Tuesday, October 06, 2009

The interview by Hannity of Michael Moore proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Hannity is an uncompassionate lying ideologue

Mike needs to post the 'entire' interview he submitted himself to on "You Tube" so everyone can see what a completely horrible man Sean Hannity truly is.

People paid attention, Michael.

Sean Hannity interviews Michael Moore: You have been warned (click title to entry - thank you)
posted by halboedeker on Oct 5, 2009 1:58:04 PM
The noise level on your television could hit new, explosive levels Tuesday night.
Sean Hannity, he of the conservative persuasion, will interview filmmaker Michael Moore, he of the liberal persuasion.
Moore is promoting his new movie, "Capitalism: A Love Story," and should reach a lot of viewers.
And that in turn should help the ratings of "Hannity," which airs at 9 p.m. on Fox News Channel.

And to those of you who aren't interested in sonic booms, take this as a warning.

The Bush Economy is defined by corrupt practices. Cleaning up the country from these practices costs money and jobs affiliated with the corruption.

I am not surprised there is increasing unemployment, most of the economy over the past eight years should never have existed. It is going to be a slow recovery for many, many reasons. Just because corruption is illegal doesn't mean it doesn't contribute to the economy. It does. When enough people in power are on 'the take' it all seems legitimate.

These activities prevented legitimate businesses from conducting their activities. There is a chance those businesses were driven out of business or into bankruptcy because of the corruption that took their ability to conduct business away. It isn't funny.

Regenerating a legitimate economy in the USA requires destroying the corruption that has resulted in all kinds of issues.


Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corp. opened their new College Planning offices on S. 68th St. with the help of Chamber Ambassadors on Jan. 16 (2007).

Iowa Student Loan to pay $16 million penalty (click title to entry - thank you)
Penalty for making improper payments to ISU Alumni Association
By James PuseyStaff Writer
Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 11:17 AM CDT
Iowa Student Loan is being penalized nearly $16 million for making improper payments to the Iowa State University Alumni Association between July 2005 and June 2008, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Education.

The report quoted an Affinity Agreement between ISL and the alumni association that stated that ISL, a private, nonprofit lender, would pay a total of $45,000 in annual fees and application fees ranging between $25 and $70 per student applicant, based on the number of students applying for loans.
“Essentially, Iowa Student Loan was paying the alumni association an inducement to steer loan business in this direction in a way that the U.S. Department of Education has found to be improper,” State Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said.
Quirmbach, who also teaches at ISU, said this is not the first time Iowa Student Loan has had problems with payments it has made to the university. In 2007, the Des Moines Register reported ISL had given payments directly to the university financial aid office for directing students to its private loans.
The current findings show payments paid to the university through the alumni association based on the placement of consolidated loans, Quirmbach said....

Health Care Bills delayed due to Republican Sabotage. They don't care about the people, they care about delaying for benefits to lobbyists amendments


We already know the complaints about cost are irrelevant. President Obama has already balanced the cost of the bills. Cronies don't like the eventual elimination of Medicare Advantage, a private health insurance company that costs taxpayers more than government Medicare.

...Democrats repeatedly rejected Republican proposals (click title to entry - thank you) on a series of largely party-line votes through a long day that barely made a dent in hundreds of pending amendments to Chairman Max Baucus' proposal.
Baucus and his fellow Democrats rejected Republican efforts to restore cuts in some areas of Medicare, the government-run insurance program for the elderly, and defeated a politically charged Republican measure sparked by the controversy over a letter from insurer Humana Inc. to its customers.
Republicans also demanded more information on the bill's budgetary impact and called for the Democratic-controlled panel to slow its deliberations on the reform plan, which Baucus had hoped to bring to a final vote this week....

Overview
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (click here) sharply increased payments to private Medicare Advantage plans. As a result, every plan in every county in the nation was paid more in 2005 than its enrollees would have been expected to cost if they had been enrolled in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. The authors calculate that payments to Medicare Advantage plans averaged 12.4 percent more than costs in traditional Medicare during 2005: a total of more than $5.2 billion, or $922 for each of the 5.6 million Medicare enrollees in managed care. This issue brief updates an earlier analysis of Medicare Advantage payments in 2005 previously published by The Commonwealth Fund; the updated estimates in this report are based on final 2005 enrollment figures that were not available at the time the previous estimates were developed, and they include the effect of policy decisions that were not reflected in the previous estimates.

