Pat Dollard

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The Captain in question says he never even spoke to Obama. Capturing the Taliban’s or anyone else’s weapons is both very easy ( they are everywhere ) and a part of every combat unit’s general mission. The Captain said they never targeted caches of Taliban weapons to compensate for Hussein’s alleged lack of U.S. firearms in Afghanistan. In fact, the captain said the only shortage of rounds was when they were doing some training in the U.S., but had no shortage of ammo in Afghanistan. U.S.-issued ammo won’t even work in the Taliban’s AKs. Every house in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the fewest of exceptions, has an AK, as one per household is permitted by law. For a variety of defensive and legal reasons they are confiscated all the time. Like I said, it’s our duty. Hussein, however, tried to spin soldiers doing their weapons-collecting duty as a rampant desperate act to arm themselves because Evil Uncle George was insane or something, and decided to send our warriors into battle without weapons. I encourage you to really think about this a moment. It shows that there is no “change” in politics for Obama that he actually hopes for and practices, there is no “politics of hope”, there is nothing from him but the stalest air reeking of the same old lies and spin of every shady poltician that preceded him. He is nothing but the latest leading practioner of the oldest sleazy traditions of American politics, and is doing okay right now because he was crafty enough to put on a very effective Scooy-Doo villian’s mask in preparation for the campaign.

His comments also displayed such a lack of knowledge about both the military and the facts of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, that although he may be qualified to be President of VH-1, he is not qualified to be President of America and its Commander In Chief, especially in the middle of our world war against Islamic Fascist Imperialism, and its allies Russia and Venezuela. Host a talk show for housewives, Obama. In that frothy, substance-light and loose-fact world, you will find the appropriate fruition of your God-given talents. He has not given you the requisite honesty, insight, and strength to lead a nation into safety in the face of threats from incorrigably evil men with great power, who harbor great and deadly amitions. Cool does not mean qualified.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrat Barack Obama says the war in Iraq, which he opposes, has pulled troops away from Afghanistan and left soldiers there without proper equipment.

He underscored his point in the Democratic debate Thursday by telling a story about a rifle platoon in Afghanistan that allegedly didn’t have enough soldiers or weapons to do its job, leaving the platoon to scrounge for weapons from the Taliban.

His source was an anonymous Army captain, whom his campaign refused to identify Friday.

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THE SPIN:

“You know, I’ve heard from an Army captain who was the head of a rifle platoon—supposed to have 39 men in a rifle platoon,” Obama said. “Ended up being sent to Afghanistan with 24 because 15 of those soldiers had been sent to Iraq,”

“And as a consequence, they didn’t have enough ammunition, they didn’t have enough Humvees. They were actually capturing Taliban weapons, because it was easier to get Taliban weapons than it was for them to get properly equipped by our current commander in chief.

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THE FACTS:

Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor declined to release the name of the captain, citing the soldier’s privacy, and pointed to an ABC News account as verification of the story. Obama learned about the captain’s allegation from a staffer who had spoken with the captain, according to Vietor.

ABC News said it talked to the unidentified captain, whose account of shortages in Afghanistan was for the most part accurately summarized by Obama, although not verified.

The captain said, however, that the unit did not go after the Taliban for the purpose of getting their weapons, but sometimes used those weapons when some were captured.

The Pentagon has acknowledged forces are stretched, but spokesman Bryan Whitman said that without knowing more, he could not comment on the veracity of Obama’s claim, except to say: “I find that account pretty hard to imagine.”

Whitman contended “all of our units and service members that go into harm’s way are properly trained, equipped and with the leadership to be successful for the mission that they’ve been given.”

Obama said the platoon was supposed to have 39 soldiers. A platoon does not have to consist of 39, but can have between 16 to 40 soldiers, according to standard Army unit organization. It is also commanded by a lieutenant and not a captain.

According to the ABC report, the captain was a lieutenant when he took command of the rifle platoon.

Sen. John Warner, a supporter of likely GOP presidential nominee John McCain, sent Obama a letter Friday asking for details about the platoon and the name and whereabouts of the captain, so he can tell military officials about it at an upcoming hearing. Warner is ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In response to the Warner letter, Vietor said, “Senator Obama is glad that this issue is getting the attention it deserves, and looks forward to working on a bipartisan basis to ensure that our troops have the training and resources they need.”