This has got to be one of the sanest commentaries I have ever read on the subject of our involvement in Afghanistan.
“Aid can be done anywhere, including where Taliban are,” Mr. Mortenson said. “But it’s imperative the elders are consulted, and that the development staff is all local, with no foreigners.”
Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want some outsider telling you how to run your town?
“Mr. Mortenson says that $243 million is needed to fund all higher education in Afghanistan this year. He suggests that America hold a press conference here in Kabul and put just 243 of our 100,000 soldiers (each costing $1 million per year) on planes home. Then the U.S. could take the savings and hand over a check to pay for Afghanistan’s universities.”
Sounds like it would be money well spent to me.
Nicholas Kristof’s article in the New York Times can be found at the following link.
I do not understand why US taxpayers have to pay any money, forget $243 millions to Afghans. We should get all of our soldiers back home and do any nation building here at home.
Being the most debted nation in the world, we have no money to waste.
SGB
If you havn’t already, read ‘Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson. Not the best written book, but well worth the read.