I've heard people argue that pulling our troops out of Iraq and Afganistan would only make things worse for the Iraqis and the Afghans. I've heard that since we've "messed up" those countries, we have a responsibility to help them recover.
When does that responsibility end? I think we were justified in going into Afghanistan to capture the man who claimed responsibility for 9/11, but we haven't found him, and last I heard, he probably isn't even there. I recognize that the basis for the Iraq invasion was shaky at best, so I can see that we could be held responsible for bombing the hummus out of their capital. The United States certainly has killed more bystanders than anybody would like to acknowledge.
My problem with the whole situation is that our presence in those countries doesn't seem to be doing anybody any good. Our troops are dying. Their troops and police are dying. Their civilians are dying. The infrastructures that we keep pouring money into keeps getting blown up. And all those deaths and all those explosions are being used to recruit more lonely souls who can be convinced to blow themselves up.
I did a quick google to try and figure out how much money the United States has spent on these wars. The estimates vary, but it sems to be around 4 TRILLION dollars. I'm pretty sure that would be enough money to pay our healthcare, or college for every child, or an elevator to the moon.
So here's my idea:
We tell both governments that all of our troops will be leaving in 6 months. ALL of them, not just "combat" troops. They have 6 months to get their act together, crack down on the corrucptions, settle things amongst the tribes or factions or whatver, and then we're gone.
"BUT, JON, IF WE DON'T FIGHT THEM THERE, THEY'LL COME HERE!!!"
Well, nonsense. But if it makes you feel better, for a fraction of the cost, we'll deploy one tenth of them to the borders and the airports to shoot anybody that looks like they might have a bomb in their van. Come to think of it, just shoot anybody driving a van.
When does that responsibility end? I think we were justified in going into Afghanistan to capture the man who claimed responsibility for 9/11, but we haven't found him, and last I heard, he probably isn't even there. I recognize that the basis for the Iraq invasion was shaky at best, so I can see that we could be held responsible for bombing the hummus out of their capital. The United States certainly has killed more bystanders than anybody would like to acknowledge.
My problem with the whole situation is that our presence in those countries doesn't seem to be doing anybody any good. Our troops are dying. Their troops and police are dying. Their civilians are dying. The infrastructures that we keep pouring money into keeps getting blown up. And all those deaths and all those explosions are being used to recruit more lonely souls who can be convinced to blow themselves up.
I did a quick google to try and figure out how much money the United States has spent on these wars. The estimates vary, but it sems to be around 4 TRILLION dollars. I'm pretty sure that would be enough money to pay our healthcare, or college for every child, or an elevator to the moon.So here's my idea:
We tell both governments that all of our troops will be leaving in 6 months. ALL of them, not just "combat" troops. They have 6 months to get their act together, crack down on the corrucptions, settle things amongst the tribes or factions or whatver, and then we're gone.
"BUT, JON, IF WE DON'T FIGHT THEM THERE, THEY'LL COME HERE!!!"
Well, nonsense. But if it makes you feel better, for a fraction of the cost, we'll deploy one tenth of them to the borders and the airports to shoot anybody that looks like they might have a bomb in their van. Come to think of it, just shoot anybody driving a van.
I agree.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm glad our VW van broke down.
ReplyDelete