Ace of Spades HQ

December 30, 2009

Suicide Bomber Kills 8 Americans In Afghanistan
— DrewM

Not military personnel but CIA operatives.

The bomber managed to slip past security at Forward Operating Base Chapman in the eastern province of Khost before detonating an explosive belt in what one U.S. official described as a room used as a fitness center. The blast also wounded eight people, several of them seriously, U.S. government officials said.
It was not immediately clear how the assailant was able to infiltrate the U.S.-run post, which serves as an operations and surveillance center for the CIA near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. U.S. sources confirmed that all the dead and injured were civilians, adding that most of them were probably CIA employees or contractors. At least one Afghan civilian was also killed, the sources said.
...The CIA has been quietly bolstering its ranks in Afghanistan in recent weeks, mirroring the surge of military troops in the country. Agency officers coordinated the initial U.S.-led attack on Afghanistan in 2001 and have since provided hundreds of spies, paramilitary operatives and analysts in the region for roles ranging from counterterrorism to counter-narcotics. The agency also operates the remote-control aircraft used in aerial strikes on suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the lawless tribal provinces on the Pakistani side of the border.

First the underwear bomber gets through and now this. A very bad time for the CIA.

Posted by: DrewM at 04:50 PM | Comments (82)
Post contains 233 words, total size 2 kb.

1 It's like we are at war or something. Jeebus. Condolences to all affected.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 04:53 PM (Cctty)

2 God Bless the Heroes who died on our behalf.

Posted by: CoolCzech at December 30, 2009 04:53 PM (QECjC)

3 Yes this has been a bad week for the CIA really it's been a bad year for them,just saw something else that makes my think it's going to get worse for everyone.
BreakingNews: President Obama signs executive order directing U.S. Postal Service to plan for delivering antidotes in event of a bioterror attack - NBCI don't trust them to deliver my mail on time and they are going to give me an antidote? Further more why would he think this is even needed?

Posted by: TEE866 at December 30, 2009 04:54 PM (penrP)

4 God bless the heroes who lost their lives in this "man-caused disaster."

Posted by: Jane D'oh! at December 30, 2009 04:54 PM (UOM48)

5 I wish I could look forward to an improvement in 2010, but I just don't see any possibility of that happening. I'm feel for the families of these 8 individuals.

Posted by: conscious, but incoherent at December 30, 2009 04:54 PM (Vu6sl)

6 If we catch the plotters here's hoping we read them their rights. Or shoot them in the face. I'm leaning toward the latter.

Posted by: Dr. Spank at December 30, 2009 04:55 PM (YQTVx)

:salute: R.I.P

these types of inside the wire attacks are happening way to frequently over there...

Posted by: trailortrash at December 30, 2009 04:55 PM (2Z+7j)

8 Maybe it was someone they trusted.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 04:56 PM (Cctty)

9 There really was a space between NBC & I, sometimes this place hates me.

Posted by: TEE866 at December 30, 2009 04:57 PM (penrP)

10 Damn, that really sucks. I hate those terrorist bastards.

The CIA seriously needs to pull its shit together.

Posted by: B+ust of Churchill at December 30, 2009 04:57 PM (GWdsJ)

11 What's the quote......"some must labor in the shadows so that others may live in the light"

God bless those who died while laboring in the Afghanistan shadows so that we here - and those in Afghanistan yearn to - can live in the light.

Posted by: Intrepid at December 30, 2009 04:57 PM (92zkk)

12 May God Bless

Posted by: USA at December 30, 2009 04:58 PM (YZISw)

13
Maybe Nancy Botox will offer up a prayer to those in the CIA who lost their lives. Or maybe not.

Damn. I'm in a sucky mood. I don't feel like "celebrating" New Year's. And I feel really crappy about 2010. My heart is broken for the families of those killed, and what they're going through.

In the meantime, Prez. Prissypants is having a grand ol' time in Hawaii. Hate.

Posted by: Jane D'oh! at December 30, 2009 05:03 PM (UOM48)

14 That's terrible news.
Has Barry interrupted his golf game to tell us to not jump to any conclusions?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at December 30, 2009 05:07 PM (EiI/I)

15 Was it a gun-free zone?

Posted by: Al at December 30, 2009 05:08 PM (0lyUI)

16 Not likely 8 CIA operatives. "Contractors" yes. Civilians. Just like you and me. Except they sacrificed everything for their country. Devastating. God Bless them and their families.

