Reply #106: No, you're the victim, most obviously, of propaganda (and perhaps self-delusion).

[JackRiddler]

Because the Taliban came to be as a consequence of bad US policy. Unfortunately they may end up running Afghanistan again, thanks to a bad US policy that acts as though Predator bombings of wedding parties and a big prison at Baghram are going to win the "hearts and minds."

You can talk high and mighty about the evil Taliban, and yet still pursue a policy that doesn't harm them or even helps them.

Above all, you're the victim of the propaganda that says stopping the Taliban was ever the priority. Until mid-2001 the US was giving them money and the oil companies were courting them. These entities didn't change their minds because they suddenly discovered that the Taliban rape the rights of women and blow up ancient monuments of other religions. No. They changed their minds only and solely because they determined finally that the Taliban would not prove useful to the building of pipelines.

NOW:
WHERE'S THE MARSHALL PLAN FOR AFGHANISTAN?

It was promised by the Western invaders. Did they deliver? How much aid was provided?

How many billions were put into bombing civilians from the air (something Obama criticized while campaigning), as opposed to developing this country? Because the development has been a pittance.

And who in Afghanistan is served by a military escalation? Do you think the evil of the Taliban entitles the US to take extermination measures, and deny the human costs or call it "collateral damage"?