Why does history repeat itself? Because God doesn't have TiVo.

Jokes aside, why are we invading Afghanistan in the first place? o_O

Why does history repeat itself? Because God doesn't have TiVo.

 

 

Jokes aside, why are we invading Afghanistan in the first place? o_O

Same reason we invaded Iraq, lol I dun know.

Afghanistan, the graveyard of empires. I feel that due to a series of unfortunate events the US is going to lose it's place of power in the world and this Afghanistan thing is the final nail in the coffin.

Btw if anyone's going to reply to this with something like "hurr durr merica is the best in the world! were number one durp!"

For the sake of argument we might have been once, ###### we might be right now, but no nation in 12,000 years of human history has ever fully recovered from what we've go through in the last 36 years.

I think Alexander probably would have held onto it if he hadn't foolishly died young. Afghanistan became part of the Seleucid Empire as part of the divvying up of Alexander's old territories. They gave it up as part of a peace settlement with India, along with areas like the Hindu Kush.

We've just been doing post-Alexander civilisation in the classical civilisations section of my archaeology course

You realize we've been fighting a war in Afghanistan for the past 8 years, right? We invaded that country following the events of 9/11 to find those responsible for the attacks. This isn't anything new. And we aren't going to war "against" Afghanistan, we're continuing our mission to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban.

We are also backed by a coalition of 43 other countries, many of them (the UK, Australia, and France included) also pledging to increase the number of troops they have in that country.

You also realize that he established a time-table to pull out in 2011 no matter what the situation there is, right?

Our government isn't going to suddenly collapse because we're increasing the number of troops fighting an 8 year old war that we will then pull out of in less than 2 years.

Oil and opium.

Something tells me your President himself doesn't support the war except insofar as he must appear to do so for the sake of the bigger picture. I suspect the man is playing chess with some nasty characters behind the scenes.

My intuitive sense of Barack Obama was positive from the start, and has not changed.

You realize we've been fighting a war in Afghanistan for the past 8 years, right? We invaded that country following the events of 9/11 to find those responsible for the attacks. This isn't anything new. And we aren't going to war "against" Afghanistan, we're continuing our mission to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban.

 

We are also backed by a coalition of 43 other countries, many of them (the UK, Australia, and France included) also pledging to increase the number of troops they have in that country.

 

You also realize that he established a time-table to pull out in 2011 no matter what the situation there is, right?

 

Our government isn't going to suddenly collapse because we're increasing the number of troops fighting an 8 year old war that we will then pull out of in less than 2 years.

You do know that 16,000 British troops were killed in Afghanistan were killed in the 1860's over just of two months?

You do know that 16,000 British troops were killed in Afghanistan were killed over just of two months?

You do know that 300,000+ British troops died in World War II? Death is terrible, but if we backed out of that?

You realize we've been fighting a war in Afghanistan for the past 8 years, right? We invaded that country following the events of 9/11 to find those responsible for the attacks. This isn't anything new. And we aren't going to war "against" Afghanistan, we're continuing our mission to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban.

 

We are also backed by a coalition of 43 other countries, many of them (the UK, Australia, and France included) also pledging to increase the number of troops they have in that country.

 

You also realize that he established a time-table to pull out in 2011 no matter what the situation there is, right?

 

Our government isn't going to suddenly collapse because we're increasing the number of troops fighting an 8 year old war that we will then pull out of in less than 2 years.

This. And also what BCii said.

I've never liked our President to begin with, so I'm somewhat indifferent to this. I'm completely against however, backing out of a war when there's so much on a line. We have a army for a reason, and when we or other countries (especially all those neighboring countries, and innocent people in Afghanistan that are being threatened by extremists) are threatened, I think it's our job to do what we can.

I'm not very knowledgeable in all of this, so I apologize if I seem naive. I'm taking this view to be somewhat of a realistic approach. My parents, grandparents, older sisters, and even I have lived in those countries; my parents have definitely seen firsthand on how nasty those places are. My dad can tell you many many stories on this, how we cannot just leave at this moment. Some people there cannot be reasoned with, and if we just left them there they'd be killing off everyone and then expanding to other unprepared countries. I really hate war and I hate to seem like it's the 'only option', but It's better to stop it now, then never.

k I hate politics and I don't know how to debate...kthxbai.

