Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Rhett, Johnsonville, SC — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:02:41 GMT

We can end US military killing civilians. The solution--Afgans can get off their backside and fight for their country.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Pamela, Canadian Border, WA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:29:47 GMT

Obama seems to be a blank slate on which people have written their greatest hopes and dreams. Aside from inheriting enormous problems from the prior administration that he will be blasted for not solving quickly enough, the world looks to him to "change" everything for them just as quickly.

The Bush administration carried their bibles and crosses and all but sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" leaving no doubt that non-Christian meant almost non-human, at least once you proved yourself not open to conversion. All lives are precious...unless you don't accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. Obama bridges that gap and salves that wound on the international front (and upsets the neo-cons to no end for the same reason), but Afghanistan minus all of the religious implications of the last 8 years is still a, perhaps "the", harbor for Islamic terrorism. It's where we should have gone in the first place after 9/11, considering it's where the culprits lay hidden. If we truly wish to fight the terrorist threat, I don't think that Obama can back down for the sake of skewed world opinion that carries over from the lameduck cronies that the US is out to get Muslims. The Taliban is a deadly poison that just happens to be Muslim flavored and religious tolerance never need extend to willful destruction of lives and peace.

The real question is how will he deal with Israel and their aggressive Gaza strip tactics. If he continues to coddle, cajole, and turn a blind eye to their religious war he will be villified twice as strongly as Bush ever was because everyone knows you can't expect him to rationalize, conjugate verbs, or think outside of the "Book" or his skewed, hate mongering interpretation of it. Obama, however, will be expected to know better.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Brittany , Asheboro North Carolina — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:31:18 GMT

I agree with Rhett. I'm tired of our country sacrificing our people and time and energy....for what? What are any of them doing for us or themselves? But they want to put all the blame on us or the leader of our country no matter who that leader is, when things go awry. They'll do it to Obama too when something, ANYTHING, doesn't go their way.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Jim_H, Louisville, KY — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:07:02 GMT

We can end US military killing civilians. The solution--Afgans can get off their backside and fight for their country.
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True, IF the Afgans had a military or militia that was strong enough to engage the Taliban, then we could withdraw, but lacking either, I don't see how we can withdraw and leave them in peace. Pieces, maybe, but not peace. George went where he should never have gone and now it is up to a new administration to try to correct the errors and mis-steps, and let's face it, even if McCain had won, he would face the same dilima that Obama will soon enough face, and friends..it 'taint gonna be eazy

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

G in St. Petersburg, FL — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:12:02 GMT

Agreed. We can speak with terrorists (know thy enemy) but we cannot and will not as Americans, negotiate with terrorists. If these countries that harbor terrorists (intentionally or not) will not stand on the side of peace to eradicate terrorism, then we can only assume that they agree with terrorist actions and our presence in their countries is inevitable.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Jay, Lincoln, NE — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:12:25 GMT

The Afghani people fight for their country with more tenacity then you could probably comprehend Rhett. They ousted a large Russian army back in the 80’s with our help and then we left them hanging. We have to bear some of the responsibility for what is happening in Afghanistan and understand why they do not see eye to eye with the USA. We need to find a way to show small tribal groups that are used to governing themselves that a centralized government with democratic values can work even if it is not exactly like our system. The problem is not that the people of Afghanistan are unwilling to fight, they fight extremely well, and we just need to help them to get on the same page so they all want to fight for the same side. That will take military action but it will also take a lot of civil support and non-military action form many countries and I am sure that the “Afgans” will not just be on there “backsides” while all this is happening.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Wayne Ryan, Deming,Wash. — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:14:32 GMT

I fear for these people,I do not believe their hopes of President Obama negotiating with the crimanal Taliban is going to happen.The world is not going to give power or money to such an evil orginization.What else would Taliban want in a negotiation?

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Shirley New Jersey — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:32:03 GMT

I agree with Rhett from SC the Afgans need to stop depending on the US to solve their problems and fight their own war. We have enough going on in our own backyard that Obama needs to concentrate on fix America first then worry about everyone else.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

SD Sanders,Austin Tx — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:45:26 GMT

Did any of you simply minded people pay any attention to the issues..spoken by Obama...????If you did... You would know It was not about him it was for us...USA & the World....He is our president now, we need to stand behind him. Just like you did with BUSH~!!!

