Charlie Rose

caroldw  09/08/2009 03:43 AM Report

Watching Mullens obfuscate about the Aghan war reminded me of a quote: "the vicious virture of old men's lies". Once more a generation of American leaders are betraying the generation they have responsibility to care for, to lead with honor and integrity.

Mullen's tired rehash of "domino theory" recast in the Middle East was as mendacious as it was depressing.

Karzai, the corrupt US puppet is more responsible for driving Afghans into the arms of the Taliban than Al Qaida.

I think Charlie ought to stick to interviewing writers and movie stars. He no longer has the courage or undestanding to take on anything more serious. We can get all the propaganda we want on the regular networks without having to pay for it. We don't a PBS sycophant.

REMant  05/11/2009 09:55 PM Report

Looking around me, I frequently reflect that ppl may want to think twice about whether they want to preserve our way of life or not, much less spread it further. And I am still suspicious of Zardari's late wife's role in this, especially since the issue of the Supreme Ct justices. Both of these guys want a massive investment besides, which the world can't afford even if it didn't carry a very large risk. It will be interesting to see what Zoellick thinks of it. There is, of course, the drug issue as well, but I think if the Taliban gains power again they will move to squelch it even if some have other ideas. Personally, if it came down to a choice between doing all of this, or leveling Israel in an hour or two, I think I know which I would choose. I do agree with Karzai about the use of drones and other stand-off tactics ala Vietnam. It not only doesn't win anyone's respect, it really gathers little intelligence, and can result in huge errors. However, today Secy Gates replaced the commander in order to institute a counterinsurgency strategy as used in Iraq. The problem is tho that there really is no proof that this strategy is effective by itself. It wasn't for instance in Vietnam, and I have a feeling that search-and-destroy interdiction will still be required.

tartufe  05/11/2009 09:00 PM Report

Mr gates and Mr Mullen are the the ones that should resign. Changing leaders with nonspecific reasons is POOR leadereship. Real conficence builder for the next guy.

tartufe  05/10/2009 09:38 PM Report

60 Minutes had a well done presentation missile-firing drones in Pakistan. Too much so. I wanted to cry. They have 5-10 in the air at all times. Invisible, silent and sinister.

Our techno arrogance is so self-defeating, it's lamentable for the US and ultimately for the species.

Old cliches are cliches because they're true. "What goes around comes around." "Technology is transferable." "Do unto others . . . " Yadda, yadda.

We unleashed the nuclear genii out of its bottle. Then bombing, then missiles from ships, from fixed and rotary winged aircraft and now pilotless missile-firing drones. The only thing missing is Rumsfeld exclaming "Shock and Awe!" But alas the nukes aren't missing.

The utter mindless short-sighted pride by the (former) pilots was equally disheartening. We are a dishearteningly vicious culture. No one seems to see the paradox in multiple killing of civilians as bad, so long as our troops are kept from harms way. The concept of acceptable proportionate ratios (civilian: bad guys) is peculiarly American.

We are too vulnerable - economically - to take a hit in our confidence. But technology is transferable. A rusty cargo vessel in international waters with one retro-fitted drone missile guided into a symbollic target (a la Wall St., Statue of Liberty, Peoria) would capsize our system.

When we finally (declare victory and) leave Af-Pak, we will leave a net gain in enemies and hatred.

And the mindless, arrogant use of this techno-hubris (just because we can) is short-sighted, cruel and stupid. And it brutalizes our young in the process.

Other than that, Happy Mothers Day!

icubud  05/10/2009 11:27 AM Report

I agree with the Presidents interviewed - great interview and I enjoyed it.

This interview is a perfect example of why I enjoy and watch Charlie Rose. Kudos!

Ricardo_Amaral  05/09/2009 07:30 PM Report

I didn’t see the Charlie Rose Show show with the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan, but I just posted some information that is relevant to that subject on the comments section of the interview with Neel Kashkari on May 7, 2009.

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10280#comment_70580

.

tartufe  05/09/2009 09:00 AM Report

All three guests tonight were pandering whores. All in there own way proposing US lives, US money and the US soul (what’s left of it) to serve their own respective ends. Playing us like a fiddle. And like bin Laden. Foiling for orthodoxy all the way tonight.

[In the way of disclosure I think (now) Obama’s Af-Pak war is futile - and negatively so. Meaning that my guess is influenced by my belief that our penchant for preemptive wars is driven by the M-I oligarch to initiate and then sustain conflicts as long as the public will tolerate or be beguiled by the media to endure them, e.g., Vietnam, Iraq. When we finally leave we will have a net gain in hatred and number of enemies.]

fruitpunchftw  05/09/2009 03:38 AM Report

This was an incredible interview.