep it open. I would add the $$ to the loan to give the $250,000 plus a tax break.
Politicians need to stop getting smack with the good idea fairy! The cost of rotating troops will be costly and I want a politician with kids in the military to support this idea!!politicians need to leave combat planning to our General Officers and take care of all the problems with our own country!
This clown is stupider that Palin! Who elected this bozo?
No No No!!! Bring our childern home now!!
It is the same 26% sothern baptist who will support the republicans no matter what polled yes. IDIOTS star loving Ammerica not your faith
What's startling is that the Honorable Senator Graham didn't use the words that because of American Exceptionalism and Manifest Destiny thye Afghan People should welcome a perpetual USA precense in the form of military bases in their country.
all you are worried aout our troops dying. First off, thats what they are here for. They are to go into harms way so you crying babies won't have to. Second, how dare u bash our men and women in uniform. They are the greatest patriots out there. No one, and I man no one comes even close to making the sacrifices our armed forces make. You libs are all the same, cut the military war machine, which by the way brings you most of the tech you use eveyday, and spend it on social programs and welfare and unemployment. if u can't get a job, guess what, Uncle Sam is always looking.
Of course he does...it's the American way.
we just lost six more troops the other day to an Afghani that turned his gun on them.
Like the Republicans say " if we can't pay for it than we can't do it'
Time for us to leave Afghanistan because we can't keep paying for the "Dunce's" wars
Put these Republican Senators in uniforms and send them to fight these battles that they are profitting from so hugely.
How ironic, I favor Graham going there,...permanently.
Lindsey, shut up!
I agree we need a sustained presence in Afghanistan. Not the current level of troops but enough to continue training and development of the ANA and ANP to allow Afghanistan to develop into a more tolerant society.
Don't listen to these knuckleheads who have never set foot in Afghanistan, they have no idea how it is and sit in comfort while others struggle to protect their freedoms.
Once again the conservative mind set shows that it only wants bigger defense budgets and more foreign nation building. I am pretty sure that much of the spending to support these permanent bases would benefit his local corporate supporters as well as the general neocon faithful.
Fiscal conservative?..What a laugh.
The so called terrorists have been strengthened by our Iraq invasion. Al Qaeda can set up in just about any third world country or even places like Germany or the UK.
Graham is showing his lack of historical knowledge and parochial thinking.
Bring on more billions for defense and greater tax cuts for the rich (Note that the rich are getting a continuation of tax cuts on their first $250,000 of TAXABLE INCOME when the middle class gets its tax cuts extended.
You know this will happen. The USA will have 2 permanent bases in Afghanistan. It is already in the works. Too many people in the house and senate are making too much money to stop now.
Graham also wants the United States to launch an unprovoked offensive blitzkrieg war against Iran in order to destroy not only their nuke facilities but to also "destroy their air force" and "sink their navy" (his words). One brave man.
...in the finest tradition of US imperialism.
Graham (R) is simply fulfilling President Eisenhower's (R) warning to the nation: Beware the military-industrial complex.
Graham is totally supported by those who profit from the war machine and from secure military employment.
BUT, Grahman wants nothing to do with establishing the military draft as he will not tolerate his family members being inducted to fight in the Near East.
WAIT A MINUTE! Is this the era of Tobbaco plantations in South Carolina? COLONIALISM AT ITS BEST!!!
Of COURSE its been about bases, since far back as Vietnam. When these wars started I knew it was about establishing bases, its a pattern. I mean sure, diminishing troops but leaving a certain amount suggested they were establishing a base. Same thing in Iraq.
Al Qaeda is a pretext an excuse, national security, just like "weapons of mass destruction" and spreading democracy.. and "liberating" nation building, please.
This is an elected representative and is making decisions on behalf of the people of the US. I shudder!
So much for returning to COMMON SENCE!!! Graham is a Crazy Republican who does nothing but follow the company line. Attack a Nation and ask questions later. Remember 15 of the 19 hijackers were SAUDI ARABIANS so what do WE do,attack Iraq and Afganistan!!!!! All "W" wanted to do is get even with Saddam for past personal offences to his Daddy and all their friends(Cheney and Rummie). I still like that picture of Rummie shaking hands with Saddam bsck in the 80's. Maybe he would go to Afganistan along with rest of Congress and stay there permenatly!! Now there's a PLAN!!
