Obama’s Neverending Afghan Adventure

If we never quit, then we’ll never leave

Brian Doherty | March 31, 2010

President Barack Obama snuck in and out of Afghanistan on Sunday. He made his secret escape from Camp David and flew around the world to show the troops he cared, and to assure all of them and all of us back at the home front—despite all that talk last year of a foreseeable and expected drawdown in troops and eventual withdrawal—that, “The United States of America does not quit once it starts on something.... We keep at it. We persevere. And together, with our partners, we will prevail. I am absolutely confident of that."

Bold talk of perseverance leading to victory, delivered to the brave souls who risk death trying to make it come true—now that’s a political narrative for Obama. At least it's the sort of narrative that Reason Editor in Chief Matt Welch criticized the president and his media enablers for constantly seeking out: a pithy story, easy to understand and cheer, but without any of the messy realities that unfold in actual life.

As a political move, Obama’s Afghan vacation was a strange choice to cap what had been a pretty impressive streak, with health care and student loans supposedly flowing down like gentle manna from Obama's healing hands. From one perspective, the trip could be seen as drawing attention to an intractable problem whose standing with the American people shifts for no obvious reason.

Barring some catastrophic event unquestionably connected to someone in Afghanistan, I suspect Obama could treat this war like a national Chuck Cunningham and never mention it again. That he bothered to cap his political triumphs with a reminder of this persistent foreign policy bummer seems to prove that he really has adopted this war as his own.

Which is good for neither his political future nor the future of American foreign policy. Consider Afghan boss and American partner Hamid Karzai. He's in office through fraud, he's unable or unwilling to meet U.S. demands in terms of ending corruption and the local drug trade, and he's happy to invite U.S. enemies such as Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak in his country.

Karzai does at least say “thank you” when we ask him to, as he did during Obama’s visit. Still, he can often sound like the most radical domestic opponents of American Empire, as The New York Times recently noted:

“[Karzai] has developed a complete theory of American power,” said an Afghan…who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “He believes that America is trying to dominate the region, and that he is the only one who can stand up to them.”

Mr. Karzai said that, left alone, he could strike a deal with the Taliban, but that the United States refuses to allow him. The American goal, he said, was to keep the Afghan conflict going, and thereby allow American troops to stay in the country.

This is the ally we have chosen. Beyond the country's domestic politics, things do not seem to be on a one-year stroll to a forceful quelling of the Afghan insurgency. American casualties during the first three months of this year are nearly double that of the same period last year. Justice in Afghanistan remains rudimentary and terrifying by American standards, and barely half the Afghan population prefers the government’s courts over more tribal or private means of adjudication. Twenty-six percent of the civilian casualties in 2008, the most recent year with accurate records, were from pro-government air strikes. The Brookings Institution, which has the best civilian statistics collection on the Afghan war effort, sums up the current realities:

In terms of raw violence, the situation is at a historic worst level, with early 2010 levels of various types of attacks much higher than even last year at this time. Much of that is due to the recent Marja campaign and, more generally, the deployment of additional U.S. (and Afghan) troops to parts of the country where they have not been present before. One hopes, therefore, that it is a temporary effect only.

By way of comparison, the rate of attacks in Afghanistan country-wide is now more than double the level seen in Iraq. However, civilian fatality rates for the two countries are comparable. That is because in Afghanistan, the enemy targets security forces selectively, more than civilians, and also because General McChrystal's emphasis on reducing accidental harm to civilians has led to more care by NATO troops in the use of firepower.

As goes Marjah, so will go Kandahar—or at least that's the hope. (Though the significance of the Marjah victory might be less than it’s being spun, both in scope and in victory.) Undoubtedly, Afghanistan presents fertile ground for any number of future "victories," complete with casualty figures higher for Them than for Us (and with the civilian Them somewhere in the middle).

But none of this means that the end goal of establishing internal security, crippling the insurgency, and guarranteeing that no one will ever plot wickedness against the U.S. from the Afghanistan area will be reached, or could be reached, minus an eternal American occupation.

Domestic and foreign policy foolishness dovetail in Afghanistan. Among all the other dubious things we are trying to accomplish in this tribally-torn land—whose younger generation has known pretty much nothing but internecine strife—is the elimination of poppy and opium production, which as much as 35 percent of the country is likely involved in. We'll probably never learn just how much peace and prosperity we could bring to this troubled land simply by letting them grow that which the world seems to most want from them. How much peace and prosperity we can bring with 100,000 troops, we will alas find out.

