There was never any likelihood of the US accomplishing squat in Afghanistan since the Bushies wanted to go finish Iraq and as the PNAC said "real men want to go to Tehran." Twenty years of fucking up the Middle East as thoroughly as we fucked up Southeast Asia 50 years ago, and our passing will be as noticeable there as it is in Southeast Asia now. All the crap about the United States as the guarantor of stability after the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War was so much hot air - we been the major destabilizer for the past 30 years. We could have helped the democractic forces in the former Soviet Union, but that would have taken too much hard work that no one would have noticed. Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II. All the talk of the "victory of democracy" was the product of morons who couldn't find their ass with both hands on a clear day with a four hour advance notice. Biden's just turning off the lights and closing the theater doors.
I interviewed a retired Admiral today who fought in Vietnam as a junior officer and was present at the end in Saigon 45 years ago for my coming book. At the end he said "I hope my grandson becomes a janitor, anything but this military."
We've also been a major destabilizer in the Western Hemisphere for over 200 years through our policy of interventionism that, sanctioned by the Monroe Doctrine, has justified in our minds our meddling in the politics of other nation's governments. Unfortunately, many of our country's soldiers lost their lives (and many innocent foreign bystanders have lost theirs) while the U.S. was actually safeguarding the financial interests of corporations abroad (for example, the 1954 CIA-led coup d'etat in Guatemala). The long-term repercussions to some of the countries where we've "intervened" have been devastating (in the case of Guatemala, it endured a 50-year civil war). It's time to focus on improving the living conditions in our own country, and in ensuring that the lives of our brave soldiers who enlist in our military are not misused by our politicians.
It might help also to reflect a little ....and act...on what are the real needs of the Central and Southern American peoples are both so that they can live in harmony and without hunger....and put a stop to their constant desire to escape northwards to the US. This would after all be in the interests of the US Government.....and eventually of the corporations that actually serve the people.
I am not sure we have ever been concerned as a nation about the people’s of other nations. It has always been about resources and how cheap can we get them. We are not a high minded society yet, we don’t seem to be able to care for our own people’s interests. Some day we will have a utopian society, but I am not holding my breath.
the unfortunate thing about this article is the direction of criticism only at the US ..much as it is justified. It would be helpful if such critics addressed themselves with similar vigour and integrity to the problems that the Russian and Chinese governments give to their own citizens and everywhere else in the wotrld....and their use of their veto powers at the UN. The somewhat anti-american French have an expression which covers this "utopian" , slanted, but so very humane, thinking..."le pays des bisounours"..which roughly translates as the country of kissing teddybears. War is extremely nasty and has been with hunanity for ever, sanctions hit the people hardest of course...but suggest other means of getting Putin, Sadam, Xi, Ghadafi or Pol Pot to stop being "unreasonable" and i'm all ears as asking nicely without a big stick seems only to generate a demand for more carrots.
The penchant for warmongering by urging our people to concentrate on the misdeeds of other countries blinds many of us to things we can and must challenge in our own government's actions. Is it really our job to correct others' governments first? I do see that you criticized blame focused "only at the US." I was fascinated to see Max Blumenthal of The Grayzone and others on his website examine the record of the "institution" that accuses China of genocide in its treatment of Uygers. Then came a headline by Caitlin Johnstone, saying,
"The Entire World Should Be Laughing At America For Pretending To Care About Muslims In China." I don't agree with everything Johnstone writes, but I found that comment rather healthy!
Thanks so much for the reply, Stuart. As usual, you put it in perspective. I agree that we (western countries) have very few big sticks anymore - and the carrot & stick "answer" doesnt appear to work very well HERE either, does it? At least the carrot part.
The British started things after the 1914-18 war, the US replaced them following the 1939-45 war and maintained the oil-controlling dictatorships that facilitated the work of ExonMobile etc thereafter.......until the Mullahs of Iran through a spanner in their works by overthrowing the Shah Reza Palavi and "unfriendly competition" by the non-American oil companies took the prize in Iraq. Thereafter what a mess they....and the Europeans in Libya....have created in pursuit of profit.....and of course lip service to the ideals of democracy. Not much thought here has been given to the needs of the people!
Absolutely, Daria! Certainly, as far back as the early 20th century when the British discovered oil in the ME. Even the founding of the state of Israel was incentivized by US interests in petroleum. And, of course, the 1953 CIA-funded coup against the government of Mossadegh in Iran was swayed by the scent of oil. And on and on we go ...
Rowshan..in a little aside ...Mossadegh's daughter was "au pair" in my great aunt's house when the "coup" came down. She was wisked away instantly never to be seen again in the London suburb of Twickenham.
That's amazing, Stuart! I was great friends with a niece of his once upon a time. I was very little during that coup and we weren't allowed out, but I still remember the sounds of the crowds in the streets chanting "long live Mossadegh" some days and "long live the shah" a few days later.
Marginal note: the Ukrainian black hole is a little more complicated than the Russian propaganda version. Or their own.
As far as policies for the US to avoid are concerned, remember the slogan doing the rounds in Prague in late August 1968:
"The flies have invaded the fly paper."
And maybe bear in mind that the Kremlin has now occupied Russia as though it was yet another colony. An episode for which there are precedents in Russian history.
My comment comes from anti-Russsian, pro-Democracy Ukrainian friends who point out to me how many of "your bad Americans" have come over and fought with the Ukrainian militias to gain military experience. The forces they worry about aren't in office, but many in office are beholden to them.
Sounds like the kind of people who are said to have paid to join the snipers in the mountains around Sarajevo... (the "bad Americans", of course). But the "black hole" epithet wasn't gratuitous. Poor Ukraine...
"Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II."
You know nothing of Ukrainian history and appear to believe Russian lies. I could refer you to some actual facts but it would not likely change your mind anymore than facts change Trump supporters minds
Thank you. There are far more knowledgeable people than I am. Anne Applebaum, Timothy Snyder, Paul Goble who translates and summarizes observations by Russian and Ukrainian writes at http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/
I am so sick of Russian anti-Ukrainian propaganda. We are currently surrounded on three sides by a huge build up of Russian military and have no idea what Putin will do. They are in position to end run Ukraine's defense line and roll up our army, though it will cost them bitterly.
Putin wants to rehabilitate Stalin so no one will look to closely at the fact he is operating much the same way. In 2006, I asked a group of students at a Moscow University how they felt about Stalin having just been voted the second most important Russian in history. They said history was of no concern to them, they were only interested in the future. I was sick inside for them.
I was drafted in 1972 and was never sent anywhere more exotic and dangerous than Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as US troops were about to be withdrawn (slowly) from Vietnam. Actually, there's more to my brush with the military, but there isn't room here to tell the whole riotous tale. My little quote is from "Dispatches" by Michael Herr (recently deceased), which John Le Carrè said was "The best book (he) ever read about men and war in our time." I recommend it.
My husband was a non stop reader. He was also wounded on one of those doomed VietNam hill fights with the 173rd 1967-8, subsequently spent a year in army hospitals and returned many times to VA hospitals over a life time. A none stop reader, he felt it was the only book that came close to conveying a bit of what that was like for those very young men. Sad to learn that Michael Herr had died. Amazing book.