The reason so much of this is going on due to the past administration, is because Bush/Cheney wanted the entitlement programs such as Medicare to cost more than half the General Budget for the USA. If that were the case, there would be a potential for forcing the Legislature to disrupt or destroy the entitlements all together. Cost containment is a bogus reason for delaying the implementation of a new bill. The 'cost' of Medicare is already more than it should cost. $997 per year is a lot of money that will come off the cost of health immediately as people choose the Public Option or return to regular Medicare over the current Medicare Advantage. There is no reason for Medicare Advantage.


Medicare Advantage Costs the Government More Than Traditional Medicare (click here)
Tuesday December 12, 2006
A Commonwealth Fund study shows that Medicare Advantage plans cost the government more money than traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans bundle traditional Part A, Part B, and Part D benefits into one comprehensive benefits package for a single monthly premium. These plans have been gaining popularity since the new Part D benefit was launched. However, the Long Island Newsday reports that the government spends an additional $922 per year for each beneficiary enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan - money which could potentially be better used in different ways to make the Medicare program as a whole more robust.

Medicare Advantage accepts PRIMARILY those eligible for Medicare, but, don't require the insurance as much as the chronically ill.

The profit margin for Medicare Advantage is due to the 'type of client' it administers to within the plan. The government run Medicare is suffering because from a lack of diversity of those covered. Those requiring more insurance are dumped into the government administered Medicare program. The government doesn't have the opportunity of a 'blend' of clients.

The private Medicare Advantage, for profit, plan will never be a complete substitution for the government run Medicare as people will require care more frequently as they age and Medicare Advantage does not carry those clients within their plan. IF Medicare Advantage were to accept all the patients eligible for Medicare regardless of their 'need' for this insurance, its costs would escalate. With escalating costs and no public option, such as Medicare, the people that now receive Medicare would be paying a great deal more as there would be no option to it.

Medicare Advantage: Whose Cost, Whose Benefit? (click here for video)

7/16/2007

Kaiser Family Foundation and Alliance for Health Reform - Washington, D.C.

Transcript (click here)

Write House and Senate elected officials to support the Health Care Reform Bills and the Public Option.

Why is there a crisis in the profession of nursing? It isn't what you think.


The profession, as the ANA (American Nurses Association) dictates it, has been demanding the 'entrance level' for nurses be the BSN (Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing), but it has demoralized the profession by supplying a venue of 'opportunities' for nurses to leave 'back breaking work' and 'unreasonable demands of CEOs of Health Care Conglomerates' to entire Graduate Schools in Business, Law or many other venues of opportunity, yet their programs remain congested with applicants attempting to achieve an AAS (Associates of Applied Science.) or ADN (Associates Degree of Nursing -click here).

Basically, the ANA shot itself in the foot to demand more nurses be BSN at entry than those that are Associate Degree trained individuals.

Universities benefit from the four year degree. The County Colleges can turn out qualified Registered Nurses faster than Universities can. If the USA wants better health care without the high prices of nurses currently, they need to produce them at the County College level before emphasizing the University BSN.

The nurse :: patient ratio would benefit immensely by increasing the amount of Nurse Assistants in most health care settings. Nurses and their assistants are vitally important in containing costs within the health care system of the USA.

Nurses Desert Profession; Men Leave at Twice the Rate of Women, Study Shows (click title to entry - thank you)
The Washington Post
October 20, 2002
Joann Loviglio

Recent graduates of the nation's nursing schools are leaving the profession more quickly than their predecessors, with male nurses bolting at almost twice the rate of their female counterparts, according to a recent study.
About 7.5 percent of new male nurses left the profession within four years of graduating from nursing school, compared with 4.1 percent of new female nurses, a study by a University of Pennsylvania researcher shows. It was reported last month in the journal Health Affairs.
"In general, nurses are looked down upon, especially by physicians," said Jerome Koss, a nurse since ...


