So, Ted Cruz called it "an embarrassing spectacle"? You want to know what is embarrassing to me? The U.S. invested nearly twenty years, that's TWENTY, spent nearly one trillion dollars of sorely needed American treasure, that's TRILLION, and sacrificed over 2400 American soldiers for this country! Through and into six presidential terms and multiple incumbent rotations in the House and Senate the country doggedly maintained the status quo established in the first Bush term. They propped up leaders, enlisted and trained 350,000 defense forces, equipping them with some of the best American weaponry. Joe Biden had EVERY RIGHT to expect that the payoff for all that would provide at least a minimal stability long enough to remove allies, the military forces, equipment and Afghan cooperators. Yet, despite all that they were generously given, the leader turned tail and fled, the defense forces barely sputtered any resistance, triggering a panic among the people who had already been promised by Trump that the Taliban would again be their rulers. No, DON'T BLAME Biden!!!
Here’s what frightens me about republicans’ grossly inappropriate criticism. There’s a pattern to it and it’s almost never factual. We can easily counter it with facts and point out the hypocrisy and lies, but doing that doesn’t seem to change perceptions. In fact the more overblown and hysterical the criticism is, the more damage it does whether it’s truthful or not.
Calling for President Biden to be impeached for the way he handled the evacuation from Afghanistan is ludicrous. But it doesn’t matter that it’s ludicrous because in our current social and political landscape all that matters is perception. Facts that counter such over-the-top criticism aren’t the least bit important to the radically conservative republican base.
We are experiencing a very dark chapter in America when all that matters are grossly unethical, self-serving prevarications. How do we counter that when truth and facts are meaningless?
There is also no doubt that President Biden showed leadership by taking resolute action to remove our footprint from that nation. There was no path forward for those wishing of a military ‘victory’ or for the desires among some to plant a form of ‘democracy’ on that terrain. Such hard truths are not easy to take as citizens, but we must be adult enough to grasp the wisdom shown when a leader makes a tough call.
We must be mindful when dealing with international relations to know there are times when no good answers exist, and one needs to accept the least of the worse ones listed. President Biden told the nation there was no more reason to wait for another year, or five years, or a decade. The dynamics on the ground in Afghanistan were not going to change.
While I view the world through the eyes of an internationalist, and my loathing of the Taliban really has no limit, I am also a pragmatist. While I understand the role our nation can and should play in the world and the power we wield both in terms of military power and diplomatic finesse, I also recognize limitations on those levers we can use.
With all the hope and resources at our nation’s disposal none of it matters, however, if those we seek to lift up or advance are not willing to embrace it or not able to sustain it.
President Biden is going to face harsh political winds from both his opposition and from within his party. He is experienced enough to understand that this was bound to happen. International relations and political fallout have always gone hand-in-hand and he is no novice. He knows the current political storm will be a serious one.
So it is incumbent upon the majority of the nation--that means you and me--to step apart from the political rhetoric and embrace the reality of the decision that had to be made.
The President will be attacked by the GOP no matter what he does. Bipartisanship is a thing of the past. Given that the TFG and Pompeo set the withdrawal date and negotiated with the Taliban, they are looking past that to Biden. It is clear the Taliban are nothing but murderous, misogynistic terrorists. They will kill even other Muslims who do not subscribe to their brand of Islam. Kinda reminds me of the Evangelical pastors who want Democrats and the President to die. It is a good thing to get out of Afghanistan. The cost has been heavy though - the ISIS-K and Taliban will kill anyone and that was clear yesterday.
Amen, thank you, some have a very small short attention span and most do not even recognize real courage when they see or witness it anymore. #MDDOS I really needed it today🙏
Even the GOP occasionally opts for the logical foreign policy - must remember that Reagan pulled out of Lebanon after a horrific attack that killed nearly 300 American soldiers on his watch: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1981-1988/lebanon
It seems no matter what Biden does, the republicans are going to see the worst. They don’t give any dem a chance. They are making these murders a fundraising scheme which the are spreading more lies.
