Bookshelves
Emerald
Generally at a 2
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Post by Bookshelves on Aug 16, 2021 14:15:23 GMT -6
I haven't really read any of the takes (including on this thread, sorry) because as the close relative of a couple vets of Afghanistan, this has been so hard to watch. I am glad he acknowledged that. But I agree with dc2london, this is not a great speech. He sounds defiant, and I'm not sure that's the tone we need right now. I think he should have led with what he's saying right now (about the people already evacuated and the plans) instead of the defensiveness. |
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jkjacq
Ruby
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Post by jkjacq on Aug 16, 2021 14:15:41 GMT -6
how are there still THOUSANDS of american citizens STILL living there? Unless hes talking military?
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680 
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:15:49 GMT -6
Says they are going to keep flying out Americans and allies. Mentions that 2k of Afghan allies and their families have already been moved out. And that they are extending refugee program.
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Bookshelves
Emerald
Generally at a 2
Posts: 11,503
Likes: 104,003
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Post by Bookshelves on Aug 16, 2021 14:15:51 GMT -6
Pro tip for everyone: stay off social media for at least the next 24 hours Thank you! |
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Post by blurnette989 on Aug 16, 2021 14:16:11 GMT -6
I understand his reasoning that we can't ask Americans to stand up and fight and die for a country whose own people won't, but we have to own the consequences of our failures there and those failures extend to the same service members we asked to give life and limb for this mission that we now say was never the mission..... I'm just raging. |
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starbuck
Emerald
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:16:15 GMT -6
"some of the Afghans did not want to leave earlier, they were still hopeful"
"Afghan gov't discouraged mass evacuations because they thought it would trigger a crisis"
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:16:53 GMT -6
He has told the Taliban that if they interrupt operations or attack evacuees they will be met with force.
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origami
Amethyst
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Post by origami on Aug 16, 2021 14:17:07 GMT -6
It's not a great speech, but I don't know what else he's supposed to do. The bed is made.
And I agree that it wouldn't have made a difference to wait. Now, I want us to open our borders to refugees whole sale, full stop. But the collapse isn't that surprising, if heartbreaking.
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:17:10 GMT -6
Military withdrawal will conclude once the evacuation mission is done.
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Post by blurnette989 on Aug 16, 2021 14:17:30 GMT -6
how are there still THOUSANDS of american citizens STILL living there? Unless hes talking military? contractors? |
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:17:56 GMT -6
He says that missteps have been made over the past 2 decades.
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Post by notexactly on Aug 16, 2021 14:17:57 GMT -6
scenes in Afghanistan are gut-wrenching, especially for service members and for those who lost loved ones in Afghanistan This is not just about how we feel or how the vets feel. I understand, it's horrible, but what about the people there living it NOW? This speech is making me feel not so good...
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jkjacq
Ruby
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Post by jkjacq on Aug 16, 2021 14:18:34 GMT -6
I cant imagine the demoralization of those that fought right now.
Its truly just heartbreaking
And I'm pretty sure the Talban is going to take this speech as a challenge
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:18:38 GMT -6
"our mission in Afghanistan has made many missteps over the past 2 decades"
I will not pass this responsibility on to a 5th president. I will not mislead the American people by claiming that a little more time in Afghanistan will make the difference, nor will I shirk my responsibility for where we are today. I am President of the US, buck stops with me. I am saddened by what is happening but do not regret my decision to leave.
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:18:43 GMT -6
Now he's taking responsibility. Said as current president, it's on him.
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Post by notexactly on Aug 16, 2021 14:18:50 GMT -6
This is so sad all around. I get it about the American troops, I do, but oh my gosh, those poor people.
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Post by blurnette989 on Aug 16, 2021 14:19:52 GMT -6
It's not a great speech, but I don't know what else he's supposed to do. The bed is made. And I agree that it wouldn't have made a difference to wait. Now, I want us to open our borders to refugees whole sale, full stop. But the collapse isn't that surprising, if heartbreaking. i don't disagree with you, waiting on the overall pullout wouldn't have made a difference. But at the same time our ambassador was still in country when there was only a skeleton crew of us military. The execution was just so off. |
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:20:02 GMT -6
Fulfilled his campaign promise to withdrawal and while this is hard and "messy" he met his promise.
LORD "MESSY"?!
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:20:27 GMT -6
I would rather take this criticism than pass this on to another administration
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:20:56 GMT -6
Fulfilled his campaign promise to withdrawal and while this is hard and "messy" he met his promise. LORD "MESSY"?! God forbid he use harsher language. It's an unmitigated disaster. He's taking no questions |
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:21:13 GMT -6
Fin.
OMG
He spent no time on the Afghans left behind and suffering.
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:22:12 GMT -6
Fin. OMG He spent no time on the Afghans left behind and suffering. I'm so angry right now. |
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cnf
Ruby
Posts: 20,845 Likes: 100,575
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Post by cnf on Aug 16, 2021 14:22:38 GMT -6
Fin. OMG He spent no time on the Afghans left behind and suffering. Zero. Jesus. He talked so much about their military refusing to fight. Sounds like passing the blame. Like those left suffering are someone else's fault and therefore problem. My heart hurts for the Afghan people. |
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:23:52 GMT -6
He spent fuckloads of time on whether or not we needed to withdrawal, which I think everyone is on the same page about, generally. Nobody wanted to remain any longer. But the manner of withdrawal is a disgrace.
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jkjacq
Ruby
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Post by jkjacq on Aug 16, 2021 14:24:01 GMT -6
Clarissa Ward seems to be in agreement with us.
calls it a catastrophic disaster of a withdrawal.
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:24:42 GMT -6
Clarissa Ward reporting that Russia & China have kept their embassies open while we have left.
So you can see who is gonna fill the power vacuum here.
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athn64
Ruby
Posts: 17,406 Likes: 76,680
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Post by athn64 on Aug 16, 2021 14:24:57 GMT -6
Clarissa Ward seems to be in agreement with us. calls it a catastrophic disaster of a withdrawal. Also talking about how the words are hollow for the Afghan people. |
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starbuck
Emerald
Posts: 12,464 Likes: 81,139
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Post by starbuck on Aug 16, 2021 14:25:07 GMT -6
Clarissa Ward seems to be in agreement with us. calls it a catastrophic disaster of a withdrawal. She's such an incredible journalist. I have been so worried about her the past few days. |
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Post by notexactly on Aug 16, 2021 14:26:20 GMT -6
This is very unsettling. I am not feeling any better about any of this whatsoever.
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Post by greykitty on Aug 16, 2021 14:26:54 GMT -6
Fareed Sakaria has some good points IMO.
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