!CAUTION! YOU ARE IN A "VERBAL SHRAPNEL" RICH DOMAIN
22 September 2009
The Butter-Cutter On Defending Afghans
Anthony F. Milavic
Major, United States Marine Corps (Retired)
“The newly released assessment by General McChrystal is disheartening,” I said to The Butter-Cutter as he separated the pats of butter in the bowl of ice before him. “He believes that unless more forces are sent to Afghanistan within the next year, that eight-year conflict 'will likely result in failure.' ” (1)
“Failure in what?” The Butter-Cutter asked.
“He said, it 'risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible,' " I quoted to him from the Washington Post article.
“Defeatin' the insurgents? What insurgents ya talkin' 'bout?”
“Well, frankly, the general described an insurgent situation that is more complex than I was aware of. There are three main groups that draw support from Pakistan. These are either Taliban or look for a major role in a Taliban government when it achieves control of the country," I explained.
“What happened ta them Al Kaydas? They still there?” he asked.
“Yes, they are still there. Although, General McChrystal said, in a previous report, that he sees no signs of a major al-Qaida presence in the country, but says the terror group still maintains close links to the insurgents.” (2)
“Wait a f***in' minute. I thought this thing went down cuz them Al Kydas attacked us on 9/11 'n' we went over there ta wax their asses fer that," he responded.
“That's true. In 2001, we helped the Northern Alliance defeat the Taliban in an effort to get rid of Osama bin Laden, his al-Qaida organization, and eliminate their training bases in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, Osama bin Laden continues to run free; but his organization's training camps were destroyed,” I explained.
“So now the f***in' Spear-Chuckers wanna chuck a bunch o' our guys over there ta get rid o' the Talley-Banners?” (3)
“That is essentially the case. You . . .”
Cutting me off, The Butter-Cutter said, “What's this essentially shit? They wanna chuck a bunch o' our guys over there ta fight Talley-Banners er NOT?”
“In his assessment, General McChrystal is arguing that our force level in Afghanistan needs to be increased in order cope with that insurgency. You must remember, the Taliban has a history of oppressing women's rights, freedom of religion, speech, and enforcing brutal Sharia Law to punish those who violate their strictures. And, of course, the ascendency of the Taliban to the government of Afghanistan could be a precursor to al-Qaida re-establishing itself in that country,” I tried to explain.
“There ya go again with yer officer-type bullshit explanation. Them f***in' Talley-Banners ain't threatenin' me er anybody else here in the 'Land Of The Big PX.' The problem is between them Talley-Banners 'n' them non-Talley-Banner dope-growin', graft-takin' Rag-Heads. Put in a way even you can understand, I don't give a f*** what a bunch o' Black Hats do ta another bunch o' Black Hats; ya got that? THEY'RE ALL BAD!”
“You completely overlooked the fact that if the Taliban gains control of the government, al-Qaida could return there.”
“I ain't overlooked shit. I figgered you'd got unstuck from stupid 'n' would know better then ta say that. THEM F***IN' AL KYDAS ARE ALREADY EVERYWHERE--Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, etc. How many countries we gonna invade ta get rid o' them? Hey, 'n' don't ferget, they're in Europe too! We gonna invade Europe? The bottom line is: I ain't worried 'bout them invadin' the U.S. of A. When them mother-f***ers come up with a fleet o' ocean-goin' camels, THEN I'll start worrin'.”
“Your insensitivity is manifest! We made a commitment over there and now you want to cut and run.” I responded.
“BULL SHIT! It's YOU 'n' yer Spear-Chucker buddies that're INSENSITIVE TA US SNUFFIES! YOU want us ta go over there 'n' protect them non-Talley-Banners from the Talley-Banners. Oh, yeah? They ALL wear the same clothes. They ALL carry AKs. They ALL got left hands that stink from wipin' their asses. SO, how do we know which one ta protect 'n' which one ta shoot? if YOU 'n' them Spear-Chuckers can't tell us how ta eye-ball the difference between 'em, then we don't belong there!”
I had no words to counter The Butter-Cutter; so, I elected to exit the virtual Mess Hall as his accusation of insensitivity echoed in my ears.
Semper Sensitive,
Anthony F. Milavic
Major USMC (Ret.)
(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/20/AR2009092002920.html
Howie@CW said: September 29th, 2009 6:54 pm
I would have to assume that the butter cutter is not the mess officer and is more than likely a L/Cpl. This may sound redundant but...... L/Cpl's seem to be the smartest rank in my beloved Corps!! Change the ROE's to what they should be; hunt down the bad guys and capture/kill them! The ones that we do capture get the intel that we need to catch/kill more bad guys. And I don't care how we get that intel, personally I think that waterboarding sounds more like a ride up in the Wisconsin Dells area!! Semper Fi Howie http://chandlerswatch.com L/Cpl USMC (Ret) PS I always wanted to put retired behind L/Cpl
momusmc said: September 24th, 2009 9:04 pm
The present rules of engagement are a disgrace. We need our troops here in the US to keep all foreign people OUT. We need to protect our boarders, trains, plains and automobiles. We need to clean up our cities and our states HERE. If your going to war, the good better get the hell out of the way and WE blow them out of the land and anyone standing, well start the fu-- over. They have been fighting for many many years and THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO CHANGE OVERTHERE. WE NEED SAFTY AND CHANGE IN THE US.