The investment by the USA into County Colleges that produce AAS Registered Nurses needs to be the focus of this effort, the Universities produce BSNs that see their educational achievement as a stepping stone to another profession. Also, the LPN is an invaluable member of the Health Care Team and most of those diploma programs have been diminished in importance to the college degree.

While, the ANA can emulate the BSN as a pinnicle of entry to the practice of Nursing, it has to realize the shortage that effects the cost of health care within the country. The ANA needs to appreciate overwhelming all levels of nursing achievement and seek to provide; the bedside RN' with reasonable 'work loads' and abandon the concept of 'Super Nurse.' Super Nurse is scaring new grads and burning out the seasoned nurse.

Additionally, the career RN realizes their health is not of concern to its profession. There are definately health related realities to this profession and organizations, such as the ANA have never demanded better working conditions for its profession. The ANA recognize themselves as 'handmaidens' to a physician. They never seek to improve the 'work ethic' of CEOs so much as compromise the 'work environment' to licenesed individuals that are left on their own to defend their license.

This is not shallow complaining.

Women that have BSNs, when they realize the toll practicing within this profession takes on their health, leave at an early age; frequently with a year to three after graduation of a BSN program. When BSNs or MSNs (Master Degrees in Nursing) find their way into Hospital Management Infrastructure, they 'sell out' their old complaints to CEOs that have 'no clue' to the issues of the nursing staff.

The Nurse's Health Study (click here)
The Nurses’ Health Studies are among the largest and longest running investigations of factors that influence women’s health. Started in 1976 and expanded in 1989, the information provided by the 238,000 dedicated nurse-participants has led to many new insights on health and disease. While the prevention of cancer is still a primary focus, the study has also produced landmark data on cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many other conditions. Most importantly, these studies have shown that diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors can powerfully promote better health.
Please choose from the links across the top of the page or the navigation menu on the left to find out more about the Nurses’ Health Studies....


There should be class action lawsuits against these CEOs of Health SYSTEM conglomerates, because they have 'unreasonable' power over the professions that practice. No different than doctors are complaining about their 'lot in life' in dealing with the current health care system, so do Nurses, but, they simply 'take it.' They aren't empowered by their professional organizations or their licensing boards.

The ANA and State Licensing Boards need to 'sell' the BSN as a concept so they promote 'education of the public' as a real 'up tick' to that level of entry. There isn't reason to believe an Associate Degree is less prepared to teach the public than a BSN. Associate and LPNs have more 'clinical experience' on entry into the profession. There are studies to back up these claims, but, the reality is any hospital can provide education to their staff to accomplish the best outcome to the patient.

BSN degree nurses are better prepared to meet patient needs (click here)
The main difference in study between an ADN and BSN is the emphasis on additional education in leadership and management, wellness, and community nursing. BSN prepared nurses possess greater knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction as well as illness and disease management and are prepared to assist individuals, groups, and communities to prevent disease and achieve optimum levels of wellness. As nurses expand their role and move further into providing more community based primary care delivery the need for BSN prepared nurses is apparent.

This is accurate. Associate trained nurses can contribute to the USA economy in two years rather than four with far less educational debt. Their longevity in the profession is better and they tend to be career nurses.

Salary of a nurse with a BSN vs a nurse with an associate's degree? (click here)

Essentially the base hourly rate for hospital based nurses in the same clinical areas are the same. Many hospitals will pay additional differential pay, based on the hospital policies (clinical ladder or other criteria). For this reason in entry level RNs the average BSN makes between $2500 to $3500 more per year than the average ASN....

I do believe the documentary Michael directed is personal. The 'tone' was 'serious' during "Capitalism, A Love Story"

I am confident Michael's investments 'took a hit' no different than the majority of the country after the 'Bush-Paulson Scam' was deployed. This documentary leaves no doubt about the etiology of the 2008 economic implosion.



I remind, J. P. Morgan Chase NEVER needed a bailout. They were the sole survivors to the Gold-Sachs End Game, which was to wipe out every other investment bank in the business on its way to domination.

When a democracy allows its 'power structure' to shift and a 'financial coupe' is possible, it sacrifices all its 'goal directed' incentives for 'profitable' businesses. In other words, now that J.P. Morgan Chase played the game the way the game was supposed to be played, they have no incentive to continue to abide by that paradigm.

