These wars are a waste of taxpayer's money and a waste of soldier's lives. Let those countries figure out solutions to their own problems. We can not afford to fight over there. Let's use our limited resources to fix problems at home. For Example: We could employ soldiers as school teacher assistants. During Peacetime, there are not many tasks to occupy a soldier's time. They could be kept busy by teaching practical math and reading to children. Not only would the students benefit, but the soldiers would learn too. There is nothing quite so educational as teaching a subject.
End The War in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009. GET US OUT.
Tags: war budget iraq afghanistan save money
Comments (8)
Regional abolishment of corporate personhood (they are not human) would go a very long way towards transforming our current culture of sociopathology-for-profit. The last result of dependency on large corporations- for employment, goods, or services is regional stability. Support locally owned businesses, create secure sustainable communities.
there has been so much life lost and devastated and all with the net effect of lessening our security and breeding people who hate the USA with good reason. wage peace.
The war in Afghanistan can be ended by cutting off the source of funds to the Taliban.
Their main source is the sale of Opium sold in the US after it is processed.
If our addicts had some patriotism left, some of them work in Hollywood, they would recognize they are paying for the bullets and bombs that kill or maim our soldiers.
They are the True Enemy of the People, of the American People.
The United Nations has done a study of Opium Production in Afghanistan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan
It's interesting to note that since the US invaded, opium production has doubled.
However, in 2001, production was almost zero. That was the year the Taliban ran the country.
Just co-incidence?
Whatever the reason, those people over there ought to learn to solve their own problems.
Remember the Movie "Team America, World Police"? The era of the USA solving other countries problems has ended. We need to fix America First.
If you really want to defeat them in Pakistan and Afghanistan, consider Plan A and Plan B.
Plan A: More Soldiers. Not recommended.
"Send 500,000 soldiers, Sir!" That was the advise that Pres. Johnson was given, to "Win" in Vietnam. He did and we lost.
Plan B: More Robots. Highly Recommended!
Yes, I know, Terminator -1 is not ready for testing, its only fiction.
But, consider the Medieval strategy, yes, I mean, let's go back to the military strategy of the Middle Ages. Or, if you wish, to the Vietnam Strategy of Protected Hamlets.
Protect, heal and feed the people in hamlets and many or most, if not all, will side with their government, provided we help THEIR government make a difference in their lives.
Am I saying that we should send 500,000 soldiers more? NO!
We, like that famous phrase "We have the Technology" to place enough observation robots, which we did use in Vietnam, to great effect, around the hills and roads near an isolated village or valley.
We have fielded hundreds of robots (OK, maybe a hundred) armed with long range sniper rifles to cover all the strategic paths around a valley, particularly the roads, creeks and gullies.
There are many American companies ready to demonstrate to the Army what they can deliver NOW and what they can promise to have ready in six months. Their assembly lines are very short and they can build more, as required. No need to go into technical details, search the Internet and you will find all the details. You may want to include robots that can clean houses, cut grass, disarm bombs for the local police, etc.
All they need is an old Army Strategy, the Protected Hamlets of Vietnam. I am a Vietnam Vet.
It is sad to learn of the latest casualties, 4,985 currently?
There must be a clear, achievable *strategy* in Iraq and Afghanistan that is political and economic as well as military. Unemployment should be recognized as one of the most significant problems, because it is as high as 40% in many areas. It is impossible to achieve peace and stability with such high levels of unemployment.
Our strategy should emphasize jobs, schools and hospitals rather than bombs and bullets.
Bob in HI
Truth in Conflict
The growing numbers of suicides in American armed forces has prompted some debate in the past few years. Our troops invaded these countries with the spirit of avengers seeking those who have proverbially cast the first stone at us, aka 9/11 world trade center disaster. Our troops encountered people and resisters who simply are trying to protect what is theirs, protecting what little they have, generally a few pots, a small source of water, few scattered tents and permanent buildings. Most people in these two countries live in abject poverty, while the ruling class lived marginally better. Our troops began to understand the lie, that no one in these two countries, attacked the United States, that the invasion they are part of was based upon a lie. Our troops in Afghanistan watched as the USA put the poppy drug lords in charge of that country. They watched as the true purpose of the invasion unfolded before them, that the only reason to put boots on that ground in Afghanistan was to provide security for pipelines from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and the sea ports there of.
Our armed forces bombed, shot, and killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and colorfully described Taliban soldiers. They destroyed small cities and towns, which are geographically located near water sources. After they are destroyed they are inevitably rebuilt and reoccupied. The extensive use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions on none hardened targets was overused and even encouraged. Turn over that inventory of weapons, its good for the economy to make more. Depleted uranium weapons are another means to get ride of nuclear waste while breaking down thought barriers so that the use nuclear weapons can again gain acceptance. Meanwhile, DU dust has been scattered near and far around social structures. As the years passed and people had children, the horror of radioactive material can be seen upon the physical deformities of the next generation of mankind. As that realization that our troops are breathing and pissing radioactive dust each and every day, that their future family plans are ruined by the realization of the horror of deformity, the only few outs they have left is honor in battle, quick and clean, or the slow degenerative death of cancer. They were sold a lie, they lived the lie, they killed for a lie, and now they die for the lie.
stop selling america to china and pull out of the middle east SAVE RESOURCES fix the problems at home and stop policeing the world if there is a threat let it come to us ...shorter distance for our "boot" to travel