Hello K. From your use of the past tense I assume your husband has passed away. My condolences. I feel lucky I did not have to fight in Vietnam, and regret that so many people who did had their lives screwed up by that war. A friend of mine years ago had recently returned from several combat tours in Vietnam as a marine and was surviving and attending college on a 100% government disability. He used to say that he felt like a fish out of water back in the States and often complained that no one really wanted to know what he had done. He once described having to fire his mortar straight up as his position was nearly overrun at night and claimed that only a small number of soldiers were actually able to function in these situations, adding that once it was known he could function, he was repeatedly sent into situations likely to involve close combat. He said each time it happened he had the sensation of needing to die - in the sense of giving up all hope of life - before being able to fight effectively, so he figured he had died many times already and that death held no real meaning for him at all outside of combat. Though he had tried, he could not hold any job for more than a few hours and thought most people were afraid of him and were convinced he was "wacko" and therefore dangerous. We lost track of each other when I moved to Italy, and I think I may just try to find him next time I'm back in the States. We were in school together for a few years in Colorado Springs.
Some solid points, but I'm not too sure about this statement: "Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II." Do you have references?
My comment comes from anti-Russsian, pro-Democracy Ukrainian friends who point out to me how many of "your bad Americans" have come over and fought with the Ukrainian militias to gain military experience. The forces they worry about aren't in office, but many in office are beholden to them.
Repercussions for nefarious behaviour. A line in the sand. Taking care of business at home. Yes! To have a president that is not cozying up to evil, one with integrity and a realistic view of world affairs, is a change from what came before that is vastly reassuring. I am quite astonished at Biden. I did not think he would be, well, so progressive, or so presidential.
What a wonderful surprise to see Joe Biden be a President who I respect and trust. He is a far cry from sleepy Joe that Trump dubbed him. What stark contrast between 45 and President Biden!
Much as I agree with you, the comparaison with the last three presidents' views of "world affaires"doesn't fix the "bar" very high. The world expects more than it has been getting for some time.....Biden has good people around him and indeed he has started well. We'll see what the furture holds.
I think it makes excellent sense to keep an eye on the current administration. Just because they have a D behind their name doesn't mean they are perfect.
Here's one question to ask ourselves: How is the American Rescue Plan money being spend in our home town, in our county?
In the Village of Round Lake, NY, where I live, apparently the ARP money must be spent on COVID-related losses and recovery needs. So, we can't finish repaving the streets (a project partway finished), and, apparently, we can't replace the streetlights with Victorian-style lower-cost LED lights.
But... how would a large infusion of money assist small in-home businesses, like child care providers, professional gardeners, hair stylists, accountants?
You give a small business a large sum of money -- by grant or loan -- and it could be surprising what ideas they come up with to improve their bottom line. Signage, advertising, upgrades to ISP plans, professional business plans, remodeling a room to be business-only and therefore tax-deductible...
Two words come straight to my mind; relief and apprehension. Relief for obvious reasons as the last President is now out. Apprehension because it might just be for the time being and because the last 3 Presidents have been something of a disappointment for Europeans. The result is that Europe will want to go more its own way...but it is incapable of deciding collectively which way that should be. Trump was right in one thing...if the Europeans want people to consider their interests, they'll have to put a lot more money into their own defense. Given that necessity and the lack of collective vision, each region/country will go its own way as usual and encourage the further decline of Europe.
As a President, since Joe's inauguration, the European media and people have not been following his story and improved image. They are busy with covid and remember still "sleepy joe" and the verbal "dificulties" which were at one point underlined. He is seen as someone's kindly, elderly Granddad seeems very nice but frail and might not be around for too long.
For what it's worth, it appears the new Italian government, led by Italy's most internationally credible prime minister in some time (Mario Draghi, ex head of the EU central bank and savior of the EURO following the Bush crash), wants both better relations with the USA and a strong EU. When Erdogan dissed Ursula Von der Leyen of the EU by having her sit far away from him at an EU-Turkey meeting in Istanbul, Draghi called Erdogan a "dictator", which he is. It seems to have got his goat.
Me, too. Just because Biden worked "across the aisle" to get good legislation passed does not mean he betrayed the Democratic party, or what are now viewed as progressive positions. He has alwats been about doing the right thing for America. And now he is essentially, professionally, enacting the Green New Deal as well.
13 years ago my husband was deployed to Afghanistan to help train Afghan troops. Even then he recognized it as a lost cause. Withdrawing troops is far overdue. We are worlds apart culturally (that have nothing to do with religion). And as a side note, one of the very troops my husband's unit was assigned to train ended up killing 2 members of his unit.
When my husband came back from Vietnam, soldiers were instructed not to wear their uniforms. They didn’t know why until quite a few were spat on and called murderers.
Ah, withdrawal from Afghanistan, finally after all these years! What a pleasant distraction (just kidding) from COVID19 and the GOP and insurrectionists and Black people being executed for the crime of being Black while the gun crazies run around waving their weapons and complaining of government tyranny as the earth gets warmer and no one knows what to do about the folks crowding across our southern border, not even Joe Biden (apparently).
Seriously, the President's decision to cut the cord in Afghanistan is a good one and long overdue. Yes, I know, it was Trump's decision, but now it is grounded in actual knowledge of history and colored by a moral sense utterly absent in the former Coglione-in-chief's tiny brain.
There is a nice comment in the NYT (yesterday's) written by a former US Marine (Timothy Kudo) that is worth a read. Have a good one everyone.
Thank you Ellie. I read the link your provided of Timothy Kudo's, 'I Fought in Afghanistan. I Still Wonder, Was It Worth It?' The writer brings himself as a young soldier home when he is no longer young and carries within him a soldier's soul. I suggest it to subscribers who are ready to take a wrenching tour with Kudo from his first deployment to Afghanistan until today.
While reading Timothy Kudo's piece, I thought of Black Americans and the police. Perhaps, resulting from my attention to the subject for the last few months and more lightly since my teenage years. I considered Blacks feeling the brutality and fear, which their people have experienced in America for centuries, when a police officer stops them today. They are the targets in the war upon them, which has not ceased. I believe that police work is tied to the authority of White supremacy, which undergirds American society.
Fern, here's the response you requested from a couple of days ago, followed by your original comment.
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Dear Fern, this is fantastic, and a revelation to me about NYC. I'm familiar with kidnappings in Boston; we role-play on walking tours as I chase students through the same escape alleys as Blacks fleeing slave-catchers in the 1850s. But the volume, and lack of official support, in NYC seems much greater. The irony, and outrage, of the Fugitive Slave Law is that there was no government aid in stemming the flow in the opposite direction -- retrieving the kidnapped was strictly by private efforts.
As the closest free state (just 2 mi from VA), southern Pennsylvania was a hotbed of conflict of the kind you describe, complete with some corrupt officials. But PA Blacks and abolitionists were well-organized, even fighting back effectively at Christiana in 1851. But they could only run (if lucky) when Lee invaded in 1863.
