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AFGHANISTAN JOURNAL
Senators Go to War: Sir! Yes, Sir, Senator!
COMBAT OUTPOST ZORMAT, Eastern Afghanistan -- Just about the time the laughter here was dying down, U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Jack Reed were touching down in Kabul for a whirlwind, suit-and-tie "fact-finding'' tour of the war zone. That was hundreds of miles from this remote U.S. Army base, home to a small, well-armed contingent of soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment COP Zormat that was under the onslaught of a slashing evening rainstorm. Turret gunners on the gun trucks returning from patrol were soaked and shivering. The rain beat against the plywood walls of the "permanent'' buildings here while tent roofs sagged and dripped and soldiers wearing headlamps (the COP is blacked out at night) splashed through mud. Cardboard cartons of supplies slowly collapsed in puddles.
PD toolbar!
Inside, I had set off the guffawing and hooting myself. I hadn't meant to: I just asked the specialists and sergeants in the Tactical Operations Center whether anyone from Congress had ever dropped in to see how things were going. Normally the TOC is a serious and tense place where combat patrols and attacks are monitored. Mention of a congressional visit caused an outbreak of raucous levity, of which "Yeah, right!'' is a printable version.
I don't mean to pick on Carl Levin and Jack Reed, Democrats from Michigan and Rhode Island, respectively. I believe John McCain came through Kabul for a few hours; at least that's what I heard from the air crews who flew him. For all I know – and news is sparse out here – other members of Congress have whizzed through Afghanistan recently, as well.
It's too bad none of them made time for a few days with these Cavalry guys, or with soldiers and Marines in any of dozens and dozens of similar places where the war is really being waged. Instead, according to what I read in Stars and Stripes, the daily GI newspaper that comes sporadically and a week late, Levin and Reed had an audience with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, sat through the usual run of high-level military briefings and even met with some senior Afghan elders in Helmand Province (let's guess how much brutal ground truth came out of that ceremony). Then they rushed away and held a press conference to announce what sounded like a pre-cooked finding: Afghanistan doesn't need more U.S. troops; it needs more Afghan troops.
That's the damned trouble with whirlwind visits and high-level briefings, of which I have suffered my share. War is reduced to simplicities and slogans. The military loves PowerPoint presentations – they're easy for generals and politicians to understand -- but they make war into an orderly series of colored arrows that always point toward progress. Add some bright, ornate graphics and a chart or two and pretty soon you've absorbed the illusion that you can sit in Washington and affect the outcome by adjusting an arrow here and tweaking a graph there. Eager briefers, colonels and brigadier generals do nothing to dampen that idea. And because PowerPoint doesn't talk back, you come away with your previously held positions unchanged. Add more U.S. troops, or add more Afghan troops. We're winning the war, or we're losing the war, so we should pull out or try something else. Pick one or the other and let's move on to health care and Obama's school speech.
Had the senators instead spent their two days at COP Zormat, they would have come away with a visceral sense of what is really going on in this country.
They would have seen the straight, bright line that runs from the 9/11 terror attacks that were planned here, straight to COP Zormat, right on the front lines of Preventing it From Happening Again. They'd have seen Afghan and American Army officers putting their heads together trying to figure out where best to position their forces to interdict the stream of insurgents coming in from Pakistan, and how to apportion their fuel so their generators are working and their radios get recharged. They are working out joint maneuver tactics, sharing intelligence, and working out how many Afghan enlisted guys to take off daily operations for some in-depth training with their American sergeant counterparts. In other words, they're fighting a war.
Behind that effort to provide security in this region, the visiting senators would have seen other soldiers and American civilians helping to fortify the foundations of a society that Afghans will soon have to defend on their own, one with a decent local government, access to education and health care, and a vibrant economy. It's an uphill battle, all right, but the Afghans and Americans engaged in the effort are energetic and brimming with optimism.
Our imaginary visitors would understand, from talking to cops and storekeepers, local radio DJs and truck drivers and soldiers and the kids thronging the dusty streets, that there is a long way to go. But they would have felt, from watching American sergeants and Afghan police hugging each other in fond greetings, that good people are committed here to making it work.
I'm afraid very little of that reached the senators' ears and eyes. Had they all spent a few days here at COP Zormat, their views on the war and its conduct might have remained unchanged. But their sense of what's happening on the ground would have deepened.
All this raises an interesting question. High-level briefings and meetings can be (and usually are) held via secure video teleconference without leaving Washington. That being the case, do the senators have the Air Force fly them all the way over here just for the souvenir photos and dinner-party cachet?
