Reply #59: You wrote:

[Bragi]

we cannot stand by and allow the genocide of the entire GLBT community in Afghanistan, which is what will happen if the Taliban take over again, and be assured that they will sweep back to power within months if NATO leaves.

The GLBT community in Afghanistan! What effin' planet are you from? I can assure you that the GLBT community in Afghanistan (!!!) along with anyone of any gender who seeks to escape 9th century norms, have never found, and will never find, much freestyle living in Afghanistan. This is one of the poorest, most backward parts of the world. Nothing much changes there.

So yes, once the Coalition leaves, the Taliban and their ilk will resume running the place. The only question we need to ask is is how many do we intend to kill and injure before leaving? How many of villages should be raised? How many Coalition troops should die, and how much treasure should be spent?

I think this war should end now. It should not be escalated.

- B