re: Taliban has taken Kabul. Terrorist attack at Airport at least 12 marines confirmed killed

In fairness women on the street is not normal. Sadly, Normal for Afghanistan over the past 2000 years is oppressive barbarbaric regimes endlessly running off humanitarian missions.

quote:

---

For those who say life has returned to “normal” in #Kabul:

How many girls and women do you see on the streets?

How many people are still hiding in their homes?

How many people live in safe houses to avoid Taliban retribution?

---

Yeah, what people don’t realize is that unless there are widespread massacres on the streets or there are bombings, in wars you can usually go a few blocks down from the atrocities and have a cup of coffee at a cafe. It’s where Franz Ferdinand was killed for God’s sake when 3 blocks over was total chaos. Not all military atrocities are like Stalingrad. If you’re not around the airport, a woman, or a minority, then you’re likely not going to see mass violence in the street if you’re in Kabul. They’ll start lopping off heads soon enough, but even then on the average street corner in Kabul, it will be pleasant from a tyrant’s standpoint.

quote:

---

I get a bad feeling that the taliban is infiltrating the civilian side of the airport. I think they will attack the us forces as the last units attempt to leave. Just a weird feeling.

---

Dude, you’re way behind. If that happens, that’s actually a plus on our current situation. The US Embassy sent out blank visas to hundreds of people, which means all the Taliban has to do is fill them out and soon blow up a street corner near you.

Well, this seems kind of shitty:

Daily Caller

quote:

---

Defense Contractors Told Not To Personally Assist ‘Friends And Former Colleagues’ Stuck In Afghanistan

---

quote:

---

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is telling personnel not to personally assist “friends and former colleagues” stuck in Afghanistan, according to an internal email obtained by the Daily Caller.

“If any Afghanistan national contacts a DCMA employee for assistance with asylum, the employee should in no way suggest or represent that the individual or DCMA is in a position to help,” the email read. “The employee should only inform the Afghanistan national that the State Department is the appropriate organization to contact.”

The email comes as veterans are scrambling online to help Afghans fleeing the Taliban. The official process for Afghan allies is proving difficult to navigate, with several indicators showing these channels are sorely lacking in expediency and competence.

A National Review article reported Saturday that an email dedicated for Priority 2 referral – for Afghans not eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) – has been full for at least half a day. While this email appears to be separate from the one listed in the DCMA’s guidelines, it serves as an example of the struggles Afghans are having in getting through using official channels.

The DCMA email noted the State Department has set up an email address to handle inquires and informed DMCA employees that “there are strict federal guidelines for asylum requests” that do not include the agency. This particular email address was established “to facilitate the increased numbers of requests” the State Department is seeing, the DCMA memo noted.


In addition to the email address provided, the DCMA email suggested employees direct Afghanistan nationals to the State Department website for SIVs.

---

It’s the only way they can pretend to hide what a complete moron he is.

Daily Mail

quote:

---

Joe Biden's aides were 'too afraid' to quiz him and his National Security Adviser over key decisions made in the run-up to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to sources close to the US administration.

The President is accused of insisting on recalling US troops ahead of the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington DC, and allegedly ignored warnings that it would not leave the military enough time to get American nationals and allies out.

A former defence official in regular contact with senior White House aides suggested that there was not much pushback from concerned administration staffers because they were 'too afraid' of challenging Mr Biden and his National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Biden administration officials urged the President - unsuccessfully - to keep open Bagram Air Base, which has more runways than Kabul airport and has been the heart of US operations in Afghanistan during the 20-year intervention.

The official claimed that the Biden administration functions 'like an autocracy' and stifles internal dissent, adding: 'It's one thing to crack down on leaks, it's another thing to allow a mistake like this.

'This White House is very disciplined, especially when it comes to leaks and such. But the downside of discipline is if you're running things like an autocracy, and you broker no dissent internally, that's not what the purpose of a White House staff is.'

It is understood that the State Department is now pushing the White House to extend the August 31 withdrawal deadline, even if it means striking a new deal with the resurgent Taliban, amid fears that tens of thousands of civilians could remain trapped in Afghanistan in nine days.

Going into September with a large contingent of US troops still in Afghanistan could be politically damaging for Mr Biden, who campaigned last year on a promise to end America's 'forever wars' and is likely to be keeping an eye on the midterm elections next year.

Critics claim Mr Biden's narrow pursuit of US interests has left him increasingly isolated abroad, with former British premier Tony Blair calling the decision to withdraw 'imbecilic'.  

Relations between Britain and US are strained, with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warning 'no nation will be able to get everyone out' of Afghanistan as Mr Biden's August 31 date makes the mission even more time-pressured, in what is likely to be seen as a plea to Washington.

Cabinet insiders have suggested the President was 'gaga' and 'doolally' for withdrawing so quickly, while the Prime Minister has allegedly privately referred to Mr Biden as 'Sleepy Joe', the nickname coined by Donald Trump. Boris Johnson also allegedly remarked Britain 'would be better off with Trump' - allegations branded 'categorically untrue' by Downing Street.  

---

quote:

---

---

I’m waiting for the video clip, but apparently 60 Minutes’ first story tonight is on the military’s systemic racism. The focus on that is largely the cause for this.

quote:

---

but the Taliban has all the incentive in the world to encourage America to retract from the world stage for a while.

---

That’s exactly my point. I’m not sure why some people are having problems grasping this. After 20 years the US is on the verge of being completely out of Afghanistan. Why would they shoot down a plane and give us a reason to stay

@CWC_Today

quote:

---

Reports say, Ahmad Massoud's forces held Baghlan province today, killing more than 305 Taliban and more than 30 armored vehicles. Mines and weapons were captured
Apparently Taliban forces retreated back to Kabul province
#Afghanistan #NorthernAlliance #Taliban #Baghlan #Kabul LINK

---