WAR IS HELL . click to read

Under President Obama we doubled-down in Afghanistan? 
We sent more of our young men and women to fight and possibly die in a country whose synonym is Quagmire while announcing the eventual date of their withdrawal at the same time.  In an unprecedented action Mr. Obama announced our attack as he heralded our retreat in a calculated political decision that has cost lives, squandered treasure and told the Taliban to wait in the wings for the second act.

We have poured trillions of dollars into Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Egypt, to say nothing of what is more precious than money—the blood of the brave men and women of the United States military. And for what?

To watch Iran’s influence infuse Iraq?  To see the butcher of Teheran hold and raise hands with the propped-up presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan?  If there is a picture worth a billion words, that is it.  That picture of Islamic unity is like using American sacrifice and tax dollars to jab a finger in America’s eye.

Some misguided policymakers in Washington, D.C. actually think we can do good in Syria by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and Al Qaeda types against Bashar al-Assad, the Shiite dictator and ally of Shiite Iran. Those policymakers will say we need to abide by our humanitarian principles and support the revolutionaries, regardless of their Islamic stripes.

However, helping one Islamic militant faction against another is a huge mistake. They know how to use America to serve their long-term purposes, and the ultimate outcome will backfire against us just like it did in Egypt and Libya.

Civil War General Sherman coined the phrase “War is Hell.”   He was right, but I would like to also add that Afghanistan is Hell, and it is time for us to get the hell out of hell.

For the Soviet Union, the war in Afghanistan dragged on for ten years (1979 to 1989) and eventually led to the collapse of the super power.  In case you haven’t noticed, the same thing is happening to us.  Our original mission in Afghanistan was to drive out the Taliban.  The Taliban are still in Afghanistan and across the border in Pakistan.

The figures on American and NATO casualties went from twelve in 2001 to 68 so far just this year.  During the “surges” to gain control over various provinces, 2009 resulted in 521 dead, 2010’s toll was 7ll.  In all, there have been 2,915 coalition soldiers who have lost their lives there; 1,910 from the U.S., 404 from the United Kingdom, and 150 from our neighbor, Canada.

The effort has included soldiers from nations that include Denmark (47), Poland (35), Spain (34), the Netherlands (25), and France (82) a total of some twenty-eight nations.

It has been a failure.   America and its NATO allies, just like the Russians, have to leave. Plots against America can be planned anywhere.  Afghanistan is the worst place in the world to fight a war.  Alexander the Great found that out, the Soviets found that out, and eventually I’m sure, we will also find that out.

Despite the heroism and sacrifice of our armed forces, America hasn’t actually won a war since World War II and hasn’t formally declared war since 1941.

I do not believe The Middle East will ever embrace the values of freedom and liberty.  They certainly will not in our lifetimes.

Estimates of the total U.S. military expenses in Afghanistan are calculated to exceed $190 billion.
In 2010 alone, U.S. military assistance to Afghanistan was $5.6 billion.  Some element of those billions was spent on humanitarian infrastructure, health, community development, education and other worthy, but utterly wasted efforts.  Most was stolen by an utterly corrupt “government” led by Hamid Karzai.

Afghanistan has no income producing agriculture, industrial or economic structure.  Its only export of any significance is opium with which to produce heroin.  Pay no attention to the “progress” reports by U.S. generals.  There has been no progress in Afghanistan.  There is only the dark hole of Islamic fanaticism.

The war in Afghanistan is now the longest American war we have ever fought, longer even than the war in Vietnam.  Most of the original terrorists in al-Qaida who planned 9/11 are either dead, in prison, on the run or holed up in Pakistan. 

While I’m on the subject of Pakistan, this administration says that Pakistan is our most trusted Muslim ally, but the truth is, Pakistan has consistently been found to be “one of the most anti-American countries in the world.”

I know a lot of people will disagree and that’s OK, because I am sure a lot more will agree with me.
It is time to leave Afghanistan.  
It is time to get the hell out of Hell.