November 24, 2009

I have a moral problem.

The problem is why should I, an Average Joe, care about Afghanistan? Or, Iraq or any other third or even fourth world country.

Why should my taxpayer money should be spent in a far corner of this world on people who are not even remotely interested in changing their lives. People who would only be happy if they could see the destruction of this country.

Look at Afghanistan.

On May 1, 1978, the country was then named the The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, and lasted, in some form or another, until April 1992. The country was under a soviet helped government. There was an anti soviet uprising there that was promoted by the US. The Taliban at the time seemed the saviors of the country. The American government was arming them and helping them. The soviets eventually left the country in defeat and everybody lost interest in Afghanistan.

Eventually the Taliban took over control of the majority of the country. After September 11, 2001 the US and the world started to pay attention. The Taliban governed under extremely religious rules. Women lost their rights. Anybody against them was severely punished. They disregarded the international community and human rights laws.

After the invasion of Iraq it seemed natural that the US would do something. In October 2001 the US commenced action to change the government of Afghanistan. The government established is still in power today. It is a corrupt, non-democratic government and the world knows it. But the US is supporting it.

Now the Taliban is the enemy. They are fighting the Americans with weapons they received from this country during the soviet times. Now, again they are the enemy.

The trouble is that Americans are dying there while fighting for some obscure goal that nobody understands.

The population don't really care about the Americans. The government only wants the Americans there because they help them to stay in power.

Someone please explain to me why should I care what form of government rules in Afghanistan!

The same applies to Iraq. What was wrong with Saddam Hussein? The US invaded Iraq, overthrew Saddam Hussein and placed a puppet government in power. In the meantime Americans were dying, for what? For the oil?

Whenever reporters interviewed ordinary people over there they expressed their opinion that life wasn't that bad under the old regime. At least they weren't bombed in their churches or restaurants. They also said they didn't like the Americans.

So, what's the purpose of this? It didn't help the economy, people lost their lives and for what?

If I look back in recent history I have a question. With the exception of World War II what war did the US won?

If my memory serves me right one was in the Caribbean island of Granada. The US attacked it and was victorious over six half drunk Cuban soldiers. The other one was in Kuwait when Iraq attacked it and the Americans annihilated the Iraqi military. OK, this last one was worth it.

But who knows if Kuwait is still such a good ally.

Korea was a disaster, Vietnam was a disaster, Somalia was a disaster.

Iraq and Afghanistan are also heading in that direction.

The billions spent on these wars could be put to better use here to shore up the economy!

I'm glad that I am over age. I can only serve in the Old Home Guard now and that looks pretty harmless.