Posted by: MeTooThen at December 30, 2009 05:08 PM (SLT7f)

17 President Slice is sleeping. Shhhh.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 05:09 PM (Cctty)

18 I operated out of FOB Chapman in 2004. This really sucks, but it was due to happen.
The locals are hired out to work on the base, security was lacking back then, so it would not be all that difficult to infil onto the base. As you can see, it is not a military only base. Typical PC bullshit goes on to appease the local nationals and add complacency to the mix and you get whacked. God rest their souls.

Posted by: Spiker18f at December 30, 2009 05:12 PM (JgECD)

19 I guess revenge will be frowned upon but a vigorous sweeping of the area is definitely called for. The base is close to Pakistan, right, Spike? Border violation?

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at December 30, 2009 05:17 PM (rQTdM)

20 Jesus. Is teh Won going to figure out we're at war yet? No? He just wants to finish his waffle. I'm so glad the adults are in charge.

Posted by: wherestherum at December 30, 2009 05:17 PM (gofDd)

21 Is the current administration supporting the CIA or just waiting for them to forget to read Miranda rights to some Jihadi?

Posted by: kansas at December 30, 2009 05:18 PM (i0WE5)

22 And the leftist keep banging the drum that all the right is doing is politicizing the events of the past few months.

Posted by: dananjcon at December 30, 2009 05:18 PM (GDs49)

23 FOB Chapman is about 8 km from the border with pakistan. The whole area is infested with Haqqani operatives and Al Quaida. Needle in a haystack trying to find them.

Posted by: Spiker18f at December 30, 2009 05:21 PM (JgECD)

24 The Preznit will not rest until the alleged shooters are questioned and quite possibly even detained (all in accordance with local Sharia law of course). Wouldn't want to have the appearance of being arrogant Americans.

Posted by: sirsurfalot at December 30, 2009 05:21 PM (UPNlB)

25 I give the security system at the base a B+

Posted by: Janet Napolitano at December 30, 2009 05:22 PM (sYxEE)

26 Hey, leftards- How come when these fucks kill us, you say that they are misunderstood but when we kill them, we are bloodthirsty murderers?

Does this mean we have to wait 3 days, then listen to Obumbles on TV again talking about how these freaks were acting alone, everything is fine and they system worked; only to revise his statement 24 hrs. later to "let me be clear, as I've always said, the system that I inherited needs to be revised and I have taken unprecedented action to address these flaws, but there is much left to do".

Posted by: Damiano at December 30, 2009 05:22 PM (2tsdE)

27
Didn't you guys get the news? A Danish newspaper has declared Barry to be more awesome than Jesus. Really. And you know the jackass totally agrees.

This country, and the world, are so screwed. Hope a smart, electable conservative can get their act together by 2012.

Posted by: Jane D'oh! at December 30, 2009 05:23 PM (UOM48)

May God recieve the fallen.

And may he curse the PC mf'ers who are getting our men killed like rats trapped in a fucking box.

Posted by: Rodent Liberation Front at December 30, 2009 05:24 PM (dQdrY)

29 From Little Green Fatwah's midday open thread, 1 of his 2 posts today, both open threads;

Luckily, thereÂ’s not much serious news breaking

Posted by: kbdabear at December 30, 2009 05:25 PM (sYxEE)

Typical PC bullshit goes on to appease the local nationals and add complacency to the mix and you get whacked.

Unfortunately the ones getting whacked are not the ones implementing the PC bullshit. Those in the CIA, the State Department, and the Pentagon that allow these things to happen get to keep their jobs and wake up in a warm bed tomorrow as if nothing went wrong.

Posted by: Jim in San Diego at December 30, 2009 05:27 PM (F09Uo)

Damn. I'm in a sucky mood. I don't feel like "celebrating" New Year's. And I feel really crappy about 2010. My heart is broken for the families of those killed, and what they're going through.

In the meantime, Prez. Prissypants is having a grand ol' time in Hawaii. Hate.

+a trillion

2009 has been a horrendous year for me, like millions of others, but I can't quite shake the feeling that this year has just been the opening act for next year's lollapalooza of doom.

Posted by: nightwitch at December 30, 2009 05:28 PM (HFFM8)

32
Any terrorist captured should have a custom-made pair of exploding boxers waiting for him with just enough explosive to blow off his weenie. And then send him crawling back to his pals with a note stapled to his forehead reading Greetings, Achmed. We've got some special designer undies waiting for you. Come and get them.

Posted by: Jane D'oh! at December 30, 2009 05:28 PM (UOM48)

Hope a smart, electable conservative can get their act together by 2012.

I'll be holding my breath, Jane. Really, I will, but 2012 seems so far away. I might turn blue while I'm red at heart.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at December 30, 2009 05:29 PM (rQTdM)

34 Leon Panetta is going to be toast. He's been battling the White House security advisors since his appointment, over things like the CIA interrogation photos. He's bound to be scapegoated for the pantybomber and for this horrific attack in Khost. Whether he deserves to be the scapegoat, I am not sure -- but the skids were already under him and these events have greased them but good.

