We're Not Winning?

So, I've finally had time to look at some news pages, and lo and behold, there was inspiration! So here I am again, with a small rant. And this time, it's not about me. Well, given the human condition, everything's about me - or in relation to me - but this is definitely farther from the mark than usual for this blog.

So, as previously stated, I was trawling along the internet, and happened to read that Mr. Obama (is there a short form for 'President,' like Pr. Obama?) stated to a fully assembled press contingent that rivals the number of Middle Eastern casualties that America is not winning in Afghanistan.

Sorry, did I hear correctly? Did the President of the United States of America just say that he's not winning? What will the people say? Is the first black president sub-par? I don't think so.

Let us examine the situation closely. President (then Senator) Obama did not start this so-called "war on terrorism," but he finds it his duty to end it as quickly and humanely as possible. To this end, he is attempting to pull all American presence out of Iraq and Afghanistan by the start of 2010. This is a rather ambitious goal. As such, Mr. Obama has quite a bit of pressure sitting on his shoulders than perhaps he would like - in fact, just keeping this from turning into the next large Vietnam will take more than a little talent. Just a month into his presidency, dear Barak deployed just over 17,000 troops to Afghanistan. Keep in mind that part of his platform was to end the American presence there, not make it bigger. Do the words "The situation in Afghanistan, is, if anything, more complex" ring any bells? Well yes, the situation is now much more bloody complex with the addition of 17,000 more bodies wearing camouflage in the already packed region. Congratulations, Obama, you've turned the desert into a mass of walking pixelated fatigues, interspersed with explosives and firearms. That would make a peaceful sight, one that would certainly convince me that the intentions of the White House were to pull out of the region.

Also, this war is expensive. Keeping this in mind, the US of A is more likely to simultaneously start singing "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" than pull out of this recession alive and kicking like it used to. "Please sir, may I have 700 billion more?" It just doesn't have the same ring, you know?

As for all of us pompous pricks up here in the land of the igloo, you do realize that we're tied so tightly to the American economy that where they go, we must, out of necessity, follow? Good. Just checking.