We can achieve what we set out to do in Afghanistan, defeating al-Qaeda and denying it a haven, but that depends on achieving an Afghanistan that can stand on its own...
John R. Allen is commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
#2
Most Americans do not get to see Afghans commitment to their country or the improving security that has emerged from our fight together. But I do. And I am confident that....
Translation: Listen to me and my damage control article you stupid Americans.
#3
18 months after we depart, it will be as if we were never there, except in the memories of those who lost a loved one fighting for or against the Western forces.
#5
AFAICT, there are only 2 ways to secure a durable Afghan peace: (1) make it a desert, Roman style or (2) occupy with several hundred thousand legionaries for 50-80 years, and run the government & schools to reshape a culture of barbarians, which ain't going to happen.
#4
(Shia Islamism, important mainly because of Iran and especially due to its nuclear ambitions is number two on the threat list. But thats not our topic today.)
At least Mr. Rubin hasn't completely forgotten the more immediate risk. But a nice analysis of what ranks in importance in terms of danger. And a very nice finish:
They will lose. Just as the Communists did, just as the Nazis did, just as the Fascists and Japanese militarists did. But how many decades will it take? How many millions of people dead and injured? How much human potential and natural resources wasted? And will Western policy make easier the ultimate triumph of moderation, moderation that includes millions of anti-Islamist Muslims and also includes lots of Middle Eastern Berbers, Kurds, Turks, Iranians, Druse, Christians and yes Israel.
Or will the West make things harder, longer and worse.
Of victory, I have no doubt. Of Western good sense, all too much uncertainty.
"It is free men and women that drive our economy. Freedom is what makes America work. And President Obama, bless his heart, has tried to substitute government for free people-and it has not worked, and it will never work[.]"
I grew up in the wrong part of the country to have understood that without explanation. But, oh! what a useful phrase it is.
#1
As a northern transplant in Dixie, it took a while but I've figured out if you translate "Bless your Heart" into NJ/NY terms you come up with "You're so stupid".
#6
What I want to hear is Mitt on election night calling Barry and saying "Y'all come back and see us, ya heah!"
Posted by: Matt ||
08/26/2012 14:53 Comments ||
Top||
#7
As a northern transplant in Dixie, it took a while but I've figured out if you translate "Bless your Heart" into NJ/NY terms you come up with "You're so stupid".
No you don't, and wish people would quit promoting this. I've said this to people who had unexpectedly done something that saved me a lot of trouble, and meant it.
"Bless her heart" is a subtle phrase, and the meaning is all in the delivery.
It may mean she means well, or tries hard. Usually, though, it's meant to suggest that the person cannot cope despite her efforts or intentions. (This is how Romney used it.) Or it could mean that the subject is absolutely hopeless -- not necessarily dumb, but incompetent, clumsy, naive.
Thing is, I don't think I've ever heard this phrase used by a man about a man.
#9
I have heard it male about male, it is not ever flattering.
Seems I have heard that used, oh about four years ago, back in the heady days of "Stand Up" Joe Biden, or maybe it was around Joe "The Crying Game" Biden.
#10
*(that is, regionally here, unless the topic is, say, the preacher or someone of that status. Usually it has a deep breath before and stare off afterwards, or a slow shaking of head when stating, or so dripping with sarcash and stuffed giggle you'd need a loaf a bread to swab it up)
#11
Remember this other part of the context: this is the bible belt, so the one doing the blessing is God. Based on delivery, it is either a suggestion that the subject turn to God for help, or that the subject is so stuipd even God can't fix them.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