Posted by: stuiec at December 30, 2009 05:30 PM (Ate22)

35 Fore!

Posted by: BO at December 30, 2009 05:32 PM (5I0Yr)

36 Obama is giving the CIA a B+ level of support.

Posted by: AmishDude at December 30, 2009 05:33 PM (T0NGe)

37 It's almost like intelligence has ceased to be important under 0bama.

Posted by: gmsc at December 30, 2009 05:36 PM (AMrHH)

38 It's time to put down the golf club and come home, Useless.

Posted by: Brass Monkey at December 30, 2009 05:37 PM (nidZ3)

39
Goodnight, guys. I've had all the Hope and Change I can take this year.

Posted by: Jane D'oh! at December 30, 2009 05:39 PM (UOM48)

40 The depressing part is that the administration is not going to learn anything from this event.

Posted by: Bludeog at December 30, 2009 05:40 PM (8I9An)

41 God bless them, & the other civilians who work on behalf of the War & our soldiers.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby at December 30, 2009 05:43 PM (DxGuW)

42 'Night, Jane. Keep a light on for the boy.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at December 30, 2009 05:43 PM (rQTdM)

43 joebrooks

According to KITV reporting paramedics treated Rush Limbaugh and took him to Queen's Medical Center where he is in serious condition.

Joe is with Breaking News. RutRoh.

Posted by: sybilll at December 30, 2009 05:44 PM (TFDNI)

Let's not jump to conclusions. While the Panty Bomber is plotting with his public defender on how to hoodwink the infidels, we see the obamafuckthemilitary strategy at work here. The terrorists are emboldened by the flaccid limpness of dear leader.

Posted by: Brass Monkey at December 30, 2009 05:44 PM (nidZ3)

45 Maybe Nancy Botox will offer up a prayer to those in the CIA who lost their lives. Or maybe not.

Fat chance. Granny McBotox never apologized for her huge lie about the CIA lying to Congress. Bitch

God rest all who died today.

Posted by: Cheri at December 30, 2009 05:52 PM (llSaz)

46 Well, one good thing about the end of '09 -- it's that much closer to 2012...I'm starting to pin my hopes on 2012, even if Nostradamus and the Mayans are right.

Posted by: unknown jane at December 30, 2009 05:53 PM (5/yRG)

47

U.S. sources confirmed that all the dead and injured were civilians, adding that most of them were probably CIA employees or contractors.

WTF? Our local volunteer firemen aren't "civilians". Our local part-time cops aren't "civilians". I see it time and time again in the press that police or firemen cordoned off an area, etc., to protect "civilians". Same thing with coroners and just about anybody employed in any capacity by any branch of government.

So how did these CIA employees/contractors suddenly become "civilians"?

I guess it's a matter for our betters at the the Washington Post to decide.

Posted by: Tinian at December 30, 2009 05:54 PM (7+pP9)

48 According to KITV reporting paramedics treated Rush Limbaugh and took him to Queen's Medical Center where he is in serious condition.

I hope Rush is OK.

However, I can't help but wonder if this has something to do with his sudden massive weight loss.

Posted by: shibumi at December 30, 2009 05:54 PM (OKZrE)

49 Must have had some good intel to hit that target, rather than just pulling the plug as soon as he got inside the gate.

Posted by: Druid at December 30, 2009 05:54 PM (Gct7d)

50 CNN reporting a separate road-side bomb in Afghanistan killed 4 Canadian soldiers and a reporter.

Posted by: ATaLien at December 30, 2009 05:55 PM (9VR3D)

Sad news for Canada too.

We lost 4 soldiers and a newspaper reporter today in Afghanistan too.

Another IED event.

Posted by: 2SoonOld2LateSmart at December 30, 2009 05:56 PM (kVPet)

52 2010 is going to suck monkey balls. I feel another 1968 coming.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 05:57 PM (Cctty)

49 -- he probably worked there, or had a buddy or family that worked there at some point; this is a major security issue that's going on everywhere imho. Of course it's also mho that nothing will be done to rectify it. Makes me sick -- but a lot of things have been making me sick as of late.

The post office is going to handle passing out antidotes? Oh yippee...

Posted by: unknown jane at December 30, 2009 05:57 PM (5/yRG)

54 2010 is going to suck monkey balls.

I feel another 1968 coming.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 09:57 PM

Hey baby!

Prayers for Rush's speedy recovery!

