Where next for "Adventure?" - Let's finish Afghanistan first, okay?

So, my friend, you've decided that we need to attack Iran ... But, how do you support this choice?

In this World of incredibly difficult choices, you've zeroed in on one of the worst we could make ... To begin another "Adventure." In my tired eyes, I think we need to end what we've begun, first.

From Prez George, who left the "tough stuff" in His last year to Dick Cheney, to Prez "Brak" (anybody remember Brak? Check The Brak Show.) Obama, the gestalt mood-swing is like day & night.
Cheney's "uber-man" toughness was outdone only by his rampant "pro-corporate interests" stance. The reality index, however, was far higher than the "Beta-Male" yes-man-ism of Prez Obama. If this was only an economic choice, I would applaud his reluctance to make any "sudden moves."

The sad and ultimately shameful fact is that the lives of our best citizens are being wasted by the Presidents hesitation to do "the right thing." But, just what is "the right thing?"
The moral path was laid out by President Bush in the weeks after the Taliban crowed over their involvement with Al-Queda. "Remove & replace" was what we heard.
Sadly, this was not the reality. The devolution into the Vietnam standard "Military-Industrial" opportunity came all too soon, and was disgustingly thorough. The opportunity for all "sides" to play Politics was too attractive for Patriotism to overcome, as was raw commercial opportunism. "No-bid" contracts were not only expedient in our "fast food" society, they made great opportunities for officials to build & reward personal alliances.
So was set the sordid proof that, as with McNamera & Johnson, the "interests" of the Administration, not the interests of the People, would guide and command "Military" Policy.

And "we the People" must share the blame. In the national "head-rush" of our consumer orgy, we decided that what we'd been told were "rights & entitlements" truly were such. Our selfishness knew no bounds, as did our overweening demand for someone to "blame." We rushed headlong to try and prove to ourselves that what the Terrorists made plain was actually a strength. We gladly said, "Here, do with our Rights what you will, as long as we don't have to doubt that we're 'safe.'"

Iraq proved that America still had not learned "the Law of the Jungle:"
The Tiger who has the Biggest Teeth must use them.

Herein lies the basic fact of Nature: Do, or Die. Speak Boldly, and Use the Big Stick.

In Afghanistan, "Papa" Bush screwed the pooch. We had, and gave away with a will, a great opportunity. Papa Bush could have decided to help the Mujaheddin after their victory over the Soviets in the 80's, and we would have been Afghanistan's first true Allies, and their Mentors. But, for reasons that are long, complicated and ultimately, self-serving, he chose not to do the right thing.

The Afghani's were left with a power vacuum, and as any student of physics or Nature knows, every vacuum is sooner or later filled. The Taliban rose.
Iraq was treated in the same way, with the same concurrent results: Hundreds of billions of dollars, and many thousands, if not millions of lives were wasted. Our children may well pay for our hubris, and our childish self-indulgence.

So, for the final point: There are only 2 correct paths to take in Afghanistan.

One is to pull out, and let the chips fall. This will be ruinous, but at least we'll be out of "the Money Pit," for awhile. Iy will lead, as did the Vietnam pull out, to the same sort of action as lead to the Iranian Revolution. It will also necessitate "Fortress America," and the police state that would require.

The other is to put our full support and efforts behind what is actually best for ourselves and the Afghani People. simply put, that is to stop screwing around with maintaining a "balance of terror,' and overcome the Taliban wherever they choose to hide.
Make it clear, in no uncertain terms, that any Temple, Village or entity of any sort that harbors them will be destroyed. Make clear where a "safe haven" will be, and make it safe. This can be done, if President Obama has the cojones to stand up and be a Man.

This will require him to displease those he wishes most to serve. He will be reviled and despised by many in the World.

But, in doing this one defining act, he would become more than the wounded "child of the streets" he still obviously is, deep inside. He would become an Alpha-Male, a maker of Nations, a Man of Decision ...

A Maker of Peace.

And let those who would "Play Games" be damned.

But, will this happen? Will the second path be taken?

NO.

Why? Because, no matter how deft a Politician He is, Mr. Obama doesn't have what it takes to be a Great Leader.

He craves the approval of others. Simply, He doesn't know how to lead.

So ...

Learn to duck.