Portrait of a Tragic and Failed War

Most of us didn't need the Wikileaks "War Logs" to know that the war in Afghanistan is a disaster on every level. As the leaked documents show there have been hundreds of civilian casualties that have gone unreported. Like the time we dropped six, two thousand pound bombs on a compound where we thought a "high-value individual" was hiding- but ended up killing 300 civilians instead, or the machine-gunning of buses, yes, even a school bus, resulting in injury and death. We lost the hearts and minds of the Afghan people years ago.

We also learned that the US covered up news of the Taliban's use of heat-seeking missiles (the ones they used to defeat the Soviets in the 80's) and our use of psyops to plant news friendly to coalition forces in the Afghan media. We did the same in Iraq and it was a major embarrassment when that was disclosed. What are the Afghan people going to believe- US propaganda or the carnage all around them?

Over 1,200 US troops have lost their lives there and nearly 7,000 have been wounded. 2010 is on pace for being the bloodiest year yet with 126 young Americans being killed in June and July. And for what? To support a corrupt government that does not have the support of the people? To destroy Al Qaeda that has moved on to other countries? To help our "ally" Pakistan- which we find has been providing support to the insurgency killing our troops? To wipe out the Taliban (which is said to be stronger than at any time since 2001 in spite of our loss of blood and treasure)?

Even the generals tell us there is no military solution in Afghanistan, but we continue to spend 90% of allocations on death and destruction instead of development, aid and peacekeeping. Drone attacks are surging and Petraeus tells the troops to "fight hard" but "to be a good guest". Really? Is that something like "We had to destroy the village to save it?" Another strike recently killed 50 civilians causing a village elder to ask "Have you come here to protect us or kill us?"

Petraeus has also said our stay there will be "an enduring one". Not if the American people start tuning into what is really happening in Afghanistan and demand an end to this misbegotten war.

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!