Hi Dan, thank you for writing this... I have felt so torn apart for the people of Afghanistan - the past few days in particular. You're so right - huge sadness is how I feel too. Especially for the girls! Why the heck can't girls have an education?? My God. How devastating for families, now terrified about the sudden and potentially brutal change in their their lives. My heart aches for them. And I also really appreciated reading the tweet from the former Navy Seal that you included. It was a more uplifting perspective for those who have previously fought in Afghanistan, and also those now in the process of leaving, and who are likely struggling with conflicting emotions. Continuing to pray for peace....and the safety for all who are trying to care for those in danger.
Thank you for this insightful and moving piece. Seeing helicopters rescuing Americans today from the American Embassy in Kabul couldn't help but remind me of another painful American loss after heroic efforts by the US military for many years; the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Deja vu, indeed.
Yesterday I couldn't think of any reply. I do remember years ago seeing and reading the news about the destruction of Afghanistan's cultural past by the Taliban. And it is hard to accept that countries run so very differently than ours cannot seem to overcome such heavy fighting and ugliness.
Unless enough other countries come together in a heavily concerted effort to completely destroy (yes, outright kill) such an enemy, then we must live with decisions made that may cause other enemies and enemy countries to take over with their own strength.
We ask if that country, Afghanistan, is of any value to us? Is there a possibility of change? Is the culture such that it really cannot think as we do? Did they ask for help? Is it worth the lives of so many of our own people? Are they capable of handling an overthrow with a limited amount of help? And so it goes.
I grew up hearing that the U.S. did not help the country from which two of my grandparents escaped. Was that country too small and valueless for the U.S. even though considered a more "civilized" society by our standards?
I fear the thought that we could be overtaken by some murderous regime bent on destroying our past, present or future.
Once again all our sacrifice in human lives and treasure are wasted on a country unwilling and unable to defend itself due to ancient religious bias, tribalism, and the endless exploitation by men of women and children. War is all tribal countries will ever know, because it is deeply and inextricably woven into their identity. Revenge against the enemy is what they live for, and unfortunately what they die for. Afghanistan is a geologically defined shooting gallery. It is not suited for anything BUT war. It isn't our country, we will never have a real stake in it for colonization or ongoing support. Get out and stay out. Learn the hard lessons, finally, of trying to intervene in such places. The U.S. government always knew this was going to be a failed war. The only ones who won from this debacle are the arms industry.
Just deep and abiding sadness. How can we leave the women and girls of Afghanistan? It really is unaccepable to walk away and just leave them to the hands of the Taliban. Not that I have the answer, I don't.
Your thoughts are thought provoking and true. I have felt a sadness, not only for the Afghan people, but for the relatives of those men and women losr. A thought/image popped into my mind from Vietnam. There was someone holding a sign after we had left Vietnam, with the simple question "Why?". It always has stayed with me.
It is a sad situation. I share your opinions on the situation. I know you visited Afghanistan many times and therefore you speak with knowledge of the people, military and government there. I don't feel that nation can have a way of government imposed on it by another. It's correct for the U.S. to leave. Let the chips fall where they may. I do feel for the people but the U.S. tried to make it better but couldn't. Time to move on and let humanity play out. Thank you Mr. Rather for sharing your thoughts with us.
Personally I think it is time to leave. As with any situation as long as someone keeps coming to the rescue, doing the work, making the ultimate commitment…the people will never step up and stand on their own two feet. We have made a commitment far and away bigger than we as a country ever should have and lost an entire generation of fine, young men in the process. If it wasn’t for the oil in the region I question our commitment in the first place. Time now to stand up for those that helped us help them, and then get back to putting our own house in order.
I hate conflict! I don’t understand how two sides can not work toward an amicable end. But whether it is conflict at a personal level or on the global stage, conflict rarely can be resolved in a neat tidy package.
I am relieved that our country will soon not be sending young men and women to die on foreign soil, but at the same time I am emotionally devastated by the suffering that will be left behind when America’s presence is withdrawn.
I don’t see an answer to this issue. We want our military safely home. But is removing our troops from this volatile area living up to our global responsibilities. I have no answer - only sorrow and confusion.
Thank you, Mr Rather, for your words of wisdom. I’ve felt so conflicted about what is happening, but you put it into perspective and context so well. I’m left wondering, however, if we could keep forces in Germany and Korea for so long, why not Afghanistan? I guess it has something to do with treaty agreements.
Thank you a brief yet interesting history of Afghanistan and also your insights as well the the last story by the doctor. GOD'S blessing to everyone!