Enough history, since it seems that the crux of your comment relates past to present policing. I agree, it seems no amount of formal training can alter cop culture, but IDing socialization as a pernicious problem is a step forward.
The books you draw on present just the kind of hidden history lived by Blacks but barely known until recently. It clearly suggests yet more reasons why Blacks would not trust the police, and why whites cannot comprehend the vast gulf in historical and current experience.
A few years ago, in a different state, I thought I had stumbled across a human trafficking operation involving teenage girls from Eastern Europe. (Luckily it was a false alarm.) Though action wasn't taken, I knew right then that the ones to contact were either state police or (better) the FBI, because of the real possibility of collusion and corruption within local police departments. The police want respect and trust, but both must be earned, and they've spent decades forfeiting them.
Slave patrolling was an early form of American law enforcement, and we hear the phrase a lot in the past year, including from me, because it persists. Not all policing in the US derives from "paterollers," but that model has held the upper hand even in the North and West since the mid-19C. Surprisingly, there is an effective alternative: community policing (the Peelian Principles), with roots in 1820s UK. Despite its oft-brutal treatment of empire immigrants, relatively few Black Britons die at the hands of Bobbies. Peelism's long-term partial success in the UK shows that better laws and practices are possible.
Today's Letter begins with the killing of two Black men by White police officers in the state of Minnesota, It is an eloquent and consequential piece, calling upon Abraham Lincoln, Heather writes in affirmation of Democracy.
The judicial proceedings in Minnesota concerning the murder, first of George Floyd and, subsequently of Duante Wright, are ultimately Heather writes, a trial of the fundamental American principle of equality before the law.
On this day, April 13th, in the year of 1861 the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter. 'The leaders of the Confederate States of America believed that the government of the United States of America had a fatal flaw: it declared that all men were created equal'. (April, 12, 2021, Letter).
Given that equality has not come close to being achieved in the United States of America, it is, perhaps, a misnomer to designate April 9, 1865 as the end of the Civil War. Since then struggles for equality in the county have been countless and continuous. Figuratively, they could fill US Route 20, stretching 3,365 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon and U.S. and Route 6, stretching 3,199 mi from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts, many, many times over.
At this very moment, consider what is happening in almost every state of the Union to suppress the vote. Refer to Covid - 19th's statistics for the number of Brown and Black people's deaths vs. Whites. Examine the racial disparity is our prisons. What color is our system of justice? Is it Red, White and Blue?
Understanding the meaning of equality and reviewing the challenges to it refers us to Social Principles -- everything -- from Democratic functions, the nature of a civil society, the Constitution, role government, rule of law, human psychology, daily life... and law enforcement. In this comment, I would like to address an aspect of law-enforcement.
We have been spending many excruciatingly difficult hours in Minnesota as a result of murders by police there, including the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd. I'd like to take you to another place, New York State, where police officers were terrorists. We are going back in time, before the Civil War, 'When a Kidnapping Ring Targeted New York’s Black Children'. That is the title of the book by Parul Sehgal,
‘In 1833, Black children began to vanish from the streets of New York City.’ '...‘Frances Shields, age 12, with cropped hair and a scar over her right eye, was last seen walking to school wearing in a purple and white dress. John Dickerson, 11, disappeared while running an errand for his parents. Jane Green, 11, was speaking to a stranger before she went missing. Or so it was believed; none of the children were heard from again.’ '... ‘More children began disappearing — more than one a week. The police refused to investigate the cases, and the mayor ignored the community’s pleas for help. Black parents searched on their own, scouring orphanages, prisons, poorhouses. It was whispered that supernatural forces were involved; what malign spirit was hunting these children?’
‘In “The Kidnapping Club,” the historian Jonathan Daniel Wells describes the circle of slave catchers and police officers who terrorized New York’s Black population in the three decades before the Civil War. They snatched up children, as well as adults, and sold them into slavery.
Under the Constitution’s Fugitive Slave Clause, states were required to return anyone fleeing bondage to their enslavers. Some New York police officers, like the notorious Tobias Boudinot and Daniel D. Nash — central members of the club — used the mandate to target the Black population of New York, with the assistance of judges, like the city recorder Richard Riker, who’d swiftly draw up a certificate of removal. There were no trials. The slaves were not even permitted to testify on their own behalf’ (NY Times, Book Review, Oct., 2020)
'When a Kidnapping Ring Targeted New York’s Black Children'. was referred to here in order to provide a historical sense of the role of the police in the country's struggle for equality. Have the differences in police behavior been geographically compared visa vie race and ethnicity? What is known about the biases of people serving in police departments? Recent reports indicate that police training may not effect police behavior. How can the hiring of the police be addressed to diminish bias? Historically, how intertwined is law enforcement with inequality? What are to tools to bring law-enforcement into the realm of equal treatment under the law?
Thanks, TPJ. I did see your reply and my comment in yesterday's Letter as you had requested. I replied to you as well. Essentially, though appreciative for the books you recommended, I indicated that I wasn't going to bite off anymore tomes about police behavior toward Black people for the time being. Our years, and particularly the last months, days and hours are stuffed with the tragic brutality of the police against Black people. With reference to relationship between the two, the ties of the state and White supremacy with the police cannot be not be overlooked. The country would benefit from a couple to tomes tracing the history of this lethal form on domination in the United States of America. It is who we are.
Thank you too, Fern. The books are all on 19C history, one each on Boston, NYC, Britain (20C), two on PA. I can barely stand to read news articles on police, let alone current tomes, so I avoid til they clearly prove their worth. (E.g. M Alexander, The New Jim Crow.) They date rapidly, and anything that doesn't cover last year's protests is obsolete anyway.
Thanks for posting this. Over the past century and a half, Great Britain, Russia and the United States have learned the hard way that Afghanistan lacks what ever it takes to function as a nation. Perpetual rebellion is not a solid base for a nation. The place is destined to be run by local warlords, occasionally in agreement with, and occasionally disagreeing with, an extremist theocracy which is the only unifying factor present. That too will ultimately collapse, and China will pick up the pieces with no more success than anyone else.
On Nov 3, 1975 we arrived in Afghanistan and were relieved to find ourselves casually walking the tree lined streets of Herat, the first town we stayed at. The hostel we stayed at was an old European style residence, broken into rooms. We thot it had an English appearance as did the crumbling tho elegant neighborhood it was in. As we walked to the center of town, the ppl we met were genuinely friendly. This quaint little town was such a relaxing experience, so different from the harshness of Iran.
The ppl were also different, a mixture of Caucasian and Asian features, with attire ranging from the Arabic turbans to the more colorful Asian tribal garb. In Herat a street waif sold me a small cast bronze Buddha for the equivalent of 50¢. I assumed it was recently cast and not that old so I cleaned off the green patina - but now wonder if it could actually be an antique. There was a sense of historic merging here, evidence of Buddhist and Eastern culture, even tho Afghanistan was dominated by Islam. We were also allowed to remove our shoes, wash our feet and enter the mosque as visitors.
