BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Once again, the military establishment proves...

Jim

wrote:
On Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:27:48 -0700, "nom=de=plume"
wrote:

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:26:00 -0600, Canuck57
wrote:

Afghanistan has very little to do with terrorism. There may be less
than 100 al queda in Afghanistan and we are spending about 100 million
dollars a year each to try to kill them.
This is a stupid way to waste our grand kid's money at a time when the
country is in so much fiscal trouble.
I disagree. Locals are not turning in taliban. And the way taliban is
used, it can encompass any radical islam organization. It isn't like
there is just one.
The Taliban is not al queda, although Washington would like us to
think they are the same.
Some in Washington. The adults don't think that nor promote that false
notion.

Then why are we saying this wart is about terrorism? There was not a
single Taliban involved with 9/11. They were Saudis who simply
traveled through Afghanistan. If that was all it took, we should be
attacking Germany and Spain where the final plans were developed.

AQ was head-quartered in Afghanistan, and sheltered by the Taliban.
They were asked to turn over Bin Laden and refused.
You can't separate 9/11, AQ and Taliban. Not possible.
If Taliban regain power, the cycle will repeat.
Refute that.
With no Taliban refuge in Afghanistan, remaining AQ are forced into
Pakistan, and the Pakis will deal with them, as they are increasingly doing.
Besides that, the Taliban are criminal trash, and allowing them back
will become a huge human rights issue, and we will have to re-invade
with UN forces.

Keep in mind that when the Iraq "surge" started there was "no hope" for
establishing a working government in Iraq.
Many wanted to abandon the effort.
There is a government there now, and time will tell if it succeeds.
The memories of Saddam will help.
I don't remember when the last American casualty occurred there.

There will be a "progress report" on Afghan operations in December, and
another in July/2011.
We will know the progress in building Afghan armed forces, and be able
to count our own costs in blood and treasure, and adjust as necessary.
I expect success, and we can thank our military for it.
As others have said, victory is establishing any government that isn't
the Taliban, and doesn't approach the Taliban abuse of human rights.
They'll be crooks, but like U.S. pols, "good crooks."
Once they get cable or satellite TV installed in enough homes, and
enough cell phone towers put up, the Taliban problem will go away.
There is no other solution I can think of.
You haven't offered any solution except "cut and run."
GWB didn't do that in Iraq, and Obama won't in Afghanistan.
Because there is no other moral choice but to "stay the course."
Like it or lump it.

Jim - Laying out the choices.