In his piece "Endgame in Afghanistan", British reporter Sean Smith provides a rare glimpse of the raw reality of the war in Afghanistan for American troops.
I initially supported the idea of a surge in troops for Afghanistan because it was sold as part of a comprehensive strategy to make sure that the U.S. would get out or reduce its presence in a reasonable amount of time. But as I have read more, and observed the situation...it is becoming clear that this is not the case. So, for me, the pendulum is swinging the other way. I actually had doubts about Afghanistan as far back as 2005, when it became clear that it was becoming a misguided quagmire. Without a comprehensive approach and not enough troops, the situation was allowed to get out of control under the Bush Administration. Without addressing the economic situation, the dire poverty of the people, education, the poppy farming (a huge problem), failing to win the support of the people, and not having enough troops to hold ground... it was bound to turn into an ugly stalemate. But I also understood from the beginning - a belief that is now reaffirmed- that trying to build a nation out of a part of the world where the ingredients for such a task simply don't exist in any practical sense. In Afghanistan there is generally no sense of nationalism, a fractious & heterogeneous population with verious different tribal and ethnic groups, life being driven at the local level, and thus no sense of collective national pride to motivate men to want to stand up an Army and fight for their own Country. In other words, the whole mission is built on a false premise.
It is clear that corruption is strangling efforts there. Furthermore, it is clear that the Afghans are not taking responsibility for their own security... at least the enthusiasm just doesn't seem to be there. So if they aren't willing to fight... we certainly shouldn't have our soldiers fighting and dying there. In order to gain control of Afghanistan, it would require at least 500,000 American/NATO troops. I (and others) have said that for years. There is no way that the U.S. or its NATO allies will ever send that many troops into this war. Hell, the U.S., with its military stretched so thin...and with its hunger to maintain some sort of empire with troops all over the world, doesn't have the troops to send. So what are we doing? Furthermore, we have to consider the fact that the nation is broke. We can't afford it. With no clear definition of what success is...what winning is.... and no clear, achievable goals... this war (with an initial attack that I believed was warranted back in 2002, although dubious) has changed over the last 9 years into something that no longer makes sense. So my view of this war has changed quite a bit, especially over the last 18 months.
But it is clear that the Obama Administration has no plans to get out of Afghanistan anytime soon. Americans were sold fools gold with the promise of a troop drawdown...as I suspected. President Obama can't leave & is planning to have our troops there for a number of years down the road (I will go into that a little more in a separate commentary). Although I think the crap about terrorists attacking us from Afghanistan...and it will be doomsday if we leave... we must stay there so they don't hit us at home...is all a bunch of BS.
We are looking at 3-5 more years of this madness (at a minimum). Hard to understand...and getting harder everyday. I will write more on that in a future post.
From The Guardian:
As the war in Afghanistan enters its final chapter, Sean Smith's brutal, uncompromising film from the Helmand frontline shows the horrific chaos of a stalemate that is taking its toll in blood. Warning: contains distressing scenes and strong language
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Wounded Platoon - New Documentary on Mental Casualties of War
PBS Documentary on the often forgotten and often hidden casualties of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
On November 30, 2007, 24-year-old Kevin Shields went out drinking with three Army buddies from Fort Carson, Colo., a base on the outskirts of Colorado Springs. A few hours later, he was dead -- shot twice in the head at close range and left by the side of the road by his fellow soldiers. Shields' murder punctuated a string of violent attacks committed by the three, who are now serving time in prison for this and other crimes, and it contributed to a startling statistic: Since the Iraq war began, a total of 17 soldiers from Fort Carson have been charged with or convicted of murder, manslaughter or attempted murder committed at home in the United States, and 36 have committed suicide.
Read more
On November 30, 2007, 24-year-old Kevin Shields went out drinking with three Army buddies from Fort Carson, Colo., a base on the outskirts of Colorado Springs. A few hours later, he was dead -- shot twice in the head at close range and left by the side of the road by his fellow soldiers. Shields' murder punctuated a string of violent attacks committed by the three, who are now serving time in prison for this and other crimes, and it contributed to a startling statistic: Since the Iraq war began, a total of 17 soldiers from Fort Carson have been charged with or convicted of murder, manslaughter or attempted murder committed at home in the United States, and 36 have committed suicide.
Read more
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Whats Happening in America This Week - Political Cartoons 17 Apr 2010
From Denny: This has been quite the eventful news cycle. The terrible tragedy that happened to Poland, losing all their top leaders all at once, was quite a shock. Now with the Icelandic volcano spewing ash all across northern Europe it's impossible even for President Obama to cross the Atlantic and fly in for the state funeral. Many leaders could not attend. Perhaps this was meant to be a private moment just for the Polish people...
The week was also dominated by President Obama meeting with other world leaders in a nuclear summit to determine what they will do to curb their own stockpiles as well as prevent proliferation - notably volatile irrational Iran.