This doesn’t mean some sort of “victory” is impossible in Afghanistan. We already knocked out the Taliban government that enabled our Al Qaeda attackers, which was the reason we invaded in the first place. But then overthrowing a government can be much easier than propping up an existing government that's reviled by lots of angry, well-armed people. And as far as driving Al Qaeda out of a safe haven where they could safely grow, well, according to Gen. Stanley McChrystal himself last fall, we’ve pretty much done that.

Neither our national safety, our national dignity, nor our national need to prove that no one should fuck with us have been at stake in Afghanistan since 2002, when Foreign Affairs declared our military operation there a “flawed masterpiece” of both political and military strategy.

The U.S. getting trapped in Afghanistan is neither a matter of fate nor of survival. It is about the story we choose to tell. Are we Russia in the 1980s or Babur the Mughal emperor in 1504? Is the Afghan mission an imperialist U.S. power grab or a feminist mission of mercy? We are actively trying to change how both our European allies and the Afghan people themselves tell the story of our involvement. We can get any number of advantages from staying, ranging from helping set up a possible casus belli with Iran to convincing the world that when we cry havoc, we mean havoc 'til the bitter end.

But there are so many bitter ends along the way. Sticking it out will mean tens of thousands added to the already hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the whole Afghanistan-Pakistan mess. It will mean more repetitions in the coming years of the $33 billion on top of the $65 billion we are spending over there this year alone. Not to mention—though really we should mention almost nothing else—the lives lost on all sides trying to guarantee the impossible. The one thing we could do—ridding ourselves of a state that coddled our enemies and giving the Afghans another chance to try self-rule—is done, and thus there is no reason our “mission” should not be as well.

Obama snuck in and out of Afghanistan quickly and, abetted by his press followers, with great secrecy. The troops whose morale he was trying to improve are regrettably still there, with many more to come.

There’s still time to change the narrative. But each day we don’t change it adds to the dead and to the displaced and to a legacy of justifiable rage against America-as-foreign-occupier. The very sort of rage, incidentally, that has fueled most guerrilla terrorism throughout history. As a means to make the U.S. safer, that's an unconvincing tale. But Obama is right about one thing: It is his narrative to shape, and to change, if he wants to.

Senior Editor Brian Doherty is author of This is Burning Man (BenBella), Radicals for Capitalism (PublicAffairs) and Gun Control on Trial (Cato Institute).

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Alan Vanneman|3.31.10 @ 3:40PM|#

Obama feels that as long as he's killing innocent people somewhere in the world, the right can't call him an absolute pussy.

That, and denial of basic constitutional rights, is what passes for liberalism in this country these days.

|3.31.10 @ 3:53PM|#

Hey, that was pretty good, Vanneman. Still, I think your time would be better spent reviewing Hamburger Hill.

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:17PM|#

I'd stop to comment but I'm busy writing a brand new book entitled 'Of Mice and Men'.

The Taliban|3.31.10 @ 4:30PM|#

he's killing innocent people

And a hat tip to you, Alan!

Alan Vanneman|3.31.10 @ 9:54PM|#

"Hamburger Hill"? Don't know about that. I was in the Parrot's Beak.

|3.31.10 @ 3:42PM|#

You can't build a nation where the citizenry doesn't want one.

Donald Rumsfeld|3.31.10 @ 4:20PM|#

Dammit, TV, the surge will make it happen! It has to work!

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:31PM|#

I just want to thank you for reserecting the word "slog".

Invisible Finger|3.31.10 @ 3:45PM|#

Mission Assimilated

|3.31.10 @ 3:51PM|#

I am Locutus of Borg

|3.31.10 @ 3:47PM|#

Obama's neverending adventure was Bush's neverending adventure and in 2013, it will probably become someone elses neverending adventure.

The Wine Commonsewer (TWC)|3.31.10 @ 4:37PM|#

Excellent forecast, after all, we've been in Korea my entire life. And I am friggin' old.

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 4:40PM|#

:::shudders::: You have a point.

Eric|3.31.10 @ 4:56PM|#

How do you like your Samsung TV?

|3.31.10 @ 9:43PM|#

I hope your not trying to say the war was worth it because of being able to buy a T.V. from South Korea...

|3.31.10 @ 5:13PM|#

""Excellent forecast, after all, we've been in Korea my entire life. And I am friggin' old.""

With no end in sight!

|3.31.10 @ 3:52PM|#

Well we already know the way to fix things...we need another surge....whenever we have a surge we totally kick ass! Nobody can deny that the surge wasn't awesome.

|3.31.10 @ 4:00PM|#

While nobody denies the exxtacy of a surgegasm, the post-coalition depression is too much to bear.

