George Will Abandons the War Party | by Jack Hunter (aka The Southern Avenger) »
Posted By tadair919 2 months, 2 weeks ago in Political OpinionWhen columnist George Will called for the removal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan last week, he made his case using the type of hard-headed realism that used to define conservatism. "Nation-building would be impossible even if we knew how," Will writes. "If U.S. forces are there to prevent reestablishment of Al Qaeda bases — evidently there are none now — must there be nation-building invasions of Somalia, Yemen, and other sovereignty vacuums?
"U.S. forces are being increased by 21,000, to 68,000, bringing the coalition total to 110,000," he adds. "Counterinsurgency theory concerning the time and the ratio of forces required to protect the population indicates that, nationwide, Afghanistan would need hundreds of thousands of coalition troops, perhaps for a decade or more. That is inconceivable."
But what is inconceivable to Will is instead a moral imperative to many other right-wingers. Talk radio host Mark Levin blasted Will, stating his explicit support for nation-building in Afghanistan. Columnist Bill Kristol wrote, "Will is urging retreat, and accepting defeat." Also joining the anti-Will chorus were Rich Lowry, Fred Kagan, Peter Wehner, and other neoconservatives.
Somewhat perplexed by the backlash to Will's column, Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi noted, "Judging from their harsh reaction to Will, it's not clear when, if ever, some conservatives believe the U.S. should withdraw from Afghanistan." Harsanyi makes a good point. But an even better point might be this: what exactly makes the neoconservatives, conservative?
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tadair919
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tadair9192 months, 2 weeks ago
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"A year ago this week, I wrote the following concerning liberal Democrat Joe Lieberman being invited to speak at the 2008 Republican National Convention and conservative Republican Ron Paul being shut out: "If you are pro-gun control, pro-socialized healthcare, pro-choice, pro-amnesty, all of these liberal positions can be tolerated so long as you are pro-war. If you are a staunch conservative on virtually every issue, if you're not pro-war, you're no longer welcome in the Republican Party." The name of my piece was "The War Party" and that's exactly what the GOP was in September 2008.
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What a difference a year makes."-
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UnusualSuspect2 months, 2 weeks ago
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"I'm often asked to define the term "neoconservative." While there are many definitions, neoconservatives are probably best described as single-issue voters whose single issue is war. No matter how much it costs, how little sense it makes, or which party wages it, neoconservatives will find any justification and invent any reason for maintaining or increasing American foreign intervention. That a neoconservative would ever suggest we should shrink our foreign commitments and bring our troops home is about as likely as Obama suggesting we should shrink government. And damn heretics like George Will, who point out the insurmountable obstacles that prevent us from winning the war in Afghanistan."
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God, aren't neocons a scary bunch? -
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wtagg2 months, 2 weeks ago
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"I wrote the following concerning liberal Democrat Joe Lieberman being invited to speak at the 2008 Republican National Convention and conservative Republican Ron Paul being shut out:"
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Speaks volumes. They are deathly afraid of the Paul and that position.
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icono12 months, 2 weeks ago
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Will is basically right.
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Either fight the war to win or get the hell out of dodge.
Our forces are ill equipped via current political leadership to fight a 'limited military action' agaist an enemy that is determined to win at all costs for as long as it takes. -
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CHAM2 months, 2 weeks ago
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Oh come off of it Klarissa.
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George will said something that was really stupid. He has advocated the continued use of drone aircraft to launch Hellfire and other missiles into "suspected" Terrorists zones.
The result of this type warfare has brought America to the brink of defeat. I believe the kill ratio is about 50-1 civilians vs Terrorists. This is what has invigorated the cause of those peoples against America.
There is only one way to eradicate terrorists, and that way is to remove the cause for their hatred. Quit buying into that Neo-Con crap about they hate us for our better life style or because we are a different religion.
They hate us because we kill their people and steal their resources. And we do that for the War Industry and Big Oil among other things. Not for a "Love" of those people.
War is a profitable business except for civilian people and the actual combat personnel. Their job is to suffer and die.
We need to return to Moral and Ethical beliefs. Once we do that everything will improve. -
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tadair9192 months, 2 weeks ago
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"We need to return to Moral and Ethical beliefs. Once we do that everything will improve."
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Morality is what got us in this mess. That's because morals and ethics are movable targets. they're relative terms. there are no absolutes.
suppose you want to drive north to san francisco, but find yourself on the road driving south toward san diego. this isn't a lapse of morality. It is a lapse of functionality. So, you need not use subjective morality as your gauge. Rather, you can safely rely strictly on what works and what doesn't work. if our destination is san francisco, then it is functional to head north.
We need to return to functionality. Once we do that everything will improve.
And the way to do that is to get clear on your destination.-
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mmrhe2 months, 2 weeks ago
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Morals and ethics are movable targets?
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Me thinks you've stayed in the Philosophy lab a tad-long!
That's the kind of fuzzy BS we don't need right now especially on this subject.
As I recall, when we went into Afghanistan, we PROMISED the Afghan people we would not just leave without making an effort to their security AND ours with regard to the Taliban.
That means we are MORALLY OBLIGATED to make it right somehow.
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