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David Wood
David Wood writes about war for Politics Daily. In 30 years of covering conflict, he has filed dispatches from dozens of battlefields... moreRelated Articles
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Comments (25)
Charles Queen
12:42PM Sep 7th 2009
Unfortunately the senators will be kept far behind the lines and will never visually see or be any where near any of the battle field or war zones so as always they will form their own totaly uninformed and unknowledgable comments on what going on there
RATE THIS COMMENT:
(10)
(10) 
Truth
5:51PM Sep 7th 2009
David,
Another great job of making it real. Unfortunately, there are way too many people in this country blinded by politics who fail to see the "straight, bright line" that connects the 9/11 slaughter to what we are doing in Afghanistan, or Iraq for that matter. There are far too many people in this country who see their political opponents as a greater threat than Radical Islam. The combination of denial, shortsightedness, immaturity, selfishness, cowardice, and disregard for the truth leave this nation vulnerable to the events of 9/11 being repeated, only probably worse next time.
If the people of this country, especially those in the Whitehouse and Congress, could ever match the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers with an equal wisdom and willingness to face the truth, and act in accordance with that truth, this nation would return to it's former greatness.
The craven, self serving actions of our politicians, and the foolhardy support of those politicians by people who treat political freedom like it's a high school football rivalry, will destroy this nation.
Somewhere along the line, a large percentage of people in this country have mistaken their rights and freedom as guaranteed entitlements, requiring no effort, or sacrifice of their own, even if it is no more than having the courage to face the truth about those who would make them choose between enslavement, or death.
Our leaders don't lead, yet people continue to follow. Our leaders traffic in illusions, and people accept it as real. Until we demand more from our "leaders" nothing will improve, but until we demand more from ourselves we won't demand more from our leaders. That is the reality of Democracy.
Another great job of making it real. Unfortunately, there are way too many people in this country blinded by politics who fail to see the "straight, bright line" that connects the 9/11 slaughter to what we are doing in Afghanistan, or Iraq for that matter. There are far too many people in this country who see their political opponents as a greater threat than Radical Islam. The combination of denial, shortsightedness, immaturity, selfishness, cowardice, and disregard for the truth leave this nation vulnerable to the events of 9/11 being repeated, only probably worse next time.
If the people of this country, especially those in the Whitehouse and Congress, could ever match the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers with an equal wisdom and willingness to face the truth, and act in accordance with that truth, this nation would return to it's former greatness.
The craven, self serving actions of our politicians, and the foolhardy support of those politicians by people who treat political freedom like it's a high school football rivalry, will destroy this nation.
Somewhere along the line, a large percentage of people in this country have mistaken their rights and freedom as guaranteed entitlements, requiring no effort, or sacrifice of their own, even if it is no more than having the courage to face the truth about those who would make them choose between enslavement, or death.
Our leaders don't lead, yet people continue to follow. Our leaders traffic in illusions, and people accept it as real. Until we demand more from our "leaders" nothing will improve, but until we demand more from ourselves we won't demand more from our leaders. That is the reality of Democracy.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (12)
(12) WADE....
12:51PM Sep 7th 2009
Leading by example ?
Obama caught riding a bike without a Helment …or was he ??
I Have the Video
http://wadesayswhat.wordpress.com/
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(-3)
(-3) cphaed
1:01PM Sep 7th 2009
I think Obama and Congress should be on the front lines in the middle east and our soldiers should be in Washington running the country. how cool would that be?
RATE THIS COMMENT: (13)
(13) Splash
4:40PM Sep 7th 2009
The big questions now become, with all the civilian deaths in the NATO air strike, the worst month for US casualties in the Afghan war and now the recent illegal hospital raid, is the Lame Stream Media prepared to accuse The Big O of War Crimes? Of being no different than Bush/Cheney? Of murdering Afghans in cold blood? Is The Big O really any different than the W they ran against?
http://splashinthepacific.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/the-big-o-ws-third-term-cheneys-puppet/
http://splashinthepacific.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/the-big-o-ws-third-term-cheneys-puppet/
RATE THIS COMMENT: (5)
(5) Yamo
1:40PM Sep 7th 2009
You don't know Jack, Mr. Wood. For someone who calls himself an investigative reporter, you might try a little investigating. Jack Reed didn't "slog his way through Ranger school" as you did; he actually completed Ranger School and earned his Ranger tab. He also commanded a rifle company in the 82nd Airborne Division, which is one more rifle company than you have commanded. Playing soldier, as you do, is not nearly the same as being a soldier. The soldiers and marines in the hills of Afghansiatn don't need senators over the age of 60 getting in their way and making tough missions even tougher. You picked on the wrong senator to call an "armchair soldier," Mr. Wood, but had you done any research, you might have known this.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-1)
(-1) Randy
1:59PM Sep 7th 2009
Any chance we can get Afghanistan to keep Levin? It would do both our countries wonders.... we would get rid of a lying socialist and they would get a new target for Al Queda and the taliban to shoot at!