This relaxed and friendly feeling lasted thru-out the two weeks that we traversed Afghanistan, which made it a pleasant stay despite suffering dysentery in Kabul, (I was told every Westerner gets dysentery in Kabul). Afghanistan is where I had my 31st Birthday. We noticed that tourism may have been a sizeable income for this otherwise struggling economy, Afghanistan being the only country that charged for a tourist visa ($7).
We saw quite a few young Europeans staying at hostels such as ours. These too were economy class tourists able to ruf it and enjoy the simple pleasures of this exotic country. Such as, the Asian style restaurant with low tables and cushion seating, arranged around the walls, where small local bands would entertain in the center. Hashish was often on the menu, available and cheap; a gram costing about as much as a Coca Cola. This may have been illegal but tolerated, for the proprietor came in one evening to tell everyone to remove their hash from the table. He then came back with two official looking men in Western style suits who looked around, were satisfied and left. At the time, being unaware of any political upheavals, we thot only of narcotics inspections but we never knew who the men were or why they were checking the Westerners in the hostel.
We stayed a few days in Kabul while I got my stomach in order, eating imported Quaker oatmeal as a comfort food. The hostel bedroom we stayed at had a dirt floor and two wooden frame cots. The toilet was across the patio and the water heater burned wood. We were in the Third World now. Kabul, for being the capital was not that impressive. I do recall in our walks going past the Soviet Embassy. In November 1975,. Afghanistan seemed to be just a haven for young ppl from Europe getting away from the industrialized world to enjoy the cheap economy of this exotic and charming little country. Who knew then that there would be an invasion of this place by the Soviet Union in just four years.
As a young person, I fell in love with Afghanistan through some friends, and their photos. Visiting there was on my life list. Then the wars started. I will never get there, I know. I enjoyed your description. I guess it will have to do. As for how primitive it is, we have places within our borders that are no better, but we like to pretend they don't exist. They function with no aid at all, most of their resources have been stripped at fraction of their value by agents of the US Government and their contractor friends. Sound familiar? A Marshall Plan for Indigenous reservations sounds like a good idea.
I agree with Jacob about defining "functioning country," but thanks, Rob, for your perspective.
In the 1960s and 70s Afghans had perhaps their best government ever under constitutional monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah -- legitimate, moderately reformist, not too corrupt. But state authority constantly struggles to function outside the major cities. It seems that any modern bureaucratic governance is just a veneer covering the deeper reality of a violent and unjust society. Maybe Afghanistan functions "properly" according to its own (dismal) standards. But like Myanmar, the lack of post-royal political legitimacy in Afghanistan has been tragic.
That's a stark reality of the violent and unjust reality under the veneer of governance. Humans' better angels and altruistic, cooperative impulses are offset by competitive survival of the fittest, which involves degrees of violence on a spectrum of functional to dysfunctional, thereby needing regulation by a social structure such as a government, clan/tribe, and/or religious institution. And there we have the messy, complicated, bloody, painful parts of our world history.
Jasmine Aimaq's 2020 novel, "Opium Prince," provides insight into how difficult separating their economy from poppies is. It is the kind of fiction that is very close to truth.
Certainly is worth a read. I'm sure most young men & women returning from any of the places we have sent them feel pretty much the same - if they are truthful as Mr. Kudo was. Here's another read on the US & others wars:
From his piece, which says so much: “I once asked a village elder whether he knew why I was there. He responded that we’d always been there. Confused, I asked him about the attacks on America. He said, ‘But you are Russians, no?’ After 30 years of war, it didn’t matter to him who was fighting but only that there was still fighting.” Thank you for pointing out this opinion piece and to Ellie for sharing the link.
Timothy Kudo is an amazing writer, so descriptive of that which is almost impossible to describe. I look forward to reading his book when it comes out.
Thank you for recommending this article David and Ellie for the link. Timothy Kudo is a gifted writer who takes us on a terrible journey. So much suffering.
In the Firefox browser, I just right click the above link and choose 'Open Link in New Private Window'. This gets past the cookies and paywall so that I can read the occasional NYT or WaPo story.
Out of respect for each journalists' work, I subscribed to both the New York Times and the Washington Post. For my subscription, I don't have to be bothered by annoying ads.
I think you misunderstood my intention, Jackie Ramirez. I, too, have subscriptions to the NYT, WP, and The New Yorker, The Atlantic, etc., plus as a Californian, the San Francisco Chronical and two other Northern California newspapers. However, I do see an occasional article that I want to read from other online newspapers, e.g. the Sacramento Bee, so the "tip" sounded handy for those. Believe me, I understand the importance of supporting independent journalism, the backbone of a free and democratic society.
Thanks for this tip, but it doesn't work for me on Chrome. It takes me to Incognito, but when I try to open an article in Incognito from a source for which I do not have a subscription, I get the message "We notice that you are browsing privately. Click here to subscribe."
There was never any likelihood of the US accomplishing squat in Afghanistan since the Bushies wanted to go finish Iraq and as the PNAC said "real men want to go to Tehran." Twenty years of fucking up the Middle East as thoroughly as we fucked up Southeast Asia 50 years ago, and our passing will be as noticeable there as it is in Southeast Asia now. All the crap about the United States as the guarantor of stability after the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War was so much hot air - we been the major destabilizer for the past 30 years. We could have helped the democractic forces in the former Soviet Union, but that would have taken too much hard work that no one would have noticed. Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II. All the talk of the "victory of democracy" was the product of morons who couldn't find their ass with both hands on a clear day with a four hour advance notice. Biden's just turning off the lights and closing the theater doors.
I interviewed a retired Admiral today who fought in Vietnam as a junior officer and was present at the end in Saigon 45 years ago for my coming book. At the end he said "I hope my grandson becomes a janitor, anything but this military."
We've also been a major destabilizer in the Western Hemisphere for over 200 years through our policy of interventionism that, sanctioned by the Monroe Doctrine, has justified in our minds our meddling in the politics of other nation's governments. Unfortunately, many of our country's soldiers lost their lives (and many innocent foreign bystanders have lost theirs) while the U.S. was actually safeguarding the financial interests of corporations abroad (for example, the 1954 CIA-led coup d'etat in Guatemala). The long-term repercussions to some of the countries where we've "intervened" have been devastating (in the case of Guatemala, it endured a 50-year civil war). It's time to focus on improving the living conditions in our own country, and in ensuring that the lives of our brave soldiers who enlist in our military are not misused by our politicians.
It might help also to reflect a little ....and act...on what are the real needs of the Central and Southern American peoples are both so that they can live in harmony and without hunger....and put a stop to their constant desire to escape northwards to the US. This would after all be in the interests of the US Government.....and eventually of the corporations that actually serve the people.
I am not sure we have ever been concerned as a nation about the people’s of other nations. It has always been about resources and how cheap can we get them. We are not a high minded society yet, we don’t seem to be able to care for our own people’s interests. Some day we will have a utopian society, but I am not holding my breath.
