Obama's Afghanistan Speech, West Point

Urbane Guerrilla · 12-01-2009, 07:36 PM

So far, the policy outlines look very much like what the Republican plan was.

Where there is a flaw is in the unfortunate fact that Afghanistan does not have a popular conciousness as a nation state -- and the nation states of the rest of the world just don't get that. I expect us to have trouble there. Afghanistan is less a nation than it is a reservation for assorted hill tribes. Neighborhood security is not proffered by a national institution, but only among familial and clan ties -- it's your valley against all the rest of the world, especially the immediate neighborhood, and it ain't nice. Consequently Afghanistan is a very low-security, fractious place, and we must be working on that close-in level, not on the level of a Kabul government that too many tribesmen give less than a damn about and trust very little.

"Can't afford to simply ignore the price of these wars." Et seq. Sounds like maybe the light is dawning that increased tax burden everywhere may be antirecovery and antiprosperity in light of heavy military expenditure. Looks like some Pentagon's New Map/Plan Of Action/Great Powers ideas are slipping in too. Good.

Repeats nuclear control and disarmament. Not much new, no surprises.

"Make it clear to every man, woman, and child around the globe that America will speak out against tyranny..." Tyrants do not respond positively to being talked at, Obama. Try hanging; much more efficaceous.

"Unlike powers of old, we have not sought world domination..." True enough. This is evidenced in the lack of anybody else trying to build a Leviathan of a military that can compete with ours, nor a navy to challenge the US Navy. We are notable for leaving folks alone, and an understanding of this circles the globe.

"...government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall be a reality on this earth." Pretty, but wait for real actions in this direction.

"We will go forward with the confidence that Right makes Might."

Sounding not a little like George W. Bush.

12-01-2009, 07:36 PM	#1
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Obama's Afghanistan Speech, West Point So far, the policy outlines look very much like what the Republican plan was. Where there is a flaw is in the unfortunate fact that Afghanistan does not have a popular conciousness as a nation state -- and the nation states of the rest of the world just don't get that. I expect us to have trouble there. Afghanistan is less a nation than it is a reservation for assorted hill tribes. Neighborhood security is not proffered by a national institution, but only among familial and clan ties -- it's your valley against all the rest of the world, especially the immediate neighborhood, and it ain't nice. Consequently Afghanistan is a very low-security, fractious place, and we must be working on that close-in level, not on the level of a Kabul government that too many tribesmen give less than a damn about and trust very little. "Can't afford to simply ignore the price of these wars." Et seq. Sounds like maybe the light is dawning that increased tax burden everywhere may be antirecovery and antiprosperity in light of heavy military expenditure. Looks like some Pentagon's New Map/Plan Of Action/Great Powers ideas are slipping in too. Good. Repeats nuclear control and disarmament. Not much new, no surprises. "Make it clear to every man, woman, and child around the globe that America will speak out against tyranny..." Tyrants do not respond positively to being talked at, Obama. Try hanging; much more efficaceous. "Unlike powers of old, we have not sought world domination..." True enough. This is evidenced in the lack of anybody else trying to build a Leviathan of a military that can compete with ours, nor a navy to challenge the US Navy. We are notable for leaving folks alone, and an understanding of this circles the globe. "...government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall be a reality on this earth." Pretty, but wait for real actions in this direction. "We will go forward with the confidence that Right makes Might." Sounding not a little like George W. Bush. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

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