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Frustrated over negotiations for a stay-behind force of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, President Obama is now weighing the possibility of a faster withdrawal and a "zero option" on troops going forward. That may signal the belated recognition of twin American defeats in the Afghan and Iraq wars, says Beverly Bandler.
Americans hate the word "defeat" but that is what we face in Afghanistan. After nearly 12 years, the longest war in U.S. history is winding down with an almost inconceivably staggering cost in blood, treasure and what economists call opportunity cost the value of the best alternative forgone.
As Tom Engelhardt, author of The End of Victory Culture, wrote, "Leave the mystery of who beat us to the historians."
http://consortiumnews.com/2013/07/11/the...an-defeat/
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When was the last time the US 'won' a war? Probably 1945? But I don't think it matters too much now if wars are won or not. Just waged. It is the new business model. Winning in what way and losing in what way? And who wins and loses? The arms dealers are doing real well and they see a big future in it. Wall Street will just keep printing the money for it. People remain too distracted and indebted to notice or complain. Hollywood will continue the myth making and make movies about brave soldiers liberating US resources from foreign countries (whilst bringing 'freedom and democracy') while all people will remember is brave soldier being rescued by the caring and sharing war machine against all odds. Those evil foreigners just don't like their freedom you know.
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
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Tracy Riddle Wrote:...
As Tom Engelhardt, author of The End of Victory Culture, wrote, "Leave the mystery of who beat us to the historians."
...
ahh, which historians? Mystery, the JFK assassination and historians in the same sentence mean one thing to me, damn fool historians were asleep at the wheel--trust them with nothing!
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In 1975 when the Magic Bus Crew [and others like them] went into Iran and Afghanistan, there were NO problems, no hostility toward them, no religious or cultural problems.
Afghanistan, as Iran, are both beautiful countries with great tourist values, naturally hospitable and friendly people. Why can't America even imagine treating other countries/peoples/cultures as friends - and if they have natural resources make fair-market agreements to buy [not steal] them. Further, allow the interchange of ordinary people; not the invasion of soldiers and spies.
Imagine if Iran or Afghanistan or anyone tried to invade or kill via drones or bombers the USA - how would WE react...we'd react exactly as they have reacted and who'd win - in the end, it is always the native population who wins. Will we never learn not to be imperialists and mass murderers completely devoid of extending to others what we'd want extended to us - peace, friendship, fair play, fair prices, civility......etc. I fear not...it is not the way an Empire thinks.
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
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Magda Hassan Wrote:When was the last time the US 'won' a war? Probably 1945?
I have a friend who worked on a US Discovery channel history of the Vietnam War.
He wasn't permitted to write script lines which even hinted that America had lost in Vietnam.
Imperial delusion before the fall.
Magda Hassan Wrote:But I don't think it matters too much now if wars are won or not. Just waged. It is the new business model. Winning in what way and losing in what way? And who wins and loses? The arms dealers are doing real well and they see a big future in it. Wall Street will just keep printing the money for it. People remain too distracted and indebted to notice or complain. Hollywood will continue the myth making and make movies about brave soldiers liberating US resources from foreign countries (whilst bringing 'freedom and democracy') while all people will remember is brave soldier being rescued by the caring and sharing war machine against all odds. Those evil foreigners just don't like their freedom you know.
Indeed.
America is as transient a concept as the British empire or the Egypt of the Pharoahs.
The only constant is the lust for Power and Control of the self-styled elite, and their desire for immotality whether it be achieved through eugenics, cryogenics or mass murder.
"It means this War was never political at all, the politics was all theatre, all just to keep the people distracted...."
"Proverbs for Paranoids 4: You hide, They seek."
"They are in Love. Fuck the War."
Gravity's Rainbow, Thomas Pynchon
"Ccollanan Pachacamac ricuy auccacunac yahuarniy hichascancuta."
The last words of the last Inka, Tupac Amaru, led to the gallows by men of god & dogs of war
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Or plundered.
Oh well, on to Syria.
As the history of opium didn't begin on September 11, 2001, neither does it end when this American sand castle joins that of the British and Russians.
We recall Gerald Posner's defense of the late Ahmed Walid Karzai against claims the latter was a CIA tool and a drug lord.
The general triumphant suffered DCI interruptus for having surged inappropriately.
President number 44 from Cabalistan and his then Secretary of Mulch Hillary-Huma signaled Plan B as in Burma.
In the Port of Los Angeles the containers come and go
As with the porous border with Mexico
The free flow of drugs at market prices
helps to pacify the peoples of Europe and America, Russia and China
Together with antidepressants from Pharmabombardia it eases the burden of monarchic domination
