" You could make an argument for or against the troop increase, but what this is quickly becoming is another Birther harping point. We didn't need high levels of troops in the first place to overthrow the Taliban shortly after 9/11. After the overthrow of the Taliban there were only about 5,000 troops in Afghanistan. Compare that to the current 68,000. This site gives a great year by year breakdown:

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/2009/09/02/quick-facts-US-military-operations-Afghanistan

The thought that more troops may be needed now is simply another confirmation of mismanagement in Afghanistan by President Bush. The low troop levels from the begining versus the high troop levels now and continued rising violence confirms that. Troop levels remained low and troops were focused on the unneccesary war taking place in Iraq while the Taliban and terrorist organizations were allowed to regroup in Afghanistan. Things weren't taken care of when they should have been.

You can continue blaming Obama for low troop levels if you wish, but you should look at the way the war in Afghanistan has been handled the previous 7 years before you start pointing fingers. Obama has more than doubled troop levels in 2009. "

" I guess all the city council business is done and American Canyon is squared away? "

" Ms. Kerana Todorov,
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

I don't get it.

"West’s proposal to have the city issue the proclamation prompted City Councilwoman Joan Bennett to voice her strong opposition.
“I do have an objection to it,” Bennett said. “I want to be clear about my objection to it.”..."


Ms. Bennnett 'strongly opposes' (may I ask the reason why?), and/or she 'objects and wants to be clear about it' (what's the "a" objection?).
What is DF's proclamation about that West supports and Bennett strongly opposes?

How does gay marriage support by local city councils has ANYTHING to do with the recommendations of Gen. Stanley McChrystal?...unless the 'quarrel' between both council members was the main focus on your story.


What ever happened to those Journalists who would ask 'the hard' questions and get total clarification on the subject?

Thanks for the sad chuckle though, now I need another cup of coffee so I can go take on the day! "

" Do I understand this correctly? The majority of Democrats opposed Bush's war...but now that Obama is the President they will support the same war? Do they really believe that Americans are this gullible? "

" Hey West!!! Wouldn't this be considered a "personal agenda" issue as you have so thrown in other council members faces? I am sure you will have some snappy comeback, but what it boils down to is the pot calling the kettle black. You may say so many people are in support of sending more troups, but there are those who don't. The same can be said about your standing on prop 8. There are those who support it and those who don't. You said you did not think bringing prop 8 before the city council was not appropriate, bringing this forth to the council is not appropriate. "

" You don't understand correctly, klr. The war in Iraq is the one opposed. None of us had or have a problem with going into Afghanistan and taking care of the people responsible for 9/11. "

" The majority of Democrats did not oppose the war in Afghanistan, klr. The majority of Americans do agree that Bush messed it up by invading Iraq, though. "

" Funnyme is absolutely correct. This story is very poorly written, leaving the reader to wonder the obvious - what was Bennett's objection that she wanted to state clearly?? And WHY didn't the reporter report it?

As the story is written, we are left to surmise that Bennett's objection to the Afghanistan proclamation was payback to West for opposing her gay rights proclamation. But we don't know that because the writing of this story is so disconnected.

Is this a story about an action or non-action by the city council, or is it an article about the war and gay rights? Who knows. "

" Neither Gay Marriage or Troop Levels in Afghanistan have absolutely NOTHING to do with AmCan Business.

the City Council has more important LOCAL business to take care of. "

" The Clinton administration should have invaded Iqaq when Saddam broke the peace treaty from the first Gulf War and stopped letting weapons inspectors into the country. The Clinton administration also should have gone after Al Queda at some point after one of the three attacks on Americans during the 90's. The CIA could have taken Saddam out but Clinton was playing golf and didn't want to be disturbed to give the go ahead. "

" " Neither Gay Marriage or Troop Levels in Afghanistan have absolutely NOTHING to do with AmCan Business.

the City Council has more important LOCAL business to take care of. "
Couldn't be stated any better!!! Well done!! "

" I wish the AmCyn council would hurry.

Obama is waiting for their decision before he makes the decision to send more troops. "

" i hope that Amcan doesn't support this war mongering proposal. although, consider their war mongering pro-military recruitment policy, i wouldn't be surprised. "

" I don't think this is a resolution that our city council needs to take up. Stick to the business at hand, local business.

I understand Mr. West; support of our troops is high on my priorities also, but on a personal level. We fly the American flag in front of our home and support our troop ribbons on our vehicles. "

" "Neither Gay Marriage or Troop Levels in Afghanistan have absolutely NOTHING to do with AmCan Business."

Aside from the double negative, I tend to agree with the intent of your sentiment.
City councils should stick to local matters over which they have jurisdiction. "

" alix, the more you post, the more I wonder if you really ARE a youth, and not a Berkeley college student. Just WHAT makes this proposal, and that of Senator Feinstein “war mongering?” Perhaps you ought to review the tapes of the Islamic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and refresh your memory of our fellow citizens falling from the Twin Towers!

I totally support increasing troop levels to take down more of those creatures from 632 AD. I also respect the heck out of Mr. West. Having said that, this issue has no place on the American Canyon City Council Agenda. Our military alix, of which I spent a career in myself, is what keeps your rear end able to be free; don’t you disrespect the military, or our recruiters. As for Ms. Bennett, she is merely being the democrat she is. I also wonder just WHERE the Crosses For Peace, and the rest of the anti-War people protesters are, now that it is Obama's war to either wage or end. "