ilBLOGical tidBITs

“Sometime they’ll give a war and nobody will come.”

—    Carl Sandburg (1878–1967)

During the 1960s, protesters were fond of using Sandburg’s quote, but based on recent world history it looks like no one wants to miss the opportunity.

U.S. military leaders are pushing for more troops in Afghanistan, but they can’t seem to provide the public with a clear, concise explanation of the mission. Is it nation building, a regime change, a police action — what? Of course, they may not know because the Obama administration hasn’t shared that information with them.

They won’t give an estimate of how long we will be involved in Afghanistan either. Is it because they really have no idea, or will answering that question have substantial political fallout that the administration does not want to deal with — especially in light of pressing domestic issues.

As the civilian leaders in Washington dither, the fate of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is on the line, even as members of the Afghanistan National Army are reported to have attacked the contracted Afghani guards protecting a U.S. compound.

I hope an answer is coming soon, but I will not hold my breath.

“America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.”

—    Arnold Toynbee (1889–1975)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/world/asia/16mullen.html?hp

http://www.military.com/news/article/gis-afghan-guards-clash-with-afghan-troops.html