As with a previous four-star in this region, this two-star stepped on it....but he was telling the unvarnished truth about leadership in Afghanistan. It's too bad telling the truth can get you fired because this guy was spot on and America needs to know the truth about what's going on over there.
Peter Fuller Fired: Senior U.S. Officer In Afghanistan Relieved From Duty
WASHINGTON -- The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has fired a senior officer from his job as the No. 2 general in charge of training for making inappropriate public remarks about Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his government.
Referring to Karzai's recent assertion that Afghanistan would side with Pakistan if Pakistan got into a war with the U.S., Fuller was quoted as calling the comments "erratic," adding, "Why don't you just poke me in the eye with a needle! You've got to be kidding me . I'm sorry, we just gave you $11.6 billion and now you're telling me, I don't really care?"
Fuller said the Afghans have at times made unreasonable requests for U.S. assistance.
"You can teach a man how to fish, or you can give them a fish," Fuller was quoted as saying. "We're giving them fish while they're learning, and they want more fish! (They say,) `I like swordfish, how come you're giving me cod?' Guess what? Cod's on the menu today."
Fuller also said the Afghans don't understand the extent to which the U.S. is in economic distress or the "sacrifices that America is making to provide for their security." He said the Afghans are "isolated from reality."
I found it funny that Karzai would choose Pakistan over the US. Pakistan's intelligence community has been supporting the Taliban for years as they war against Karzai. Maybe Karzai realizes the US will someday leave and Pakistan will always be a influential neighbor.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
