Community Corner

War in Afghanistan Coming to an End, Colorado Shooting Suspect's Arraignment Delayed

Join the national conversation in the top stories of the week.

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The war in Afghanistan may be coming to a close sooner than expected. According to Reuters, President Barack Obama and Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai met to discuss "the handover of combat operations in Afghanistan to Afghan forces."

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The transition should be complete by 2014, with a few residual forces left behind, according to President Obama. 

"Afghans will have full responsibility for their security," he said, "and this war will come to a responsible end."

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As the U.S. troops leave, NATO forces would come in for a "support role," according to Reuters. There are currently still 66,000 troops in Afghanistan; a military presence has been there for 11 years. 

The Washington Post has an interesting analysis on what that withdrawal would mean written by the former ambassador to Afghanistan, Ronald Neumann. 

Do you think it's time to get out of there? Do you support an early withdrawal, or do you think it should have been done sooner?

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The arraignment for the Aurora theater shooting suspect, James Holmes, has been delayed. Upon hearing the news, families members of the victims were understandably angry. 

"Rot in hell, Holmes!" yelled the father of Rebecca Wingo, Steve Hernandez, according to USA Today. 

Holmes killed 12 and injured 60 others in a shooting rampage on opening night of The Dark Knight Rises this past summer. Apparently, the defense attorneys need more time to look over the evidence, which includes over 30,000 pages of discovery, 358 computer discs, 220 DVDs and 136 CDs, according to USA Today. 

It's uncertain whether Holmes will enter an insanity plea, according to Time Magazine. He is being charged with 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other crimes. Even if he is found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to Time, he still won't walk free, but will be institutionalized. 

Were there other stories this week that stood out to you? Tell us in the comments and feel free to discuss!

 

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