Reply #148: Also Some Agreement

[YouTakeTheSkyway]

I agree with what you're saying regarding civilian deathh and the plan proposed by McChrystal is really based around that idea - that we must decrease the number civilians killed or injured in this war.

I would also argue that the flipside to this is that everytime a suicide bomber attacks a crowded market place, that'd a PR victory for the United States and its allies. If that occurs often enough, it might very well turn a large number of people away from the more radical elements of the Taliban and drive a huge wedge between the Taliban we might be able to work with and those who are lost causes (similar to the way al-Qaeda's bloodthirstiness in Iraq eventually splintered the Sunni resistance there).

I also agree that it should be reiterated that we do not intend to remain there indefinitely, though the best way to do that is not while we're in the midst of packing our bags, but instead when we're in talks with tribal leaders and warlords, working to find some common ground to create a lasting peace in that country.