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In reference to the Afghanistan War business, I'm starting to get mighty suspicious as to the so very vocal reasons for the outrage about this forgotten 8 year old war, and Obama fulfilling his campaign promise in reference to it.
What I see here on DU are folks not only treating Obama's troop escalation/surge as though it was the end of the entire world, but acting like the words that he clearly spoke on the campaign trail weren't said enough time to be remembered.
Now, I'm not a war liking person at all. I didn't "like" what was done following 9/11 (I'd prefer a police action), and I hated the Iraq war to a point of putting more passion into my involvement against it than I did into my marriage for an intensely long period (thank you Hubby!).... But facts are facts, and it is a fact, that I certainly have tolerated the Afghanistan war over the past 8 years, and have not had the same reaction against it as I did against the Iraq War. Perhaps it is because I am not a Pacifist in the strict sense, although I don't watch movies if multiple murders are the central activity of the plot, and I don't do Westerns or War movies at all (other than that classic; the Great Escape). In other words, I don't understand any need for senseless killing, nor do I understand why so many humans seem so capable of making war.
I will also say that sometimes war is required, although I'm not quite sure if Afghanistan actually was, even if it was more justified than certainly Iraq. My Mom was born during WWII in France, and she has told me many stories. I lost Aunts and uncles in that war, and growing up in France, going to school there, my education was filled with stories of both World Wars. I was always somewhat frustrated with the notion that France didn't fight back more ferociously against Hitler's invading army, because it is true, that in Paris, they laid down pretty much....just like that. I thought that if The French would have been more "warlike", it might have saved many lives, instead of leaving us exporting our Jewish, Gypsy and Gay population over to Germany....but maybe not. I might not be here at this instant to say anything, had history taken a different turn, and had my Mom been a casualty.
In addition, I grew up seeing close up the direct results of the colonization and flight from Vietnam, war with Algeria, and the bloodless independence given to many of France's former colonies both in the Caribbean Islands, Africa in the 60s.
Anyways....I say all of this because I have already laid down my marker on this War in Afghanistan. Not because, as others say, I'm nothing but an Obama cheerleader, but because of some of what I describe above, and because he certainly said throughout his campaign (as did all of the other Dems going back to Kerry) how he would more or less handle it, so, it wasn't news at all.
It is my strong belief that anyone with a fair mind, who would actually bother to make the calculation and consider the context, could conclude that Obama actually has probably made as wise a decision as could have been anticipated, under the circumstances. He's gonna give this a try for many strategic reasons that are much more complex than I would dare even guess, to attempt to bring things under some control there in Afghanistan (as well as Pakistan) prior to doing what really has to be done; us withdrawing.
So the question is, why if fair minds could understand his position (even if they don't agree with it), is the vitriol so intense, and so shockingly blind of any facts as to the limitations of this one man......geopolitically, as well as keeping in mind what he has said over and over again?
I hope that those who are still reading this don't take this the wrong way..... but there is something inside me that has decided that it is racism that makes folks go out of their way to disrespect this man to the extreme extent that I have witnessed it. I know that there are other elements as well, like folks that are true Pacifist, folks that simply dislike Barack Obama for his stance on other issues, like Marriage Equality or some even, that never got over the Primaries. There are also those who are so far to the Left that they never even voted for him, period....not for who he is, but for what he stands for in their eyes; this society and all that it represents. Still, considering that all were fairly warned, and many still voted for him, I can go away believing that yes, his race does come into play, consciously or otherwise.
So yeah, I'm saying that I do think that some folks simply can't get used to the idea of having a Black persona commanding our troops into battle, which yes, could result in a very possible loss of lives. I think, that for some, this is where equality parts. Don't get me wrong, I don't think everyone is like that, but I fear there are enough out in the Liberal world (can't talk about the GOP, cause I don't give a shit about them), who really have a problem with this, even if they don't totally realize it. That coupled with certainly quite a bit of Bush war weariness is the only explanations that I can come up with for the extreme reactions that his ordering 30K troops have had, even when all other things are considered. I don't believe that they see him as worthy of the task. They don't believe that this is part of his job description, although it has been of every other President before him.
The worse of it is that it is a pity that I feel this way...... but I can't offer any other reason for the disrespect, the lack of any trust, the absence of any benefit of the doubt, the omission of any political and geopolitical reality, as well the fact that he can't even say the words 9/11 (although the war is undeniably linked to it), as though it was his sin.
Anyways, this has weighted on my mind, and this is not something one can say elsewhere, unless one is ready to be crucified, or at least tarred and feathered, and beaten with the lash of many tongues till one is Black and Blue......so I thought I deposited here, and get some reactions from you guys; my fellow Black DUers and whomever else might lurk on this site.
Thanks! :hi:
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