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(7) Dr. Sheila
3:13PM Sep 7th 2009
Congressman Mike Rogers for President, U-Tube.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) dtjump
4:39PM Sep 7th 2009
During Vietnam, none of the politicans came up to our firebases either - the first time I was there, I was South West of Saigon and the second time I was there, I was just south of the NVA Ben Hai camp. We did see the usual football players, Miss USA contestants and an actor or two - who wasn't afraid to come up to a war zone, but no Senators, no Congressmen and frankly no generals.
Well, that was fine with me, since we were fighting a war and the politicans would only get in the way of progress.
Funny, how politics impede real progress.
I think that the two Senators were there more of a photo op then anything else. If I was in that TOC, I would resent their presence as plain old interference. After all these guys are busy fighting a war and just don't have the time or patience for nurse maiding a couple of these nitwits around.
Well, that was fine with me, since we were fighting a war and the politicans would only get in the way of progress.
Funny, how politics impede real progress.
I think that the two Senators were there more of a photo op then anything else. If I was in that TOC, I would resent their presence as plain old interference. After all these guys are busy fighting a war and just don't have the time or patience for nurse maiding a couple of these nitwits around.
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(8) Splash
4:41PM Sep 7th 2009
Allan - Tell us how you really feel.
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(5) WADE....
6:00PM Sep 7th 2009
)!(
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-2)
(-2) WADE....
6:01PM Sep 7th 2009
'''
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(-2) retie133
6:09PM Sep 7th 2009
For those who fought for it the cost of freedom is something the protected will never know.
RATE THIS COMMENT: (6)
(6) andolina
8:08PM Sep 7th 2009
Current Health Insurance is a Biblical Harlot riding on Americans.
They (Harlot and Republicans) descriminate sick , poor and old. And
you have to buy Afflac too!! But when you get sick They-Harlot
supported by Republicans cancel Insurance and Americans 1.6 Million
per year getting bankropted!.
So now is a time for Insurance for all Americans! let us stop
monopoly of Harlot and Rpublicans support of it.
God bless Obama and all Americans!!!!!!
Republicans are more conservative until conception, but after that
Democrats getting all responsibilities for the rest of the life of
new conception (person), so in conclusion -in Gods eye Democrats are
far more conservative than Harlot-Republicans!!
RATE THIS COMMENT: (-5)
(-5) libslie0066
10:38AM Sep 8th 2009
Get real.....
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(0)
(0) gvpal52
8:53PM Sep 7th 2009
Thank you David for the Great article and tell our people we understand there frustration with the opportunistic politicians waisting jet fuel just to look important. We know where you are and thanks to you we have a much better picture of the reality of whats going on on the ground OVER THER! God keep all of you safe and hopefully the powder dry. keep up the good work. You give this digital rag a true American face. Thanks from gvpal52/MADDAT52.
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(5) gvpal52
10:24PM Sep 7th 2009
ALL CONERVITIVES PLEASE READ THIS AND PROMISE ME YOU WILL NEVER GIVE UP. I was working in the yard today when I heard a voice coming from my cell phone. I pulled it out of my pocket and heard in a voice that was modified by an electronic disguise device, very deep, very threatening, it just said. " WE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE" I immediately thought and said back to my phone. "Who gives a sht. I know who you are and you do not scare me. And now I know which side your really on. Thanks for the clarification. Now I will say kiss my you know what and even say. We are going to beat you in this thing and win back our nation. I don't think I stand alone this time lefty. STAY SHARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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(2)
(2) Maggie
7:20AM Sep 8th 2009
I'm sure they'll have the full tour of the officers' quarters. They won't, however, see how the troops are living or what they endure on a daily basis. They will have more security than necessary. When they return they will probably report things aren't as bad as they seem--but only because they have seen the real deal at its worst.
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(1) Maggie
7:23AM Sep 8th 2009
It's too bad spammers like you have hit the blogs. I'm calling on all who read this to simply ignore your inconsiderate ramblings. If your items were any good people would come to you, you wouldn't have to go to them. You operate in much the same way as Obama--cram it down our throats. Please take your crap elsewhere. Hey! Why don't you PAY for a site to advertise your garbage? Then those who were actually looking for crap could find you!
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(0) libslie0066
10:42AM Sep 8th 2009
Report those that are advertising on these comment boards, then go to the upper right hand corner of your screen and click on "Feedback" and let AOL know this is a real nuisance. Copy and paste the names of those who are advertising in your comments in the Feedback box.
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(2) 
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