Activist: Alternatives for AFG Needed (Not Just "Troops Out" Messaging)

[The Bread Guy]

Thought I'd share the relevant section, with the usual disclaimer....

Urgent: The Peace Movement Needs a Strategy for Afghanistan!
Medea Benjamin,  CommonDreams.org, 24 Jul 08
Article link

(....)

It’s time for the peace movement to come up with a position on Afghanistan. We know that war is not the answer, but what is? It’s not enough to simply say “Troops out now.” Should we be calling for talks with the Taliban? In Iraq, the U.S. government not only talked to Sunni insurgent groups that killed U.S. soldiers but is now allied with them.

How can we stop Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan from being a training ground for militant fundamentalists? How can we bring those involved in terrorist attacks to justice, and prevent future attacks, without waging an open-ended war? Should we advocate a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and if so, based on what criteria? How can we work with the peace movements in NATO countries to have a more unified and effective position?

What should we call for in terms of development aid to Afghanistan? How can the Afghan economy be weaned from opium? How can we truly support Afghan women? What will happen to them if the Taliban take over again?

This debate is long overdue. We can’t put it off anymore and knee-jerk slogans won’t work. We, the peace movement, need to come together and develop a strategy before our troops are sent from the “bad war” in Iraq to the “good war” in Afghanistan.

(....)

 

[Flip]

I have an Idea for them!

They can put their money were their placards are.........

They can log on to KIVA.org and make micro-credit loans to small Afghan businesses.
There are similar micro-credit .orgs out there. Lots of opportunity to help.

Yes, of course this only works in a secure environment. 
But where it works, it works - at least I hope so, I hope I didn't waste that twenty bucks......

Who am I kidding, members of peace groups don't want to help anyone.  > 

 

[time expired]

Negotiate with the Taliban,what a splendid idea.After the agreement is
reached we can have the troops put on blue berets and enforce the
Talibans rules,Blow up the schools,radio stations and anything that
smacks of western civilisation.Just think of the fun that could be had
enforcing the Burka rules.
                              Regards

 

[North Star]

It's an interesting question within the political left, and a dangerous one, as it may undermine one of their accepted pillars: pacificism.

Then again, I never understood now pacificism ended up becoming firmly established on the radical left. It seemed to parachute in from Christian pacifism, but was "secularized".

 

[Flip]

Then again, I never understood now pacificism ended up becoming firmly established on the radical left. It seemed to parachute in from Christian pacifism, but was "secularized".

The two kinds of pacifism are very different animals.
Christian pacifism often depends on isolation and other methods of controlling the situation.
This approach requires individual faith and sacrifice.

New wave pacifism depends on political correctness and "the power of our ideas".
This approach depends on liberal arrogance and that others sacrifice.

You might guess that I don't "get" pacifism either.  I do have friends who have been missionaries
and who are pacifist by nature.  Even they get that pacifism isn't for everyone.