The question that must be tied to "Do you support the Afghan War?"

[tmyers09]

Is, in my opinion, "What do you think happened on September 11, 2001?".

If there is no doubt in your mind that the attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda, then the war in Afghanistan is viewed as disposing of the forces who pose a major threat to the United States of America. You see this move by Obama as an attempt to stabilize this country that we so mishandled in the past, it is the least that we owe to its people.

If you think that the attacks were carried out by forces within our own government, then the war in Afghanistan is viewed as bringing about death and destruction to Afghanis for the enrichment of the military-industrial complex and for control of oil. The only thing resulting from this decision is the slaughter of innocent people, those who didn't want us there in the first place, in an attempt to eliminate people who in reality, pose no threat to us whatsoever.

Please, tell me if I am way off base. This is how I see it playing out.

[tekisui]

1. I use the past tense. We are now disposing of

forces that posed a threat.

Actually, we disposed of forces that posed a threat to us. Now, we are being fought by an insurgency. We are the occupiers, and providing recruitment for radicalism.

[polichick]

2. I think you can believe that al Qaeda is responsible and still be against the war...

Eight years later there are few al Qaeda members in Afghanistan, but many groups throughout the world.

I'd prefer a strategy that's about taking out training camps anywhere, but occupying no other country.

[joecool65]

3. You are way off base

"the attacks were carried out by forces within our own government"?
I will say this, anyone who believes that is the left-wing version of teabaggers.

[tmyers09]

5. I am not saying I believe that.

I am saying that if that is how one feels, no explanation for anything other than immediate withdrawal will ever be good enough.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I am both.

I believe AQ carried out the attacks on 911, but I also think the neo-cons used this as an excuse to control the oil pipelines.

"Afghanistan" did not attack us, therefore I am against the sledgehammer of the military. This was a criminal act and could have easily been dealt with using black-ops/special forces.

[whosinpower]

10. Out of sight - out of mind - eh Ruby?

And if we are talking about legality - black ops, or invading another soveriegn nation covertly and just TAKING someone or a groups of someones out - I am not sure that is legal.

The Taliban controlled Afghanistan when Al Quaeda was operating under their noses. They demanded evidence before giving them up to the Americans. Bush took that to mean that they were stalling and invaded - because they were knowingly harbouring terrorists. That is why the sledgehammer came down.

I am not saying that I agreed with that decision for the most part because I believe the attack on September 11 was a criminal act, a horrendous attack - but not an act of war. But that is behind us, and we cannot turn back the clock. We are there now. Pakistan is unstable - a nuclear armed unstable nation that is also facing threats from Al Quaeda. If you know that your enemy(which you admitted to) has retreated back into the hills, and has infiltrated Pakistan - you would just leave them be and say - that is good enough, time to go home now?

Out of sight, out of mind eh?

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Nice try, no cigar.

Black Ops on those who attacked us. AlQaeda. Fine in my book.

Blanket attacks on Afghanistan and its civilian population? Nope.

911 was an act of war, but not by any middle-east nation/state. It was a criminal act by criminals who "happen" to be on the border of Afghanistan/Pakistan.

[baldguy]

6. 4 airlines were highjacked by 19 medieval zealots, 2 crashed in NY, 1 in DC & 1 in PA.

But they wouldn't have succeeded without a lot of help in really high places.

edit: Afghanistan is a distraction. The real target for the Bush Regime was always Iraq.

[stray cat]

7. An oil pipeline hijacked the airplanes and killed everyone?

[SIMPLYB1980]

8. LOL!

:rofl:

[endless october]

9. most of the hijackers (and a good chunk of money) came from Saudi Arabia.

when are we invading?

do you support an invasion of Saudi Arabia?