Well, looks like the GOP is already at it. They promised to work on the economy and jobs and now this guy wants to spend more money. Hey, Graham where will the money come from? Remember your promise as a party? As an Independent you GOP gropers should be absolutely outraged and embarrassed. But we all knew this is what it would come to...just had to hear it from their mouths and actions. Shameful!!!
I'm sure that if we shut-down 2 bases in South Carolina, we'd be able to afford 2 new ones in Afghanistan
Let's start with sending Graham and his family first, then Palin and her clan, then McCain and his, Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, etc, etc, etc until all the repubs (baggers) are gone to that country. This country would be much more civilized with them gone.
Sorry 70% of posters here who are deeply in bed with the Ds or Rs, but this is NOT a Liberals vs. Neocons issue. BOTH parties are about equally to blame for making war-mongering and nation-building (aka psuedo-colonialism) a priority over focusing on improving the quality of life for its own citizens.
Now, this next parts gonna sting for some people, but the truth hurts:
JFK/LBJ >>> Nixon = Bush >>> Obama.
Message to Obama: "We Just Marched In, So We Can Just March Out"
You can blame the Party system on Presidents Jackson & Van Buren
If you honestly believe that Nixon was better than Obama is now then you're a bigger fool than most.
When it comes to neocons there is no end to stupid...and no end to wars they like.
When it coes to libtards there is absolutely no end to stupidity.
That's fine. If Graham wants permanent bases in Afghanistan then make sure his children or grandchildren are there to man the base. He's the reason this country needs a draft with no exclusions to serve. If politician's children or grandchildren were forced to serve, I'll bet you a years wages that Republican politicians and pundits (draft dodgers) would be less likely to support American aggression and nation building. To be fair Lindsey was in the military. But people like Cheney and Rush used what ever they could to avoid what they love, attacking nations and killing foreigners. Bunch of cowards as long as it's other peoples children.
Maybe the senator needs to grab an M-16 and man up. He should be the first posted at this new base.
Our government will always have a place for troops in any country we have previously occupied. Do you think our reduced presence in Iraq will ever diminish?
Stupid, Stupid Stupid. We could/should have been out of there 7 years ago if W and dumber hadn't taken their eye of the ball and decided to go to war in Iraq too. Now were in quagmire status and this bozo wants permanet bases. Stupid Stupid Stupid.
Dear Senator Lindsey Graham, please take a year out of your "free" time and spend a good portion of it over there. Its not fun, I can tell you this from experience.
How much is going to cost the U.S. citizens to be in Afghanistan until 2014?
Maybe the congress & the president should pay for it.
Why don't CNN discuss daily, weekly, monthly & year costs of the Iraq & Iran confilicts?
Parker Spitzer. Let me throw you a bone about Afganistan. The only reason that Graham wants to be in Afganistan is because of the Trillions of $$$'s in minerals found there.
I agree with Greg above, that Graham and his children/grandchildren should be there to fight the war for what?
I would add that Mr. Graham could do us all a favor by taking Queen Hillary there. perhaps she could do the laundry for Graham et al:)
The only reason Graham wants to be in Afganistan is to get the Trillions of $$$'s in minerals. They found there recently.
HAHAHA!!!!!!
There it is!!!! Soon, we will be "assisting" the Afghans in mining the wealth under their feet.
Give Graham a gun and let him go fight for the Afghans.
Senator Graham, as long as you and your family are willing to staff these permanent bases, have at it. Otherwise, stop volunteering others to go for you.
What a stupid comment for Graham to throw in during such a important interview regarding the USC/Auburn game, how silly was that. Elliott got the best of that hick. By the time he was finished Grahams lips were quivering. He doesn't speak for the majority of any of us.
permanent bases? They used to call that colonialism.
He should take a look at bin Laden's ao called "fatwas" (a term that imlies he has religious authority, which he does not), as pretty much his whole basis for holy war against America is because we built permanent bases in Saudi Arabia. It's amazing what you can learn if you take the time to research the issues, Senatorim glad thefactsloseagain gets this, not enough people do.
God forbid Graham should actually KNOW any history about that part of the world – or why bin Laden decided to attack America!
But then again, Graham belongs to the party that had the arrogance and ignorance to suggest that we'd be greeted as liberators in Iraq, that Iraqi oil would pay for the war, that we'd be in Iraq for no more than 6 months ...