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Dave Herzing — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:03:04 GMT

Negotiations with the Taliban should call for the surrender of Bin Laden to the U.S. I read mention by the Afghans about killing innocent civilians...hello...remember 911

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Mary Plano, Texas — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:03:23 GMT

If Obama pulls our troops out the last 8 years will have been for nothing!!!!! The deaths will be for nothing. And from what I saw last night americans threw out there ethics and religious beliefs for the promise of money!!!!! So please think about this, all the money spent on this war will HAVE BEEN FOR NOTHING!!!!!!!!

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

CT, Anchorage AK — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:14:25 GMT

We pull out of AFGHANISTAN, There will be another attack on US soil. We fight there so we don't have to here. Taliban will not negotiate, they only want their beliefs to exist. This will never end. Obama will not be able to change these views. Unless you have Taliban views, this will never end.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Katie, Orlando, FL — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:29:58 GMT

This gave me an uneasy feeling... it's alarming to think these countries assume we're going to help them. Help yourselves! When we're in need, where are they??

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Brady Eklund, Madison, Wisconsin — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:03:28 GMT

It seems as if the Afghan people desire stability and security above all else. Whether the guarantor of that security is Western peacekeepers or the Taliban is the question. I believe that if we dedicate enough resources to Afghanistan and reconcile with the Pashtuns that are supporting the Taliban we can bring stability to Afghanistan. Taking a different approach to combating the opium trade would also be enormously helpful. The government should buy up the opium crop at reasonable prices to put money in the hands of Afghan farmers rather than the Taliban. While some opium would inevitably find its way onto the black market, we could at least make the majority of the illicit trade unprofitable and remove a major source of funding from the Taliban. It is also absolutely essential that we use more caution to prevent civilian deaths, every wedding party we bomb radicalizes entire regions of the country. You can't win a war if you create more enemies than you kill.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

John, U.S.A. — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:21:21 GMT

Yeah you have suffered form Americans! Not the Taliban who murders your family and children. You can speak ill of America without fear of reprisal but you are too cowardly to speak about the people who really cause your distress-the taliban "HOLY" fighters. Remember them? The cowards who purposely target your women and children. Speaking of cowards if the Afghan people would stand up like real men and fight these "HOLY" murderers then the U.S. would not have to spill their blood to vanquish these terrorists from your land.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

jack smith, san francisco, california — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:26:53 GMT

it is impossible to negotiate with the taliban or al-qaeda, they want to impose their strict version of their religion on the arab countries.. what's there to negotiate? how much of a country they can take over?. they have already shown what they want...

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

G. Garrett, Olympia, WA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:31:40 GMT

Our soldiers from Iraq and our soldiers from Afghanistan will give you quite different stories on how "the war" is being handled. We cannot make judgements from our living rooms and work desks. We've no idea about civilians' life since we don't see or speak with any. We musn't be so quick to judge if we have no idea what their life is like...

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

OEF Veteran82, KY — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:34:51 GMT

they are fighting for their country. and dying. they have an experienced military and it is getting stronger daily. the problem in afghanistan is a lack of unity and national identification; and most importantly a lack of leadership on so many levels.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Irwin, Thousand Oaks, CA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:38:11 GMT

The U.S. is the rogue nation in the world, not Iran or North Korea. How many innocents have they killed in the last 7 years?? Unfortunately, Obama won't change this outrage. The U.S. should spend more in helping the people to rebuild these countries, and less on killing them.

Combatting terorists requires the precision of police (and intelligence) work, rather than the mass killing of people, including cross-border outrages. No country is above international law!

