U.S. says biggest Afghan push fails to find rebels

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL185334.htm

BAGRAM, Afghanistan, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Nearly a week into a sweeping drive across Afghanistan's tribal badlands, thousands of U.S. soldiers have so far failed to engage any Taliban or allied militants, the army said on Thursday.

Instead, the U.S. army has angered the very people it is trying to win over by killing 15 children in two botched raids.

U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Bryan Hilferty said soldiers of the U.S. 501st parachute infantry regiment helicoptered into Paktia province on Monday as part of Operation Avalanche had yet to make contact with the enemy.

But he said they had conducted patrols and cave searches over a 100 sq km (40 sq miles) area as part of the offensive, which is being touted as the biggest ground operation since the Taliban's overthrow in late 2001.

more

[htuttle]

1. Which way did they go, George?

You know, for some reason I would have thought they'd have some intelligence to act on BEFORE they parachuted the troops in...

[DivinBreuvage]

2. At least he's keeping on message... another telling thing he said:

"The fact that we did not hit the jackpot here is not indicative that the air assault was not successful," (U.S. military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Bryan Hilferty) said.

In other words, don't think we didn't accomplish anything just because we didn't accomplish anything. Everything's going just fine, nothing to see here!

I'm going to have to use this.

Husband: "Did you make dinner?"
Me: "The fact that there is nothing for you to eat is not indicative that I did not make dinner."

Boss: "Did you get that customer issue resolved?"
Me: "The fact that I did not resolve Mr. Fudpucker's issue is not indicative that I have wasted all morning on DU."

[pansypoo53219]

4. PERFECT

you put in a situation ANYBODY CAN UNDERSTAND.
we should demand better. no excuse ESSPECIALLY SINCE THEY KILLED INNOCENT CHILDREN.

[JM]

3. Ummm...Didn't Osama say he was moving...

...his operations to Iraq? Perhaps Dubya didn't get the change of address notice.

Later,
JM