Total of British Soldiers killed in Afghanistan = 223
It could be the tipping point for Obama. He has promised American soldiers that he will not send them to die in vain. He is too intelligent to believe that the Afghan War is winnable.
Today, At least 14 Americans have been killed in a series of air crashes in Afghanistan. Four US soldiers died and two were hurt when two helicopters collided mid-air in the south, In a separate helicopter crash seven US soldiers and three US civilians died.
The Taliban said it was behind the second crash. Understandably the Americans are reluctant to believe that the Taliban is involved. Helicopters have presented as the superior invulnerable piece of equipment to out run the Taliban. Americans control the air. The Taliban hold the ground.
If the Taliban militants had shot down the US helicopter the war could be ending. It was the Surface to Air missiles of the Mujahaddin that finally demoralised the Russians. The Vietnam war ended because of the American public would not tolerate the futile deaths of their young soldiers. Fourteen body bags will soon arrive on American shores.
Obama will be troubled by this record number of deaths in a day. The American people be restless. Britain is blindly following the American lead. Obama has already procrastinated on the supply of more American troops. If helicopters are vulnerable to small arm fire or SAMs Obama will defy the Generals.
It could be the beginning of the end.
Having a laugh
Stirring up racial hatred is a bit of a joke to Councillor Peter Davies. He published an e-mail suggesting that the EDL racist march should give a 'last Hurrah!' at the church which has been converted into a mosque. Now he says this was 'light hearted'.
All his inflammatory claims were found to be false. To the embarrassment of his own colleagues he failed to turn up to the Planning Committee which heard evidence that there was no truth in what he had said. No councillor of any party supported his views. There is nothing trivial or light hearted about provoking the dragon of racial hatred. Councillor Davies gave ammunition to avowed racists.
Diverse Newport political, Christian, Muslim and Jewish groups stood in harmony in a vigil last Friday. It was an act of positive witness to the cause of inter-community solidarity. Great things have been happening in Newport over the past 50 years in building mutual respect. Nothing will stop that.
Great pictures
Evocative and beautiful pictures of the Vigil and Demo
"If the Taliban militants had shot down the US helicopter the war could be ending. It was the Surface to Air missiles of the Mujahaddin that finally demoralised the Russians."
The SAMs came from the Americans, of course. One would hope that this time no-one is supplying the Taliban with hi-tech weapons, for if they do then the end-result will be the same as for the Russians (who didn't have to contend with public opinion or a hostile media).
Posted by: Kay Tie | October 27, 2009 at 10:42 AM
There is a grave danger. KayTie, that karzai's Afghan Army that we are now training and equiping may one day turn their fire on our troops.
They are from mixed tribal groups. Will they risk their lives to slaughter fellow Afghans in the cause of the corrupt Karzai?
Posted by: Paul Flynn | October 27, 2009 at 12:08 PM