Davis said: September 24th, 2009 7:59 pm
The butter-cutter has been sniffin to much steam from the table. Then friggen rag- heads are alreadyhere. The biggest friggen one is in that house of ours called the White House. Davis
Master Gunny tj said: September 23rd, 2009 8:41 am
Pure BS. We didn't care about the Japs raping and burning through China until it was too late. We ignored Hitler until we had no choice but to take him out. We allowed Stalin to bluff that wimp Harry Truman and so we lived through 45 years of cold war that could have become 3,000 degres hot in an instant. We allowed Sadam to stay in power after the 1991 war. So when the hell are we going to learn our lesson? We can beat the Taliban now or we can beat them later. I'd much rather hunt them down in their own back now. The Japs were the most fanatical foes we'd ever fought but they're timid mice today and so too can the Taliban be "reeducated." All it takes it lots of time, guts, patience, and good strategy. If we can introduce democracy into that region maybe the mullahs and ayatollahs will loose their grip and the people will realize that they don't have to be pawns to power mad religious psychos. America invented democracy for all intents and purposes (all other societies just tinkered with the idea) and we're the only country in the world with the moral strength to spread it. Screw the UN, Europe, and the other wimp nations that are afraid of their own shadow. I hate it that our politicians are so blind but that's true in every generation and in every country. The Taliban are no supermen but the Brits and Ruskies were so incredibly stupid that it defies the imagination. Loosing because you're stupid doesn't make the enemy smart.
Chuck Myers said: September 22nd, 2009 12:28 pm
BC's logic is powerful. Unfortunately, logic has become irelevant. Chuck
RJI said: September 22nd, 2009 11:05 am
Great humor! The problem is not McCrystal...the PROBLEM is OBAMA!!!!!! This is HIS WAR!
Terron Sims, II said: September 22nd, 2009 9:01 am
the butter cutter proves once again why it is important for decision makers to hold council with the joes. GEN McChrystal has no idea how frustrated the force is with these deployments and the types of missions we are executing.
Gunny G said: September 22nd, 2009 8:41 am
Somehow it all seems like rearranging the deck chairs while the band plays its final tune.... Think: The Enemy Within! Just Plain Dick!
Dave Lindstedt said: September 21st, 2009 10:52 pm
I would suggest everyone go back and read Kippling! Nothing has changed in 130 years.
Frenchy said: September 21st, 2009 10:26 pm
There isn't enough room here, or time to tell you what I think, or explain why I think it! Lets just pretend we are writing a Tom Clancey novel here. Part of the plot is, a Marxist ringer gets control of the Gov't. In the wide, long term scheme, loyal US troops that the Gov't knows won't take up arms against their citizen countrymen or each other,still loyal to the oath they took to the Constitution, are shipped half way around the world, so that when a new Army is formed from Foreign/UN/Mercenary thugs, to enforce Marshall Law within the no longer sovereign borders of the US, after an arranged natural/un-natural castrophe, these loyal troops won't be able to get home, and are swallowed up by a radical Muslim upheaval half a world away. It's already planned that we'll cut and run when it is CONVENIENT to do so. Our best young, loyal Americans are being wasted to keep them out of the way. WAYYYY too oversimplified, but we ain't supposed to win! Deja Vue....1369 ! Butta Cutta got his shit together! Semper Fi!
Jim Wright said: September 21st, 2009 8:00 pm
As I distinctly remember, another American President and an American General wanted to expand our presence in another country. I managed to survive three tours in that pleasant time and place. I still resent the leadership of this nation (democrat as I remember at that time) shipping my ragged ass over there and as it is today, their offspring taking no part in the festivities. The present rules of engagement ate a disgrace. If the sonofabith shoots at me towards me or even in the general area I'm in I should be able to off the dipshit and not worry that I'll be sent off to Club Leavenworth. The pusillanimous pissants in congress and in the White House aren't aware of the real situation and ought to take us out of the zone till they get their shit together and decise just what to do. Defend the Afghans? whatever for? let'em defend themselves! Stand back and when the dust settles, if they can't get it together just make sure they don't ship their vile ideas anywhere else.
capnbill said: September 21st, 2009 9:46 pm
Anthony, I believe butter-cutter is right on top of the problem and has come up with the rightr solution. Semper Fi, Bill
dave spetrino said: September 21st, 2009 9:36 pm
Anthony, Think you captured the essence of this dilemma. It is reminiscent of another place in the early 1960s. cheers, dave