Words from John Murtha

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

I don't know how the US is going to build an economy in Afghanistan. The task is far greater than the rebuilding of New Orleans (and we know how that is going).
In Afghanistan, there is no highway system, limited electricty, and poor soils.
The only crop that seems viable is opium. That's what the farmers know how to grow to obtain the best return on their investment.
So, I'd like to hear your thoughts as to how we (USA) "clean" it up.
To me, it's a task that is far larger than our willingness to do so, and we DO in fact have domestic issues that need to be addressed.

Now, about Pakistan. That one could become a very big problem very quickly.
We tread a very fine line. India is our "check". The US has to play those two cards very carefully.

If you leave Afghanistan alone it will become the capital of the terrorists. It is no different than giving over a land with oil. Tremendous amounts of cash available for terrorists. How do you rebuild it? You have to build their infrastructure and let the people that do it get the money, not Dick Cheney's friends. No other way.

Pakistan is the biggest problem in the world. The media just hasn't caught on yet.

[Downthestretch55]

BR,
Do you really think that the US is capable of building a viable economy in Afghanistan?
If so, how?
I'd really like to know. Karzai can't even leave Kabul to tour the country he leads.
Is there a "magic wand" or "special potion" that I don't know about?
So, please tell me how the US is going to do what you propose.

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

BR,
Do you really think that the US is capable of building a viable economy in Afghanistan?
If so, how?
I'd really like to know. Karzai can't even leave Kabul to tour the country he leads.
Is there a "magic wand" or "special potion" that I don't know about?
So, please tell me how the US is going to do what you propose.

I don't know if they can now. If you took the $500 billion we wasted on Iraq, you could have done it easily. The idiots just chose the wrong country to rebuild. They gave us that lie about rebuilding Iraq with their own oil money and now the money is gone. That said, we might just have to find a few hundred billion and rebuild afghanistan. That, or leave.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by boldruler

I don't know if they can now. If you took the $500 billion we wasted on Iraq, you could have done it easily. The idiots just chose the wrong country to rebuild. They gave us that lie about rebuilding Iraq with their own oil money and now the money is gone. That said, we might just have to find a few hundred billion and rebuild afghanistan. That, or leave.

Unfortunately, we both see the same hand writing on the wall.
By the way, Afghanistan won't become the capital of terrorism. It's been decentralized to many other countries.
A shame.
Are we winning the "War on terror"?
If so..proof?
If not...other than "stay the course"..how would you alter strategies?

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Unfortunately, we both see the same hand writing on the wall.
By the way, Afghanistan won't become the capital of terrorism. It's been decentralized to many other countries.
A shame.
Are we winning the "War on terror"?
If so..proof?
If not...other than "stay the course"..how would you alter strategies?

Afghanistan will become the source of money for terrorism.

Are we winning the "War on terror", of course not. This idiot has just made more terrorists. The semi-idiot before him didn't do too good a job himself. He basically pretended there was no terrorism.

The only way to deal with the rise of terrorists is through funding of covert actions in terrorist states. You need countries to root out their own terrorists, the US though will have to fund it. They won't do it themselves.

Personally, I think religious wackos will eventually blow up the world. Probably within the next 100-200 years.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by boldruler

Afghanistan will become the source of money for terrorism.

Are we winning the "War on terror", of course not. This idiot has just made more terrorists. The semi-idiot before him didn't do too good a job himself. He basically pretended there was no terrorism.

The only way to deal with the rise of terrorists is through funding of covert actions in terrorist states. You need countries to root out their own terrorists, the US though will have to fund it. They won't do it themselves.

Personally, I think religious wackos will eventually blow up the world. Probably within the next 100-200 years.

1) I agree with your first point.
2) Your second point needs a bit more realism. The US already funds covert actions in terrorist states. As yet, quite unsuccessful.
3) I think it's a lot less than 100 years. Think less than 10.

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

1) I agree with your first point.
2) Your second point needs a bit more realism. The US already funds covert actions in terrorist states. As yet, quite unsuccessful.
3) I think it's a lot less than 100 years. Think less than 10.

Well if the world is going to blow up in 10yrs, I better get out of the office and start gambling my money away.