Thank you for your insight
Hi Dan, thank you for writing this... I have felt so torn apart for the people of Afghanistan - the past few days in particular. You're so right - huge sadness is how I feel too. Especially for the girls! Why the heck can't girls have an education?? My God. How devastating for families, now terrified about the sudden and potentially brutal change in their their lives. My heart aches for them. And I also really appreciated reading the tweet from the former Navy Seal that you included. It was a more uplifting perspective for those who have previously fought in Afghanistan, and also those now in the process of leaving, and who are likely struggling with conflicting emotions. Continuing to pray for peace....and the safety for all who are trying to care for those in danger.
Thank you for this insightful and moving piece. Seeing helicopters rescuing Americans today from the American Embassy in Kabul couldn't help but remind me of another painful American loss after heroic efforts by the US military for many years; the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Deja vu, indeed.
Yesterday I couldn't think of any reply. I do remember years ago seeing and reading the news about the destruction of Afghanistan's cultural past by the Taliban. And it is hard to accept that countries run so very differently than ours cannot seem to overcome such heavy fighting and ugliness.
Unless enough other countries come together in a heavily concerted effort to completely destroy (yes, outright kill) such an enemy, then we must live with decisions made that may cause other enemies and enemy countries to take over with their own strength.
We ask if that country, Afghanistan, is of any value to us? Is there a possibility of change? Is the culture such that it really cannot think as we do? Did they ask for help? Is it worth the lives of so many of our own people? Are they capable of handling an overthrow with a limited amount of help? And so it goes.
I grew up hearing that the U.S. did not help the country from which two of my grandparents escaped. Was that country too small and valueless for the U.S. even though considered a more "civilized" society by our standards?
I fear the thought that we could be overtaken by some murderous regime bent on destroying our past, present or future.
Once again all our sacrifice in human lives and treasure are wasted on a country unwilling and unable to defend itself due to ancient religious bias, tribalism, and the endless exploitation by men of women and children. War is all tribal countries will ever know, because it is deeply and inextricably woven into their identity. Revenge against the enemy is what they live for, and unfortunately what they die for. Afghanistan is a geologically defined shooting gallery. It is not suited for anything BUT war. It isn't our country, we will never have a real stake in it for colonization or ongoing support. Get out and stay out. Learn the hard lessons, finally, of trying to intervene in such places. The U.S. government always knew this was going to be a failed war. The only ones who won from this debacle are the arms industry.
Just deep and abiding sadness. How can we leave the women and girls of Afghanistan? It really is unaccepable to walk away and just leave them to the hands of the Taliban. Not that I have the answer, I don't.
Your thoughts are thought provoking and true. I have felt a sadness, not only for the Afghan people, but for the relatives of those men and women losr. A thought/image popped into my mind from Vietnam. There was someone holding a sign after we had left Vietnam, with the simple question "Why?". It always has stayed with me.
It is a sad situation. I share your opinions on the situation. I know you visited Afghanistan many times and therefore you speak with knowledge of the people, military and government there. I don't feel that nation can have a way of government imposed on it by another. It's correct for the U.S. to leave. Let the chips fall where they may. I do feel for the people but the U.S. tried to make it better but couldn't. Time to move on and let humanity play out. Thank you Mr. Rather for sharing your thoughts with us.
Personally I think it is time to leave. As with any situation as long as someone keeps coming to the rescue, doing the work, making the ultimate commitment…the people will never step up and stand on their own two feet. We have made a commitment far and away bigger than we as a country ever should have and lost an entire generation of fine, young men in the process. If it wasn’t for the oil in the region I question our commitment in the first place. Time now to stand up for those that helped us help them, and then get back to putting our own house in order.
It’s a sad ending to an inevitable ending.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Afghanistan. Such a sorrowful, no-win situation.
Who lost Afghanistan?
I understand the sadness you speak of.
I hate conflict! I don’t understand how two sides can not work toward an amicable end. But whether it is conflict at a personal level or on the global stage, conflict rarely can be resolved in a neat tidy package.
I am relieved that our country will soon not be sending young men and women to die on foreign soil, but at the same time I am emotionally devastated by the suffering that will be left behind when America’s presence is withdrawn.
I don’t see an answer to this issue. We want our military safely home. But is removing our troops from this volatile area living up to our global responsibilities. I have no answer - only sorrow and confusion.
Thank you, Mr Rather, for your words of wisdom. I’ve felt so conflicted about what is happening, but you put it into perspective and context so well. I’m left wondering, however, if we could keep forces in Germany and Korea for so long, why not Afghanistan? I guess it has something to do with treaty agreements.