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

OEF Veteran82, KY — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:41:36 GMT

oh and lets not forget when we put the taliban in power through our support against russia

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

John, Tucson, Arizona — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:43:27 GMT

President elcet Obama can help the Afghans and the rest of the world fighting the terrorists by telling the truth, just like he promised, about his plan of action and the results. No more quick fixes and no more games.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Todd — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:50:18 GMT

G. Garrett I totally agree with you. How many of you have ever been to a foreign country like Afghanistan? How many of you are verterans from the war? If you are not you don't really have any idea what you are truly talking about. Do a few years in the Corp or the army and then you can talk about it.
Semper Fi'

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Larry Byrnes Clearwater, Florida — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:57:19 GMT

Very well done to Obama and the American people for the historic change in viewpoint!

As a practical matter however, real change will only come when we bring to justice the professional criminals who create wars in order to keep us in debt and under control.

That would include people like Rockefeller, Kissinger, Brzezinski - the guys that control both sides in this latest entertainment event. Similar to the coliseum in the latter days of Rome.

Hopefully Obama will take some effective action to do something about the real international criminals that started and are continuing the gulf war.

But for now - Awesome America on your postulate that we can change! If all this does is put to rest the idea that race should be used to judge a man, it was a most momentous election. We are all spiritual beings and the spirit has no color. Let's keep it that way!

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Ramzy, NYC — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:02:53 GMT

To give you a quick background of how the talibans came about in Afghanistan. In the late 70s early 80s Soviet Union attacked Afghanistan. Soviet Union and America both were super powers of the world. The US did not want the Soviets to become more of a super power, so side by side with Afghan troops including Bin Laden helped defeat the Soviets . After years of fighting, millions of Afghan civilians and soldiers died, Afghanistan with the help America won the war against the Soviets. The US was happy that the Soviets are no longer a threat for becoming more of a Super Power. America depended on "Good Neighbor" - (other middle eastern countries) to help Afghanistan rebuild. There are still mines, soviet tanks and other traces of war found all over Afghanistan. With years of fighting, many civilians became refugees, Government fell apart and civil war began. During this time the Talibans started building and growing around the border of Pakistan. This became an area where terrorists can grow and plot. Many of these Talibans are not Afghans, they are a mixture of other extremist using Afghanistan as a harvesting ground. Talibans grew and took over Kabul and other major villages in Afghanistan. Using Weapons, Rape, Killings in public to put fear in civilians. They banned books, school, and TV, just so they can control. This was around early to mid 90s, there was a loud plea for help from Afghans, but no other countries got involved. Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Soviet all had their own problems with no money. American Government knew about the inhumanity going on, but did not get involved. Taliban's had control until America finally decided to go to war with Afghanistan due to 9/11. The extremist have been using Afghanistan as grounds to build their terrorist plots. It has not been a secret hidden from the world. Right now, it is finally getting the attention it deserves to put a complete stop to it.

So Rhett, to let you know, Afghans have been off their backside for almost 30 years fighting to defend their country. Its just helpful that you get a little background before you make such a strong comment. And the true Afghan people, do not speak ill of America. All they have been doing is asking for help after the Soviet war. They do however speak ill of the Talibans. The only harm the Afghans are doing now, is asking to put a stop bombing civilian grounds, such as weddings, and hospitals.

As far as negotiations go with the Talibans, there should be nothing to negotiate, they need to be destroyed.

Afghans hope 'Obama will help us'

Norman Plumley, San Francisco, CA 94112 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:10:44 GMT

in reference to Jays comment about "The Afghani people fight for their country with more tenacity then you could probably comprehend. They ousted a large Russian army back in the 80’s with our help and then we left them hanging"

What you left out was that in the 80's we were allied with the Taliban to fight the Russians, which yes we did then pull out and leave them to fend for themselves, many of the higher leaders of the Taliban now are US educated and US military trained.

My comment then is this if we pull out of Afghanistan of Iraq in the same manner leaving the area in ciaos like we did in the 80's we are just repeating a huge mistake we made 20 years ago.

While I do believe it is now time to let the middle east manage the middle east we also need to do it in a manner that will not cause the same type of anger it did in the past.

A reduction of troops is not the way to go, a redirection of mission is the only possible tactic.

The US needs to declare a ceasefire and only fire if fired upon, we should not be seeking new targets, we should be seeking new solutions and make an honest effort to correct a mistake we made long ago.