More on Afghanistan

Open email to Rep. Martha Roby, Chairman House Military Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
Sen. Hagan, Chairman Senate Military Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Dear Rep. Roby And Sen. Hagan,
 According to public perception we're supposed to be militarily out of Afghanistan next year. However the Obama administration through Sec. Kerry is trying to negotiate a deal whereby as many as 8000 US troops will remain there for 10 years.
 An additional part of the deal includes new Rules of Engagement for those remaining troops. The key elements of the rules are that US troops may not fire upon an enemy until the enemy fires on them, and US troops may not enter private homes. There is also apparently some limitation on the use of drones, but the Washington Times does not give anything specific on that
 Let's remember that the enemy in Afghanistan is the Taliban. Taliban fighters are essentially Indian fighters. They don't follow standard military rules of attack. They hide and strike much like snipers.
 It is ridiculous to fight a war where you can only attack an enemy after he has had a first opportunity to kill you. In addition, Taliban fighters hide in private residences, usually with the permission and support of the residence owners. This effectively creates a safe haven for the Taliban fighters.
 I have previously written, with the presentation of various reasons, for our not being involved in Afghanistan at all. I now maintain that position. There's no reason for the US to be negotiating with Pres. Karzai on a deal to allow US troops to remain there. Let's get out completely in 2014, as originally conceived in the public perception and maintain our ability to control terrorism activities in Afghanistan threatening the US homeland, with the use of bombers and drones.
If there is some feeling on the part of Congressional Members and the Obama administration that we need to "make the world safe for democracy", let's get that out of their heads. Our objective needs to be "self-preservation".