I would seriously hope that you don't hold your breath...this might take a very long time.
We should create a Marshall Plan for Latin America and rebuild.
As long as you do it with the people and not just to revive the economy for those hoarding all the ressources.
Yes, that is why specifically suggested MArshall Plan, which is how we should pattern it.
Then first help the people get rid of their existing governments, gangs and the power of the drug lords.
I posted this above - its certainly a different viewpoint of us (the US) from an experienced diplomat. What do you think?
https://www.alternet.org/2021/04/denis-halliday/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6966&recip_id=123317&list_id=2
the unfortunate thing about this article is the direction of criticism only at the US ..much as it is justified. It would be helpful if such critics addressed themselves with similar vigour and integrity to the problems that the Russian and Chinese governments give to their own citizens and everywhere else in the wotrld....and their use of their veto powers at the UN. The somewhat anti-american French have an expression which covers this "utopian" , slanted, but so very humane, thinking..."le pays des bisounours"..which roughly translates as the country of kissing teddybears. War is extremely nasty and has been with hunanity for ever, sanctions hit the people hardest of course...but suggest other means of getting Putin, Sadam, Xi, Ghadafi or Pol Pot to stop being "unreasonable" and i'm all ears as asking nicely without a big stick seems only to generate a demand for more carrots.
Hi Stuart,
The penchant for warmongering by urging our people to concentrate on the misdeeds of other countries blinds many of us to things we can and must challenge in our own government's actions. Is it really our job to correct others' governments first? I do see that you criticized blame focused "only at the US." I was fascinated to see Max Blumenthal of The Grayzone and others on his website examine the record of the "institution" that accuses China of genocide in its treatment of Uygers. Then came a headline by Caitlin Johnstone, saying,
"The Entire World Should Be Laughing At America For Pretending To Care About Muslims In China." I don't agree with everything Johnstone writes, but I found that comment rather healthy!
In other words, dont throw stones if you live in a glass house!
Thanks so much for the reply, Stuart. As usual, you put it in perspective. I agree that we (western countries) have very few big sticks anymore - and the carrot & stick "answer" doesnt appear to work very well HERE either, does it? At least the carrot part.
Wow.
MaryPat, be sure to read Stuart's response.
Oh, I'd say we've been mucking up the Middle East in the petroleum age far longer than 20 years...
The British started things after the 1914-18 war, the US replaced them following the 1939-45 war and maintained the oil-controlling dictatorships that facilitated the work of ExonMobile etc thereafter.......until the Mullahs of Iran through a spanner in their works by overthrowing the Shah Reza Palavi and "unfriendly competition" by the non-American oil companies took the prize in Iraq. Thereafter what a mess they....and the Europeans in Libya....have created in pursuit of profit.....and of course lip service to the ideals of democracy. Not much thought here has been given to the needs of the people!
Absolutely, Daria! Certainly, as far back as the early 20th century when the British discovered oil in the ME. Even the founding of the state of Israel was incentivized by US interests in petroleum. And, of course, the 1953 CIA-funded coup against the government of Mossadegh in Iran was swayed by the scent of oil. And on and on we go ...
Rowshan..in a little aside ...Mossadegh's daughter was "au pair" in my great aunt's house when the "coup" came down. She was wisked away instantly never to be seen again in the London suburb of Twickenham.
That's amazing, Stuart! I was great friends with a niece of his once upon a time. I was very little during that coup and we weren't allowed out, but I still remember the sounds of the crowds in the streets chanting "long live Mossadegh" some days and "long live the shah" a few days later.
Truth!
Marginal note: the Ukrainian black hole is a little more complicated than the Russian propaganda version. Or their own.
As far as policies for the US to avoid are concerned, remember the slogan doing the rounds in Prague in late August 1968:
"The flies have invaded the fly paper."
And maybe bear in mind that the Kremlin has now occupied Russia as though it was yet another colony. An episode for which there are precedents in Russian history.
My comment comes from anti-Russsian, pro-Democracy Ukrainian friends who point out to me how many of "your bad Americans" have come over and fought with the Ukrainian militias to gain military experience. The forces they worry about aren't in office, but many in office are beholden to them.
Sounds like the kind of people who are said to have paid to join the snipers in the mountains around Sarajevo... (the "bad Americans", of course). But the "black hole" epithet wasn't gratuitous. Poor Ukraine...
TC, keep your bullshit to your self.
"Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II."
You know nothing of Ukrainian history and appear to believe Russian lies. I could refer you to some actual facts but it would not likely change your mind anymore than facts change Trump supporters minds
I trust Allen Hingston on Ukraine.
Thank you. There are far more knowledgeable people than I am. Anne Applebaum, Timothy Snyder, Paul Goble who translates and summarizes observations by Russian and Ukrainian writes at http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/
I am so sick of Russian anti-Ukrainian propaganda. We are currently surrounded on three sides by a huge build up of Russian military and have no idea what Putin will do. They are in position to end run Ukraine's defense line and roll up our army, though it will cost them bitterly.
Putin wants to rehabilitate Stalin so no one will look to closely at the fact he is operating much the same way. In 2006, I asked a group of students at a Moscow University how they felt about Stalin having just been voted the second most important Russian in history. They said history was of no concern to them, they were only interested in the future. I was sick inside for them.
Allen, thank you for your perspective from the inside. I would love to know more. What’s happening in the Ukraine and it’s border is troubling.
If you are on Facebook, search Ukraine Russia conflict You will find dozens of articles. Else just Google it.
Solidarity and rock on. Mad Heads are a Ukrainian treasure imho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhJoFf0joHE
TCinLA, I love this: "Biden's just turning off the lights and closing the theater doors."
Ah, "Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam, we've all been there."
And you were in-country when and where?
I was drafted in 1972 and was never sent anywhere more exotic and dangerous than Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as US troops were about to be withdrawn (slowly) from Vietnam. Actually, there's more to my brush with the military, but there isn't room here to tell the whole riotous tale. My little quote is from "Dispatches" by Michael Herr (recently deceased), which John Le Carrè said was "The best book (he) ever read about men and war in our time." I recommend it.
My husband was a non stop reader. He was also wounded on one of those doomed VietNam hill fights with the 173rd 1967-8, subsequently spent a year in army hospitals and returned many times to VA hospitals over a life time. A none stop reader, he felt it was the only book that came close to conveying a bit of what that was like for those very young men. Sad to learn that Michael Herr had died. Amazing book.
Hello K. From your use of the past tense I assume your husband has passed away. My condolences. I feel lucky I did not have to fight in Vietnam, and regret that so many people who did had their lives screwed up by that war. A friend of mine years ago had recently returned from several combat tours in Vietnam as a marine and was surviving and attending college on a 100% government disability. He used to say that he felt like a fish out of water back in the States and often complained that no one really wanted to know what he had done. He once described having to fire his mortar straight up as his position was nearly overrun at night and claimed that only a small number of soldiers were actually able to function in these situations, adding that once it was known he could function, he was repeatedly sent into situations likely to involve close combat. He said each time it happened he had the sensation of needing to die - in the sense of giving up all hope of life - before being able to fight effectively, so he figured he had died many times already and that death held no real meaning for him at all outside of combat. Though he had tried, he could not hold any job for more than a few hours and thought most people were afraid of him and were convinced he was "wacko" and therefore dangerous. We lost track of each other when I moved to Italy, and I think I may just try to find him next time I'm back in the States. We were in school together for a few years in Colorado Springs.
