Taxis off. There are people holding onto the aircraft, as it takes off. And as it flies away. At least two people were seen falling several hundred feet from one of the planes. Sickening. Haunting, as well. This photo posted on the Website Defense one. About 640 people, according to defense one, on an aircraft designed to carry 102 troops. Afghans, desperate to leave. Right now, according to the pentagon, there are about 2,500 u. S. Troops securing the airport. Late today, the president said their number will rise to as many as 6,000 but only to secure the evacuation. Before that, in words laying blame squarely on our former ally, the president justified his decision to end allmilitary involvement. So, im left, again, to ask of those who argue that we should stay, how many more generations of americans daughters and sons would you have me send to fight afghan afghanistans Civil War . When afghan troops will not. How many more lives, american lives, is It Worth . How many endless rows o
Compared to the thousands, Tens Of Thousands, Hundreds Of Thousands who will now be subjected to a truly horrible fate. People there are so scared theyre willing to do this. So desperate they would rather risk death holding on to an american plane than face the certainty of oppression on the ground. Think about that. The reality is tragic. The question for us is, did it have to be this way . Was there a better alternative for america . Is this Americas Problem . Look, we know its a political problem, the scenes are terrible for americas image, theyre terrible for bidens image. But even the president gave a nod that what were seeing is the price of pulling out. I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, i learned the hard way. That there was never a good time to withdraw u. S. Forces. But i always promised the american people that i will be straight with you. The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated. American troops cannot and should not be fighting i