The Unending Disgrace Of The U.S. Afghan And Iraq Wars

On this day of Yom Kippur, "Day of Atonement," one of the holiest of Jewish holidays, as a Jewish man, I apologize to the Iraqi and Afghan and Pakistani men, women and children for the role my U.S. tax dollars have played in the vast Hell of death and destruction wrought upon your nations. 

Throughout the Afghan War, the killing of Osama bin Laden Americans were told by their government was supposed to be the key to destroying Al Qaeda and their Taliban allies. Bin Laden was killed over 5 months ago (5/2/11) and the War continues as before. General John Allen, is the 4^th Commander of the Afghan War since Mr. Obama’s Presidency began in January, 2009, which is indicative of how bad that War is going. About three weeks ago in Kabul, the Taliban attacked the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters and the Afghan Police Headquarters and it took 20 hours to repel them. That sent the message to Afghans and the world that after 10 years of U.S. War, no place in Afghanistan is safe from the Taliban.

Yesterday, on the 10^th anniversary of the Afghan War, President Obama quietly issued a paper statement on that War, one filled with omissions and falsehoods. Attached is that statement for all to see:  http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/10/obama-we-are-ending-afghanistan-war-responsibly/1?csp=34news Why didn’t the President hold a national news conference on Afghanistan and answer questions about the U.S.’s objectives, time frames and projected expenses there? Where was any reference to U.S. “contractors?” Where was any reference to “Operation Enduring Freedom,” as President Bush termed the Afghan War. Is this War still supposedly for the freedom of the Afghan people? What do the Afghan people get for all the death and maiming of their men, women and children and the orphaning of many more of their children? What affect has the Afghan War had on the U.S. Drug War? Where is there any exploration of ideas and results with the American people from the President and Congress who authorize and fund this War all on the U.S. taxpayer credit card? Instead, the Presidential statement was sneaked out, much as the bodies of the dead U.S. soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq are sneaked in. What a disgrace!

Dick