Obama’s Rhetoric in Afghanistan Prolongs US Role in Civil War There

[tekisui]

Source: Common Dreams

President Obama showed courage in going to Afghanistan to talk to the troops, but he's just getting the U.S. in deeper over there.

The rhetoric he used on Sunday was at times distorting, and the thrust was distressing.

Like Bush, he summoned the 9/11 attack, saying, "We did not choose this war." And he added: "This is the region where the perpetrators of that crime, al Qaeda, still base their leadership."

That's clever phrasing, to use the word "region" and not "country," since Al Qaeda's forces are no longer in Afghanistan. They're in Pakistan. So the U.S. is not waging a war against Al Qaeda anymore-and hasn't been for years. It's taking sides in a civil war, with the Pashtuns and the Taliban squaring off against warlords from the north and Karzai's government.

But that's a harder sell, so Obama didn't make it.

Instead, he told the soldiers: "Your services are absolutely necessary, absolutely essential to America's safety and security." And he said, "The United States of America does not quit once it starts on something. You don't quit, the American armed services does not quit, we keep at it."

So how does he square that rhetoric with his previous declaration that we're going to bring troops home from Afghanistan starting next summer?

(snip)

Sixteen months from now, the odds are that the civil war in Afghanistan will look much the way it does today. And because Obama asserted that the outcome in Afghanistan is "absolutely necessary, absolutely essential to America's safety and security," then there is no way the U.S. will be able to leave.

So prepare for a longer war. Obama's rhetoric guarantees it.

more: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2010/03/30-10

[DrDan]

1. unfortunately I fear you are correct . . .

[marylanddem]

2. Listened to Phil Ochs great anti-war song "I ain't marchin anymore" today

Says it all - like "Masters of War" by Dylan. Obama can't put lipstick on that military industrial swine of a war no matter how deft his rhetoric.

[skeptical cynic]

3. This won't be popular on DU

But thanks for posting it.

I agree. We've heard this rhetoric before. We've chosen sides in civil wars before. We've propped up illegitimate governments before. We've sent the children of the poor to die in the interests of the rich before. And we've done it to the tune of militarism, nationalism, and imperialism before.

[Cha]

6. Supporting the President on DU hasn't been popular

either but I don't give a fuck. I support what and who I believe is doing the right thing.

[skeptical cynic]

10. That's very commendable of you

But I disagree with your assessment of DU.

[theoldman]

4. I guess I never looked at it as a civil war.

I thought it was an insurgency.

[Cha]

5. It wasn't "distressingj" to the Troops and the military

advisers whose advice Obama is taking because he feels it is the right thing to do for the future safety of the world.

And, all the people who feel they know more about this than they do can write and complain all they want but I trust the people who actually are on the ground and know the facts of what they want to achieve.

[tekisui]

7. Generals always want more war.

They are going to cheer anything to prolong and escalate it.

[ShortnFiery]

9. Really? Seriously, do you honestly believe for one fleeting moment that ...

our combat troops killing and dying while fighting these heterogenous factions of tribal peoples is ensuring "the future safety of the world?"

[ShortnFiery]

8. If you like President Obama's Rhetoric in Afghanistan, you really need to

get a dose of his rhetoric today from the WH about Iran. :crazy: :nuke: :crazy:

Prepare for never-ending Asian Oil Wars hosted by Uncle Sam.