Local News
Related Photos
-
J.R. Winningham, right, and Afghanistan Police Major General Haroon-Asifi, senior advisor to the Minister of the Interior. Winningham spent a year in Afghanistan sharing his law-enforcement experience with Afghan police.
Discussion
Winningham: 30,000 is not enough
Former Afghanistan police consultant weighs in on Obama’s decision
NAYLOR — A former Afghanistan police consultant believes Barack Obama should have allotted more than 30,000 U.S. troops for Afghanistan but is pleased to see the President approve a military increase.
“I don’t think it’s enough,” said J.R. Winningham Sr. of Lowndes County. “He should have followed Gen. (Stanley) McChrystal’s requests of at least 40,000 troops to 65,000 troops maximum to the letter.
“Having said that, I’m thankful the President is sending 30,000.”
Winningham spent the year of 2005 in Afghanistan. Winningham is one of many retired police officers hired by private corporations usually working through either the U.S. State Department or the Department of Defense. These officers go to various countries from Afghanistan and Iraq to Africa, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other areas of the globe to train police officers and police commanders. Winningham also worked in Iraq for several months in 2008.
In Afghanistan, Winningham was assigned to mentor the commanding officers of the national board of police, while working with Afghan and U.S. officials to restructure the police command system.
Winningham’s son, J.R. Jr., is currently doing similar security work in Afghanistan.
Through regular contact with his son, J.R. Winningham Sr. said, unfortunately, little has changed in Afghanistan in the past four years. More troops are needed to bolster the region’s security so Afghans can be properly trained to maintain their own military and security.
In 2005, Winningham experienced a national police organization rife with corruption, and that corruption continues in Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government.
If the Afghan people can remove corruption as part of their nation’s normal operating procedures, Winningham thinks the U.S.’s increased efforts have a chance for success.
“My feeling about the country and the people of Afghanistan is if we do the job and do it right, they will be able to do it on their own,” Winningham said.
Though he believes Obama should have followed the U.S. generals’ full recommendations, Winningham feels a deadline for American withdrawal will get the job done.
“This is not in with the conservative way of thinking, but I think it’s a good idea to have a time table,” Winningham said. “It puts some pressure on Karzai that Afghanistan must take care of itself.”
- Local News
-
-
Nathan Deal visits Valdosta
Republican Nathan Deal stopped in Valdosta on Thursday, staying just long enough to answer a few questions and make a brief statement to both the media and his supporters.
-
Brother shoots brother in Cook
A 13-year-old boy is dead, the victim of a single gunshot wound to the face. His 14-year-old brother has been identified as the shooter, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. However, the investigation continues, Cook County Sheriff Johnny Daughtry said Thursday.
-
Undercover Uncovered: To save his ministry, man shares his undercover past
Jim Harnage knew something was wrong when several participating families suddenly backed out of a new program within his Silent Ministries.
He soon learned why.
Some of the participants told Harnage that they had heard he once worked undercover with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They asked him if this was true. Harnage did not initially know how to reply to the question.
The reason? -
Sharper Fest 2010 scheduled for this weekend
With a theme of “Walk Against Violence,” Sharper Fest 2010 is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 1.
In addition to an anti-violence message, the day promises “the largest kids’ festival in the South,” with free bounce houses and slide rides throughout the day, says organizer Dexter Sharper. Participants can also expect characters, face-painting and children’s train rides. - Night Moves for Friday July 30, 2010
-
Early voting underway in primary runoff
A total of 84 people cast ballots on Thursday, the first day of early voting in the 2010 General Primary/Special Election runoff. Of those, 72 were Republicans and 12 were Democrats.
-
Dive Right In: Wild Adventures diving show makes a splash
At 31 feet above the water’s surface, Manuel Mendes pauses on the metal tower.
-
Senators battle for Wanat
A group of politicians representing a broad spectrum of Americans took up the fight of a few last week.
-
Back Behind Bars: Authorities locate inmates accidentally released
Three Lowndes County jail inmates accidentally released a week ago into the general public are back behind bars.
- Night Moves for Thursday July 29, 2010
- More Local News Headlines
-
