ROBERT FISK: Look, the Taliban now control half of Afghanistan, not just at night, but in the day—during the day, too. There’s no doubt that Petraeus has got it right when he talks about things are going to get worse.

Robert Fisk talking with Amy Goodman about Iraq (no one else is) and Afghanistan last week
http://www.democracynow.org/20…..ior_robert

I believe Fisk will be on Democracy Now again today

———————————————————————

I became very good friends with some Fulbright students from Afghanistan studying here in the states the last three years. One of them has gone back to Afghanistan and is now in the upper levels of the government in Afghanistan.

While he was here he would talk with his very large family who are still Afghanistan every week. They kept wondering what the hell was up with the Bush administration. My friends father who is a retired Brigadier General(who fought against the Russians) kept saying “it seems like the U.S. wants to create chaos in Afghanistan, that they really do not want to resolve the problems there) My friend often said that one year after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan that the Taliban were on the run. But for the last six years since the Bush administration changed their focus the Taliban have been regaining control.

The friend who has returned there has said that the only way to deal with the Taliban is to be inclusive with those who are less radical.

According to these folks most of the people in Afghanistan consider the U.S. as an occupying force.

I just don’t get if you thought somehow this wouldn’t happen?

Oh, scalping always happens, and I am not surprised.
In 2007 the Gov Spitzer changed the scalping laws in NY–before then legit brokers (basically the ones with websites–LOL) couldn’t charge more than 30% above face value. Now it’s completely deregulated.

However the violation of federal campaign laws is a huge deal. This problem has not been highlighted until now, and that’s the job of the press and media, to reveal wrong doing. And fans should know they don’t have to resort to participating in fraud and FEC violations, after the fact, in order to get tickets.

The Obama campaign had legal disclaimers in place–but people lied. And fans get screwed, Obama’s campaign could have a headache, and hopefully the ticket brokers will get their comeuppance.

[US troops] “are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan,” she told several hundred supporters at a fundraising event in San Francisco.

I know!!!! Let’s just print bunches of new money. then everybody will have all they need!!!!

Why would this be any different than any other Boss show?

Buying these tickets is considered legally to be a contribution to Obama’s campaign.

The first $2,300 of each contribution from an individual will be allocated to Obama for America and will be considered designated for the general election. The next $28,500 of each contribution from an individual will be allocated to the Democratic National Committee, per campaign finance laws.