It is my sincere and strong opinion, the people of the USA turned on their own values out of irrational fear instilled by Bush/Paulson.

Bush, most likely 'sold out' to Paulson when it was pointed out to him there was a bill in 2001 had actually financed the implosion. In other words, Paulson's loyalty belonged first to Goldman-Sachs and he made it clear that Bush's 2001 legislation 'CAUSED' the problem and therefore it was his administration that was responsible for the implosion. Bush may or may not have 'sold out' to Paulson, but that is completely irrelevant. Congress allowed the 'fear factor' to dominate the outcome and the dismantling of American values.

J. P. Morgan Chase stands as testiment to the values that should have been upheld in these circumstances. I find all other institutions incompetent, even today.

..."We are investing in people (click title to entry - thank you) and we hope to add an additional 10 percent in the next year," Catherine Keating, chief executive of JPMorgan's U.S. private bank, said at the Reuters Global Wealth Management Summit in Boston....

If I were an investor in today's market, I would boycott all but J. P. Morgan Chase and their 'goal directed' re-investment in the USA and its people.

...The bank, traditionally strong in the U.S. Northeast, is making a push to find new clients in the Southeast and on the West Coast, Keating said. JPMorgan acquired failed Seattle thrift Washington Mutual in 2008....

See the film.

Invest in J. P. Morgan Chase above all others, ESPECIALLY American Unions and let the others go to foreign interests to survive. J. P. Morgan Chase will 'grow' the country back 'the right way' not the 'subsidized way.'

JUST DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J. P. Morgan Chase needs to be as cautious, as they investment in different regions of the USA, as dealing with the Southeast and other regions of the USA is a bit different. I would expect them to be scrutinizing the corruption that exists in other regions of the country they may not be aware of nor have the infrastructure to handle.

I would expect The Federal Justice Department to take an active interest in fiscal corruption within States that have the highest unemployment rates and are strongholds for Republicans that don't care about the people so much as their money and gaming the system.

I would encourage the Federal Justice Department to add whatever personnel they need to 'assess' the laws of States that facilitate unemployment and poverty.


October 6, 2009, 2:31 AM

U.S. Attorney Jacks said, “At the end of the day, (click here) the citizens of a community are the ones that ultimately decide what type of government they will have in that community. Whether at the ballot box or, as in this case, through its verdict as a jury, the citizens decide what is expected of their elected officials. Through this lengthy investigation and subsequent trial, the government presented compelling evidence showing that an elected official and many of those non-elected officials working around him, sought to use that position as a means to line their own pockets at the expense of the public. The jury’s verdict today shows that the citizens of this community do not want a government where the game is rigged and the people in positions of power seek to further their own interests before that of the citizens they are supposed to be serving.”...

And one other thing, where Democrats of Blue Dogs States exist in Governorships and as House and Senate officials elected by the people, they are basically worthless to the well being and honest transacting of any fiscal entity. They may as well be Republicans.

Blue Dog Coalition (click here). There should not be a coalition of any 'set of Democrats.' They are not an autonomous voting group. Nor should they be. If they don't embrace the Democratic Platform (click here) they need to be independants.

McIntyre seduces the 'Right' by standing against the issues that Democrats are somewhat unpopular for. He 'rides' the 'populous wave' of any issue and is always popular for bring money to a North Carolina county with high unemployment and high insurance rates.

Wilmington, Noth Carolina is basically corrupt to the core. Its land use is poorly conceived and always uses the same 'crony' businesses in contracts for construction. Julia Bosemen is no help, she is on a China kick and doesn't see that the 'cranes' along the Cape Fear River could have been built in the USA.

In the past three years, the University of North Carolina, has spent billions on construction it never needed. The buildings are shoddy that were constructed. There initially was an entire new building that doubled the size of The Nursing School. Now, it is followed by still anther huge structure that is supposed to be mirrored in the next year. The Nursing School now occupies two, soon to be three buildings. It is ridiculous at a time when there is an economic collapse in the country and North Carolina just increased its tax rate.