That's the spirit, boy!

|3.31.10 @ 4:03PM|#

President Barack Obama capped off an impressive streak of domestic victories

Like what, exactly?

Healthcare. And I guess some kind of do-nothing "jobs" bill.

That's an "impressive streak"?

Almanian|3.31.10 @ 4:21PM|#

Maybe he was graded on a curve versus his first six months ??

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:32PM|#

He nationalized the student loan industry.

|3.31.10 @ 6:12PM|#

Don't forget Lily Ledbettor. Right out of the box he was enacting universe changing legislation that will forever be remembered as the legacy of our greatest president ever.

ryan|4.20.10 @ 2:56PM|#

"As a political move, Obama’s Afghan vacation was a strange choice to cap what had been a pretty impressive streak, with health care and student loans supposedly flowing down like gentle manna from Obama's healing hands."

Is this what you completely failed to paraphrase correctly?

Tim|3.31.10 @ 4:06PM|#

If we give up Afghanistan where will we launch our drone attacks into Pakistan from? Huh?
[sarcasm]

Ebeneezer Scrooge|4.1.10 @ 6:20AM|#

Nevada?

|3.31.10 @ 4:10PM|#

hopefulyl a libertarian leaning republican like Guliani will win in 2012 so that we can totally defeat the middle east.

Drax the Destroyer|4.1.10 @ 8:49AM|#

Oh God that's funny. Bwhahahahahahaha!!!!

(Breath)

BAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Sudden|3.31.10 @ 4:12PM|#

President Obama capped off an ~~impressive~~ oppressive streak of domestic victories...

Sudden|3.31.10 @ 4:13PM|#

FIFY Brian

Eric|3.31.10 @ 4:16PM|#

Look people, if you are confused as to why we are in Iraq and Afghanistan, then you really need to look at a Map .

Eric|3.31.10 @ 4:18PM|#

Ok, that link didn't work the way I wanted it too.. Basically, Having bases in Iraq and Afghanistan would create two fronts for an invasion of Iran.

Eric|3.31.10 @ 4:17PM|#

Sudden|3.31.10 @ 4:18PM|#

we're not gonna invade Iran and I really don't think thats the reason we're in either of the places. We're in Afghanistan and Iraq because of hubris, a belief in nation-building, and plain idiocy.

Eric|3.31.10 @ 4:21PM|#

I think the option is still on the table:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8573087.stm

Don Rumsfeld|3.31.10 @ 4:23PM|#

Dammit, Sudden, we're there to bring nationhood to people who don't want it! Get it straight, man!

|3.31.10 @ 4:38PM|#

My friend,Thomas Freidman, knows we are in Iraq to tell the muslims to suck on this

Benjamin Netanyahoo|3.31.10 @ 5:14PM|#

That's what you think, goy boy.

|3.31.10 @ 5:19PM|#

""We're in Afghanistan and Iraq because of hubris, a belief in nation-building, and plain idiocy.""

We are in Afganistan because the Taliban refused to hand over OBL and destory AQ training bases. Bush gave them a chance to avoid an invasion, they refused.

But the mission became a nation building exercise. If we found OBL tonight, and knew no AQ base existed on Afghan soil, we would probably still be there for years to come.

|3.31.10 @ 6:15PM|#

The reason we're in it is someone is making a load of money off of it.

|4.1.10 @ 11:57AM|#

"The reason we're in it is someone is making a load of money off of it."

'Someone' make a load of money of pretty much anything government does.

Scotch Hamilton|3.31.10 @ 4:22PM|#

At some point, you guys are going to realize that the libertarian heroes (corporations) and villians (governments) are more or less the same group of people...and that's why we're in Afghanistan.

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 4:25PM|#

Not too quick on the uptake, eh, Scotch? Don't worry, no need to project.

Troll Master|3.31.10 @ 4:25PM|#

You'd better start trying harder, or Warty, Gobbler and team will descend upon you like hellfire and bring pain upon you. Not pretty.

Let's get in the game before you get hurt.

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:35PM|#

I wouldn't shit in his mouth even if his kids were all starving.

Troll Master|3.31.10 @ 5:02PM|#

Hee hee! That made me shoot pop out my nose...

|3.31.10 @ 4:28PM|#

God, you're terrible. What's happening to H&R? We used to have the best trolls on the intertubez, and now we get this asshole?

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 4:30PM|#

They might have to unbanish LoneWacko to up the quality of troll (ouch).

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:37PM|#

I hope they do. He was surprisingly semi-lucid just prior to the banhammering.

