Afghanistan's lessons unheeded

The Obama administration is failing to apply lessons from our first fight in Afghanistan. They are heading into a conventional war model, having an estimated 68,000 troops in country by the end of the year. This is Obama's war to win or lose. I fear before it ends there will be needless deaths of American soldiers and more expenses added to the deficit. At best it will result in a stalemate - a victory for any foe fighting the United States.

There are many lessons being ignored. However, the most glaring is how we won round one. We went in country with about 300 Special Forces troops, assisting 15,000 Afghan troops; defeating Taliban forces of 50,000 to 60,000 in three months at the bargain price of $70 million.

Where are all the protesters in this march to folly?

Oh yeah, it's Obama - not Bush.

Bill Hopkins

U.S. Army (Ret.)

Huntley