I agree, the troops shouldn't be there. They shouldn't have been there as a matter of fact. If the mission was to eliminate the Al Qaeda heads, what's wrong with good ole' assassination jobs like cold war-era?
Now, the US military went with the alleged intention of ending barbarianism and bringing democracy. And a somewhat objective view as what constitutes barbarianism could be violating international war conduct and boy oh boy, that's been violated.
now, don't get me wrong, i think the taliban is an international criminal organization that should be dealt with accordingly. what surprises me is that a civilized nation would have troops acting a bit like said criminal organization.
the fact that we hate holmes and think he deserves to die but have no idea who Robert Bales is tells me most of the american public finds this excusable.