There were many stories I felt strongly about and didn't utter an opinion, but there are stories right now that I want to say something about. Now, because of retirement, I can. The current story that weighs on my mind is the war in Afghanistan. Do we really need to be there?
If I say no, we need to get out, some, or even many people will claim I'm unpatriotic and I don't support our brave troops. But let's take a look at the facts. We went there nine years ago to clean the breeding ground of Al- Qaeda. You could say that mission is accomplished. Many experts say there are only about 50 Al- Qaeda members left in that worn-torn country. Yet more than 1000 Americans have died fighting that war and it is safe to say many more will die the longer we're there. Not to mention the billions of dollars more we'll spend.
Look, I'm a child of the Vietnam war. I was in college at the height of the war protests. I didn't get drafted because of a medical condition, but I had friends who did go to Nam' and were wounded and one was killed. I supported our troops then - as I do now. But that war effort failed, as this one is likely to fail.
Why? Simply, there is no end strategy - no real exit strategy. It's a nation of tribes - making nation building an impossibility. It's a country that doesn't really want us there.
So, why stay - why?
Bill Ratliff
Bill thanks for your blog, I look forward to reading it often.
ReplyDeleteAs far as "Is It Time To Get Out Of Afghanistan"
I'm not 100% for it, I'm a retired Air Force Cop and I participated in the Gulf War back in 1990. I left MacDill AFB and ended up in Saudi Arabia for nine months. Our mission was clear, to kick Iraq out of Kuwait, the mission in Afghanistan isn't as clear to me, I have had several friends lose sons over there, my son leaves in a few short weeks almost twenty years to the date I went. I pray for his safety and quick return.
I recall a few years ago a majority in D.C. and even in the media were saying the war was lost in Iraq.
Iraq isn't perfect by any means but it is on its way to being more free and once the people love freedom more than ternary it will take root and flourish and one day with God's blessing it will also in Afghanistan. Better there than in the streets of America!
Is Afghanistan hiding Bin Laden? What about Pakistan? I figure once we get him - then we're done. Aren't we just keeping the pressure on - saying we're not leaving until he's turned over???? Who was the 'leader' who recently said: "America over-reacted to the 9/11 tragedy"?
ReplyDeleteI still think justice needs to be meted out - even if it means we have to be in Afghanistan to do it.