In defense of Obama -- and this is one rare time when I found something to agree with -- he stated yesterday that on top of an escalation in the number of troops in Afghanistan, the only way the war could be "won" is to pressure Pakistan to step up and take control over what is going on in its northern tribal areas. I find that refreshing, in light of the fact that Bush didn't even know who the leader of Pakistan was when he took office.

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"That’s (.the use of military Violence which is.) no way to win friends and influence people. What Afghans need, like Iraqis before them, (.and Americans also.) is help not occupation. And military messes like this aren’t only counterproductive, they’re barely mess-ups (.because they appear to be deliberate attacks on civilian tranquility.). They’re an utterly predictable part of any (.and every.) military deployment (.and War of Aggression.).

Most Afghans interviewed on Obama’s visit said the help they (.and also Americans.) need is economic (.Not Military.) : Healthcare, Housing, roads, order. That’s just what the US promised before the invasion (.and also before the Revolution of 1776.). And guess what, it’s what the Taliban offer too, from their safety zone in Northern Pakistan. Every death at US hands is another score for the nearest anti-American (.which is what justice looks like under US military rule.).

What’s wanted isn’t just a new person in the White House, but actually, a new approach (.of Justice in the White House, Department of Defense, Intelligence, Congress, and The American Consensus Counted in Public.).

I'm not Voting for half-truth, I want a say over the Commanders on the Ground who represent me to the world... Immediate unannounced withdrawal.(PERIOD)

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But it appears the 'Left' has fallen into the same con game the Faithful did- being used as surrogates to defeat the opposition.'Flip Flop'BS rhetoric is working again.
Obama has not 'flip flopped' on any of his stances.Iraq was a Acquistion Attempt and Afghanistan was ignored. Afghanistan was the ruse to get US over there for the Real Goal of Oil in Iraq, and probably Iran. We need to get out of Iraq, get some stability in Afghanistan and then get the Fuck out of the Middle East and off Oil!
'lefties' like to point to how the Republicans have been used by the Corp machine, but have been blind to the same tactics being used on them- 'Holier than Thou'? No just as blind and naive as those who thought the 'Moral Majority' was anything other than a neo CON manipulation tool.Get a Clue you have become as uncompromising and Self righteous as the so called 'Holy Rollers' who haven't figured out the markleting tools being used against your own interests- or that of mankinds or the planets- See how going to Corn as a biofuel has effected Famine?Womens Lib has become 'Pay backs a Bitch' (Hillary is a Corp Neo Con) Just like refusing to fund Birthcontrol was tauted as 'Gods work'. Overzealous attempts to prove 'intellectual prowess' is a detrimental as overzealous 'Religious morality'. We must work together to solve the problems- Kucinich nad Gravel Lost- Nadar is a red herring.
Let's focus on defeating Mac and his puppet masters like Gramm (Enron, UBS..) and Cheney (the Corp Shadow Gov't)and stop being manipulated by their deceptive tactics of Divide & Conquer.We need help from ALL true Patriots, including those 'Old School Republicans' who were silenced in the '80's by Reagans admin, ie 'Shit Rolls Down Hill 'Economics
I for one, life long liberal Dem am ready to discuss fiscal responsilbity, limited international interventions and gov't involvement in our personal lives. I'm sure Old School Repubs would like to discuss how helping the poor & working class to would help US regain our economic stability and power. End debates over personal private Choices, return to a True Free market (vs Corporationism) and how to save the world from Global disasters in the future.Why are the Environmentalist not engaging the Farmers who's livlihood is being effected by Drought and Flooding?Why are they not talking with those who Hunt to assure Conservation of environments which support their sport?Why aren't Pro choice engaging the right to lifers about eliminating Unwanted pregancies thus Abortions, overpopuation, poverty and famine?
We have conversations which have been blocked due to the aims of those who profit from the 'Divide & Conquer' doctrine. We have solutions if both ends of the continum would shut up and listen to each other!
So what are you working for - Real Progess and solutions or your own Ego's and misguided Retribution?Let's work together to End 3 Decades of Cheney Corp strangle Hold on our nation and the World!
Focus!

Obama/Hagel '08

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To cut and run in Afghanistan after we overthrew their country and kicked out the Taliban for supporting Osama is a mistake. If we leave without finishing the task of providing security until they can get back on their feet you will condemn them to the same harsh and restrictive lives under the Taliban they were locked into and that created so many problems for us.

I am against war but we will ruin our standing in the world by cutting and running like a bunch of weak minded cowards. This is the job we should have finished all along instead of getting involved in Iraq. As for civilians being harmed, well, that is war. That is why it sucks. That is why we shouldn't fight them unless we absolutely have to. Once you are in it though then win, nothing else matters when the future of countries are at stake. Individual lives are cheap in war. That isn't a callous statement but an accurate statement of fact.

Unless we help provide security all the other help won't mean squat. Do we need to increase our State Department type of activities, i.e. nation building, absolutely. Do we need to drastically increase our support and resources for these activities, massively. Will that mean anything if there are bullets and bombs flying? About like spit on a hot griddle.

Once we finish what we started (or was started on us) is when we can leave, with our dignity and duty intact. Anything else is dangerously naive idealism.

Besides, it's not like you can occupy a country the size of Afghanistan with two brigades! Obama is not George Bush.

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As air strike "mistakes" mount in Afghanistan the next President must heed the Oxfam warning that it will be impossible to achieve lasting peace unless Afghan civilians are protected and lifted from poverty. Yet both Presidential candidates advocate inserting more violence into what is essentially a civil war between the Pashtun dominated Taliban living on both sides of an artificial border, and the unpopular Uzbek and Tajik Northern Alliance warlords aligned with the U.S. The Pashtuns have been fighting foreign invaders since Alexander the Great and, if past is prolog, will never give up to the latest array of foreign invaders. The situation cries for a humanitarian political solution, not more killing.

Sincerely,

Tom Miller*
*The writer is a founder of Parwaz, the first Afghan-run microfinance organization.

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