Obama’s war: Some want to leave Afghanistan now

George Will, a conservative who opposed the liberation of Iraq, now is calling for a U.S. pull-out from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, others are saying we have to stick it out there, dedicating more resources, at least a few years more.

We know the Democrats have no heart for liberation. We also know that Afghanistan slowly has been building a democratic government since 2002, and the country had appeared to be fairly calm until we started talking about sending in more American troops.

This is a tough call, but President Obama, who has promised to hunt bin Laden to his cave and once talked of invading Pakistan, had better commit one way or the other soon. And if he decides those extra troops are needed for a just cause, he’d better stick to that cause all the way to victory over terror and tyranny.

Discipline needed. On the liberation of Iraq, the Democrats demonstrated absolutely no resolve. It took some deft maneuvering and heavy lifting by others to win there. Now that the Democrats are in charge, can they find the discipline for success in Afghanistan, through thick and thin, even through the inevitable mistakes and setbacks?

This will be a test. Don’t risk one more American life if you don’t plan to win this war.

Frank Warner

Comments

[Neo]

Afghanistan is much better suited to be "another VietNam" than Iraq. Perhaps this explains the Bush strategy.

[Nicholas]

I'm with you on this Frank. Not much else to say, you said it well.

[Frank Warner]

If ever there were a moment when we had a choice on whether to pursue a war, this is it.

We must help the democratic government of Afghanistan build a real army, and we could help the Afghans (and Pakistanis) wipe out al-Qaida and its Taliban supporters.

But the president has to make a decision. I'll support his choice, if it makes sense. If it aims unambiguously for the victory of freedom, I'll back it all the way. Will the Democrats do the same?

[jj mollo]

Vietnam was another case where we just failed to commit to victory early on. Rather than go all out from the start we inched up on it. We were afraid to go north until we had to. We never did anything until we had to. We were, in spirit, aiming for a stalemate, just as we are in Afghanistan today.

These people are actually rebelling against modernity. They represent a safe haven for the barbarity of the 7th century. Attila with RPGs. The place will be a constant dripping infection if we don't clean it out, always ignorant and brutal, occasionally lethal. I think Obama should commit to whatever it takes. But he has to remember what the Democrats did to Johnson, one of their own. Nevertheless, I agree that if we don't intend to win, we should leave now. At least when we have to come back we will know why.

[Frank Warner]

Before Obama makes any decision to escalate U.S. military action, I want to hear Keith Olbermann pledge his permanent support for clearing out al-Qaida and the Taliban until the forces of freedom have won, and both Afghanistan and Pakistan are stable democracies.