McIntrye would never speak out in opposition of any of these so called 'improvements.' The chronic building that occupies Wilmington and New Hanover County is to include a 'Cement Plant' that will pollute the air and water.

We already know New Hanover County could not care less about the quality of any air or water in the region, they find the 'reality' of their wetlands a 'pain in the pocketbook' to the plans of the City Council, UNCW administration and New Hanover County Board members. They spend huge amounts of money in devising ways to divert water away from whatever land mass might be garnered as a place where construction can take place. What they don't do is manage the sediment that runs off in the face of 'flood management strategies.'

They inhibit the 'quality' the State reflects in restoring 'the native oyster' which does not survive in sediment laden waters. They don't care and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in North Carolina is impuned from carrying out tough laws that would stop unnecessary building. North Carolina doesn't even include 'State Endangered Species of Plants' on their State Endangered List.

The health clinic in Wilmington that McIntrye speaks of is a place that sees 'the poor' to control STDs and birth control. I doubt seriously there are ANY plans to expand the clinic as a health clinic where Nurse Pratitioners would primarily see patients. It would remove patients from the practice of physicians in the county where care would be more affordable.


Congressman McIntyre talks health care, budget cuts, and stimulus money (click here)

When Congress returns to Washington in a couple of weeks, it will likely be consumed by the debate on health care reform. But there are other important issues to be discussed in Washington that will have an impact on things here at home.

That is just one example of a Blue Dog Democrat. There are 55 more, including Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy, whom appears in the Moore film and its trailer.


There is no time like the present for a decision about Afghanistan.

Corruption within Afghanistan has a place in these circumstances. It is my opinion, the corruption in the region is primarily due to the opium culture and its lucrative cash business. That cash, of course, provides for weapon procurement by the Taliban. Al Qaeda's specality is big bombs faciliated by suicide attackers. There isn't that sophisticated or that expensive about that weaponry. That is why the Taliban persist. They can run a 'dirt cheap' chaotic rebellion.

Transparency International ranks Afghanistan as high in corruption at number 176, which is somewhat correct, but that rating is tempered by the low number of surveys completed and the low level in 'confidence' in that rating. (click here)

I don't believe this corruption assessment overshadows any of the reports by General McCrystal or Secretary Gates. I am not willing to cast the word of the USA military aside in favor of a private rating entity on the ability of any form of Afghan government under democratic principled leadership aside.

One of the failures in Vietnam was that the leadership was removed from the reality of the soldiers. We need not repeat those mistakes. There needs to be a way for 'word' to get to the commanders in Afghanistan to know the logistics and best venues for success.

...McChrystal's assessment, (click here) as reported by The Washington Post, which obtained a copy of the document, laid out in blunt terms the magnitude of the problems facing the coalition forces in Afghanistan, with a warning that without additional troops by next year, the conflict "likely will result in failure." The requested troop surge would be in addition to the 68,000 U.S. soldiers expected by the end of this year.
"Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near term -- while Afghan security capacity matures -- risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible," McChrystal wrote in his report. He also noted in his summary, "While the situation is serious, success is still achievable."...



Innocent people at the United Nation mission in Afghanistan were killed and wounded by those that use 'innocence' as a weapon. This attack is contrary to every provision of the Geneva Conventions, yet, it happens. This is not a 'fighting force' Afghanistan is dealing with, it is a Taliban Revolutionary Force seeking to 'undermine' the military presence in the country. There is no other way to a victory for the Taliban and al Qaeda. They have only crude weapons that cause chaos and confusion. The way to victory for any revolutionary force is for people to become intolerant of the violence to allow the oppression in its wake.

If the USA simply pulls up stakes and leaves, the face of the Afghan conflict will not end. Our allies will be forced into calling in all available forces through NATO. Europe has a much larger stake in this than the USA does. But, considering the recent suicide threat to the USA, whereby new recruits to al Qaeda still find access to the USA and its infrastructure, there is a question about the 'return' of the USA at some future date. I really don't believe we have a choice but to fight this war and succeed in creating a large enough Afghan force to hold the country in the face of Taliban infiltration.


