http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:51:08 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/29/223901.php#comment-714617 Realist - Several people died in an attack on President Karzai. The Taliban has claimed credit for the attack. But you've decided, without evidence, that the US is behind it. You "expect to discover" motive, but have none as yet. And this is the basis for your article? Karzai has never been a puppet. The US, in its wisdom, didn't try to invade and install a puppet government, because that rarely works - and never works in Afghanistan. Instead, we supported 16 of the 17 warring tribes, and the Taliban was ousted. It's frustrating, not facing rows of European troops wearing bright colors in the middle of a field. But that's not the way modern warfare works. We do what we can in Afghanistan, supporting the better people over the worse, and hoping it pays off. This give the lie to the idea that the US distracted itself in Iraq, when it should have poured more troops and money into Afghanistan. That approach wouldn't have helped in Afghanistan, and Iraq would still be under a brutal dictator. As for the Australians complaining about Afghanistan, all I can say is that STM is a mighty speller compared to this sample of his countrymen. 714617@blogcritics.org Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:51:08 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/29/223901.php#comment-714469 "There's a whole lot of folks over here and no two alike." Except twins 714469@blogcritics.org Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:45:05 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/04/29/223901.php#comment-714449 Realist, America is a big country. There's a whole lot of folks over here and no two alike. And, yes, there are many Americans who are very vocal about ending this war -- that's how we ended up with a Democrat controlled Congress in the last election cycle. Every vote for the Dems was a damnation of the war. Bush has very low approval ratings and many of us over here are counting the days until he has to pack his stuff and cronies and move out of the White House. It will be a great relief to see him, his administration, and his screwed-up war leave the American scene. Hopefully, we will improve our work and our reputation under the leadership of a new president. Check back with us in November! 714449@blogcritics.org Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:03:51 EDT