I just wish all these Republicans who are in office now either are forced to resign, expelled or forced to tell the truth by signing a waiver that if the tell the truth, criminal charges won’t be filed
So, Ted Cruz called it "an embarrassing spectacle"? You want to know what is embarrassing to me? The U.S. invested nearly twenty years, that's TWENTY, spent nearly one trillion dollars of sorely needed American treasure, that's TRILLION, and sacrificed over 2400 American soldiers for this country! Through and into six presidential terms and multiple incumbent rotations in the House and Senate the country doggedly maintained the status quo established in the first Bush term. They propped up leaders, enlisted and trained 350,000 defense forces, equipping them with some of the best American weaponry. Joe Biden had EVERY RIGHT to expect that the payoff for all that would provide at least a minimal stability long enough to remove allies, the military forces, equipment and Afghan cooperators. Yet, despite all that they were generously given, the leader turned tail and fled, the defense forces barely sputtered any resistance, triggering a panic among the people who had already been promised by Trump that the Taliban would again be their rulers. No, DON'T BLAME Biden!!!
Here’s what frightens me about republicans’ grossly inappropriate criticism. There’s a pattern to it and it’s almost never factual. We can easily counter it with facts and point out the hypocrisy and lies, but doing that doesn’t seem to change perceptions. In fact the more overblown and hysterical the criticism is, the more damage it does whether it’s truthful or not.
Calling for President Biden to be impeached for the way he handled the evacuation from Afghanistan is ludicrous. But it doesn’t matter that it’s ludicrous because in our current social and political landscape all that matters is perception. Facts that counter such over-the-top criticism aren’t the least bit important to the radically conservative republican base.
We are experiencing a very dark chapter in America when all that matters are grossly unethical, self-serving prevarications. How do we counter that when truth and facts are meaningless?
There is also no doubt that President Biden showed leadership by taking resolute action to remove our footprint from that nation. There was no path forward for those wishing of a military ‘victory’ or for the desires among some to plant a form of ‘democracy’ on that terrain. Such hard truths are not easy to take as citizens, but we must be adult enough to grasp the wisdom shown when a leader makes a tough call.
We must be mindful when dealing with international relations to know there are times when no good answers exist, and one needs to accept the least of the worse ones listed. President Biden told the nation there was no more reason to wait for another year, or five years, or a decade. The dynamics on the ground in Afghanistan were not going to change.
While I view the world through the eyes of an internationalist, and my loathing of the Taliban really has no limit, I am also a pragmatist. While I understand the role our nation can and should play in the world and the power we wield both in terms of military power and diplomatic finesse, I also recognize limitations on those levers we can use.
With all the hope and resources at our nation’s disposal none of it matters, however, if those we seek to lift up or advance are not willing to embrace it or not able to sustain it.
President Biden is going to face harsh political winds from both his opposition and from within his party. He is experienced enough to understand that this was bound to happen. International relations and political fallout have always gone hand-in-hand and he is no novice. He knows the current political storm will be a serious one.
So it is incumbent upon the majority of the nation--that means you and me--to step apart from the political rhetoric and embrace the reality of the decision that had to be made.
The President will be attacked by the GOP no matter what he does. Bipartisanship is a thing of the past. Given that the TFG and Pompeo set the withdrawal date and negotiated with the Taliban, they are looking past that to Biden. It is clear the Taliban are nothing but murderous, misogynistic terrorists. They will kill even other Muslims who do not subscribe to their brand of Islam. Kinda reminds me of the Evangelical pastors who want Democrats and the President to die. It is a good thing to get out of Afghanistan. The cost has been heavy though - the ISIS-K and Taliban will kill anyone and that was clear yesterday.
Amen, thank you, some have a very small short attention span and most do not even recognize real courage when they see or witness it anymore. #MDDOS I really needed it today🙏
Even the GOP occasionally opts for the logical foreign policy - must remember that Reagan pulled out of Lebanon after a horrific attack that killed nearly 300 American soldiers on his watch: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1981-1988/lebanon
Let’s not listen to idiots. Karma will visit them soon.
It seems no matter what Biden does, the republicans are going to see the worst. They don’t give any dem a chance. They are making these murders a fundraising scheme which the are spreading more lies.
I just wish all these Republicans who are in office now either are forced to resign, expelled or forced to tell the truth by signing a waiver that if the tell the truth, criminal charges won’t be filed