Urkobold™|3.31.10 @ 4:35PM|#

IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT THE SAME ENTITY THAT PROCURED THE LOBSTER GIRL FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL USE HAS ALSO HIRED AWAY ALL THE QUALITY TROLLS FOR HIS OWN NEFARIOUS, YET SHOCKINGLY EVIL, PURPOSES.

|3.31.10 @ 4:39PM|#

Well, that's fine, but get with the evil purposes already. I'm bored.

Urkobold™|3.31.10 @ 5:26PM|#

BOREDOM IS MERELY THE FIRST PHASE. YOU'LL KNOW THE SECOND PHASE HAS BEGUN WHEN NUDE FEMALE BULLFIGHTING BECOMES THE BIGGEST FAD IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

Why tell us? The U.S. government wouldn't be in Afghanistan if anybody listened to us.

Why don't you toddle on down to the White House and explain all this to your hero Barack?

EJ|3.31.10 @ 5:54PM|#

"At some point, you guys are going to realize that the libertarian heroes (corporations) and villians (governments) are more or less the same group of people"

obviously you have never read rand, hayek, friedman, or even adam smith... all of them figured that out a long time ago

Citizen Nothing|3.31.10 @ 4:26PM|#

At some point Scotch is going to realize that the liberal heroes (government) and villains (corporations) are more or less the same group of people.
There's a good Scotchy! A good widdle scotchywotchy!

|3.31.10 @ 9:51PM|#

Scotch Hamilton|3.31.10 @ 4:36PM|#

I'm trying to do you guys a favor...at some point you are bound to realize that libertarian philosophy winds up in a Catch-22.

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 4:37PM|#

You're so wise, oh Scotch. And by wise, I mean dreadfully dull.

|3.31.10 @ 4:40PM|#

Wow, you just get worse. You don't troll well under pressure, do you.

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:40PM|#

Do you even know what a Catch 22 is? Because you are not using it correctly.

In Heller's own words:

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Or would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

Scotch Hamilton|3.31.10 @ 4:44PM|#

Thanks for the lesson but the term has evolved since then...it's shorthand for "either way you're screwed"

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 4:48PM|#

Oh, man, you even fail at pedantry, Scotch. You're probably the worst troll I've ever seen. This is sad.

The Gobbler|3.31.10 @ 4:59PM|#

Well looky here:

http://centerforadvancedsarcasm.blogspot.com/

Art-P.O.G.|3.31.10 @ 5:04PM|#

Good find, Gobbler. This changes...everything.

Charles|3.31.10 @ 5:53PM|#

Holy crap, Scotch is Dan T.?

Marc|4.1.10 @ 9:36AM|#

That is just... awful.

Veritas|4.5.10 @ 2:44AM|#

This guy seems retarded from American 'culture', I feel sorry for him and do not blame him for his ramblings.

Mr. Chartreuse|3.31.10 @ 10:53PM|#

No I think that's what "Between a rock and a hard place" means.

|3.31.10 @ 5:03PM|#

And I'm just trying to do you a favor... at some point you are bound to realize that statist philosophies wind up in a double bind.

Wow, it's easy to just assert things! Who knew?

|4.1.10 @ 12:08PM|#

"I'm trying to do you guys a favor...at some point you are bound to realize that libertarian philosophy winds up in a Catch-22."

I think I see your point. I also think you can find a catch-22 in some form of any philosophy. I'm certainly no expert on libertarian philosophy (or any other kind), but my impression is that there are different strains of libertarianism. (I'm no fan of Rand, but I think Hayek is great.) This is true of liberals, conservatism, marxism, etc. Any assertion like this may be more applicable to some strains than others.

Obama should declare victory and bring the troops home. He should have done this 15 months ago. I really don't give a rat's ass about the fool's mission of planting democracy in Afghanistan.

The soil (culture) will not support it.

Trolls note that I and many others here were saying this back in 2006. It was a foolish waste of lives and treasure then and remains one now.

The Wine Commonsewer (TWC)|3.31.10 @ 4:39PM|#

Nicely put, Brian.

Xeones|3.31.10 @ 4:45PM|#

I hereby rescind my rescinding of my initial hate of Scotch Hamilton. Scotch, you suck. Eat a bag of dicks.

|3.31.10 @ 4:48PM|#

There is no greater sin at H&R than poor trolling.

Bag of Dicks|3.31.10 @ 4:50PM|#

please don't eat me.

Old Bull Lee|3.31.10 @ 5:06PM|#

“The United States of America does not quit once it starts on something.... We keep at it. We persevere. And together, with our partners, we will prevail. I am absolutely confident of that."

Gotta be careful with copy-and-paste Brian, you accidentally dropped a McCain quote in this article.

