In Search of a 'Pro-Life' Foreign Policy
Published May 07, 2009 @ 10:33PM PT
Every few months, some U.S. bombs go astray, or find their intended target, it's not clear which and probably not that important to the generals and politicians, and a bunch of Afghan civilians get blown into small pieces. Literally.
"The governor said that the villagers have brought two tractor trailers full of pieces of human bodies to his office to prove the casualties that had occurred," Mr. Farahi said. "Everyone at the governor's office was crying, watching that shocking scene."
The Pentagon is backing off from its initial reflexive denials of culpability, and won't stand behind what it now calls a "thinly sourced" story that the Taliban killed the villagers with grenades.
The man in charge and the party he belongs to are different now than in August the last time this happened, but the pattern is the same: kill a bunch of civilians, deny that it happened, displace the blame, then gradually retract the denials as the story fades from view.
I'm disappointed that President Obama and the Democrats are determined to perpetuate George Bush's failed policy in Afghanistan--or actually make it worse. From a crude political perspective, my guess is that Obama calculates that acting "tough" in Pakistan and Afghanistan will buy him the credibility he needs to pass domestic reform. That's actually the charitable view--if he does believe this is a just and effective foreign policy, then we and the Afghans are really in trouble.
But taking a page from the Book of Ioz, Obama is just one person, and the machine he ostensibly operates trundles along under both parties with firm support from its shareholders, the American public.
(I'll leave the reader to draw the connections between bankrupt foreign policy and unsound immigration policy.)
[Image: Abdul Malek/Associated Press]
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Comments (9)
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David is an attorney in Philadelphia, PA, where he helps immigrants to the U.S. navigate the complex immigration legal system. Views he expresses at change.org are his alone and don't represent the views or opinions of his employer, Nationalities Service Center. The information contained on this site is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only.
this image sure makes me sad.
we need to massively defund our spending on bombs, rockets, next generation rockets etc.
legalize cannabis and hemp.
spend our money wisely and don't BOMB other countries for 8 years in retaliation for 12 guys killing a few thousand people. how many thousands are dead now...thats a hell of alot of human pints o blood? how many human brains drastically scarred now by the neverending evils man can do on another.
Posted by jeffrey C oldman on 05/08/2009 @ 01:04AM PT
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It is sad indeed. But its war. It is unfortunate that with all of our technology - we cannot improve the human mind. We can neither change those who want to kill us, nor can we prevent human error in targetting. Its an impossible situation.
But, the only action of Bush's I did and still do support was taking afghanistan down. This had to be done.
Iraq on the other hand was a disgrace and should have never happened. In the end, the weapons of mass destruction Hussein "had", was nothing but fiction on Husseins part to keep Iran afraid.
The only bright side (for what its worth) is that our targetting IS a lot better than most other nations and we DO keep casualties as low as we can.
Attempting to DENY a fatal mistake causing civilian deaths is reprehensible tho. The government should accept 100% responsibility for their actions, afterall the actions WERE taken in good faith. They simply F$#$%# UP.
Afghanistan and Pakistan both need agressive military campaigns to put this thing to rest once and for all.
Jeff....
As for stop building our military - well. I love the idea of global PEACE for a change. I dont think weve ever had such a state of affairs. But, lets just draw a picture here, ok?
What if we let everyone who wanted to be peaceful, have no military and no war ... and put them all on a nice big island they can rule how they like. Being as they want no military, of couse the US mil wouldnt come running to their aid. How long do you think theyd keep that island? How long before they either get taken by a neighbor, or become a haven for cartels, pirates and worse? Somalia, anyone?
Until we find a way to create a permanent total peace - a strong military is the only thing between us, and being taken or killed by some other nation. This is the pathetic state of human affairs.
Posted by J L on 05/08/2009 @ 05:23AM PT
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That photo is horrific. If this isn't evidence of the need to stop domestic and foreign violence, in all of its forms including its initial introduction to people by parents during early childhood (a.k.a. 'corporal punishment'), I don't know what is. The world's parents need to stop teaching children by example that violence is ever an acceptable reaction when angered, provoked or challenged.
Posted by Christine Clarke on 05/08/2009 @ 06:15AM PT
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I agree with you, Christine. As the Buddhists say, "There is no way to peace; peace is the way." It is never acceptable to hit or spank a child. It just contributes to the cycle of violence and suffering in the world. I say this as someone who is not always peaceful, but I'm working on it.
Posted by a d on 05/08/2009 @ 06:12PM PT
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I like that saying, I hadn't heard it before. Thank you! I agree, and I'm in the same shoes, it's a challenge sometimes. Worthwhile, though. :)
Posted by Christine Clarke on 05/09/2009 @ 05:24AM PT
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I'm so glad you used the phrase "pro-life" in the title of this post. It's a phrase that gets so caught up in the abortion debate, we have forgotten what it's about: honoring all human life. This includes Afghani and Iraqi civilians. Where is the "pro-life" movement when they are being killed?
Posted by Amanda Kloer on 05/08/2009 @ 08:22AM PT
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I am a pro-lifer in the abortion issue and I also am opposed to the taking of civilian life in our enemy countries. I wish I had an answer or solution to peace on our planet but I don't. I wish we would as a country take care of business at home instead and only in extreme circumstances should we become the agressor with other country's political affairs.
Posted by Mark Lindley on 05/08/2009 @ 08:40AM PT
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I'm pro-choice on the abortion issue, but agree with everything else that Mark has stated.
Posted by C W on 05/08/2009 @ 09:15PM PT
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i know that as long as people are born under different circumstance, there will never be peace; and thats just sad. I agree that things should be taken care of at home first, but because we all share this planet, and the decision of one can effect the lives of milions, we have to have all developed countries around the world; to come together and combat terrorism, and in general help others around the world. not all the burden should fall in the U.S, but other countries helping around as well...
Posted by Alex Shqipe on 05/08/2009 @ 10:14PM PT
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