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	<title>Comments on: President Obama&#8217;s escalation in Afghanistan: unrealistic and costly</title>
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	<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/</link>
	<description>Grassroots action for a safer, more just world</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:37:09 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>By: “Patriots who oppose this war” must push Obama to end it &#8211; Rethink Afghanistan War Blog</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-1602</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[“Patriots who oppose this war” must push Obama to end it &#8211; Rethink Afghanistan War Blog]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:40:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-1602</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[...] from Al Qaeda and if anything is making the violence worse in Afghanistan. I have written many times before about why a military strategy is a tragic waste of resources, and President Obama did not [...]]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] from Al Qaeda and if anything is making the violence worse in Afghanistan. I have written many times before about why a military strategy is a tragic waste of resources, and President Obama did not [...]</p>
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		<title>By: &#8220;Patriots who oppose this war&#8221; must push Obama to end it &#171; Groundswell Blog, from Peace Action West</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-1598</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[&#8220;Patriots who oppose this war&#8221; must push Obama to end it &#171; Groundswell Blog, from Peace Action West]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 03:26:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-1598</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[...] from Al Qaeda and if anything is making the violence worse in Afghanistan. I have written many times before about why a military strategy is a tragic waste of resources, and President Obama did not [...]]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] from Al Qaeda and if anything is making the violence worse in Afghanistan. I have written many times before about why a military strategy is a tragic waste of resources, and President Obama did not [...]</p>
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		<title>By: The Marja offensive&#8217;s impact on civilians &#171; Groundswell Blog, from Peace Action West</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-1091</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[The Marja offensive&#8217;s impact on civilians &#171; Groundswell Blog, from Peace Action West]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:14:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-1091</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[[...] of the battle. In reality, civilians always pay dearly for war. That is, as we&#8217;ve argued, one of the most fundamental strategic failings of war. As an interview with Radio Free Europe reveals, [...]]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>[...] of the battle. In reality, civilians always pay dearly for war. That is, as we&#8217;ve argued, one of the most fundamental strategic failings of war. As an interview with Radio Free Europe reveals, [...]</p>
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		<title>By: Rebecca Griffin</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-980</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rebecca Griffin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:38:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-980</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As a follow up, this article notes that there are going to be approximately 1,000 civilians on the ground in Afghanistan by the beginning of the next year, nowhere near 20,000 or the 100,000 troop number. And this is after an increase over what they have now.

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/08/overlooked_the_civilian_surge_gets_bigger]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As a follow up, this article notes that there are going to be approximately 1,000 civilians on the ground in Afghanistan by the beginning of the next year, nowhere near 20,000 or the 100,000 troop number. And this is after an increase over what they have now.</p>
<p><a href="http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/08/overlooked_the_civilian_surge_gets_bigger" rel="nofollow">http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/08/overlooked_the_civilian_surge_gets_bigger</a></p>
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		<title>By: Rebecca Griffin</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-978</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Rebecca Griffin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-978</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mike, there are ample reports that the civilian tools are not being adequately resourced or completing effective projects. The supplemental funding for the war in Afghanistan passed this year spent 90% on military tools and only 10% on nonmilitary (and even many of those are carried out ineffectively by the military rather than civilians).  You can see the lack of progress in the poll of Afghans that I cited and the statistics that show that Afghanistan is currently the worst place for a child to be born in the world.  I recommend reading this article about Jeffrey Sachs to learn more about how the &quot;civilian surge&quot; is not receiving adequate focus. http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ask_this.view&amp;askthisid=00435]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mike, there are ample reports that the civilian tools are not being adequately resourced or completing effective projects. The supplemental funding for the war in Afghanistan passed this year spent 90% on military tools and only 10% on nonmilitary (and even many of those are carried out ineffectively by the military rather than civilians).  You can see the lack of progress in the poll of Afghans that I cited and the statistics that show that Afghanistan is currently the worst place for a child to be born in the world.  I recommend reading this article about Jeffrey Sachs to learn more about how the &#8220;civilian surge&#8221; is not receiving adequate focus. <a href="http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ask_this.view&#038;askthisid=00435" rel="nofollow">http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ask_this.view&#038;askthisid=00435</a></p>
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		<title>By: Lee Ann</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-977</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Ann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:12:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-977</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Keir, Thanks for the link to the Huffington Post story.  I learned a lot about the history of the area and found it interesting to read her comparison between Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia rather than Afghanistan and Vietnam.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Keir, Thanks for the link to the Huffington Post story.  I learned a lot about the history of the area and found it interesting to read her comparison between Afghanistan and the former Yugoslavia rather than Afghanistan and Vietnam.</p>
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		<title>By: Mike Havenar</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-975</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Havenar]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:57:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-975</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I disagree that the civilian component is &quot;being neglected.&quot; Twenty thousand civilian technicians etc. is more than &quot;lip service.&quot; Stop letting your dogma blind you; you are parroting old attitudes which never seem to undergo scrutiny once you&#039;ve adopted them.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I disagree that the civilian component is &#8220;being neglected.&#8221; Twenty thousand civilian technicians etc. is more than &#8220;lip service.&#8221; Stop letting your dogma blind you; you are parroting old attitudes which never seem to undergo scrutiny once you&#8217;ve adopted them.</p>
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		<title>By: kara j lincoln</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-960</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[kara j lincoln]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:41:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-960</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thank you folks,