Contrarian P|3.31.10 @ 5:45PM|#

I know this isn't all that popular an opinion, but just a short while ago it was "Iraq is Bush's Vietnam. We can't win, quagmire, etc. etc." Now that we seem to be ready to withdraw troops from Iraq as planned, we're now on to "Afghanistan is Bush/Barack's Vietnam, we can't win, quagmire, etc. etc." Now I do think that Afghanistan will be much more difficult to build to a point where we can declare victory without the world laughing in derision, but I'm not quite willing to say we should just cut our losses at this point.

I do find it interesting that there wasn't much bitching and moaning from the Democratic party on this war as for a long time you didn't hear much about it. It was all Iraq since it was a political expedient. Of course the fact that so many Democrats voted for invading Afghanistan and there was no real way to skew the facts into "those evil Bushites tricked me" may have had something to do with it too. I'm hopeful that we find a way to exit gracefully. Not optimistic, but hopeful. If there's one thing our government can actually do fairly well, it's blow some shit up.

|3.31.10 @ 5:58PM|#

There has to be some cost benefit analysis involved in these adventure hasn't there? How many hundreds of billions and how many millions of lives ruined and/or destroyed has all of this been worth. Precisely what metric applies here?

Contrarian P|3.31.10 @ 6:03PM|#

I agree. I'm not sure that we shouldn't have left before now when things were looking largely good. All wars, even those that may be for perfectly justifiable reasons, cause widespread death and misery for lots of people, in addition to costing lots of money. It would have been hard to argue against invading Afghanistan back in 2002. Now the question is can we make our exit without sending the region into the hands of a bigger foe than we took out in the first place.

Peaceful Idiot|4.1.10 @ 12:53AM|#

don't worry, we'll hit Iran or something and lose about 20k troops in retaliation. Don't worry, the fun is just beginning.

Ebeneezer Scrooge|4.1.10 @ 6:29AM|#

Now that we seem to be ready to withdraw troops from Iraq as planned

We're not leaving Iraq. Because we can't figure out how to cut a deal with Iran, who will basically run Iraq the minute we pull out.

Iran is the key to Iraq.

Pakistan is the key to Afghanistan.

Both keys are evil monsters that are eating us alive.

|3.31.10 @ 5:55PM|#

Hopey McChange was alive and sentient during the Presidency of LBJ right? He was, wasn't he???

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 6:47PM

Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…@ 3:47PM|#. Obama’s neverending adventure was Bush’s neverending adventure and in 2013, it will probably become someone elses neverending adventure Excerpt from: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Posted in Adventure | Tags: Adventure, become-someone, commonsewer, elses-neverending, twc, will-probably Comments are closed. Search Search Categories Adventure (1164)

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 6:51PM

…foreign policy. Consider Afghan boss and American partner Hamid Karzai. He’s in office through fraud, he’s unable or unwilling to meet U.S Continue reading here: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Leave a Reply Click here to cancel reply. Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website 'American Idol' Dad Takes On Gillibrand for Senate Seat…

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 8:02PM

Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine : PlanetTalk.net - Learn the links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Camp David and flew around the world to show the troops he cared, and to assure all of them and all of us back at the home front—despite … Go here to see the original: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Tags: american, brian, brian-doherty, earth, obama, Politics, reason, scotch, taliban, urkobold, world Comments Tell us what you're thinking... and oh, if you want a pic to show…

|3.31.10 @ 8:23PM|#

The author treats the quote from Karzai with hostility, as if he shouldn't have "gone there."

Does anyone actually disagree with what Karzai said? As a Pashtun, I'm sure the Taliban would be willing to talk with him (they already are, according to some accounts). But they WILL NOT negotiate with infidel occupiers.

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 8:25PM

Rygar: The Legendary Adventure | ColdSip.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Related Blogs (Permanent Links): Related posts on Adventure BMW X5 Adventure Trip Namibia. | COCHINPAGES Aprilia Tuareg 750 – Adventure Dream? » Motodisiac » Blog Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Related posts on Legendary Legendary: “Summer Son” by Texas « LOFT965 (NEW 2009) Z-Ro – Exclusive Freestyle (Chopped By DJ Legendary … Badass 87 Radio » Blog Archive »…

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 8:55PM

…many hundreds of billions and how many millions of lives ruined and/or destroyed has all of this been worth. Precisely what metric applies here? … Read the rest here: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: lives-ruined, some-cost Comments are closed. Categories Uncategorized Contact Us | Terms of Use | Trademarks | Privacy Statement Copyright…

