At War

In Afghanistan:
Where do you stand? Do you want the troops out? In? Bolstered? Do you want more international help? Should we drone more in Pakistan? Should we help the Afghan people? Their government? How should we deal with Karzai? Do you even care? Should you? Are you aware of the American interest in Afghan agriculture? LET ME TELL YOU MY TAKE.
First, a constant military presence in Afghanistan help to keep Al Quaida on the defensive and thwarts their ability to coalesce and organize their efforts to arrange attacks against the United States and elsewhere. The rugged terrain makes it as difficult for them to connect with each other as it is for us to find them. They slip into, and gain support from Pakistan, crossing back and forth, so I say follow. Don't give me that crap about cooperative Pakistan- with continual government turmoil, Al Quaida, Taliban and feudal skirmishes with India, not to mention nukes, logic dictates to me that taking out insurgents in Pakistan might be more important than it's neighboring country.
We are not in Afghanistan to help re-build their government, their economy, their society. We are there to oppress the organization that is Al Quiada. Some officials seem to feel the need to inject western culture into every theater of conflict we enter . Currently some government officials are attempting to convince the Afghans that with some preparation, they can grow corn in the valleys and fields of their country. Have you seen any pics of this place? Can you say "rocks everywhere"? Besides considering the physics involved, consider the potential viability of such an undertaking. Farmers there would be trading $1,000 a bushel (well, maybe an exaggeration) for poppies, which can grow unattended between a rock and a hard place, to around $6.00 a bushel (no exaggeration) for corn that requires tilling, organized planting and harvesting efforts far exceeding the work level of the poppy trade. While you're digesting that lame brained idea, consider it's source, and keep in mind the lobbying efforts surely behind such a plan- Caterpillar, John Deere, - those in the states out to make a buck. Now don't give me the value in honest trade argument. This is pure opportunism. Don't let the focus slip from the real reason we're there- to capture or kill Al Quaida guys. Don't think for a second they'd be less mad at us if we pulled out. They will always be mad at us- we just have to keep them frustrated.
On President Karsai? Anyone who threatens to join the Taliban in response to pressure for him to clean up corruption within his government needs to look around and determine exactly who is safe to piss of and who is not.