"There are perhaps many legit reasons why the U.S. has an interesting in continuing the war in Afghanistan. But this cheap stunt is not one of them."

When was the last time you spent any amount of time with an Afghan war vet? I'm headed there in October, with hundreds (approximately 900) of volunteers from the Navy, Air Force, Army, State Dept, and US AID to stop just this. Are you familiar with Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)? They are designed to help counteract the Taliban by (get this) reconstruction and stabilization. Kinda like the Peace Corp, but with a side arm. If you ask anyone of those team members why they are going... I guarantee their answer will fall in line with eradicating an environment that slices women's noses off, and replacing it with a peaceful one... circa Afghanistan 1950s.

Asked by tribecalledusa

To clarify: I think making sure people don’t abuse others is always a good thing, and I think what you’re doing is great. And I agree with Katie Paul that promises were made to Afghan women by the United States. 

But the issue to me is one of sensationalism. Time could have just as easily put on the cover a photo of an Afghan child killed by a Predator attack, and labelled it “What Happens if We Leave Afghanistan.” Both are more propaganda than serious journalism. 

Notes

  1. markcoatney posted this