what can be with awareness is:. networking simple exchanges of differentiating issues, prioritizing ecological sustainability based on 1 science for the public. this means no one gains with exploitation.. no one leads accept to share networking.. each self-express the long over due venting needed, reflecting with those living simple lives `boon with the natural world.

this means no grid as in US of some pushing in efficient science with agendas + elsewhere in world. rather this is gripping the moment - uniting with neighbor to better safety, heads together to obtain fresh war, obtain organic seed to plant in attempts to keep the small farm/garden. not science of monoculture, pesticide, GMO, solar Al Gore credit exchanges - this is bad science that we don&#039;t want pushed on any, it&#039;s messed up us which we yet to stop. + Miguel Altieri can tell us story of how bad our planetary food issue is, that has already triggered negative effects standing in the way of self-reliance.

if aware, take part in our moment + network now with whatever means we have + open to our ability to sharpen our sensors. this allows all humans, yes our human family to sharpen the dull sensors  built from misuse, over so much interference. whether a label on one or not, it is the weakest that still gets triggered to attempt to survive in the programmed ways they know best. + it is here we can put out support, + exchange to those able to do walkabout + reach out to more in a calm state, so our efforts can `boon with theirs.

building networks so folks can reflect with real energy + obtain harmony. not from a story of the past but maintain discipline over our self-sensory observation + put effort into the moment, creating, pooling resources, so as to not allow bad science, rather.

folks lets take our energy now, pool our effort + let them tell us more of how to rid their needs, rather then give them what we think which is less efficient.. let Al Quaida, Taliban, Afghan, Pakistan, India, ISI, all be allowed to self-express in a platform, rather then be treated as animals. we are a human family + can support healing vs. ongoingly triggering wounds in those unable to heal. 

where are their stories, channels open now so we can aid input to efficiently unite as a responsible local, global + beyond participant. for to think any entity can solve this on own, you are wrong + being blind. we need to pool together + all give an exchange: reflect for folks to get free of chasing their head in attempts to survive + become whole, sharpening sensors to receive the energy now we all have available, so as to rethink who we following, what science agenda + get free of anyone + connect within the natural world + then we have the ability to perceive what is + act upon it.

not a religious story of past, not industrialized fueling forces of delusion wanting to be westernized, etc. now give us feedback, holding people accountable so we can do within our reach.  folks we can organize but not let shallow agenda lead us, rather respect each other + listen, stand back or correct. we don&#039;t want to misuse unknowingly, + it is our networking that can give us true reflection to act or not.

peace is an option if we network it now. please stay in the moment + let go of what was. for look at our US twisted policy that took part in creating it along with the rest of the world. we have now tools to inner-personally self-adjust + network, stating this was wrong, with compassion, this is efficient, + let them take home what works for their eco-system, etc.

this is all we need.  together we will find solution as long as we have this platform to do an open exchange, with goodness + truth.

Peace Action West, thank you for all your work, you have connections, let&#039;s hear from them now, please choose them to represent local cooperatives. so we can go beyond + each offer exchange along with the 30k troop, + see what we can do before they even go.

let&#039;s go beyond debating in a dysfunctional entity as in our government, which we also are trying to build, where we fragment. we can only do so much until we make it a working tool where we can all interrelate with 1 public truth, within real time, within our ecological boundaries. to allow us to self-sustain. we can make democracy if folks are online that we are trying to, not do for but to network until all can self-sustain; this is what a human family does.

the commitment to seriously get it together, other wise we just interfere in your ability to do it yourself. so I agree we should have no problem in speaking the truth vs. think another bad person will await our removal, fck that mindset for paranoia. the world offers us greatness + to live local is the responsible way. + network so all share this planet + beyond in peace, this is our human potential to live with mental clarity + physical strength in harmony with all species. 

any thing else you are ill, please self-observe, reflect + adjust, for we need all to make peace now to aid in those that have struggled too long, where the industrialized people have used our earth for hunting/play grounds/natural resources, etc. not really giving a hoot because they where programmed in what they doing, not realizing the negative effect left for others to self-develop vs. be subservient, enslaved, etc.. but we do care + want equality with our family, meaning all species. for we are a living organism + we can co_evolve together + are dependent on our natural world.. the sooner we learn this the healthier we will be.

we don&#039;t have to accept anything less than harmony, + for those that don&#039;t have this freedom, we attempt to network + share it, for we all have our inner-personal tools to take control of our own energy + can self-empower ASAP. start with a self-massage + enjoy being alive.

peace, kara]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Thank you folks,</p>
<p>what can be with awareness is:. networking simple exchanges of differentiating issues, prioritizing ecological sustainability based on 1 science for the public. this means no one gains with exploitation.. no one leads accept to share networking.. each self-express the long over due venting needed, reflecting with those living simple lives `boon with the natural world.</p>
<p>this means no grid as in US of some pushing in efficient science with agendas + elsewhere in world. rather this is gripping the moment &#8211; uniting with neighbor to better safety, heads together to obtain fresh war, obtain organic seed to plant in attempts to keep the small farm/garden. not science of monoculture, pesticide, GMO, solar Al Gore credit exchanges &#8211; this is bad science that we don&#8217;t want pushed on any, it&#8217;s messed up us which we yet to stop. + Miguel Altieri can tell us story of how bad our planetary food issue is, that has already triggered negative effects standing in the way of self-reliance.</p>
<p>if aware, take part in our moment + network now with whatever means we have + open to our ability to sharpen our sensors. this allows all humans, yes our human family to sharpen the dull sensors  built from misuse, over so much interference. whether a label on one or not, it is the weakest that still gets triggered to attempt to survive in the programmed ways they know best. + it is here we can put out support, + exchange to those able to do walkabout + reach out to more in a calm state, so our efforts can `boon with theirs.</p>
<p>building networks so folks can reflect with real energy + obtain harmony. not from a story of the past but maintain discipline over our self-sensory observation + put effort into the moment, creating, pooling resources, so as to not allow bad science, rather.</p>
<p>folks lets take our energy now, pool our effort + let them tell us more of how to rid their needs, rather then give them what we think which is less efficient.. let Al Quaida, Taliban, Afghan, Pakistan, India, ISI, all be allowed to self-express in a platform, rather then be treated as animals. we are a human family + can support healing vs. ongoingly triggering wounds in those unable to heal. </p>
<p>where are their stories, channels open now so we can aid input to efficiently unite as a responsible local, global + beyond participant. for to think any entity can solve this on own, you are wrong + being blind. we need to pool together + all give an exchange: reflect for folks to get free of chasing their head in attempts to survive + become whole, sharpening sensors to receive the energy now we all have available, so as to rethink who we following, what science agenda + get free of anyone + connect within the natural world + then we have the ability to perceive what is + act upon it.</p>
<p>not a religious story of past, not industrialized fueling forces of delusion wanting to be westernized, etc. now give us feedback, holding people accountable so we can do within our reach.  folks we can organize but not let shallow agenda lead us, rather respect each other + listen, stand back or correct. we don&#8217;t want to misuse unknowingly, + it is our networking that can give us true reflection to act or not.</p>
<p>peace is an option if we network it now. please stay in the moment + let go of what was. for look at our US twisted policy that took part in creating it along with the rest of the world. we have now tools to inner-personally self-adjust + network, stating this was wrong, with compassion, this is efficient, + let them take home what works for their eco-system, etc.</p>
<p>this is all we need.  together we will find solution as long as we have this platform to do an open exchange, with goodness + truth.</p>
<p>Peace Action West, thank you for all your work, you have connections, let&#8217;s hear from them now, please choose them to represent local cooperatives. so we can go beyond + each offer exchange along with the 30k troop, + see what we can do before they even go.</p>
<p>let&#8217;s go beyond debating in a dysfunctional entity as in our government, which we also are trying to build, where we fragment. we can only do so much until we make it a working tool where we can all interrelate with 1 public truth, within real time, within our ecological boundaries. to allow us to self-sustain. we can make democracy if folks are online that we are trying to, not do for but to network until all can self-sustain; this is what a human family does.</p>
<p>the commitment to seriously get it together, other wise we just interfere in your ability to do it yourself. so I agree we should have no problem in speaking the truth vs. think another bad person will await our removal, fck that mindset for paranoia. the world offers us greatness + to live local is the responsible way. + network so all share this planet + beyond in peace, this is our human potential to live with mental clarity + physical strength in harmony with all species. </p>
<p>any thing else you are ill, please self-observe, reflect + adjust, for we need all to make peace now to aid in those that have struggled too long, where the industrialized people have used our earth for hunting/play grounds/natural resources, etc. not really giving a hoot because they where programmed in what they doing, not realizing the negative effect left for others to self-develop vs. be subservient, enslaved, etc.. but we do care + want equality with our family, meaning all species. for we are a living organism + we can co_evolve together + are dependent on our natural world.. the sooner we learn this the healthier we will be.</p>
<p>we don&#8217;t have to accept anything less than harmony, + for those that don&#8217;t have this freedom, we attempt to network + share it, for we all have our inner-personal tools to take control of our own energy + can self-empower ASAP. start with a self-massage + enjoy being alive.</p>
<p>peace, kara</p>
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		<title>By: Keir Campbell</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-959</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Keir Campbell]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:23:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-959</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This is what I was making reference to.  http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/wopj.2008.25.3.153?cookieSet=1&amp;journalCode=wopj

Also this rag tag group is the creation of the ISI

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/091201/obama-afghanistan-troops]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is what I was making reference to.  <a href="http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/wopj.2008.25.3.153?cookieSet=1&#038;journalCode=wopj" rel="nofollow">http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/wopj.2008.25.3.153?cookieSet=1&#038;journalCode=wopj</a></p>
<p>Also this rag tag group is the creation of the ISI</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/091201/obama-afghanistan-troops" rel="nofollow">http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/091201/obama-afghanistan-troops</a></p>
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		<title>By: Lee Ann</title>
		<link>http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/2009/12/02/president-obamas-escalation-in-afghanistan-unrealistic-and-costly/#comment-958</link>
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Ann]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:16:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.peaceactionwest.org/?p=1142#comment-958</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Keir,  The US did not get out of Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation.  It subsidized the war lord insurgents fighting the Soviets.  And guess what?  Those folks are still insurgents, now fighting us.

When will the US learn that traditional warfare does not defeat insurgents or guerilla warfare.  We seemed to know that when we fought our own Reveolutionary War and managed to defeat the highly efficient, well-funded British army using what were traditional army tactics at the time.

Underfunded, rag-tag opposition groups know that they can defeat empire armies by using non-traditional, &quot;insurgent&quot; fighting tactics.  We are doomed in Afghanistan, and any student of war history should know that.]]></description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Keir,  The US did not get out of Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation.  It subsidized the war lord insurgents fighting the Soviets.  And guess what?  Those folks are still insurgents, now fighting us.</p>
<p>When will the US learn that traditional warfare does not defeat insurgents or guerilla warfare.  We seemed to know that when we fought our own Reveolutionary War and managed to defeat the highly efficient, well-funded British army using what were traditional army tactics at the time.</p>
<p>Underfunded, rag-tag opposition groups know that they can defeat empire armies by using non-traditional, &#8220;insurgent&#8221; fighting tactics.  We are doomed in Afghanistan, and any student of war history should know that.</p>
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