RUDE

Panetta Scolds Karzai’s Manners

Says the Afghan president should say ‘thanks.’

What would Miss Manners have to say about this? U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta criticized Afghan President Hamid Karzai Friday for not being more grateful for America’s help. “I think it would be helpful if the president, every once in a while, expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that have been made by those who have fought and died for Afghanistan, rather than criticizing them,” Panetta told reporters. On Thursday, Karzai had complained that American troops are failing to hit militants in Pakistan’s safe havens. Tensions between the two countries have escalated recently with a recent spike of Afghan forces opening fire on foreign coalition troops.