If we are unable to protect these people couldn’t we at least train them to protect themselves?

Three weeks? Yikes- I’d love to see THAT one.

I would think that it’s possible to reduce world usage of oil by 50% over time- say ten years- that would double the life of the recoverable petroleum and give us an opportunity to begin aggressively planning for it’s absence.

California is begining construction of some large scale solar generating farms that have huge potential..Ya have to start building the things in order to stimulate the REAL research into production savings and performance improvements that will make the things economically viable…with the production of a few farms- California will outpace germany as the greenest state in the world.

At worst, I misspoke. I was talking about the time it would take to put our boys and girls on an airplane in full battle gear and get them the hell home (overly optomistic). As for oil independence, I’m willing to bet there are patents that have been bought and shut up in a vault that would knock out our oil-dependence. Not in 3 weeks, you’re right, but over the next couple of years.

I wish I could convince more people to learn more about AFghanistan. It is NOT the same situation as we have in Iraq.

I gotta say, I have never felt more welcome as I did when in Afghanistan. The place does something to everyone who goes there…..

I am not brave, I am just determined to do what I can as an individual to help fix some of the mess my nation created in Afghanistan. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but at least I know that my time is well spent, as there are a few hundred children that are going to school in part due to my work.

http://www.informationclearing…..e17985.htm

Thanks for adding that. You sound like a selfless and physically brave person. Good luck.

You’ve missed the whole point of my criticism. I’m arguing that four years later we have enough evidence that we invaded Afghanistan out of bad faith. Continuing our presence there only exacerbates the danger of an attack on Iran, while stimulating an insurgency that will inevitably include the kinds of people who shoot little girls. I also make the point that you’re glossing over the bomb damage we’re doing with things like this insistently repeated phrase “finish the job”.

I think most agree that we needed to go into Afghanistan, and I think you, Christy and I agree that the manner that Bush handled this was horrible.

I do not agree that we should not be involved there. I agree with Christy’s view that being involved does not mean military operations alone!

In fact, I am stronly against the policy of NATO and the US where they lower themselves to the level of the Taliban by bombing villages, killing civilians, then blaming the Taliban for being among them.

I have friends in AFghanistan, I want to see improvement in their nation. It is going to take a long, long time to get them back to where they were in the 1970’s…..have some patience

This DOES NOT mean we replicate the US society there, the way to help successfully is to LISTEN to their needs, and do what we can to help.

I volunteer with an organization that operates schools (under certification from the Ministry of Education) in Kabul and Wardak provinces.

Our school in Wardak has been hit three times now. The first was a failed attempt to destroy it with an IED. The second and third times parts of the school were burned. (We are in the process of rebuilding part now, thanks to generous donations and the villagers who really want this school!)

Due to this violence, we have had to change the school to an all boys school for now. The villagers are scared to send their daughters there now…..

Afghanistan IS NOT THE SAME as Iraq. There is still a chance to help the Afghans rebuild their nation. And the AFGHANS WANT OUR HELP. (they do however not want 2000 lb bombs dropped on their villages!)

As for the discussion about ‘Nation Building’, think of the consequences of walking away from Afghanistan…..we did this after the Soviets left that nation, and look where it got us!

In Afghanistan I think the most important thing we can do to help is to provide the basics: power, water and education. The idea is to do this not by bringing in foreigners, but employing Afghans, the lack of jobs makes Afghans easy pickings for the Talbian who PAY THEM!

Please, do not forget Afghanistan, we may not ‘owe’ anyone anything, but having been there, and seeing first hand what our previous actions did to that nation, I for one am not willing to give up.

Afghans4Tomorrow

Beautiful post, and a fine dialogue that follows in the thread.

I might have appeared to skate above the fray, but I’m with you in my heart. I just can’t “go there” right now, or I’d not be able to climb out for… too long.

I just wanted you to know I appreciate your courage, clear voice and stamina. I looked at that little girl, and turned to mush inside.

#*&# this administration is unspeakably evil…

Lead the way, Hon. We’re comin’ along as best we can, honest. At least I fired off a lotta missives to a bunch-a congresscritters over their “holiday”…