Quick summary: US gave weapons to the warlords to fight the russian, warlords attacked the people, we did nothing, taliban scared off he warlords to the mountains, bin ladan found refuge amongst the fundamentalists.

I think we will have to agree to disagree. I am convinced that it is these exact policies and thoughts that we can "win the hearts" of people through violence that has lead us to September 11th. I'm sure you need no reminder, but it was our meddling in Afghanistan that even brought the Taliban, and then Al Qaeda, into any "power".

As we continue to see the struggles over there, it is clearly our presence that creates the hate. Obviously mixed with a little bit of fundamentalism, but how can you blame them. They are faced with death every day, mostly by our hands. And all of this because of one very tragic day on _our_ soil.

The wars and Bush's (now Obama's) policies are "[..]seriously degrading our force levels, recruiting standards, troop morale, equipment inventory and deployment preparedness. In short, the Pentagon's avowed goal of being able to wage two majors wars at once lies in ruin. The long war on terror has seen America open two major fronts — Afghanistan and Iraq — without closure in either case."

that explains why its so tiring. ;)

Good book by Tom Fenton "Bad news" touches on this subject. That is why we all were "surprised" when September 11th happened. No one knew the kind of turmoil we were causing in middle eastern countries.

My next blog will answer her question of "You think our meddling caused September 11th?" I plan on taking my time, and being really careful about this one.

Did I mention I like running up walls. :)

Thanks for the links. This was sort of my point, instead of fighting for the things they agree upon, they bicker amongst themselves.

My understanding is that Afghanistan does not have the same problems Iraq has, in that the Afghan people aren't waring over themselves. But Biden's old article about breaking Iraq into a Bosnia-like confederacy could work on both fronts (http://bit.ly/2Os4a9).

I think everything that has been done militarily is done. And anything that needs to be done militarily can be done together in the U.N. If there is a good exit strategy, we can then create a better coalition of builders instead of destroyers.

Agreeing with me 80% is not bad though. :)

Also, thanks for pointing out the typo.

So far your comments and rhetorical arguments have been answered by comments and rhetorical arguments.

Huh? How is threatening to boycott me a reasoned debate.

"If you want to join a private smokers club, run by and served by members, you're still free to do that last I checked."

Exactly. Be that a restaurant or gentleman's club. And no, some counties have told private business to become non-smoking environments "for the betterment of people".

"admitted that tobacco creates direct and indirect harm."

I don't have to "admit it" its scientific fact. The key difference is you don't have to walk into the environment. Unlike sewage plants or industries with bad pollution. Why can't people take responsibility for themselves?

That both are ridiculous ideas. Sudafed is a problem for teens either taking a bunch of them to get high. Sounds like a job for parents, not the government.

Prohibiting alcohol entirely as a beverage increased crime and gave rise to a lucrative business for mobsters. Similar to how drugs are giving business to gangs.