Unfortunately our new, optimistic, intelligent Democratic president has not ended the war in Afghanistani (and Pakistan) or even said that he will. In fact, President Obama has said many times that the “war on terror” in Afghanistan is the “right war” and needs to be fought. Obama’s foreign policy is nothing less than a continuation of U.S. imperialism. The “war on terror” couldn’t be won under George Bush, and it can’t be won under a different president, because you can’t change peoples’ hatred or anger by force or by killing people. That means that Obama, by continuing the war on terror in Afghanistan and with many drone attacks in Pakistan (a country we are not even at war with) means a continuation of the “long, perpetual war” mentality. It’s also a good example of the military industrial complex, and a way of life that now includes being forever at war. Was this the non-negotiable way of life that Bush Sr. talked about as he insinuated that wars for oil and resources were necessary? This mentality seems barbarian and a throwback to an earlier, pre-civilized age to me, but then, what do I know. I’m just a poor liberal who doesn’t watch FOX News. These are tough times for the unindoctrinated, un-brainwashed majority who can’t seem to make sense of killing people to make them love us. Which brings up the fascinating question: Why does FOX Noise so dislike our new War President who so proudly wears the Flag Pin?
The Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex Pt1
Larry Wilkerson: The beginning of the American “Imperial Rome” and Eisenhower’s warning
Lawrence Wilkerson is a retired United States Army soldier and former chief of staff to United States Secretary of State Colin Powell. Wilkerson is an adjunct professor at the College of William & Mary where he teaches courses on US national security. He also instructs a senior seminar in the Honors Department at the George Washington University entitled “National Security Decision Making.”
I voted for Obama, and generally support him on most other issues, however his progress in Afghanistan is disappointing. I feel it is going pretty much as you describe in your post. Instead of withdrawing, it appears the conflict is escalating.
I’m a big Chomsky fan, and I honestly believe that everyone (US public and Afghan public) will be better off if we withdraw immediately. That might lead to a civil war in the short term, but I think in the end the Afghanis, and the Iraqis for that matter, will find a system that bests suits their needs. I think US officials are starting to see this situation in the same light as me:
http://www.goldenarple.com/eternal-war/resignation-heard-around-the-world/