Events over the past several weeks have added to the already overwhelming case for an immediate pullout of US troops from Afghanistan. The unfortunate burning of copies of the Koran and the recent rampage by a US soldier that left 16 civilians dead, including 9 children, make it imperative that our soldiers leave now. Occupation does nothing to win the population over - at this point, foreign troops are considered invaders. Occupation sets the stage for atrocities. Bruce Springsteen's "Devils and Dust" is a powerful statement of the impossible situation that soldiers are put in during all wars and especially during occupations.
It is time to bring this tragic mistake to an end and to stop the loss of life on both sides. Al-qaeda has long been uprooted from Afghanistan. Even if you buy the argument that this justified the US invasion (and I don't buy it - terrorism is stopped by detection and police action not by war and invasion), the time has come to let the Afghans rule their country and settle their differences without our interference. The Taliban have just exited from peace talks with the US. Karzai has asked the US to confine themselves to bases, stop night raids, and ban private security companies. Karzai's requests make sense and should be immediately agreed to in anticipation of a greatly accelerated withdrawal of troops.
The following web address will take you to the New Security Action petition to end the Afghanistan War:
http://newsecurityaction.org/page/s/enough-is-enough
Sounds like even the US could find reasons now to end the war in Afghanistan. I agree with you, war doesn't work in the end.
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