Some solid points, but I'm not too sure about this statement: "Ukraine is run by the descendants of the Nazi collaborators from World War II." Do you have references?
I'll repeat what I said above:
My comment comes from anti-Russsian, pro-Democracy Ukrainian friends who point out to me how many of "your bad Americans" have come over and fought with the Ukrainian militias to gain military experience. The forces they worry about aren't in office, but many in office are beholden to them.
Gee, TCLA! Tell us how you really feel! It should be as it is — appalling, but true! 🪖
Whoof, not much to add that.
Repercussions for nefarious behaviour. A line in the sand. Taking care of business at home. Yes! To have a president that is not cozying up to evil, one with integrity and a realistic view of world affairs, is a change from what came before that is vastly reassuring. I am quite astonished at Biden. I did not think he would be, well, so progressive, or so presidential.
What a wonderful surprise to see Joe Biden be a President who I respect and trust. He is a far cry from sleepy Joe that Trump dubbed him. What stark contrast between 45 and President Biden!
Actions speak louder than words.
👍 yes they do.
Much as I agree with you, the comparaison with the last three presidents' views of "world affaires"doesn't fix the "bar" very high. The world expects more than it has been getting for some time.....Biden has good people around him and indeed he has started well. We'll see what the furture holds.
I think it makes excellent sense to keep an eye on the current administration. Just because they have a D behind their name doesn't mean they are perfect.
Here's one question to ask ourselves: How is the American Rescue Plan money being spend in our home town, in our county?
In the Village of Round Lake, NY, where I live, apparently the ARP money must be spent on COVID-related losses and recovery needs. So, we can't finish repaving the streets (a project partway finished), and, apparently, we can't replace the streetlights with Victorian-style lower-cost LED lights.
But... how would a large infusion of money assist small in-home businesses, like child care providers, professional gardeners, hair stylists, accountants?
You give a small business a large sum of money -- by grant or loan -- and it could be surprising what ideas they come up with to improve their bottom line. Signage, advertising, upgrades to ISP plans, professional business plans, remodeling a room to be business-only and therefore tax-deductible...
The proposed infrastructure bill might help with the streets and street lights, depending on what actually happens with it.
Gee, no stock buy-backs?
Stuart, it appears you live in Paris. What is general opinion of Biden in Europe?
Two words come straight to my mind; relief and apprehension. Relief for obvious reasons as the last President is now out. Apprehension because it might just be for the time being and because the last 3 Presidents have been something of a disappointment for Europeans. The result is that Europe will want to go more its own way...but it is incapable of deciding collectively which way that should be. Trump was right in one thing...if the Europeans want people to consider their interests, they'll have to put a lot more money into their own defense. Given that necessity and the lack of collective vision, each region/country will go its own way as usual and encourage the further decline of Europe.
As a President, since Joe's inauguration, the European media and people have not been following his story and improved image. They are busy with covid and remember still "sleepy joe" and the verbal "dificulties" which were at one point underlined. He is seen as someone's kindly, elderly Granddad seeems very nice but frail and might not be around for too long.
For what it's worth, it appears the new Italian government, led by Italy's most internationally credible prime minister in some time (Mario Draghi, ex head of the EU central bank and savior of the EURO following the Bush crash), wants both better relations with the USA and a strong EU. When Erdogan dissed Ursula Von der Leyen of the EU by having her sit far away from him at an EU-Turkey meeting in Istanbul, Draghi called Erdogan a "dictator", which he is. It seems to have got his goat.
I did
Me, too. Just because Biden worked "across the aisle" to get good legislation passed does not mean he betrayed the Democratic party, or what are now viewed as progressive positions. He has alwats been about doing the right thing for America. And now he is essentially, professionally, enacting the Green New Deal as well.
Indeed! So pleasantly surprised by Biden!
13 years ago my husband was deployed to Afghanistan to help train Afghan troops. Even then he recognized it as a lost cause. Withdrawing troops is far overdue. We are worlds apart culturally (that have nothing to do with religion). And as a side note, one of the very troops my husband's unit was assigned to train ended up killing 2 members of his unit.
Essential for the civilian public to continue to hear these "news from the front" stories from everyday people.
That is awful. I'm sorry your husband has to live with that.
When my husband came back from Vietnam, soldiers were instructed not to wear their uniforms. They didn’t know why until quite a few were spat on and called murderers.
And Viet Nam vets usually greet each other with "Welcome Home" because many did not hear this. My husband was in country 66-67....before I knew him.
Yes, mine too 68-69.
Ah, withdrawal from Afghanistan, finally after all these years! What a pleasant distraction (just kidding) from COVID19 and the GOP and insurrectionists and Black people being executed for the crime of being Black while the gun crazies run around waving their weapons and complaining of government tyranny as the earth gets warmer and no one knows what to do about the folks crowding across our southern border, not even Joe Biden (apparently).
Seriously, the President's decision to cut the cord in Afghanistan is a good one and long overdue. Yes, I know, it was Trump's decision, but now it is grounded in actual knowledge of history and colored by a moral sense utterly absent in the former Coglione-in-chief's tiny brain.
There is a nice comment in the NYT (yesterday's) written by a former US Marine (Timothy Kudo) that is worth a read. Have a good one everyone.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/opinion/afghanistan-war-biden-veterans.html?smid=url-share
Vietnam all over again. Powerful writing. Totally get it, been to that rodeo myself. My answer is 'no' it wasn't worth it then, nor is it now.
Thank you for your service!
Mr Kudo also posted another opinion piece-he also served in Iraq. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/24/opinion/iraq-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
Thank you. I've appreciated being able to read both of these opinion pieces.
Thank you Ellie. I read the link your provided of Timothy Kudo's, 'I Fought in Afghanistan. I Still Wonder, Was It Worth It?' The writer brings himself as a young soldier home when he is no longer young and carries within him a soldier's soul. I suggest it to subscribers who are ready to take a wrenching tour with Kudo from his first deployment to Afghanistan until today.
While reading Timothy Kudo's piece, I thought of Black Americans and the police. Perhaps, resulting from my attention to the subject for the last few months and more lightly since my teenage years. I considered Blacks feeling the brutality and fear, which their people have experienced in America for centuries, when a police officer stops them today. They are the targets in the war upon them, which has not ceased. I believe that police work is tied to the authority of White supremacy, which undergirds American society.
Fern, here's the response you requested from a couple of days ago, followed by your original comment.
