More on Afghanistan

Spot of Borg · Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 5494 Location: Delta Quadrant

Well. On SBs last night (I am sure the govt willclose them down for reporting this) they reported that over 90 civilians were killed recently in bombing by the americans apparently aiming for "taliban hideouts". How the fuck can anyone justify this kind of thing? Spot

. . "Cry MEOW! And eat the fish of war!"

Grandma Arial of Borg · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 2:53 am Post subject:

Over the last year civilian deaths caused by allied forces has dropped by 28% since 2008 yet civilian casualties have increased by 14%. 70% of civilian casualties are caused by Taliban forces, deliberately targeted casualties.

Does this justify or excuse the casualties caused by allied troops? Of course not, but it does beg to question why no one mentions any of this when they rail against the evil Americans.

link

What would happen if allied forces were to simply withdraw now? Although there are reports that Afghani security forces are improving they are still woefully inadequate to protect the civilian population. The government continues to struggle with corruption. If all American troops left today I think there is ample evidence the Taliban would quickly take control again by killing everyone who they think might disagree with them, just as they are doing now. A particular favorite target on their list are those evil little girls who want to be more than a man’s property, want to get an education. I expect if given the chance the Taliban will make examples of them and slaughter and/or disfigure hundreds (maybe thousands) of them. And, of course, their terrible parents for allowing such blasphemy to happen.

I am not justifying or excusing “collateral damage” caused by allied troops. The individuals responsible must be held accountable for these mistakes. But while examining these cases the whole picture must be considered, it can not simply be looked at as “America bad”. The latest polls show even most Afghani citizens (68%) support the presence of American troops and are more than 2 ½ times more likely to see the Taliban as mainly responsible for the violence. 78% of Afghani’s see no justification for attacks on American bases or troops. This information can not be ignored when considering withdrawal of troops.

We should never have gone there. I was one of the ones screaming loudest when we invaded… but it happened and the past can not be changed. The situation as it stands today must be considered, and the fact that the current situation is the result of the invasion, and all parties who endorsed and supported the invasion must be held responsible in fixing it.

Spot of Borg · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:40 am Post subject:

They were going on the other day on TV about how some soldiers were killed. Its a war . . . and they are soldiers . . . how is it unexpected?

Spot

Chardok · Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:56 am Post subject:

Spot of Borg · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:22 am Post subject:

The soldiers go there to kill ppl and it is not unexpected that they get what they dish out. I didn't say it was good or bad it was an observation.

Spot

Chardok · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:39 am Post subject:

Fair enough then.

Also, we just had an exchange where we didn't call each other fucktards. Someone needs to take a temp reading in hell to see if the place froze or not.

Spot of Borg · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:08 pm Post subject:

It did - Im there. -9C the other day!

Spot

Rampage · Duke Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 239 Posts per day: 0.18

WASHINGTON — A majority of Pakistanis view the United States as an enemy, oppose the US-led war in Afghanistan and are less concerned about the Taliban and Al-Qaeda than a year ago, a Pew Research poll said Thursday.

Fifty-nine percent of the respondents described the United States an enemy, with 17 percent having a favorable view and only 11 percent considering it a partner, the poll said.

Only eight percent trusted US President Barack Obama to do the right thing in world affairs, the lowest rating of the 22-nation survey, and only 20 percent had a favorable view of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, down from 64 percent two years ago.

Most Pakistanis also oppose US involvement in neighboring Afghanistan, with 65 percent saying US and NATO troops should be withdrawn as soon as possible, and relatively few believe the Taliban and Al-Qaeda pose a serious threat to their country.

Only 25 percent thought it would be bad for Pakistan if the Taliban were to again take over Afghanistan, while 18 percent thought it would be a good thing and 57 percent said it did not matter or had no opinion.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hjvmK9cW29gGlZx_FOhZV8Vsevdg

Brendiggg · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject:

I dare say, on that last poll question, that far more respondents would have agreed to the return of the Taliban but they simply didn't trust the pollsters. Hence the massive "no opinion". Whether they believe the Afghan war is just or not, my guess is they are just tired of the bombings.

Chardok · Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:02 am Post subject:

Where did they perform their polling? What was the raw data and what statistical modeling methods did they use to arrive at their conclusions? How large was the pool of people poled and does it represent enough of across section of Afganis to give accurate statistics across the nation?

Also, considering how many times Pew has been caught skewing their data to represent whatever preconceptions the group contracting them to take polls, I wouldn't put much stock in their work. Like the old saying goes, there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Rampage · Duke Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 239 Posts per day: 0.18

Chardok said:

Chardok · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 9:21 am Post subject:

Chardok · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:35 pm Post subject: