Superstition is king of many deserts and jungles. If you come into a village, and someone falls from a tree and dies, it might be best for you to move out. Many a traveler no doubt has met his tragic end for some superstitious therapy, to set villagers’ minds at ease that the rip in the universal fabric has been mended.We understand this sort of thing. Trading Babe Ruth to the Yankees was the sort of event that puts a tear in the fabric of the space-time continuum. It took a long time for it to be repaired. But, we didn't kill people over it.
Michael Yon concludes with this thought:
Those committing the human sacrifices in Afghanistan hold sufficient power that they caused the President of the United States, and our Commanding General in Afghanistan, to buckle and supplicate themselves with apologies for offending the sensibilities of superstition. Granted, it is unwise to gratuitously offend the beliefs of others, but when murder is being committed the apologies should cease. We are not responsible for atrocities they commit.Mr Yon is correct.
I have repeatedly spoken up against the burning of the Koran, yet there comes a time to acknowledge that something is wrong for which we are mistaken to apologize.
If The People of Afghanistan are so rigid they can't get over this accidental Koran burning, then it is time to move on, with a notation that another 9/11 like event, directed or facilitated out of Afghanistan, will engender a response that will make the current Afghani mob reactions seem peaceful.
Regards — Cliff
2 comments:
Cliff -- agreed with the premise but want to caution against the broad brushstroke used to encompass "the Afghan people." Most of the Afghan people agree with Michael Yon's point. Most are busy eking out their day-to-day survival, and aren't out burning POTUS in effigy or throwing rocks at US bases.
I believe our general strategy right now makes sense (phased withdrawal as the Afghan Army and Police stand up) and don't think the current protests/riots should slow that...OR accelerate it.
The irony isn't lost on me that one side in this is apologizing because some misinformed individual(s) burned some book(s), while the other is out looting, destroying, and killing as a result...however, I would caution against generalizing TOO much about Afghans based on the reaction so far.
I take your point about generalizing too much about Afghanis.
I am keeping my powder dry.
Regards — Cliff
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