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Dear Fern, this is fantastic, and a revelation to me about NYC. I'm familiar with kidnappings in Boston; we role-play on walking tours as I chase students through the same escape alleys as Blacks fleeing slave-catchers in the 1850s. But the volume, and lack of official support, in NYC seems much greater. The irony, and outrage, of the Fugitive Slave Law is that there was no government aid in stemming the flow in the opposite direction -- retrieving the kidnapped was strictly by private efforts.
As the closest free state (just 2 mi from VA), southern Pennsylvania was a hotbed of conflict of the kind you describe, complete with some corrupt officials. But PA Blacks and abolitionists were well-organized, even fighting back effectively at Christiana in 1851. But they could only run (if lucky) when Lee invaded in 1863.
Enough history, since it seems that the crux of your comment relates past to present policing. I agree, it seems no amount of formal training can alter cop culture, but IDing socialization as a pernicious problem is a step forward.
The books you draw on present just the kind of hidden history lived by Blacks but barely known until recently. It clearly suggests yet more reasons why Blacks would not trust the police, and why whites cannot comprehend the vast gulf in historical and current experience.
A few years ago, in a different state, I thought I had stumbled across a human trafficking operation involving teenage girls from Eastern Europe. (Luckily it was a false alarm.) Though action wasn't taken, I knew right then that the ones to contact were either state police or (better) the FBI, because of the real possibility of collusion and corruption within local police departments. The police want respect and trust, but both must be earned, and they've spent decades forfeiting them.
Slave patrolling was an early form of American law enforcement, and we hear the phrase a lot in the past year, including from me, because it persists. Not all policing in the US derives from "paterollers," but that model has held the upper hand even in the North and West since the mid-19C. Surprisingly, there is an effective alternative: community policing (the Peelian Principles), with roots in 1820s UK. Despite its oft-brutal treatment of empire immigrants, relatively few Black Britons die at the hands of Bobbies. Peelism's long-term partial success in the UK shows that better laws and practices are possible.
G Collison, Shadrach Minkins
E Foner, Gateway to Freedom
P Gilroy, There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack
T Slaughter, Bloody Dawn
D Smith, On the Edge of Freedom
police.uw.edu/faqs/the-peelian-principles/
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Here it is TPJ, and it's long.
Today's Letter begins with the killing of two Black men by White police officers in the state of Minnesota, It is an eloquent and consequential piece, calling upon Abraham Lincoln, Heather writes in affirmation of Democracy.
The judicial proceedings in Minnesota concerning the murder, first of George Floyd and, subsequently of Duante Wright, are ultimately Heather writes, a trial of the fundamental American principle of equality before the law.
On this day, April 13th, in the year of 1861 the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter. 'The leaders of the Confederate States of America believed that the government of the United States of America had a fatal flaw: it declared that all men were created equal'. (April, 12, 2021, Letter).
Given that equality has not come close to being achieved in the United States of America, it is, perhaps, a misnomer to designate April 9, 1865 as the end of the Civil War. Since then struggles for equality in the county have been countless and continuous. Figuratively, they could fill US Route 20, stretching 3,365 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon and U.S. and Route 6, stretching 3,199 mi from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts, many, many times over.
At this very moment, consider what is happening in almost every state of the Union to suppress the vote. Refer to Covid - 19th's statistics for the number of Brown and Black people's deaths vs. Whites. Examine the racial disparity is our prisons. What color is our system of justice? Is it Red, White and Blue?
Understanding the meaning of equality and reviewing the challenges to it refers us to Social Principles -- everything -- from Democratic functions, the nature of a civil society, the Constitution, role government, rule of law, human psychology, daily life... and law enforcement. In this comment, I would like to address an aspect of law-enforcement.
We have been spending many excruciatingly difficult hours in Minnesota as a result of murders by police there, including the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd. I'd like to take you to another place, New York State, where police officers were terrorists. We are going back in time, before the Civil War, 'When a Kidnapping Ring Targeted New York’s Black Children'. That is the title of the book by Parul Sehgal,
‘In 1833, Black children began to vanish from the streets of New York City.’ '...‘Frances Shields, age 12, with cropped hair and a scar over her right eye, was last seen walking to school wearing in a purple and white dress. John Dickerson, 11, disappeared while running an errand for his parents. Jane Green, 11, was speaking to a stranger before she went missing. Or so it was believed; none of the children were heard from again.’ '... ‘More children began disappearing — more than one a week. The police refused to investigate the cases, and the mayor ignored the community’s pleas for help. Black parents searched on their own, scouring orphanages, prisons, poorhouses. It was whispered that supernatural forces were involved; what malign spirit was hunting these children?’
‘In “The Kidnapping Club,” the historian Jonathan Daniel Wells describes the circle of slave catchers and police officers who terrorized New York’s Black population in the three decades before the Civil War. They snatched up children, as well as adults, and sold them into slavery.
Under the Constitution’s Fugitive Slave Clause, states were required to return anyone fleeing bondage to their enslavers. Some New York police officers, like the notorious Tobias Boudinot and Daniel D. Nash — central members of the club — used the mandate to target the Black population of New York, with the assistance of judges, like the city recorder Richard Riker, who’d swiftly draw up a certificate of removal. There were no trials. The slaves were not even permitted to testify on their own behalf’ (NY Times, Book Review, Oct., 2020)
'When a Kidnapping Ring Targeted New York’s Black Children'. was referred to here in order to provide a historical sense of the role of the police in the country's struggle for equality. Have the differences in police behavior been geographically compared visa vie race and ethnicity? What is known about the biases of people serving in police departments? Recent reports indicate that police training may not effect police behavior. How can the hiring of the police be addressed to diminish bias? Historically, how intertwined is law enforcement with inequality? What are to tools to bring law-enforcement into the realm of equal treatment under the law?
Wow, you two, Ferm and TPJ - I had no idea. Just awful. You should publish this.
You said it MaryPat. These last years, with police cams and cell phones Americans are seeing what Black people have been telling us for a long time.
Thanks, TPJ. I did see your reply and my comment in yesterday's Letter as you had requested. I replied to you as well. Essentially, though appreciative for the books you recommended, I indicated that I wasn't going to bite off anymore tomes about police behavior toward Black people for the time being. Our years, and particularly the last months, days and hours are stuffed with the tragic brutality of the police against Black people. With reference to relationship between the two, the ties of the state and White supremacy with the police cannot be not be overlooked. The country would benefit from a couple to tomes tracing the history of this lethal form on domination in the United States of America. It is who we are.
Thank you too, Fern. The books are all on 19C history, one each on Boston, NYC, Britain (20C), two on PA. I can barely stand to read news articles on police, let alone current tomes, so I avoid til they clearly prove their worth. (E.g. M Alexander, The New Jim Crow.) They date rapidly, and anything that doesn't cover last year's protests is obsolete anyway.
Thanks for posting this. Over the past century and a half, Great Britain, Russia and the United States have learned the hard way that Afghanistan lacks what ever it takes to function as a nation. Perpetual rebellion is not a solid base for a nation. The place is destined to be run by local warlords, occasionally in agreement with, and occasionally disagreeing with, an extremist theocracy which is the only unifying factor present. That too will ultimately collapse, and China will pick up the pieces with no more success than anyone else.
