THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT
Right now there is a lot of discussion about the United States involvement and commitment in Afghanistan. Legitimate questions are being asked as to why we are there, what is the U.S. goal and exit strategy and just how much blood and treasure are we willing to invest in what kind of hoped for outcome.
While I was appalled at the treatment of Afghan women and children under the rule of the Taliban there is also questions in my mind as to whether we may have gotten ourselves “bogged down” in a country that seems to be contentedly lost in the 8th century.
I heard Ann Coulter comment on a television news and commentary program the other day that Afghanistan is a country with more goats than flush toilets. While her comment was no doubt made somewhat tongue in cheek, it also highlighted the fact that this is a mostly Tribal Culture without rights for women or children and where the accepted norm is brutal enforcement of the harshest form of Islam.
A country with very little infrastructure such as electric power, roads, sanitation systems or public education system beyond the Muslim Madrassa’s where boys and young men are taught to hate everything about the “Evil West”.
A country whose only significant export and source of revenue is opium/heroin. Whose government is enormously corrupt and does not have the trust of the people it pretends to govern.
So……… While I do not like to envision what would happen to the people, especially the women (including young girls) of Afghanistan if the United States were to leave, I also cannot think of a viable long range goal for our being there. I find myself with questions that I do not have satisfactory answers for.
Maybe the National Organization for Women could open a headquarters in Kabul with branch offices in every village and town throughout the country?
Something to think about……..
Bob Bandy
