Afghanistan as the good war? – Washington Post Opinion Piece

An opinion piece in today’s Washington Post written by Stephen Rademaker who was an Asst. Secretary of state from 2002 to 2006, with responsibility for arms control, nonproliferation and international security pretty much tells it all. Obama has made a bad judgment on Afghanistan. 

For several good political reasons, Obama cast it as the "good war" in his campaign as opposed to Iraq, the "bad war".  It is not a good war.  It is a war being waged for foggy reasons for the benefit of American elites with their money tied up in the International Defense Industries who are supplying the wars in western Asia. 

It is a war like all other wars ever waged in Afghanistan since the time of Alexander the Great.  It is the slayer of empires, the crusher of nations, the never ending knife cut to the heart of whatever nation is foolish enough to trap itself inside its mountainous and desolate borders. It is a war we must end now before more treasure and more blood is poured out over its barren geography.

I have had it with politicos who are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Socialists, Greens or members of  any other political party in the USA who argue for this war.  We do not need to be involved in western Asia on the ground with troops.  It is not in our national interest.  It is a waste of American blood and treasure.

Whatever we were supposed to achieve over there, we have now had over eight years to do it.  We did not do it.  Whatever it was we were supposed to gain by this enormous loss of treasure and young American blood, we did not gain it.  It is time to cut our losses and bring our soldiers home.

The Post article is correct when it states that the majority of the American people want the troopers home.  I want the troopers home.  Deep down I am guessing that most of you who read this article want the troopers home.  It is now time for us to take whatever actions we need to take to enforce our will on our government.  That is what American government is all about.

So lets do the proper thing despite Obama’s desire to stay on.  Lets just insist that they bring our soldiers home.  Whatever happens over there after that is something we must deal with then.

As for now, the gushing of blood and wealth from the American national jugular vein must end.

If that means we must take to the streets en masse in protest, a la Viet Nam, so be it.

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)