Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Harsanyi joins Will

I was pleased to read David Harsanyi's column today in which he agreed with George Will regarding Afghanistan. He writes, "If every military engagement includes an open-ended plan for nation-building that pins our fortunes on the predilections of a backward nation, we are setting ourselves up for failure." Harsanyi points out that we are sacrificing our Marines to defend a corrupt government that "recently legalized marital rape and demands women ask permission from male relatives to leave their home."

Harsanyi notes that conservatives are reacting harshly to Will's words. Harsanyi then asks if we are going to wait "until every Islamic radical in the region has met his virgins?" If so, it is going to be a very long wait.

3 comments:

Terri Wagner said...

Maybe it's just me but Harsanyi and Will seem to believe that war is something different than what it really is...ask any soldier, he'll tell you. It's never pretty, never black and white and never won immediately. Oh a treaty might be signed, but the truth is only time...a lot of time...will let you know if you won or lost. Must be our nation's addhd kicking in.

Nancy Reyes said...

the government is corrupt?
Duh. All the governments are corrupt in the area. Pakistan's president used to be known as "Mr. Ten percent"...

Why does everyone in the US see only the US (and maybe Europe) as having an interest in the area?

if the US pulls out, China (and maybe Russia) will be the real winners.

After the riots in western China, spurred on by Turkish Islamicist money, China wants the oil/natural gas from the region, not an Islamicist takeover of the region that could inspire her own Islamicist terrorists.

Bob's Blog said...

boinky,
It is good to hear from you. You have a perspective that is unique and valuable. I am certainly no expert on the subject, so I might be wrong, and I am certainly open to that possibility. I do think there should be lots of open discussion on the issue.