US' presence in Afghanistan will allow us keep a close eye on the Taliban, Russia in the north, Iran in the west, China in the N. East, and Pakistan in the south. Afghanistan had been a land for foreign interest for 100s of year because of its location. Howevere, managing this land has thus far has been impossible. If we can pull it off it will be huge for both countries. If anyone can do this it will be the US.
Your kind of magical thinking is what deluded Bush and Cheney thinking they could waltz into Iraq, take over the oil, and have a presence in the Middle East.
Your scenario sounds good in theory – but in practice, it's a whole different story. As history has shown. Or does actually doing some thoughtful research not enter the equation when you decide to start typing?
Afghanistan needs generations upon generations of it's people to get educational and infrastructure fortification before it becomes self sustaining. If Lindsay Graham could promise that we actually get Bin Laden in Pakistan and eliminate the poppy fields then I'd be ok with extending our efforts with the Afghan people. The US has no intentions of fixing anything, so I'm against playing world babysitter. The US needs to become an isolationist country and leave the rest of the world to their Gods and tyrants. Nobody likes us either way, so why bother? I would be totally ok with the US global cop approach if it actually helped rid the world of drugs, genocide and other problems. Be a true conservative Mrs. Graham and let the world hate us for ignoring them instead of hating us for taking out their trash.
Worse than Palin, who has not opined about it specifically, but he is supposed and expected to know
The only reason Al Qaeda ever bothered with us is due to our presence and attempted influence in the Muslim Middle East. The only reason for our presence there is oil. As far as I'm concerned, people who drive gas guzzlers and use excessive energy for no particular reason other than their own selfish wants, are traitors to our country. It would not be hard to excercise a bit of restraint in order to reduce or eliminate our Middle East oil imports. But I keep hearing " I use it because I can afford it"
Can you? When your children die at the hands of an enemy of your own creation, let me know if you are still willing to pay.
Senator Lindsey Graham you are out of your narrow mind.
Like a good Republican, he knows where the money is. Keeping a base there will energize that sector of the economy that creates weapons and support services for our 'patriots', hard at work keeping freedom alive. It ain't free, as we all know. But the price includes a tip, a hefty tip.
It's my understanding that the country does not have much wealth in any minerals, oil or natural gas. They have a great deal of lapis, a cheap blue stone commonly used in mosaics. They also grow walnuts and have many apricot orchards. That's one of the problems the country has no natural wealth and barely sustains industry. Lack of jobs leads to civil unrest in any country. I think unemployment is around 40%. I support the fundamental theory of nation building. I think Graham proposes a legitimate way to ensure a Nato presence in this part of the world.
We have wonderful exchange programs with all countries with us bases in them. German soldiers have been coming here for years to train and live. Exchanges like those have helped globalize the world. I think the idea should not be treated with such disdain and studied as a possible solution to the Afghan problem.
That means putting our sons and daughters in harm's way – permanently. I don't thin do.
Don't forget about the trillion dollar mineral deposit they found. Why else would they want to stay in that pit?
I think dor a sitting Senator to recommend this, when the Enemy uses permanent bases, as a recruiting tool is reckless.
How come we have military bases or at least some form of military presence all over the globe but, nobody has a base in the US? Maybe paranoid arrogance has a little something to do with it! It's no surprise why we're hated so much by these religious whack-jobs all over the world...........No effin surprise at all!!!
That is why we went in there, right? Divide and Conquer. Well the days are coming when America will be referred to as a 3rd world state.
Lindsey, have you lost your noodle? OK. Let's see. How 'bout we start back in Korea after 57 yrs. Then there's the upcoming crisis (I'm certain) with Pakistan. Oh! And let's not forget Yemen! I'm sure we can find a way to send troops there and establish permanent bases. So, let's see. We should get our military involved in no less than seven to eight sovereign countries around the entire world. In that case, we need to increase troop volume by at least another 300,000 (at least). Oh wait! Saudi Arabia. Thats right. We've got a base there too, don't we? So, what to do? There's all the illegal aliens over here...say 12,000,000. Gather the eligible ones up, draft them, train them, send them to all the corners of the earth (give them citizenship first, of course) and then the United States of America will DOMINATE THE WORLD!!! We'll be frigging broke over here in the little u.s.a. and the deficit will be about $600 Quadrillion Dollars BUT!!!BUT!!!! WE WILL DOMINATE THE EARTH!!!!!! AT THE MUZZLE OF A WEAPON AND GREAT NUCLEAR OVERBEARING!!!!! And we collectively will not have two nickels to rub together. Lindsey, have you lost your noodle?