The wing nut brigade returns center stage to blast any quality nominees for the Supreme Court replacement of Justice Stevens as he retires. And why does the President even listen to these guys? These are the same people who encourage their followers to issue death threats to Democrats and the President on a regular basis. They are inciting civil war, one not of political fights but of blood. Why would anyone consider their desires when they are the same people trying to kill you?
The tax season wound up this week too, much to everyone's relief - until next year's annoying frustration. :) Cartoonists were still churning out some goodies concerning tax season to make you laugh till your sides hurt.
Obama also announced this week cuts and redirection of the NASA program. Sounds like he cut off at the knees the Bush and Cheney paychecks of those excessive over run programs like the Constellation. We all knew that eventually something would have to give over at NASA. I would hope we do not turn too much of our security and scientific advancement over to private business that could end up like Wall Street: a gorilla too big to tame. Perhaps a cautionary tale, Mr. President?
Tiger Woods was back in the news for returning to golf to play the Masters tournament he did not win. The cartoonists had fun lampooning his return.
Make sure to visit back here next week. The best is yet to come: oh, baby, the cartoonists will be lampooning Wall Street and Goldman Sachs for their recent indictment by the government for just the beginning of their sleaze and fraud. There should be high drama this next week in the news and the cartoons to follow will prove entertaining! :)
Hope everyone is having a great weekend with the advent of the warmer Spring weather! Enjoy the cartoonists and their commentary...
In honor of Poland's terrible tragedy this week of losing their President, First Lady and heads of all their government agencies in one shocking unbelievable plane crash:
Choosing a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Stevens who is retiring:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
As usual the Republican cartoonists just have to be nasty about Hillary. They really do have a "hate on" for the Clintons:
Those pesky little governments causing so many problems in the world:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Obama:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Petar Pismestrovic - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Oh, those wing nut Republicans:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Remnants of the Holocaust:
More iPad funnies:
Where science meets the tax season:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Controversial NASA cutbacks:
First there was airport security now there's volcano terrorism:
Tiger Woods is baaaack!
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Dario Castillejos - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
The week was also dominated by President Obama meeting with other world leaders in a nuclear summit to determine what they will do to curb their own stockpiles as well as prevent proliferation - notably volatile irrational Iran.
The wing nut brigade returns center stage to blast any quality nominees for the Supreme Court replacement of Justice Stevens as he retires. And why does the President even listen to these guys? These are the same people who encourage their followers to issue death threats to Democrats and the President on a regular basis. They are inciting civil war, one not of political fights but of blood. Why would anyone consider their desires when they are the same people trying to kill you?
The tax season wound up this week too, much to everyone's relief - until next year's annoying frustration. :) Cartoonists were still churning out some goodies concerning tax season to make you laugh till your sides hurt.
Obama also announced this week cuts and redirection of the NASA program. Sounds like he cut off at the knees the Bush and Cheney paychecks of those excessive over run programs like the Constellation. We all knew that eventually something would have to give over at NASA. I would hope we do not turn too much of our security and scientific advancement over to private business that could end up like Wall Street: a gorilla too big to tame. Perhaps a cautionary tale, Mr. President?
Tiger Woods was back in the news for returning to golf to play the Masters tournament he did not win. The cartoonists had fun lampooning his return.
Make sure to visit back here next week. The best is yet to come: oh, baby, the cartoonists will be lampooning Wall Street and Goldman Sachs for their recent indictment by the government for just the beginning of their sleaze and fraud. There should be high drama this next week in the news and the cartoons to follow will prove entertaining! :)
Hope everyone is having a great weekend with the advent of the warmer Spring weather! Enjoy the cartoonists and their commentary...
In honor of Poland's terrible tragedy this week of losing their President, First Lady and heads of all their government agencies in one shocking unbelievable plane crash:
Choosing a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Justice Stevens who is retiring:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
As usual the Republican cartoonists just have to be nasty about Hillary. They really do have a "hate on" for the Clintons:
Those pesky little governments causing so many problems in the world:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Obama:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Chappatte - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Petar Pismestrovic - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Oh, those wing nut Republicans:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Patrick Corrigan - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Remnants of the Holocaust:
More iPad funnies:
Where science meets the tax season:
See Cartoons by Cartoon by David Fitzsimmons - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Brian Fairrington - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
Controversial NASA cutbacks:
First there was airport security now there's volcano terrorism:
Tiger Woods is baaaack!
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Christo Komarnitski - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
See Cartoons by Cartoon by Dario Castillejos - Courtesy of Politicalcartoons.com - Email this Cartoon
*** THANKS for visiting, feel welcome to drop a comment or opinion, enjoy bookmarking this post on your favorite social site, a big shout out to awesome current subscribers – and if you are new to this blog, please subscribe in a reader or by email updates!
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