ControlFreakLiberalTroll|3.31.10 @ 10:28PM|#

Sheeeeeeeeeesh! You people are worried about war while here on the home front Ronald McDonald is corrupting our children in ways that would make Joe Camel blush.

http://www.chicagobreakingbusi.....etire.html

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 10:48PM

…from Camp David and flew around the world to show the troops he cared, and to assure all of them and all of us back at the home front—despite … Read the rest here: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Posted in Magazine | Tags: and-flew, assure-all, back-at-the, david, fghanistan-on-sunday, home, made-his, president-barack, secret-escape, sunday, troops Comments are closed.…

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 10:49PM

…Camp David and flew around the world to show the troops he cared, and to assure all of them and all of us back at the home front—despite … See the original post here: Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Posted in Magazine | Tags: and-flew, barack, david, fghanistan-on-sunday, home, show-the-troops, the-home, troops Comments are closed. Search Search Categories Magazine

Pingback| 3.31.10 @ 11:12PM

How can I get better on the drums? | CAPPEL informed links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…| FanGraphs … Report: Iran ready to swap ssome uranium for fuel The Real Reason We Should Drill « John Stossel Deauthentication Reason Codes « Steev's Gentoo Stuff Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Reason.tv: 3 Reasons Why Public Sector Employees Are Killing The … Jaime Escalante, RIP – Hit & Run : Reason Magazine Reason Morning Links: More Terror in…

Peaceful Idiot|4.1.10 @ 12:51AM|#

poor poor Reason... they're sad about the ol' Empire.

Too bad they sided decided to give in to fear and team up with Jami Kirchick instead of taking a principled stand against Empire when they had the chance to.

Oh well, the folks at Reason can boo hoo hoo and cry about it over their heroin needles.

Kolohe|4.1.10 @ 12:53AM|#

he's happy to invite U.S. enemies such as Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak in his country.

This is a somewhat weak part of your piece. Iran is Afghanistan's next door neighbor - they're going to have a relationship that independent of either's relationship with the USA.

|4.1.10 @ 9:47AM|#

Agreed...the love of sucking uncle sams dick and the military industrial complex shines through brightly udring a couple of the points made. overall, a weak anti-war article.

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 1:57AM

Would I be wasting money if I bought heart gold and soul silver? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Tuned In – TIME.com The Oil Drilling Rorschach Test – Swampland – TIME.com Guantanamo Detainees Collect Food for Haitians – Swampland – TIME.com Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Dawson Is Paying Up Big- Time!! | PerezHilton.com Walk a Little, Lose a Lot – Healthy Living – Health.com SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Would I be wasting money if…

|4.1.10 @ 3:42AM|#

oBOMBya needs to be arrested by the military for High Treason, as do the Congress and Senate for allowing this illegal WarMongering to go on and on and fucking on..

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 4:58AM

Dannii Minogue tops 25 Most Beautiful People list | Dannii Minogue Celebrity Monitor links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Read the original: Dannii Minogue tops 25 Most Beautiful People list Related Blogs on Magazine Maja Salvador Sizzles on Preview Magazine's April 2010 Cover … Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Magazine Designer George Lois Rejects Apple iPad | Peter Kafka … Related Posts Dannii Minogue tops Most Beautiful list | 9DOWNSOFT Health Dannii Minogue Glamour UK…

Dannii Minogue tops Most Beautiful list | 9DOWNSOFT Health | Dannii Minogue Celebrity links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…this article: Dannii Minogue tops Most Beautiful list | 9DOWNSOFT Health Related Blogs on Magazine Maja Salvador Sizzles on Preview Magazine's April 2010 Cover … Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Magazine Designer George Lois Rejects Apple iPad | Peter Kafka … Related Posts Dannii Minogue tops 25 Most Beautiful People list Dannii Minogue Glamour UK March 2010…

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 6:05AM

Obama To Tout Health Care Reform On Trip To Maine | Purple Media links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Challenging Loophole in Healthcare Reform Bill | Press Releases @ Your Story Gallup: Majority Says Dem Health Reform Tactics Were “Abuse Of Power” | The Plum Line Obama’s Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Richardson orders National Guard to the border « New Mexico Independent Related posts: Health Care Repeal Campaigns Could Backfire On Republicans In Fall Elections…

Ebeneezer Scrooge|4.1.10 @ 6:36AM|#

The one thing we could do—ridding ourselves of a state that coddled our enemies and giving the Afghans another chance to try self-rule—is done, and thus there is no reason our “mission” should not be as well.

No Brian, that's not really true.

We drove the Taliban into Pakistan. Now they're home sick and returning to Afghanistan.

