Reply #20: Very sorry, but not suprised, to hear this. [View All]

Shortly before (and again, I believe, after) the "victory" in Afghanistan we resisted other countries call to establish Peace Keeping Troops throughout the country in recognition that without doing so the vacuum would enable a return of War-Lord driven chaos (which sets the stage for the conditions that led to the rise of the Taliban).

Then we pulled troops and troops support in the year long build up to invading Iraq. Then the President submitted a budget to Congress with NO dollars for rebuilding or even for aid to Afghanistan (disregarding our promises and rhetoric at the time, and disregarding that we were using the same rhetoric to justify action against Iraq- that by overthrowing, then rebuilding Afghanistan (later Iraq) and establishing a flourishing Democracy that stability would be brought to the region through the example of true freedom of opportunity that democracy represents. Yep while we were shafting the people of Afghanistan and placing at higher risk the US troops we sent to Afghanistan we were using the same rhetoric to justify invading Iraq.

It saddens me to hear the reality on the ground in Afghanistan. It saddens me more to realize that outside blinding ideology - that this result is very predictable (and therefor avoidable). The US made huge promises - and then allowed chaos to reenfold the country. The few troops (in terms of scope of mission) left, represent on the ground the violence followed by reneged promises - with doubts of intent increased (was it really just an "anti Muslim" campaign...?) due to the invasion of Iraq.

Tragic. Please ask him what he thinks that we can do to help?