for the record: that Afghanistan was invaded because the Taleban ruled and Afghani women are oppressed is a blatant lie fairy tale concocted by apologists and war mongers. the country was invaded because the Taleban refused to hand over Osama bin-Laden.

similar fairy tales were (but not limited to) "Viet Nam and the domino theory, American citizens endangered in Grenada, weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and presently the protection of rebels who fight for democracy in Libya".

You forgot the one about the Thousand Year Reich.

You forgot the one about the Thousand Year Reich.

irrelevant arguments from posters ridiculing themselves were expected. keep up the good job!

You forgot the one about the Thousand Year Reich.

irrelevant arguments from posters ridiculing themselves were expected. keep up the good job!

You really should stick to...Yada, yada, yada. Blah, blah, blah.

That snappy retort makes more sense than when you try to express a thought.

for the record: that Afghanistan was invaded because the Taleban ruled and Afghani women are oppressed is a blatant lie fairy tale concocted by apologists and war mongers. the country was invaded because the Taleban refused to hand over Osama bin-Laden.

similar fairy tales were (but not limited to) "Viet Nam and the domino theory, American citizens endangered in Grenada, weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and presently the protection of rebels who fight for democracy in Libya".

I never said Afghanistan was invaded because of the way women were treated. Those are your words.

My words are that people like the Taleban and their supporters (some of who post here) don't like anyone coming in and stopping their reign of oppression even it is just the by-product of another action.

One fairy tale you are very familiar with is the one where some people pretend to care about civilian casualities ONLY when they are done on accident by Coalition forces but couldn't care less when civilians are intentionally targeted by their beloved "freedom fighting" Taleban. The recent Kill Team story is cause for celebration by your type because now you can claim all American and other foreign military are just as guilty.

I never said...

as expected, another irrelevant remark. did anyone mention you Koheesti?

the Taleban and their supporters (some of who post here)

I wonder why, as the official reason to be in Afghanistan is to free the people and spread democracy and find Bin Laden, whatever comes first.

They should be welcomed right?

Free the people from what?

Privatizing the oil and banking industry instead of being state owned?

Just think about it.

Alex

What is this thing called 'democracy'?

In ancient Greece this was the alternative to the Oligarchs - or rule by the few.

But with 'democracy' there was rule by the few-more. Slaves were not allowed to participate in the system. Woen and children were not allowed to participate in the system. The poor and indigent were not allowed to participate in the system.

That was democracy as it was first laid out.

Now we have many systems that call themselves democratic - the Peoples Democratic Republic of Korea - The Democratic Lao Republic - so on.

And many systems that claim to be democratic - the United States where only registered members of political parties are allowed to select the candidates for election, The United Kingdom (same) do not allow for individual choice. Toe the party line or be an outcast. Libya, where everyone can put forward their choice for delegate to the Peoples Committees, or put forward a personal idea for improving society, is not considered democratic. Why?

What is so great about democracy? African countries where they hold elections are riven by war and killing of civilians. Other countries where the tribal chiefs and elders make all decisions are peaceful, unless some oil or diamoinds are thought to be in the resources. Then the Western 'democracies' cry out that the system is not good for the people and find some doctor or lawyer who has ties to the West and persuade him to stand as President. After slaughtering all the old leaders the Western countries can then rip out what they want and leave the country without any hope - the good doctor (or lawyer) having retired with his multi-millions to Florida.

Democracy in Australia? With a few weird Greens and Indeoendents holding balance of Federal Power? With an unelected politician taking over the leading opposition position just prior to an election?

Democracy in UK - where a minority party of freaks and weirdos, with never a chance of power, becomes the controlling influence of a government by dint of looking pretty. Their policies are directly opposed to those of their partner, for whom the majority of UK electors voted. But they still hold the reins of power because everyone is too concerned with holding their 'seat' and not doing what they were voted-in for.

Afghanistan had a viable system for that country before the interference of the outside world. This is a country of high mountains and dry plains, where each verdant valley has a short growing season and little to produce. So every day is a fight to survive. If the people in the next valley have no rain, they will attack you for your crops. So you must be vigilant and have a leader who will better protect you. You do not want to give your crops to a central government, that will give nothing back. So kill the tax-collectors. You need to keep your food for you and yours. Education? You need to be able to read the Koran, write your name to your property rights. You need to be able to shoot straight and quickly. You need to produce sons to follow your lead.

What do you need of roads and airplanes? They bring in the tax-collectors and people who will take your savings, steal your children, destroy your poppy crop. dam_n them all!

That is Afghanistan. Can you change it? Can a thief like Kharzai?

I never said...

as expected, another irrelevant remark. did anyone mention you Koheesti?

You posted it right after my post mentioning the treatment of women.

And many systems that claim to be democratic - the United States where only registered members of political parties are allowed to select the candidates for election,

Not entirely true. You obviously need to be registered to vote, but that doesn't mean you have to align yourself with a party (register as Independent). In some states where one party is holding a primary you need to be registered with that party to select your parties candidate. In other states, any registered voter can vote. For example;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1581320/Republican-votes-skew-Democrat-primaries.html

By Alex Spillius in Washington 5:59PM GMT 10 Mar 2008

Republicans are taking advantage of one of the quirks of the US presidential process to influence the Democratic nomination.

The Daily Telegraph has learnt that in the "open" Democratic primary in Texas last week Republicans turned out in numbers to back Hillary Clinton - their favoured opponent in November for the Republican candidate John McCain.

Some primaries are open to all voters, regardless of their party allegiance, and this is being used as a tactical weapon by Republican activists.

And many systems that claim to be democratic - the United States where only registered members of political parties are allowed to select the candidates for election,

Not entirely true. You obviously need to be registered to vote, but that doesn't mean you have to align yourself with a party (register as Independent). In some states where one party is holding a primary you need to be registered with that party to select your parties candidate. In other states, any registered voter can vote. For example;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1581320/Republican-votes-skew-Democrat-primaries.html

By Alex Spillius in Washington 5:59PM GMT 10 Mar 2008

Republicans are taking advantage of one of the quirks of the US presidential process to influence the Democratic nomination.

The Daily Telegraph has learnt that in the "open" Democratic primary in Texas last week Republicans turned out in numbers to back Hillary Clinton - their favoured opponent in November for the Republican candidate John McCain.

Some primaries are open to all voters, regardless of their party allegiance, and this is being used as a tactical weapon by Republican activists.

I stand corrected. Thanks - learn something every day.