I agree with your motion for the US military to Abandon Asia and the Middle East. But it's not quite right to say we knocked the Taliban out. We just made them move next door for a while.

Would it have been cheaper -- or "better" by any other measure -- to have invaded Afghanistan several times, pull out after each one and then return to knock the Taliban out again?

I still have not seen a solution to the Afghanistan problem that makes any real sense.

Iraq had/has a solution: don't do it in the first place. But Afghanistan was different.

Drax the Destroyer|4.1.10 @ 8:58AM|#

James Bond (or an independent actor, with no US afilliation) in an Iron Man suit is the solution to all our foreign terrorist problems. Captialism, get working on that shit.

Drax the Mispeller|4.1.10 @ 9:00AM|#

Goddamnit. Capitalism. Capitalism.

I apologize to the comment gods.

Captialist|4.1.10 @ 9:39AM|#

Just when I thought you guys were coming around to my way of thinking.

Jimmy 'Crack' Corn|4.1.10 @ 3:46PM|#

I understand Jack Bauer will be free this coming May...

$|4.1.10 @ 8:31AM|#

Everyone knows that it is either racebaiting or Empire. There is no in-between.

Damn you, Reason, for singlehandedly losing Ron Paul the election!

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 9:39AM

The Small Bus. Administration defines a small business as up to $5 million in sales.? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Why does Obama plan on raising taxes on 95% of them, the ones making more than $250k? Related Blogs Offshore Drilling: How Obama Can Have His Cake and Eat It Too … Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Obama announces offshore drilling plan – First Read – msnbc.com John Mccain's terrible Health Care “ plan” vs. Obama – Cool Great … The…

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 9:53AM

Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Blog Blog The Sponsors /* */ Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Paper Magazine - Beautiful People - PHOTOS - 2010 | Styleite L Magazine's "8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear": Now With Bowtie … Maja Salvador Sizzles on Preview…

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 11:05AM

Obama Signs Bill on Student Loans and Health Care – The Caucus … | Loans Finance Wisd links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…bill that revamps student loan programs. Continue reading here: Obama Signs Bill on Student Loans and Health Care – The Caucus … Related Blogs on Obama Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Obama travels to Maine to promote health care overhaul's benefits … Obama's drilling bribe is insultingly small. | RedState Related Posts Student Loan Overhaul…

|4.1.10 @ 11:19AM|#

April Fools! We're NOT leaving!!

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 11:21AM

Obama to promote health bill’s business benefits | Competitive health insurance polic links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…on Medicare | Antiwar Newswire Gallup: Majority Says Dem Health Reform Tactics Were “Abuse Of … Anna Faris to star in 'Private Benjamin' remake (exclusive) Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine .cbadss{ background-color:#FFFFFF; font-family:; font-size:12px; color:#000000; width:400px; padding: 5px; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom:8px; } .cbadss a:link, .cbadss…

|4.1.10 @ 12:56PM|#

Ohhhh-Noooo! If we leave "The Terrorists" win. If we leave they will attack us here. Ohhhh-Noooo!

They will come over with carts pulled by donkeys, wearing sandals and sleeping on rugs in the dirt. They will have 1980's Russian AKs with 3 bullets each! Ohhhh-Noooo!

If that bastard Obama had not canceled the F-22 program we would be able to repel them. Now all is lost! Ohhhh-Noooo!

They will have a navy of speedboats from Somalia and attack our ports and ships, too! Ohhhhh-Noooooo!

The terrorists have already won because Americans are too stupid for mere words.

Jimmy 'Crack' Corn|4.1.10 @ 3:48PM|#

"The terrorists have already won because Americans are too stupid for mere words."

And you would be at the top of this list JV99.

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 4:45PM

How to Prepare for An Adventure Holiday? | Memory Foam Air Mattress links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Hard hats аrе provided bу operators bυt take уου οwח іf уου һаνе one. Related Blogs Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Adventure Chronicles: Tһе Search Fοr Lost Treasure Rapidshare … Biking асrοѕѕ America: One student's adventure tο fight…

How to match router security and access settings with the computer? :Business Suppli links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Question: Is this a good gaming computer? Cisco Valet Wireless Router Review | Katherine Boehret | The … trojan computer virus on my laptop? | The Antivirus Insider Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Tagged with: access • Computer • Match • Router • Security • Settings Filed under: Business Supplies Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get…

Pingback| 4.1.10 @ 5:56PM

MSNBC Nails Senator Hatch On Spending Hypocrisy | SenatorWatch.info links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…on andrea ana Visita a la feria del libro de la HU « Blog de la biblioteca PC WORLD » Blog Archive » Que topam tudo Amenințați | Podul Minciunilor Related posts on Bush Barack Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Slow Piano beat in FL STUDIO 8 Can a plastic surgeon make me look just like Rush Limbaugh? | Its … Share this on del.icio.us Digg this! Post this on Diigo Share this on…

