Thursday, March 13, 2008

Bush Is Looking For Romance In Afghanistan

I think that as his time to be President dwindles and drags along until next January, his callous statements and disdain for anything not like him will increase. He'll say anything, do anything and even dance to absolutely nothing.

Now President Bush says a lot of things, but you know, sometimes, he actually does listen:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush got an earful on Thursday about problems and progress in Afghanistan where a war has dragged on for more than six years but been largely eclipsed by Iraq.

In a videoconference, Bush heard from U.S. military and civilian personnel about the challenges ranging from fighting local government and police corruption to persuading farmers to abandon a lucrative poppy drug trade for other crops.

Bush heard tales of all-night tea drinking sessions to coax local residents into cooperating, and of tribesmen crossing mountains to attend government meetings seen as building blocks for the country's democracy-in-the-making.


So the war drags on in forgotten (by the media) Afghanistan, troops are dying, civilians are dying, the government doesn't control much outside of Kabul and things are generally in FUBAR mode. Though to be fair, not as FUBAR as Iraq. And after hearing about those problems of corruption, insurrection and not-mentioned-by-Reuters the presence of Al Qaeda, what will our glorious leader do to ensure we can achieve democracy in the country? Will he promise more aid, actually start rebuilding projects that can be held accountable and perhaps, even, maybe, find Osama bin Laden?

Um, I guess not:

"I must say, I'm a little envious," Bush said. "If I were slightly younger and not employed here, I think it would be a fantastic experience to be on the front lines of helping this young democracy succeed."

"It must be exciting for you ... in some ways romantic, in some ways, you know, confronting danger. You're really making history, and thanks," Bush said.


He's jealous? Yeah right. Who in their right minds would want to willingly go to Afghanistan to fight in a war that is severely underfunded with an objective that is as murky as a lake in Baghdad. I understand soldiers that are duty bound and want to help their fellow troops, but come on. That mission is a joke. Nothing has happened of any great measure in six years, if anything things have gotten worse thanks to the resurgence of the Taliban.

Oh and Mr. President, if you are so envious and wish to be romanticized in Afghanistan, then why not go next January when you no longer have to rough it at the White House. Now that would be a reality show I'd watch.