You realize we've been fighting a war in Afghanistan for the past 8 years, right? We invaded that country following the events of 9/11 to find those responsible for the attacks. This isn't anything new. And we aren't going to war "against" Afghanistan, we're continuing our mission to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban.

 

We are also backed by a coalition of 43 other countries, many of them (the UK, Australia, and France included) also pledging to increase the number of troops they have in that country.

 

You also realize that he established a time-table to pull out in 2011 no matter what the situation there is, right?

 

Our government isn't going to suddenly collapse because we're increasing the number of troops fighting an 8 year old war that we will then pull out of in less than 2 years.

This. And also what BCii said.

 

I've never liked our President to begin with, so I'm somewhat indifferent to this. I'm completely against however, backing out of a war when there's so much on a line. We have a army for a reason, and when we or other countries (especially all those neighboring countries, and innocent people in Afghanistan that are being threatened by extremists) are threatened, I think it's our job to do what we can.

 

I'm not very knowledgeable in all of this, so I apologize if I seem naive. I'm taking this view to be somewhat of a realistic approach. My parents, grandparents, older sisters, and even I have lived in those countries; my parents have definitely seen firsthand on how nasty those places are. My dad can tell you many many stories on this, how we cannot just leave at this moment. Some people there cannot be reasoned with, and if we just left them there they'd be killing off everyone and then expanding to other unprepared countries. I really hate war and I hate to seem like it's the 'only option', but It's better to stop it now, then never.

 

k I hate politics and I don't know how to debate...kthxbai.

They wouldn't be threatened (and nether would we) if we didn't arm them in the 80s.

They wouldn't be threatened (and nether would we) if we didn't arm them in the 80s.

True; but they still would have found other ways to arm themselves. They aren't stupid, obviously.

They wouldn't be threatened (and nether would we) if we didn't arm them in the 80s.

True; but they still would had found other ways to arm themselves. They aren't stupid, obviously.

Yes but then it wouldn't have been our fault.

This whole problem is our own doing and that's what really makes it wrong.

Also in my opinion, we aren't the worlds superheros and they're is places a lot worse off the Afghanistan but we aren't helping them.

They wouldn't be threatened (and nether would we) if we didn't arm them in the 80s.

True; but they still would had found other ways to arm themselves. They aren't stupid, obviously.

Yes but then it wouldn't have been our fault.

 

 

This whole problem is our own doing and that's what really makes it wrong.

 

 

 

Also in my opinion, we aren't the worlds superheros and they're is places a lot worse off the Afghanistan but we aren't helping them.

I agree, and disagree. Those people have been battling against western civilizations for thousands of years. While we may have played a part in this, their mindset were already made about this. It is of equal fault.

Political discussion is getting a teensy bit political.

There are interests at work here that the average person does not know about, and is not supposed to know about. Any discussion that doesn't take those into account is mere smoke-and-mirrors drama from the higher perspective.

They wouldn't be threatened (and nether would we) if we didn't arm them in the 80s.

True; but they still would had found other ways to arm themselves. They aren't stupid, obviously.

Yes but then it wouldn't have been our fault.

 

 

This whole problem is our own doing and that's what really makes it wrong.

 

 

 

Also in my opinion, we aren't the worlds superheros and they're is places a lot worse off the Afghanistan but we aren't helping them.

I agree, and disagree. Those people have been battling against western civilizations for thousands of years. While we may have played a part in this, their mindset were already made about this. It is of equal fault.

I may be a little bit dull on the subject, but I can't find any war that Afghanistan has started.

it's always been that someone attempts to invade them and they butcher the people invading.

The graveyard of empires. That's about all that really needs to be said here. And as far as I'm concerned, imperialism can go suck a lemon.

Oil and opium.

Bingo. We do have a winner.

Something tells me your President himself doesn't support the war except insofar as he must appear to do so for the sake of the bigger picture. I suspect the man is playing chess with some nasty characters behind the scenes.

 

My intuitive sense of Barack Obama was positive from the start, and has not changed.

 

And I agree with this, too.

Also,

I have a very bad feeling about this.

*Wookiee roar*

~EW~

There is no good reason for war.

Ever.

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

it fixes over population...

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

it fixes over population...

That can be fixed without pointless violence.

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

it fixes over population...

 

That can be fixed without pointless violence.

it was a joke.

But if you want a serious point it helps human evolution in a way.

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

it fixes over population...

 

That can be fixed without pointless violence.

it was a joke.

 

 

But if you want a serious point it helps human evolution in a way.