Pingback| 4.2.10 @ 3:23AM

Why do cats shake there but,when they hunt? Other Question.? links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…provide all Chinese recipes – all … Busy bees « the Marvelous in nature Surprise Bees | The Backyard Arthropod Project Sean Penn, Chavista – Reason Magazine Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Big Brother on Your Trail – Reason Magazine Live, From CNN in Atlanta, it's… Reason? – Hit & Run : Reason … Reason.tv: 3 Reasons Why Public…

Pingback| 4.2.10 @ 3:56AM

how many months does it take for you to get pregnant after stopping the ortho evera p links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…nasacort aq | Miliko.jino.ru music Afghan refugees in Greece on the Patissia bomb explosion. « clandestinenglish labodegadesanjose.com » Side effects of Ortho Evra Obama’s Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Exclusive: DEA Director Visits Afghanistan « Liveshots Afghanistan – Turmoil in Afghan political scene | Global News Blog Headlines Key Northern Supply…

Pingback| 4.2.10 @ 12:53PM

Attack the System » Blog Archive » Updated News Digest April 2-4, 2010 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…The Dawning of a Liberal Apologetics for Iraq by Michael P. Bradley Honest In the Worst Way by Philip Giraldi The Obscenity of War by Amy Goodman Drugged Warriors? by Bruce E. Levine Obama’s Neverending Afghan Adventure by Brian Doherty Reporting On Iran Should Seem Familiar by Glenn Greenwald Are Progressives Singing a New Tune on the Wars? by Lawrence Samuels Does the U.S. Government Understand the…

Pingback| 4.2.10 @ 8:33PM

Rumsfeld 2.3 Trillion Dollars missing Pentagon 1 DAY b4/9-11 | Hot Daily Gossip links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Blog Pentagon Will Extend Air Force Tanker Bid If Euro Giant Shows Real Interest « The Washington Independent Palestine’s Tragedy « Sigmund, Carl and Alfred Obama’s Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Pentagon Mulls Military Support for Somali Offensive — News from Antiwar.com Tragedy strikes a good P1 « Gordon Keith.com The Ongoing Tragedy of Gilad Shalit |…

|4.3.10 @ 7:24PM|#

let's just tell hamid karzai that he has 6 mos to get his corrupt ass in gear to run his country in a democratic manner OR WE WILL LEAVE and then we will just wait till we see something that threatens us, such as, poppy production or training camps or volvo dealerships or our EPA setting up camp at which time we will turn those sites into huge glass ashtrays.......CASE CLOSED.
AND NO WARNINGS.
THERE WILL BE LIFE OR DEATH AFTER AMERICANS LEAVE.

Pingback| 4.8.10 @ 10:04PM

Christian Payday Loans | dianametz.com | Debt Finance Wisdom links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…of debt Read this article: Christian Payday Loans | dianametz.com Related Blogs on Never Ending How does one start a never ending 9 vs. 9 match on Rust in Call of … Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure – Reason Magazine Related Posts Traditional Bankers Hours Trumped By Payday Loans Convienience … Breaking the Cycle of Debt with a Payday Loan | frontlineartist.com The Problem of Payday…

Pingback| 4.9.10 @ 7:59AM

Girl in Heels and a Skirt Throws Better Than Obama | WeCharts.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Than Obama Possibly related posts: Related posts on Bush Barack Jesse Ventura Discusses Politics Part 6 | Drink To The Dead Why I'm not purely Republican | novatownhall blog Obama's Neverending Afghan Adventure - Reason Magazine Related posts on flash Bush » Had Enough of the Arrogance? Welcome to Big Journalism - Big … Related posts on News flash Market Commentary – Fantastic New Buy To Let…

Rachel|5.6.10 @ 12:13AM|#

The surge Did work - as a humanitarian aid worker who has been there for the past 10 years, we experienced a noticeable difference when it started. Now Afghan youth have hope that life WILL be different for them. The story WE are writing as an American nation is victory.

Rachel
www.about-afghanistan.com

Scarpe Nike|8.3.11 @ 4:13AM|#

is good

xiaoyang|1.24.12 @ 8:56AM|#

Beer and wine kisumu 2 possess a small amount of methyl alcohol, also known as fuel line antifreeze along with cook oven fuel. It is just a harmless quantity in ale and wine beverage but when distilled atmbt sapatu the wrong temp a dangerous amount of methyl alchol can be done.