Don’t downplay Biden administration’s role in abandonment of Afghan allies
Re: “Biden review of chaotic Afghan withdrawal blames Trump,” April 7 news story
The White House released a 12-page summary of U.S. policies around the end of the war in Afghanistan. No, this wasn’t an independent review but rather a review by Biden’s National Security Council with input from himself. Of course, the review laid blame where this administration and the media lays all blame — it’s Trump’s fault.
I would encourage anyone interested in the truth to read “Operation Pineapple Express” by Lt. Col. Scott Mann, US Army Special Forces (retired). In his book, he details the work of a contingent of special operators with some unsanctioned government help to secure the evacuation of Afghanis who confronted death every day in order to help the U.S. military with their mission. Our government promised these Afghanis safe refuge, but Biden abandoned them and Americans as well during his hasty withdrawal. He left them to be slaughtered by the Taliban!
Then there’s the military equipment left behind, estimated to be worth billions of dollars. This is inexcusable since any semblance of an operational plan would have avoided most of that abandonment. And this doesn’t even address military value. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should have been court-martialed or retired in disgrace for his utter lack of leadership.
Read the book about warriors who had to come out of well-deserved retirement, reengage their PTSD demons, and disrupt family life once again to fix the blunders of the Biden administration.
Paul C. Gremse, Denver
Securing schools will take cooperation on multiple fronts
Re: “Gun laws won’t make schools suddenly safer,” April 6 commentary
As a former school administrator, I agree somewhat with State Rep. Gabe Evans and his main idea on making schools safer. Twenty years ago, after Columbine shocked the nation, my central Indiana school district partnered with the local city to place school resource officers (SROs) in all junior and senior high schools with the added responsibility of being ready to immediately go to a nearby elementary school if the need arose. Far from just passive blue uniforms sitting in an office, these SROs were an integral part of the administrative team and were to be visible throughout the school day and assist administrators in some of the more extreme disciplinary issues such as drug possession, weapons, and student altercations. They were and still are a tremendous success story.
But I disagree with Evans that regulating “inanimate objects” does no good. The assault weapons ban expired in 2004. How’s that working for everyone? Evans, with his Army experience, has to agree that assault weapons can do a great deal of damage to multiple humans in a very short time and they make approaching a shooter more dangerous.
Possibly, serious lawmakers need to make a ranked list, by bipartisan popularity, of solutions, including security enhancements, more police presence, mental health initiatives and yes, gun regulations, including eventually revisiting weapons bans. Then, one by one, enact and try them out. If mass shootings subside, great. If not, keep going back to the list and trying until the carnage stops or is sharply reduced.
Tom Rogers, Estes Park
Questioning emissions testing
Do I recall correctly that former Gov. Bill Owens recommended eliminating emissions testing? If so, how long ago was that? How much pollution is generated waiting in line for said emissions tests? What percentage of vehicles fail the test? How much time is wasted by the public waiting in line for said test? How much money in fees is raked in? And where does it go? The amount of frustration (blood pressure) involved in waiting to get that “Passed” piece of paper should also be considered.
Get rid of emissions tests.
Jim Bahrenburg, Wheat Ridge
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