They do not know if he possesses tenacity, the ability to fixate on a simple conviction and grip it, viscerally and unflinchingly, through complexity and confusion. They do not know if he possesses the obstinacy that guided Lincoln and Churchill, and which must guide all war presidents to some degree.In other words, "they" want Obama to be more like Dubya. In other words, "they" are insane. Non-insane people argue that Obama has been too similar to his predecessor.
Neocons never understood Churchill's famed obstinacy, which was always tempered by reason. Churchill was a fierce opponent of Irish independence, yet he met with Michael Collins and signed the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921. Originally an admirer of Mussolini's Fascism, Churchill became the world's staunchest opponent of fascism. Of the Empire, he proclaimed that "I will not preside over a dismemberment" -- but eventually he came to understand that he would have to do just that.
Churchill uttered one of my favorite axioms: "I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." When ideology collided with fact, he chose fact.
In Afghanistan, the harsh fact is that we have already lost the battle for hearts and minds. We are not loved, we are not liked, we are not respected, and we are not wanted.
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Re Afghan: If we withdraw, then what?
"In Afghanistan, the harsh fact is that we have already lost the battle for hearts and minds. We are not loved, we are not liked, we are not respected, and we are not wanted."
Now if somebody can just convince Obama of that, he might actually make a correct decision and get us the hell out.
But don't hold your breath.
Anon: If we withdraw -- it all goes to Hell.
If we stay -- it all goes to Hell.
I see no good options.
Public support for staying in Afghanistan is a continuation of the absolute hubris of thinking that you know what's best for the people of a foreign region and can successfully nation build.
The people who actually make those foreign policy decisions only comprehend power and money. As long as there's something to pillage in Afghanistan (or its neighbors) that's worth the trouble of pillaging, our military will be there.
The only thing that will turn this around is a complete shift in power that demolishes US military and political influence. Starting a war with Iran might trigger this reversal when the slow-to-act nations in SW Asia finally see the writing on the wall and work together to expel the U.S.
It surely looks like it's going to hell, why be there when that happens is my question. My favorite night club song at the end of a long night of dancing is ...'you, you, you...get the f123 out!!! you, you, you...'
Who was it said,"Afghanistan is where empires go to die".
Remember, the Russians failed and they were a lot more brutal that we could ever be.
Bush should have kept his eye on the ball, wacked Usama then bailed.
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