A crash in more ways than one

In Afghanistan the Taliban scored a victory when they shot down a US transport helicopter filled with members of our special forces, specifically the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).  31 American service people were killed, including some 20 members of SEAL Team 6, the unit that killed Usama bin Laden.  Please keep the families of these brave, determined American heroes in your prayers.

There has been some concern expressed, specifically on Patterico's excellent blog, that this incident was an example of "loose lips sink ships," because Vice President Joe Biden mentioned that Navy SEALs were responsible for putting bin Laden in his place.  While that concern is understandable and even warranted, I do not know that it should be overstated in this case.  In contrast with most in this administration, Biden was trying to honor the military and give the troops their due.  Losses do happen in war, and contrary to the apparent opinion of Obama, Valerie Jarrett and the State Department, we are at war with the Taliban.  This should give pause to anyone who thinks that negotiating with the Taliban is a strategy that will lead anywhere but defeat.
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