Wasn't Afghanistan a fully functioning country pre-1980's?
An excerpt from my Bio:
On Nov 3, 1975 we arrived in Afghanistan and were relieved to find ourselves casually walking the tree lined streets of Herat, the first town we stayed at. The hostel we stayed at was an old European style residence, broken into rooms. We thot it had an English appearance as did the crumbling tho elegant neighborhood it was in. As we walked to the center of town, the ppl we met were genuinely friendly. This quaint little town was such a relaxing experience, so different from the harshness of Iran.
The ppl were also different, a mixture of Caucasian and Asian features, with attire ranging from the Arabic turbans to the more colorful Asian tribal garb. In Herat a street waif sold me a small cast bronze Buddha for the equivalent of 50¢. I assumed it was recently cast and not that old so I cleaned off the green patina - but now wonder if it could actually be an antique. There was a sense of historic merging here, evidence of Buddhist and Eastern culture, even tho Afghanistan was dominated by Islam. We were also allowed to remove our shoes, wash our feet and enter the mosque as visitors.
This relaxed and friendly feeling lasted thru-out the two weeks that we traversed Afghanistan, which made it a pleasant stay despite suffering dysentery in Kabul, (I was told every Westerner gets dysentery in Kabul). Afghanistan is where I had my 31st Birthday. We noticed that tourism may have been a sizeable income for this otherwise struggling economy, Afghanistan being the only country that charged for a tourist visa ($7).
We saw quite a few young Europeans staying at hostels such as ours. These too were economy class tourists able to ruf it and enjoy the simple pleasures of this exotic country. Such as, the Asian style restaurant with low tables and cushion seating, arranged around the walls, where small local bands would entertain in the center. Hashish was often on the menu, available and cheap; a gram costing about as much as a Coca Cola. This may have been illegal but tolerated, for the proprietor came in one evening to tell everyone to remove their hash from the table. He then came back with two official looking men in Western style suits who looked around, were satisfied and left. At the time, being unaware of any political upheavals, we thot only of narcotics inspections but we never knew who the men were or why they were checking the Westerners in the hostel.
We stayed a few days in Kabul while I got my stomach in order, eating imported Quaker oatmeal as a comfort food. The hostel bedroom we stayed at had a dirt floor and two wooden frame cots. The toilet was across the patio and the water heater burned wood. We were in the Third World now. Kabul, for being the capital was not that impressive. I do recall in our walks going past the Soviet Embassy. In November 1975,. Afghanistan seemed to be just a haven for young ppl from Europe getting away from the industrialized world to enjoy the cheap economy of this exotic and charming little country. Who knew then that there would be an invasion of this place by the Soviet Union in just four years.
As a young person, I fell in love with Afghanistan through some friends, and their photos. Visiting there was on my life list. Then the wars started. I will never get there, I know. I enjoyed your description. I guess it will have to do. As for how primitive it is, we have places within our borders that are no better, but we like to pretend they don't exist. They function with no aid at all, most of their resources have been stripped at fraction of their value by agents of the US Government and their contractor friends. Sound familiar? A Marshall Plan for Indigenous reservations sounds like a good idea.
Oh.
Depends on your definition of "functioning." Western and Russian aid was a factor in keeping it going.
I agree with Jacob about defining "functioning country," but thanks, Rob, for your perspective.
In the 1960s and 70s Afghans had perhaps their best government ever under constitutional monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah -- legitimate, moderately reformist, not too corrupt. But state authority constantly struggles to function outside the major cities. It seems that any modern bureaucratic governance is just a veneer covering the deeper reality of a violent and unjust society. Maybe Afghanistan functions "properly" according to its own (dismal) standards. But like Myanmar, the lack of post-royal political legitimacy in Afghanistan has been tragic.
T Barfield, Afghanistan, A History
L Dupree, Afghanistan
Thant Myint-U, River of Lost Footsteps
That's a stark reality of the violent and unjust reality under the veneer of governance. Humans' better angels and altruistic, cooperative impulses are offset by competitive survival of the fittest, which involves degrees of violence on a spectrum of functional to dysfunctional, thereby needing regulation by a social structure such as a government, clan/tribe, and/or religious institution. And there we have the messy, complicated, bloody, painful parts of our world history.
No, it was not.
Remove their source of foreign currency...largely base products for heroin...and you reduce the warlords' nuisance capacity
Jasmine Aimaq's 2020 novel, "Opium Prince," provides insight into how difficult separating their economy from poppies is. It is the kind of fiction that is very close to truth.
If only it was that easy.
Clear, logical writing. I’d like to read his book when it’s published. The video between the paragraphs is also powerful, sad and enlightening.
Wow! Quite powerful and so well written.
So very sad....
Certainly is worth a read. I'm sure most young men & women returning from any of the places we have sent them feel pretty much the same - if they are truthful as Mr. Kudo was. Here's another read on the US & others wars:
https://www.alternet.org/2021/04/denis-halliday/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=6966&recip_id=123317&list_id=2
From his piece, which says so much: “I once asked a village elder whether he knew why I was there. He responded that we’d always been there. Confused, I asked him about the attacks on America. He said, ‘But you are Russians, no?’ After 30 years of war, it didn’t matter to him who was fighting but only that there was still fighting.” Thank you for pointing out this opinion piece and to Ellie for sharing the link.
Meanwhile, the US has over 500 military bases around the world at a cost of hundreds of million of dollars PER BASE.
Timothy Kudo is an amazing writer, so descriptive of that which is almost impossible to describe. I look forward to reading his book when it comes out.
Thanks for the link David.
Yes, I'd like to read his book too.
Thank you for recommending this article David and Ellie for the link. Timothy Kudo is a gifted writer who takes us on a terrible journey. So much suffering.
That piece by Mr. Kudo was a good read - thanks for the tip.
My pleasure.
Mr. Kudo's article. Thank you for pointing us to it David Herrick. Indeed it is well worth the read for those of you able to access the NYT. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/14/opinion/afghanistan-war-biden-veterans.html?searchResultPosition=1
In the Firefox browser, I just right click the above link and choose 'Open Link in New Private Window'. This gets past the cookies and paywall so that I can read the occasional NYT or WaPo story.
Out of respect for each journalists' work, I subscribed to both the New York Times and the Washington Post. For my subscription, I don't have to be bothered by annoying ads.
I think you misunderstood my intention, Jackie Ramirez. I, too, have subscriptions to the NYT, WP, and The New Yorker, The Atlantic, etc., plus as a Californian, the San Francisco Chronical and two other Northern California newspapers. However, I do see an occasional article that I want to read from other online newspapers, e.g. the Sacramento Bee, so the "tip" sounded handy for those. Believe me, I understand the importance of supporting independent journalism, the backbone of a free and democratic society.
Thanks for this tip, but it doesn't work for me on Chrome. It takes me to Incognito, but when I try to open an article in Incognito from a source for which I do not have a subscription, I get the message "We notice that you are browsing privately. Click here to subscribe."
Oooh....good tip! works on Chrome too