Posted by: Brass Monkey at December 30, 2009 05:59 PM (nidZ3)

55 52 -- that's why I'm placing my hopes on 2012; the thing that worries me is, this administration is going at such a clip as far as bringing us low and whipping up hate -- what comes after it? I really have no desire for a Weimar Republic Part Duex, this time with us in the catbird seat.

Posted by: unknown jane at December 30, 2009 06:00 PM (5/yRG)

56 52
2010 is going to suck monkey balls.

I feel another 1968 coming

At least '68 had good music.

2010 is going to make money balls look like fine wine.

Posted by: shibumi at December 30, 2009 06:00 PM (OKZrE)

57 53, Yup. Ali, the Goat Burger delivery guy that everybody liked.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 06:01 PM (Cctty)

Our intelligence agents were probably worried about being prosecuted for profiling. Hopefully, if the "suspect" survived blowing people up, no one punched him in the face and gave him a fat lip. Heck of a job, Bammy.

Posted by: ejo at December 30, 2009 06:02 PM (G+HEX)

59 Conservative radio talk host Rush Limbaugh was rushed to a Honolulu hospital after experiencing chest pains, officials say.

Posted by: Rodent Liberation Front at December 30, 2009 06:03 PM (dQdrY)

60

Who is joebrooks and why should I believe him?

Posted by: Tinian at December 30, 2009 06:06 PM (7+pP9)

61 Duex = Deux; I can't spell anymore.

Posted by: unknown jane at December 30, 2009 06:07 PM (5/yRG)

62 57 -- that's why my daughter never trusted any of the locals; too many were working for both sides. Profiling be damned -- better judged by 12 than carried by 6 (which I think should be the new motto of all American citizens, by the way).

Posted by: unknown jane at December 30, 2009 06:08 PM (5/yRG)

63 Any Huskers out there see the Nelson sd?

Posted by: rum, sodomy and the lash at December 30, 2009 06:09 PM (AnTyA)

64 Fox said he was playing golf in Honolulu..I'm sure Rush has a security detail of his own but does he have a food taster? Coincidence? Maybe. Prayers for Rush.

Posted by: Tommy Gunnar at December 30, 2009 06:10 PM (rQTdM)

65 Hat tip, Breitbart:

HONOLULU (AP) - A Honolulu television station is reporting that conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was taken to a hospital with chest pains.

KITV reported Wednesday that paramedics responded to a call at 2:41 p.m. from the Kahala Hotel and Resort where Limbaugh is vacationing.

The station, citing unnamed sources, said paramedics treated Limbaugh and took him to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.

Queen's spokesman N. Makana Shook says the hospital is unable to comment on the report.

Limbaugh was seen golfing at Waialae Country Club earlier this week. The country club is next to the Kahala Hotel and Resort.

Posted by: Twinks at December 30, 2009 06:11 PM (LeFbD)

66 Mega-prayers for El Rushbo. This is horrible.

Posted by: Peaches at December 30, 2009 06:14 PM (9Wv2j)

67 I heard it on ABC radio top of the hour. This is the only place were it has been confirmed in writing.

Posted by: RTH615 at December 30, 2009 06:15 PM (Rytlc)

68 ABC said "critical."

Posted by: RTH615 at December 30, 2009 06:16 PM (Rytlc)

69 RIP to them. Will they get nameless stars on the CIA memorial?

Posted by: The Sanity Inspector at December 30, 2009 06:17 PM (kaC3o)

70 Mega prayers to El Rushbo. Please, let him be okay.

Posted by: Twinks at December 30, 2009 06:18 PM (LeFbD)

71 Frak.

Posted by: eman at December 30, 2009 06:20 PM (Cctty)

Off topic...from the AP

13 ATTORNEY GENERALS SUE OVER HEALTH CARE DEAL

COLUMBIA, S.C. Â– Republican attorneys general in 13 states say congressional leaders must remove Nebraska's political deal from the federal health care reform bill or face legal action, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press Wednesday.

"We believe this provision is constitutionally flawed," South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and the 12 other attorneys general wrote in the letter to be sent Wednesday night to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"As chief legal officers of our states we are contemplating a legal challenge to this provision and we ask you to take action to render this challenge unnecessary by striking that provision," they wrote....

Posted by: crystal at December 30, 2009 06:26 PM (KVSUW)

73 Now who would have thought that Congress might enact something unconstitutional?

Except the French just had the same sort of issue, this time with their global warming tax scheme.

Wonder if our issue means that Ben Nelson gets to reclaim his maidenhead?

Posted by: Winston Smith at December 30, 2009 06:29 PM (BFqyO)

Posted by: crystal at December 30, 2009 10:26 PM (KVSUW)

Heh. Scroll up the front page a little.