Can anyone tell me why we have to fight a war in Afghanistan ,,What is the Aim , the point of it all ?. I dont know of any Afghan who has tried to damage or hurt anyone in our Country [UK]
"How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing."
"How horrible, fantastic, incredible it is that we should be digging trenches and trying on gas masks here because of a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing." Alright Neville, just because that happened once before a long time ago, doesn't mean it can happen again. We're living in a different world and that is ancient history.
Alright Neville, just because that happened once before a long time ago, doesn't mean it can happen again. We're living in a different world and that is ancient history. Have you ever heard this saying? "Those who don't learn from history are Condemned to relive it".
Can anyone tell me why we have to fight a war in Afghanistan ,,What is the Aim , the point of it all ?. I dont know of any Afghan who has tried to damage or hurt anyone in our Country [UK] I highly suspect that if two well known buildings in Manhattan were still standing that you probably would never have seen any western troops in Afghanistan. Just a hunch! This speaks for itself: 2005 7 July: The 7 July 2005 London bombings conducted by four separate Islamist extremist suicide bombers, killing 56 people and injuring 700. 2007 January - February: The 2007 United Kingdom letter bombs 2007 30 June: 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack perpetrated by Islamist extremists. 2008 22 May: 22 May 2008 Exeter bombing by an Islamist extremist, injuring only the perpetrator.
I would have thought that previous British incursions into that country in the past should have taught us something. I read an article that a friend gave me about Afghanistan and it gave views on the people and their culture, etc. Turns out that it had been written over a century before, but the comments are no different to those written by people today. Not much has changed it seems and we probably will never defeat them with modern technology and western ideology.
I highly suspect that if two well known buildings in Manhattan were still standing that you probably would never have seen any western troops in Afghanistan. Just a hunch! Aye, there's a lot of conspiracy about that. The theorists reckon it was planned by the government so they could blame the far east, go to war and take their oil. Maybe?
Of course if all else fails, one could just stick his head in the sand and make everything better. Although I sympathise A58..And understand initial deployment even revenge...What else could Bush do but respond. We wont go into cause and effect or we will all be at one anothers throats. The divergence to another place when the job was not finished puts us where we are today. Great having moral causes and reasons but not then going off in other directions ignoring the reason we were there in the first place. But thats old history...Cause and effect is not thouigh but thats another thread another story. Why is Mullah Omah still breathing? Because the decision was made long ago no matter what was said in public, that we must have someone to talk to at the stage we are nearly at right now. we are there, the reasons have clouded. The enemy has clouded. I'll ask you being American one question...Will the American public be content to see Mullah Omah alive and well and heading any or part of any form of Afghan govt in the future...Prepare yourselves for a shock...Then in 25 years time, ask the age old question...What the bloody hell was that all for?
We'll end up here soon. YouTube - Baldrick asks how WW1 started Very good.... That poor poor ostrich (tasty though they may be) Anyhoo... I've said it before and I'll say it again... Imperial Britain and her army from 1890something couldnt do it The American led (peaceful, economic) state building in the '70's didnt manage it (though the failed dam building did create the fertile flatlands for poppy production ). The mighty Soviets machine couldnt do it. Not sure how well the Taliban themselves did in the 90's I doubt if the Americans and allies can do it now. The place can only be run by its own people in whatever way they see fit to run themselves. Pity their king is no more as he atleast had some respect from the tribesmen. Why are we there? It depends who you believe, but going by Pilger etc it is because we darednt invade Syria and we had to do "something".
One thing I will ask though...Will someone tell me when its over and who won...Or better still in 25 years time someone tell me who won. One last question to my American friends....What is the win scanario in this one? When do we know its over and who won? YouTube - Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms ( war version )
The definition could well change over time but the first question is what does it mean to have "won"? If that is defined as weakening the militant Islamic organizations and preventing further serious attacks like 911 then perhaps the West has already achieved all it could hope to and has won it's first victory. If it means taming Afghanistan and bringing peace and stability to that country then I would agree that history has shown that to be a difficult objective. However, it is easy to look now and describe the campaign in Afghanistan as an unwinnable quagmire and almost impossible to assess what would have transpired if no intervention had occurred at all. Go back 9 years and consider post 911 politics and the public mood. Taking no action was really not a viable option at the time. So, I would pose the question, what alternative course of action could the U.S./Britain have taken which would have been more strategically sound than the military intervention undertaken in Afghanistan?
Here's another clue. Taliban our enemy? Certainly not allowed close to my daughters. Za, That is a very disturbing and compelling image. But, as noble as it might seem to stay and attempt to prevent a return to that reality, do you think it is actually achievable? We are currently substituting disfigured Afghanis for military body bags. Over 150 for Canada alone. Maybe one of those 'no win' scenarios. For everyone concerned.
Let them be, they're just a bunch of hicks up on their hills, planting their white poppies, treating their goats better than their daughters, they'll never come to us. Wait! They did! By plane. And by train. And by subway. And... --- added --- Also read this and notice the connections.
Have you ever heard this saying? "Those who don't learn from history are commended to relive it". Actually, it is "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." It is on the wall above my desk. George Santayana. Za is fully aware that I am merely pulling his chain. That is my main job here. I guess I could have added some of the smilie things to compensate for the lack of other visual clues.
