Monday November 9, 2009, 7:25 pm
President Obama is reviewing the way forward in Afghanistan. His decision will define his presidency much as Vietnam defined the legacy of President Johnson's presidency in the 1960s.

At a time when so much opportunity and necessity for change is at stake from health care reform to climate change legislation, education and nuclear weapons policy and the economy, the war and its costs will trump all.

The president would be well served to reflect on the words of Iraq veteran, Marine Corps Capt. and Afghanistan Foreign Service officer Matthew Hoh. As the senior US civilian in Zabul province, he became the first US official known to resign ("known", how many others?) in protest over the Afghan war. On September 10, in a letter to his department head he wrote:

"I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States' presence in Afghanistan. I have doubts and reservations about our current strategy and planned future strategy, but my resignation is based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end."

His frustration and realization that the war effort itself fuels the insurgency and continues the cycle of violence speaks to the truth that there is no military solution in Afghanistan. There is only a political and diplomatic solution.

Dropping bombs and killing civilians angers whole populations and creates ill will. Respected international mediator John Paul Lederach has said that bombing to vanquish the al-Qaeda network is like hitting a mature dandelion with a golf club. It just ensures another generation of al-Qaeda.

There are many examples of alternatives to war that are far less costly and yield far greater results. Among these are:

VISIT SITE.

Monday November 9, 2009, 7:37 pm
I thought I voted for the smart one, now, I must rethink;(

Monday November 9, 2009, 8:05 pm
Thanxxx David... a delicate situation indeed... this will require clear strategic planning, with the future in mind tooooooo... these terrorist groups will probably regroup and come back like an uncontrolled plaque.. unless their is a medicaton that can bring healing to this festering sore...

Monday November 9, 2009, 8:17 pm
The medication is simple Chaz?...Remove the infection...BRING HOME THE TROOPS!

Monday November 9, 2009, 8:17 pm
Really I dont think he is enjoying any of this crap, but what do you do in this situation??? He has a harder job on his hands than we really think. He needs the time to get this crap all straightned out. Yes we may want them out and Im sure he does to...its just gonna take some time we dont have alot of it at all but thats just the way it is and the way its going to be wether we like it or not. And with all the bickering between politians on other issues it isnt a wonder nothing happens faster. I dont know Im tired and just giving my humble opinion....

Big Gorilly Hugs

Monday November 9, 2009, 8:26 pm
"but what do you do in this situation???"...

You pull out the troops as fast as you can Gorilly, before any more Afghan and American lives are lost!

Monday November 9, 2009, 8:32 pm
I am sorry every one. I read this article, but thought it was pass tense after todays CBS News reporting. They said Obama made the decission to send 40,000 and the force would grow to 100,000 with long term stay planned. Now on the same CBS News piece is a White House response saying it is completely false. It's not like CBS to make such a mistake, of course I bought it hook line and sinker. Please forgive me David for intruding on such a thoughtful piece, I was rather ill at the moment. I pray for the innocents on all sides President Obama chooses a strategy with them/us in mind. Hope still remains another day.

Monday November 9, 2009, 10:25 pm
The solution is easy: do what the people of Afghanistan want:

order the U.S. troops out of Afghanistan NOW!!!

Tuesday November 10, 2009, 4:33 am
I thought I also heard yesterday 11/09 that the decision to escalate has been ordered. Perhaps the news story was going out in that perspective, but that President Obama is still thinking. I don't like the delay either. Bring the troops home now. It's impossible to win a war that cannot be defined. Win what?...more death and destruction, displacement and hatred, debt and poverty.

Wednesday November 11, 2009, 3:19 am
There is NO RETHINKING necessary but rather a IMINENT REMINDING OF THE REASONS Obama was voted for to begin with! THE TROOPS NEED TO BE SENT HOME NOW! There are no valid mass accepted reasons to be in that area with military, period! Not later, not in a year, NOW! Rethinking needs to come about in terms of letting our goverments know that the people of this world are not going to accept their lies and deciet very much longer.