I'd go along with it, if Senator Graham himself permanently mans one of those bases.
So is this the type of smaller government we can expect from the new GOP?
For all you for this idiotic idea, the TALIBAN were WINED AND DINED in TEXAS in May 2001. The TALIBAN DID NOT ATTACK AMERICA. I remember CLEARLY the taliban tried to worked with GWB and ASKED FOR EVIDENCE that bin laden was behind 911. GWB did NOT COMPLY and BOMB them with ZERO EVIDENCE.
If the Canadians started bombing us for a crime committed BY 15 MEXICANS + 4 CUBANS and did not provide any evidence what would we do?
Senator Graham is a front for the Military INdustrial Complex.
Amazing the comments so far! Let Graham go to Afghanistan and fight. He is a nutcase!! Our people come first!
Let Graham and the rest of Congress man these permanent bases. Give them all a weapon and ship them over there. It's about time we stopped our young men and women from dying for a bunch of self-centered politicians.
Anyone who has taken a recent vacation to Bagram Airfield probably noticed that the idea of permanent bases has been thought through a long time ago. Many older structures are being torn down to make larger, permanent structures. The decision for staying for the long haul has already been made. Well, its either that or we really love spending stupid amounts of money foolishly.
hey graham, America can't afford these wars and much less – permanent bases!!!!
so he wants to taxpayers to borrow more money from China for these bases!!!.
can someone tell the republicans that America taxpayers are sick of throwing our money away overseas!..
shut down all non-US bases and hunker down here at home!!!!..
if anyone tries to mess with America here at home, then blow them away....
bring our brave home, get rid of the foreign bases – satellites will have to do and build homeland security into a force to be reckoned with
There are a wide variety of reasons why we should and will have bases in Afghanistan (and Iraq). Its the same reason we stay/go everywhere. Where ever we go, we bring peace and security in a region, allow commerce to flourish and bring prosperity to the area. An established presence also gives us a position from which to project US power beyond afghanistan's borders and generally serve to bring stability by giving certain aggressor nations reason to pause (like Iran for instance, which is now surrounded by US forces).
Whatever happened to the strategy about those who harbor terrorists...Terrorism does not come from Afghanistan or Afghans, just look at the terrorism suspects and their location..they are trained and sent from PAKISTAN..yes the same Pakistan we to which the United States in the last nine years has provided more than $13 billion in military equipment to Islamabad, and pledged the additional $2 billion in October. In addition, the U.S. and other countries supplied hundreds of millions of dollars for flood relief efforts this year. Washington is also providing a $7.5-billion non-military aid package over five years.
TO END TERRORISM STOP FEEDING THE PAKISTAN ARMY AND ISI...THEY ARE PROLONGING THE WAR FOR WEAPONS AND MONEY AND TO DESTABILIZE INDIA and AFGHANISTAN plus sending terrorists to western countries and in to their neighbors.
The way for the U.S. to get out of economic trouble is to drastically cut the military. We do not need what is spent to be safe. Close every single U.S. base on foreign soil. Cut spending to equal the total of the other top 5 military spenders just to start. The U.S. spent approximately 664 BILLION on military in 2009! The following other top five players combined equals approximately 345 billion.
How sick is this nation? How afraid are we Americans? This is paranoia gone rampant to the point psychosis! The unquenchable desire to be safe is making this nation less safe!
WAKE UP! Military spending is the only reason we Americans are suffering economically at all! We need change and it is too bad Obama is not a strong enough leader to do it.
Ever hear of Rome?
Permanent bases? Shouldn't we just find and kill bin Laden?
Oops, my bad! Got to keep feeding that insatiable military-industrial complex ...
"A U.S. Senator is calling for permanent U.S. presence in Afghanistan."
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
This was basically the entire point of going over there. Set up permanent bases so we can steal the resources from that region. Rare earth metals, anybody? Anybody who believes we are there to "fight the Taliban" is just another brain-dead worthless American sheep. The Afghanistan government isn't any different from the Taliban.
