American Troop Buildup in Afghanistan
Obama’s war of necessity by Paul Woodward (War in Context website)
    Mr. Woodward puts a definitive wrap on the subject of American troop
    buildup in Afghanistan:
    "Among the many unanswered questions about President Obama’s approach
    to the war in Afghanistan, there is at this point one thing about which we can be
    certain: He does indeed regard this as a war of necessity.
    But necessary for what:
    Necessary for defeating al Qaeda?
    Necessary for ending the war in Iraq?
    Necessary for re-election?"
The Surrealism of the Afghan Surge by Jeffrey Sachs
    "The fact of the matter is that Afghanistan is in urgent need of the basics for survival in
    one of the poorest countries on Earth -- seeds, fertilizer, roads, power, schools, and
    clinics -- much more than it is in the need of another 30,000 troops or added military
    contractors."  Read the whole article here
My Opinion:
        Obama is not going to recover from what could have been justification
    for his Nobel Peace Prize, nor should he recover...  He had time to think
    about this.  He had lots of advice.  He truly brought this one on himself.
         Too young for the job perhaps?  God forbid there was anything else
    going on more sinister, he has two young daughters for heaven's sake.
         It isn't a done deal in congress if they will appropriate the money for this
    tragedy, mistake, case of confused considerations - or what ever you think
    we should we call it:  hubris, cunning, deceit?
        We can hope congress won't cave in.  We can hope hell won't freeze
    over but it's getting cold up north.  This really is bad what is happening.  
    Bad, bad, bad.  Shame on congress if they cave in.
         We don't need to send more troops to Afghanistan we need to send
    more food, technology, and things that will lead to enlightenment.  The al
    Qaeda and Taliban are able to exploit the Afghan people because the
    people are so poor and "tribal," there isn't anything else they can do
    except be exploited.  They don't have a chance without resources and
    enlightened reasonable leadership.
         In fact, if I have this right, the Taliban are the Afghan tribal elite who,
    although maybe they should be shot, it shouldn't be us doing the shooting,
    we're outsiders.  The Afghans can take care of themselves in that area.
         This isn't about al Qaeda or Taliban or the Afghan people.  It should be
    but it isn't.  This is about oil and the strategic location of Afghanistan in the
    middle east - and We could do it another way:
    al Qaeda would disappear (they're outsiders too) if they are
    outnumbered by full stomachs and educated people.
    Taliban will find true religion if their flock cease to be so afraid of
    them and their oppressive ways.
    The war against terror will end all around the world when there is no
    more poverty or hunger in the world (or healthcare for profit).
    Oil will continue to be a problem but not one we can't solve together
    with our brains instead of our brawn...
    The disparate tribes of Afghanistan might even find national unity at
    the end of all this - maybe even national identity of some kind
    whatever that is - if they weren't so poor.
    In America we're challenged by national unity and identity too that
    we no longer seem to have or enjoy...  What do we know?  We're
    Donkeys versus Elephants, rich versus poor, old versus young,
    labor versus management - you name it - we have as much national
    unity and identity as a herd of cats.
    Heck, we're still conflicted about federalism!  
Afghanistan
KenSmet.com