So I guess I still don’t understand how or why you disagree with my original statement that the Bush administration, as the architect of the policy on Afghanistan, isn't deserving of the blame for that policy’s failure. Thus far, your argument seems to be: 9/11 happened.
I tend to agree with you. To be clear, my anointed comment was not referring to the Presidential nomination, it was as a spokesperson for all things regarding female empowerment and advancement.
Now when you say "blame", I would argue that the blame would be on those responsible for 9/11. At the time, I'm not sure there was much else that Bush should have done; his hand was essentially forced. The problem was never having a good exit strategy. Not even a good one. Just any one.
I get what you are saying but in an era of globalization what, exactly, is an "exit strategy?" To where are we exiting? This is a point I have made before. We maintain troops all around the globe in places we have fought. Is that a reflection of a poor exit strategy? Of course it isn't, it is a reflection of political and economic value. There is a reason several great powers have fought in Afghanistan and that reason is geographic. Air transport and rapid oceanic shipping lessens that value, but it still remains. The fighting in Afghanistan is far from over and there is a solid chance we will be back in some form or another - or maybe the Chinese will take a try.
My opinion is that history tends to repeat itself. I think there are many similarities between Afghanistan and the American Indian wars we fought in this country in the latter half of the 19th century in terms of the nature of the fight. Outposts, low intensity, hearts and minds campaign running concurrently. We were eventually successful, but it took a very long time. We stuck it out because there was a tangible goal: land and resources. Take away that and you’re left with nothing to show for it. Just like AFG.
Professor Griz's Knowledges of the Day...History Never Repeats Itself but human nature does. We are fools to pretend we are "more mentally evolved" than any other generation since about the invention of the printing press.
I mean, we’ve covered some of the nuance in this conversation. I don’t think that any of that detracts from my statement, which you seem to agree with. In fact, when taken in full, it would appear that “it was Bush’s fault” is a fairly accurate summation of all the nuance we’ve covered, no?
From my vantage, she has been remarkably low key in the administration thus far.
You really have just jumped head first down the rabbit hole, haven’t you? I have some friends who have done the same. It has been disheartening to watch. I hope you regain some sense of normalcy soon.
95 percent?