Big story this week about Afghanistan. In fact, a remarkably big story. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by that flap over the ambitious general, McChrystal, who I can only think must have been very tired of his posting. (What the hell – not enough detainees to abuse, like in Iraq?) Far more interesting than this tawdry act of insubordination was the release of a congressional report confirming Aram Roston’s story in The Nation some months ago that detailed how our military resupply operations are actually generating a revenue stream for the Taliban, through bribery (the basic system of exchange in Afghanistan). Forget about the personalities involved here. We are, in essence, arming both sides. Shouldn’t this be of greater concern? Hello?
Most of the reporting on Afghanistan – the Rolling Stone article included – includes a kind of embedded imperial perspective. There’s an underlying assumption that we should be in Afghanistan, that there is some legitimacy to our enterprise there, and that it’s largely a matter of getting it right. This attitude is a formula for remaining in that country for the rest of any of our lives (particularly with respect to anyone who is sent to fight there). Unfortunately, our foreign policy is driven by domestic politics and the need for leaders to act “tough” and project an image of American exceptionalism. That is what makes generals like McChrystal so attractive to our leaders and the mass media that fawn on them (until they say the wrong thing).
Some talking heads have expressed gratification that McChrystal’s criticisms were mostly about personalities, not the actual strategy. This is good news? So what we’re doing over there is right, or “working” even? Here’s the strategy we need, in three words: Get. Out. Now. Not sure how ambitious a general you need to implement that one. As George McGovern once said, the best way of doing that is to put the troops onto trucks and head for the border.
Job Security. I see that the Senate has blocked any action on unemployment benefits and extended medical insurance to those millions without work. Once again, the tyranny of the minority is somehow keeping us from doing the right thing. What will it take to get the Democratic leadership to face off with the GOP on their perpetual filibuster strategy? Are we going to simply accept that it takes 60 votes in the already undemocratic senate to pass anything? What the fuck – people are hurting, damn it. Time to call your congressmember and Senators and tell them to push this through even if it means depriving Ben Nelson of his hair hat.
luv u,
jp
