Reply #6: If you look at the history of the Taliban, there are possibilities

[bhikkhu]

at various times beset by poverty and isolation they were open to discussing an evolution of their ideologies. There is nothing in the Koran that requires them to think as they do about women's rights, education, technology, etc, and there is no reason to think that their ideology will remain static.

While I don't welcome talk of more troops, ramping up war, etc, I do think that Obama has a plan based upon his better understanding of humanity - which includes both us and the Taliban, and allows for common ground toward the common good. * lacked that understanding completely, and years of media hype has only followed his lead. I am inclined to think that circumstances and possibilities are other than they have been portrayed for so long.