All those resources aren't going to be much of a use to us after our country crashes and burns, which is exactly what is going to happen. Not that the wealthy give a ****. They will just move to Europe or build self-sustainable super fortresses in remote areas of the USA. Except, they forgot about one little detail... they can't hide from the internet, nor can they hide from a whole lot of people with nothing to lose.
WHY DO PEOPLE IN THIS MODERN FAST PACED LIFE STYLE; THINK THAT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO HAS BEEN TOLD WHAT TO DO FOR 1,500 YRS ; They all of a sudden have to come to grips with what freedom is.And how to understand what is means.And then how it use it.This will not happen as fast as a key stroke.I support these base ;if nothing else but for the glory of all that mess.
14 trillion in debt. We are going to see a financial crisis in this country the likes of which have never been seen before.
But, just keep on spending congress, keep up the wars.
afganistan needs to be brought into a modern country for their economical development and contribute peace and stability in south asia. american presence along with india, china, russia and with pakistan will help to modernize the country so that america can have increasing trade with south asia as whole mutual profitability, more so when afganistan is rich in resources including rare earth substances. american permanent presence in afganistan can bring democracy in afganistan and pakistan
When the Romans were at the height of their empire, they had permanent base camps stationed throughout all the empire including Germany, Britian, the Middle East, and other places to prevent invasion into Roman territory – the period known as the PAX ROMANA or peace of Rome. Well, for various reasons including financing, the Romans slowly decreased the troop size and eventually withdrew these permanent bases camps, and the rest is history. If you don't keep your troops permanently stationed in these warlike peoples backyard, then you're doomed the same fate as the Roman Empire.
Some people never learn from history. Graham is a fool.
OK, imagine if you are Iran. You have a hostile country (US) setting up bases to the east in Afghanistan under a pretext of so called war on terror, invaded a country to the west (Iraq) under false pretext and setting up bases there. Now what are you supposed to do. Roll over & die? Is anyone who's sufficiently logical surprised that they are doing what they are doing? When does an occupation for control & resources stop being colonialism & being a good global citizen? Why can't US stay home & take care of its citizens first?
last I heard- there are already over 75 bases in Afghanistan, most of them built by Halliburton... Lots of oil flowing through the caspian sea through afghanistan land.. Need to protect it for Chevron....
wake up...
Give every man, woman and child a Saturday Night Special and let them work it out. If they can't or will not kill the Talaban then screw them. We fought off the British with flintlocks. At least they will have real cartridges and plenty of them. Not one more american gets killed. Hell, parachute down thousands at a time to make sure every tribesman gets one. This is turing into another Viet Nam where we fight because the people are cowards.
Yes we need to keep permanent bases. The same reason we have and need them in Germany, Italy, Turkey, and many other European countries. Its all about strategic locations; after world war II Americas Biggest threat was the Soviet union. Thus we keep bases and troops in some other European countries. Now one of our biggest threats is china, meaning if we leave bases in Afghanistan it is a perfect place for fast response in case of a crisis. Sorry about the grammar errors at the end there i am to lazy to correct right now.
We don't need troops and bases in those cold war countries either. When the job is done all should be brought back home. The expense far outweighs the necessity.
Is there ANYBODY left who doesn't think that this country is run by imperialists?
i dont think we should put bases in afghan. we should just finish the war and get the hell outta there
If Graham wants the US to permanently be in Afghanistan then he should volunteer to go there and stay permanently as the US representative after our troops return home. Who elects these knuckleheads.
Shouldn't this be left up to the Afghan government?
Ok i served in Iraq and havent been in Afghanistan yet, however many of my friends have from what i see its a gamble. Yeah we can astablish the bases there but what good will it do to us, we have been fighting that war for how long now and still not much of the progress. If we astablish the bases there its still going to be casualtys there is still going to be attacks and where in the world will we get more money to support that and to keep those bases up and runing we are already in – amounts of money. We have bases all over the world. But if you look from another point of view if we do not do it and pull out of there then terrorists will start moving back into U.S and try to do attacks on our ground on our land and how many other countrys will be affected by it. So i really dont know what to say its very difficult choice. I say Isolate U.S from entire world no one gets in no one gets out LOL.