A U.S. Soldier scans the adjacent mountains above a base in Kamdesh, Nuristan in 2006. This past weekend insurgents attacked the base and killed at least 8 US soldiers, one of the deadliest single attacks since the war began eight years ago.(Courtesy Sergio Caro)

The USA will be obligated to its presence in Afghanistan through NATO. President Obama has visited with the Secretary General of NATO. (click here) It is imprudent to sacrifice allies for a failed effort to date which lacked a strategy since 1980. This was the view of the NATO Secretary General as of September 28, 2009.

...Which brings the second benefit: boots on the ground. (click here) There are 35,000 non-US troops in the mission. That’s 40% of the total. And that number is going up. Over the last 18 months, about 9,000 extra troops have been provided to the mission from the non-US members. Sixteen countries have increased their contributions over that period. None has cut back. I’m not sure all of this gets as much visibility in the US as it deserves....

If we are going to be in Afghanistan through our NATO alliance; we may as well resolve to destroy the advantages of any Taliban insurgency and build Afghan forces to provide stability. This is more than a USA decision, quite frankly. This is not "Obama's War," it is however the failed war of Bush/Cheney. The NATO alliance has been 'hanging on' for a change in administration in DC. They know they can't fight this war alone. They couldn't defeat Hitler alone either.


Under attack: A Royal Marine firing mortars in Afghanistan


US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 774 (click title to entry - thank you)
The Associated Press
Of those, the military reports 595 were killed by hostile action.

Outside the Afghan region, the Defense Department reports 72 more members of the U.S. military died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Of those, three were the result of hostile action. The military lists these other locations as Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; Djibouti; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Jordan; Kenya; Kyrgyzstan; Philippines; Seychelles; Sudan; Tajikistan; Turkey; and Yemen.
There were also four CIA officer deaths and one military civilian death.
___
The latest deaths reported by the military:
— Eight soldiers died Saturday when enemy forces attacked two remote outposts
in the Kamdesh district of Nuristan province, Afghanistan.
— One soldier died Saturday from a roadside bomb southwest of Kabul.
___
The latest identifications reported by the military:
— Army Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, 25, Manhattan, Kan.; died Friday in Wardak province, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit using small arms fire; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
— Army Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, Memphis, Tenn.; died Friday in Wardak province, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit using small arms fire; assigned to the 118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C.
— Army Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24, Satellite Beach, Fla.; died Thursday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield Ga....
___
On the Net:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/


It is customery when soldiers 'take the hill' they don't usually end up in the valley were they are surrounded by hillside. It seems the base should be on top of the mountain, where they can easily monitor activity on both sides of it and at every approach.

There isn't anything to say they have to close the base in the valley, but, all surrounding elevations should have secured outposts from the base to monitor activity and dispatch troops from the base as needed. The outposts can't be abandoned either for the sake of an early warning system, they have to be secured and sustained outposts that receive reinforcements as soon as trouble arises. Better though, to have additional 'bases' at the top of the mountain to stop this hideous victimization of our troops.

U.S. Afghanistan Base: Death Trap From The Beginning (click here)
'We're Sitting Ducks' Soldiers Told Reporter on 2006 Visit
By MATTHEW COLE
Oct. 6, 2009
The remote base in northern Afghanistan where eight U.S. soldiers were killed this weekend in a deadly battle was well-known inside the military as extremely vulnerable to attack since the day it opened in 2006, according to U.S. soldiers and government officials familiar with the area.
When a reporter visited the base a few months after it opened, soldiers stationed in Kamdesh complained the base's location low in a valley made most missions in the area difficult.
"We're primarily sitting ducks," said one soldier at the time.
Known as Camp Keating, the outpost was "not meant for engagements," said one senior State Department official assigned to Afghanistan, and brings "a sad and terrible conclusion" to a three-year effort to secure roads and connect the Nuristan province to the central government in Kabul.
The boulder strewn road that led into the valley was referred to by U.S. soldiers stationed there as "Ambush Alley."
In addition to the eight dead Americans, at least two Afghan Army officers were killed, with as many as a dozen Afghan National Policemen missing, according to military and Afghan officials.


We also don't need private contractors either (click here)

This war should have been over a long time ago, if the USA assets and resources weren't squandered in Iraq ! If one recalls, President Obama voted against any deployment in Iraq.