Not in a good way.

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

it fixes over population...

 

That can be fixed without pointless violence.

it was a joke.

 

 

But if you want a serious point it helps human evolution in a way.

 

Not in a good way.

There is no good or bad evolution.

Only Superior and inferior.

War style evolution takes us back to that stronger more innovative type of human, even if ultimately self destructive.

You realize we've been fighting a war in Afghanistan for the past 8 years, right? We invaded that country following the events of 9/11 to find those responsible for the attacks. This isn't anything new. And we aren't going to war "against" Afghanistan, we're continuing our mission to root out al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The Soviets were attacking them for about ten before they collapsed.

We are also backed by a coalition of 43 other countries, many of them (the UK, Australia, and France included) also pledging to increase the number of troops they have in that country.

Most of whom are also experiencing economic crises, and understandably will worry about themselves before they help us if we're all in a mess.

You also realize that he established a time-table to pull out in 2011 no matter what the situation there is, right?

The exact same thing has been said hundreds of times in history. It's been held to about seven or eight. "We'll pull out by then!" Then, when "then" comes, we only need a few months more so we stay to finish it! And then a few more. It's a neverending chain of procrastination.

Our government isn't going to suddenly collapse because we're increasing the number of troops fighting an 8 year old war that we will then pull out of in less than 2 years.

It's a steady slope. I'm not saying we'll descend into anarchy, it's not the best place to live, but Russia is still a world power after the Soviet Union fell apart. All I'm saying is that it's not a smart idea.

Oil and opium.

That was part of what I wanted to avoid, as it tends to make people's blood boil and accusations of conspiracy theorizing get thrown around.

Something tells me your President himself doesn't support the war except insofar as he must appear to do so for the sake of the bigger picture. I suspect the man is playing chess with some nasty characters behind the scenes.

 

My intuitive sense of Barack Obama was positive from the start, and has not changed.

 

Even so though, people's lives are going to be sacrificed for this game you're speaking of, there's a certain point where it begins to seem like enough is enough.

I've never liked our President to begin with, so I'm somewhat indifferent to this. I'm completely against however, backing out of a war when there's so much on a line. We have a army for a reason, and when we or other countries (especially all those neighboring countries, and innocent people in Afghanistan that are being threatened by extremists) are threatened, I think it's our job to do what we can.

That's the kind of mindset I don't like though, the idea that America has to be the ones to step in and help everyone. There are times where there needs to be a mediator, and if nobody else steps up then sure, but there are times where we need to mind our own business and, as cruel as it sounds, worry less about what happens over there and how the citizens of those countries die, and worry about how our soldiers do.

I'm not very knowledgeable in all of this, so I apologize if I seem naive.

I don't consider myself heavily knowledgeable on the subject by any means, so there's no need to apologize.

I'm taking this view to be somewhat of a realistic approach. My parents, grandparents, older sisters, and even I have lived in those countries; my parents have definitely seen firsthand on how nasty those places are. My dad can tell you many many stories on this, how we cannot just leave at this moment. Some people there cannot be reasoned with, and if we just left them there they'd be killing off everyone and then expanding to other unprepared countries. I really hate war and I hate to seem like it's the 'only option', but It's better to stop it now, then never.

I hate to say something like this about someone as mad as he was, but Saddam Hussein had things relatively under control. Again, as history has proven, due to the differences between the Sunis and Shiites, the two of them will constantly be fighting, and it takes someone even more ruthless and iron-fisted than they can be to get them to coexist. There were some outbursts now and then and he was terrible to the citizenry, but he kept them under control for the most part, and when we destabilized their government, whether or not it was good for the citizens, it got rid of the madman who could outcrazy the crazy and keep them in check.

There is no good reason for war.

 

Ever.

To an extent I agree, but there will always be nutcases, so it's best to be prepared for a fight than to be hoping it doesn't happen and getting beaten to a pulp when it does.

And again, while I may feel that war is in no ways a good thing, I'm less against the war and more against continuing it in our current state.

I just wish he didn't publicly say when he plans to pull out. Now the other side will know too. >.>

trufax

Not gonna get into the discussion here, I'm just wondering how this hasn't been locked yet.

~Bunda

@Dearest- Mankind needs to evolve past silly frustrations and realize that we're no better than anyone else as long as we're of equal physical and mental health.

@Necro- It's best to stop war before it even happens. Burn down the government, emancipate the people.