Frenetic ramblings from the start of the "War on Terror" logging my attempts to film outside Finsbury park mosque over 3 years and sitting through all the subsequent court cases. These days I am usually on Post Factual Society on Facebuk. Do visit Youtube.com/malungtvnews
Most of your statements are half-truths, but I'll give you full credit for them. What you described is typical after a war- mistakes are made, schemes are hatched.
You will find this post war situation throughout history.
What is truly screwing up the works is Syria's and Iran's involvment in the terror game. It wasn't local talent that spun Iraq off into chaos, no, it is regimes like the two mentioned that can't afford a free and functional Iraq and have been actively financing, training, and providing intelligence for terrorists.
I supported the invasion of Iraq and the attempt to build somthing democratic there, but if we don't get some of the bullshit under control soon- we might as well pack up and leave.
Dave: What attitudes would those be? Its a serious question. From what I have gathered, American soldiers are themselves the best ambassidors we have. Whereas, reporters and NGOs annoy and earn contempt for their attitude and ideology.
Neither of us are there, both of us are probably inclined to believe stories from diferent sides.This sort of thing disturbs me the most and this makes me wonder how much of this goes unreported.
"From what I have gathered, American soldiers are themselves the best ambassidors we have. Whereas, reporters and NGOs annoy and earn contempt for their attitude and ideology."
I don't know Iraq either but Afghanistan maybe I do a bit better.
Absolutely disagree with the first statement. Loads of Afghans are happy the US/Coalition are here, but complain about the behaviour of US troops. There are 38 nations in ISAF, although only the Brits and Canadians are seeing as much and sometimes more combat than the Americans. However, for some reason it is ONLY ever American troops who do things like light up on every herd of goats, roadside teashop, schoolkid on a bicycle, crowd of curious bystanders etc. within range with .50-cals when a roadside bomb goes off. Many people have told me British troops are infinitely better at relating to the locals, and this is not just out of politeness to me, as I always tell people I'm Finnish.
The Taliban are winning the media/ information/propaganda war in the south, no question at all. The Americans have not endeared themselves to the local population at all, and at the moment, what is at stake and the single most crucial factor in this conflict now is the legitimacy of the US-backed Karzai government and of US actions in the minds of the southern population.
Agree with the journalists and NGOs bit. Don't get me started on journalists, and most NGOs and UN people who are allegedly reconstructing the country are riding the development industry scam gravy-train, riding around in their big SUVs and generating policy papers that have nothing to do with reality.
6 comments:
Yon,
Most of your statements are half-truths, but I'll give you full credit for them. What you described is typical after a war- mistakes are made, schemes are hatched.
You will find this post war situation throughout history.
What is truly screwing up the works is Syria's and Iran's involvment in the terror game. It wasn't local talent that spun Iraq off into chaos, no, it is regimes like the two mentioned that can't afford a free and functional Iraq and have been actively financing, training, and providing intelligence for terrorists.
I supported the invasion of Iraq and the attempt to build somthing democratic there, but if we don't get some of the bullshit under control soon- we might as well pack up and leave.
Later'
Hey Mr. As Love. Still slagging off those bastard hippies I hope.
I'm not there but I think atitudes of US soldiers to foreigners isn't helping in some cases.
Dave: What attitudes would those be? Its a serious question. From what I have gathered, American soldiers are themselves the best ambassidors we have. Whereas, reporters and NGOs annoy and earn contempt for their attitude and ideology.
pardon my spelling. 'ambassador'
Neither of us are there, both of us are probably inclined to believe stories from diferent sides.This sort of thing disturbs me the most and this makes me wonder how much of this goes unreported.
"From what I have gathered, American soldiers are themselves the best ambassidors we have. Whereas, reporters and NGOs annoy and earn contempt for their attitude and ideology."
I don't know Iraq either but Afghanistan maybe I do a bit better.
Absolutely disagree with the first statement. Loads of Afghans are happy the US/Coalition are here, but complain about the behaviour of US troops. There are 38 nations in ISAF, although only the Brits and Canadians are seeing as much and sometimes more combat than the Americans. However, for some reason it is ONLY ever American troops who do things like light up on every herd of goats, roadside teashop, schoolkid on a bicycle, crowd of curious bystanders etc. within range with .50-cals when a roadside bomb goes off. Many people have told me British troops are infinitely better at relating to the locals, and this is not just out of politeness to me, as I always tell people I'm Finnish.
The Taliban are winning the media/ information/propaganda war in the south, no question at all. The Americans have not endeared themselves to the local population at all, and at the moment, what is at stake and the single most crucial factor in this conflict now is the legitimacy of the US-backed Karzai government and of US actions in the minds of the southern population.
Agree with the journalists and NGOs bit. Don't get me started on journalists, and most NGOs and UN people who are allegedly reconstructing the country are riding the development industry scam gravy-train, riding around in their big SUVs and generating policy papers that have nothing to do with reality.
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