[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/19/art.afghan.gi1018.jpg caption="U.S. army in Afghanistan."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Still no decision from Pres. Obama on Afghanistan, despite eight formal meetings that have consumed more than 20 hours.
A lot of people are asking what's taking the president so long. His own press corps used the first question on his Asia trip to ask "what piece of information" he's still waiting for to make the call on this war, now in its ninth year.
The president got a little testy and said the people involved in Afghanistan "recognize the gravity of the situation and recognize the importance of us getting this right." He says the decision will come "soon."
The issue is making the president look weak and indecisive. Former V.P. Cheney has accused Pres. Obama of "dithering”. Mitt Romney says Mr. Obama "can't make up his mind".
Meanwhile, with record violence in Afghanistan, the Army says morale among the troops has fallen... with a lot of soldiers struggling with depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. There is a shortage of mental health workers; there were only 43 in Afghanistan at the time of the Army survey.
And most sadly, the Army says the number of suicides among active-duty troops is on track to reach a new high this year.
Is all of this lost on the Commander in Chief?
Here's the question: When it comes to Afghanistan, are you tired of waiting for a decision from President Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Becky writes:
No, I am most certainly not "tired of waiting" for Pres. Obama to make a decision on Afghanistan. What I am tired of is hearing all the b.s. about him supposedly "dithering." Finally, we have a president who is willing to consider all reasonable options and insist on a plan with an exit strategy. For crying out loud, we've been there seven years! Can't we wait a few more weeks?
Jim in Rochelle, Illinois writes:
I'm not tired of waiting but I'll bet the troops are. They deserve an answer more than anyone. Maybe Obama should ask the privates and corporals for their input since they are the people at risk, not Gen. McChrystal. The general is not walking point on combat patrols.
Chaney in Louisiana writes:
No, I am not tired of waiting for Obama’s decision on Afghanistan. He needs to think long and hard before we commit more money (which we don’t have) and more of our fine men and women of the military (who are battle-weary) for an enemy we can’t see and a country where we have no friends.
O. writes:
Part of his campaign rhetoric was that "Afghanistan is a war of necessity" and that we would do everything needed to take down al Qaeda. Of course he sounds weak and indecisive; he is and our poor soldiers are getting the raw end of this deal.
Lori writes:
Not yet. I still trust Obama's judgment and believe he is weighing all the options as well as gathering all pertinent information. The clock is ticking though and he needs to get our strategic direction defined.
Chris writes:
When it involves dying, deliberation is good, Jack. A lack of deliberation is what killed thousands of innocent people in Iraq and before that Vietnam, where I spent 15 months.