Obama Makes Surprise Visit to Afghanistan

I guess Obama remembered that we’re still at war.



From ABC News:

President Obama rallied the troops in Afghanistan during his first visit to the country as commander-in-chief today, acknowledging both military successes and personal sacrifices, and noting, "the United States of America does not quit once it starts on something."

He delivered a pep talk of a different kind to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other Afghan government officials, telling them they need to work harder to combat corruption and other problems within the country.

During a six-hour trip whose logistics were shrouded in secrecy, Obama's encouragement was more straighforward for approximately 2,000 U.S. and coalition troops and civilians who packed a tent at Bagram Air Force Base. The crowd applauded boisterously and snapped digital cameras as Obama entered clad in a brown leather bomber jacket bearing the presidential seal and shook hands with officials and troops on his way to the podium.

"I want you to understand there's no visit that I considered more important than this visit that I'm making right now," Obama said. "It is a privilege to look out and see the extraordinary efforts of America's sons and daughters here in Afghanistan.

"We can't forget why we're here," he added. "We did not choose this war. This was not an act of America wanting to expand its influence, of us wanting to meddle in somebody else's business. We were attacked viciously on 9/11, when thousands of our fellow countrymen and women were killed."

The Last Tradition