No, we partake year round.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
davidbfpo
Each year the Uk media go into July-August as the "silly season", when press priorities suddenly change and stories that never get attention usually get some. Undoubtedly the parliamentary holiday, ten weeks this year, contributes; so does the holiday for editorial teams.
Is this phenomena seen in the USA?
Really. Year round. Beyond silly...
Quote:
I am not convinced UK losses have much impact in the USA, let alone on American public opinion.
Probably not much in totality but they certainly resonate with many. I've had several people comment or ask questions on not only the casualties but the general effort in Helmand over the last couple of months.
Americans do not understand grand strategy
The elites by and large seem to share the American public's belief that there is a magic bullet or at least an obvious answer for any problem. They just do not seem to be able to come to grips with the idea that some problems can only be addressed by looking for the least damaging of a set of disagreeable options, or that there may not even be a viable solution (e.g. peace in the Middle East).
I also see a disturbing inability to "connect the dots." Outside of a small minority, does anyone understand that the United States became and remains the most powerful nation in the world through past and present pursuit of deliberate policies and exercise of power and influence? Have any of the withdrawal advocates examined the possible second and third order consequences of a U.S. withdrawal or even retrenchment in Afghanistan? I have not seen any efforts to lay out a strategically literate and intellectually credible cost and benefit analysis for withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Seasonal slanted news/worst kind of yellow journalism
David:
Your analysis, my two cents, is dead on right and correct.
Once our Congress is back in session so called public opinion will shift heavily, again.
The terrorists in Pakistan are being destroyed from within tribes rising up to kill of the Taliban and al Qaida.
We need the same thing inside Afghanistan.
I would rather have war lords on our side than allow the Taliban and al Qaida to win outright.