Friday, September 4, 2009

Advisers to Obama Divided on Size of Afghan Force

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/us/politics/04military.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obama%20advisors%20are%20split&st=cse


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Subject: re: Advisers to Obama Divided on Size of Afghan Force
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:
    Secretary Gates would do well to listen to admiral Mullen.  We will be welcome or unwelcome in Afghanistan according to our behavior, more than our numbers. I trust that General McChrystal has impressed this on all our troops. Unfortunately about half our force there--our contractors--don't report to him. Where there is not military discipline, what else can enforce proper behavior? Perhaps we need to rely more on Gurkhas, who bring a culture of sober probity and order, rather than on Blackwater and ArmorGroup, who bring the culture of drunken fratboys.
Barry Levine

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