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Subject: 
Re: Thinking Out Loud...
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Thu, 20 Sep 2001 05:55:56 GMT
Viewed: 
627 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Eric Kingsley writes:
<snip>
First make it clear that the US priority is to prosecute terrorists and
destroy their resources, not to fight a holy war against the Taliban.

But the Taliban are akin to the terrorists.  It is just coincidence that they
also happen to rule Afghanistan.

"Akin" in what sense? That they are fundamentalist Muslims? That they abuse
human rights?

No foreigners can change Afghanistan's government -- reform has to come from
the Afghanis themselves.

In Afghanistan, going against the government gets you dead.  Pretty hard to go
against that.

Hard yes, impossible no. Ending Soviet communism was hard. Ending apartheid
was hard.

I think the way to do it is with a long term plan.

Who's plan?  the Afghanis?  Some Western Plan?

Perhaps policy is a better word; a liberal policy sponsored by those nations
interested in promoting fundamental human rights in Afghanistan. If Afghanis
reject that policy, it's their prerogative. (Debatable point: can you
enforce respect for human rights?)

Provide education and health aid, empower ethnic minorities and encourage
religious diversity.

Again with the Taliban in power this only gets you dead.  If you want to
change things they need help from the outside that means forceably removing
the Taliban government.

Leaving all other arguments to one side, how would you propose "removing"
the Taliban from power? And if the Taliban were deposed, would you allow the
Afghani people to choose their own government? What if they chose the Taliban?

--DaveL



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Thinking Out Loud...
 
(...) A bullet through every green turban you see. (Or whatever.) I'm not advocating this action, merely answering the question. Chris (23 years ago, 20-Sep-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Thinking Out Loud...
 
<snip> (...) But the Taliban are akin to the terrorists. It is just coincidence that they also happen to rule Afghanistan. (...) In Afghanistan, going against the government gets you dead. Pretty hard to go against that. (...) Who's plan? the (...) (23 years ago, 19-Sep-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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