Democrats Assail Frist's Afghan Comments

At Mission Accomplished Speech Bush Said the Taliban had been "Destroyed"

In the May 1 speech in which he declared that major combat operations in Iraq had ended, U.S. President George W. Bush went on to say that on his watch as Commander in Chief, "we destroyed the Taliban in Afghanistan."

So what happened?

"You need to bring them into a more transparent type of government,"

as if he would know what a transparent type of government was.

Sometimes Frist seems to be a level-headed guy (this case, stem-cell) and others he's the most radical of the rad... (Schiavo, gay marriage). Unfortunate.

Whats unfortunate is all the lives it took before he reached this conclusion. If Bush (with Frist's vote) hadn't charged headlong into Iraq, it's possible that we could have had Afghanistan as a showcase for our "shining little democracy" in the middle east. The half trillion dollars (and counting) spent in Iraq could have done wonders in a poor country like Afghanistan. Instead, we have just another failed neocon policy. It's enough to make you sick.....

Are you kidding me?

First the Taliban are harboring and protecting al-Qaida, while performing public beheadings for things like women talking in public...

Then Duba blurts out, "We have destroyed the Taliban."

Next Afganistan produces 130% of the worlds TOTAL demand of herion - two years in a row...

Then here come the Taliban - back again like another July Eagles tour...

Then "Dr." First suggestes we let them into the government...

Joke or what? Clean sweep needed next month!

Well, one definition of transparent is "porous". This could refer to his mind.

Interesting conclusion, and one that brings up this question: what effect will this have on Iraq? Will the Iraqi extremists also want governmental representation? And if they do, should we give it to them?

The Taliban have every right to be included in the government if it is indeed a real democracy. Just like everyone else, however, they must be elected. Barring a group from governmeny just further sets back the war there. I always though Bill Frist was a nutcase, but after looking around at what he's done and said, he's really not THAT bad. He is one of the few left in government that can think for themselves and is a republican, but not a neocon.

Paul, one reason the Taliban gained more recruits and support from the Afghan people is that US and British planes eradicated the only livelihood the people know, growing opium, by dusting their crops with herbicides. We left them penniless with no infrastructure and no livelihood. We created Taliban loyalists in hopes that Courtney Love will someday crack her smack habit.

Frist is also head of the designated welcoming committee set to organise Bin ladens next state visit.

Look at the Northern Alliance and war lords, look at their history, look at what's happening in Afghanistan, look at the government that the US has placed there. It's not as if the US government would have any problem with having the Taliban in the government on moral grounds looking at who's in there now.

These are the people who supported Pol Pot, trained them and equiped the Khmer Rouge, it wouldn't be surprising for Bush to ignore everything he said about the Taliban on the condition that the Taliban were willing to not interfere with US interests in Afghanistan.

Amazing -- 1) Frist's idea that the group that harbored (harbors) ObL should be 'incorporated into the Afghan government' [isn't that up to the Afghan government, excuse me?!] AND 2) commentors here who think this is just a fine idea. Frist and the commentors who like his 'cut and run' idea are the same ones who think we should stay in Iraq to fight terrorism, right? Wow! Fascinating to see people with the ability to talk out of both sides of their mouths, just fascinating.

So why exactly did we goto war in Afghanistan again? We didn't get Bin Laden and now it appears the Taliban are going to be in control again. Can these guys get _anything— right?

Why is this any surprise to anyone? Think of the most insanely hypocritical proposition, take it to it's most absurd conclusion, multiply it 10,000 times, turn it up-side down and you might come close to understanding just how far down the rabbit-hole our government has fallen.

FRIST AND HIS UTTER FAILURE TO GAIN ANY PERSPECTIVE ON THE TALIBAN AND THEIR HORRIFIC ACTS OF BRUTALITY,IS LIKE SAYING; CAMBODIA SHOULD BRING POL POT INTO THE GOVERNMENT,WHILST ALL ALONG, HE WAS SLAUGHTERING CAMBODIANS ON THE 'KILLING FIELDS' WITH TOURTURE ETC.

THIS REBUBLICAN ELECTED BUNCH OF FOOLS NEEDS TO BE COMPLETLY REMOVED AND VOTERS SHOULD ACT WITH VENGENCE AND CERTAINTY.

AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN REMOVED THEY SHOULD BE MADE TO LIVE IN QUANTANIMO AS 'ENEMY COMBATANTS',SO THEY CAN GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT THEIR VOTING RECORD DID TO THIS COUNTRY,THAT-BE; DESTROYING AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS IN A WHOLESALE AND BLIND-FOOLS MANNER.

I'm confused... I thought the Democrats were the party of "cut and run" and yet here we have a Republican -- and a GOP leader in the Senate no less -- calling for what amounts to surrender in Afghanistan.

Here, for months, I've been dealing with neo-cons on Newsvine telling me that it was the Democrats who were weak on terrorism, the Democrats who want to turn tail and run -- all without a shred of actual evidence of surrender, just evidence of "it would be nice if our kids stopped dieing for no reason at all" and then a Republican steps forward and calls for the US to hand over the Afghan government to the very people that harbored Bin Laden, that fought our troops, that killed our sons and daughters, and that have been profiting off of the illegal drug trade?

After all this blood and death it's the Republicans who want surrender?

That, ladies and gentlemen, really is the final nail in the coffin of the myth of "strong on national security." From this day forth, the Democrats would be fools if they fail to push the GOP as the affirmed, avowed, and confirmed "party of surrender."

No, Mr Frist (I can't call you a doctor because I believe you didn't complete your exams to be kept current), bringing the Taliban into the Afghanistan government would imply we're ready to "cut and run." We need to kill, kill, kill and for that we need more troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. And we need a draft to provide the cannon fodder for this effort. Our President says so. So we're need to "stand up until the Taliban stands down". Or something like that. I thought we fought a war against the Taliban and defeated them, and Afghanistan is now a peaceful democratic country. Why else did we go in there? Certainly not to find Bin Laden? Would you mind getting a veil for your wife, and for Barbara Bush while you're at it?

Congratulations to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. Perhaps Mr. Frist remembers, the now forgotten blunders of the US governemnt; namely allowing the unpopular Northern Alliance Tajiks to take over Kabul. This blunder was even worse than walking away from Afghanistan in the 80s. The non-Pashtun take over of Kabul, sowed the seeds of today's quagmire facing NATO. The allies were repeatedly warned that a Northern Alliance led government would not be acceptable to at least 12 of the Pashtun (and pro-talibaan) Afghan provinces and a minority takeover would exacerbate the problems in Afghanistan. This sound advice was ignored. The majority Pashtun should have created a new government in Afghanistan. However coalition naivety combined with hubris could not resist "Manufacturing consent" (Noam Chomsky' explanation in his book) by orchestrating elections (where the number of voters exceeded the population) and imposing a minority, non-Pahstun, anti-Pakistan government in Kabul. It is common sense that an anti-Pakistan government and Kabul's hostile strategy towards Pakistan can never garnish total support from Musharraf or the Pakistani establishment. Millions of Afghan refugees still live in Pakistan. They cross the Duran Line at will. Mr. Karzai, the mayor of Kabul is disingeneous in shwoing surprise and complaining about the traffic across the Durand line. This has been going on for centuries. If Afghanistan in concerned about these elements (Afghan Pashtuns), then it should accept all the refugees back or make condition conducive to their return. Pakistan has a host of these refugees forced on her and also held responsible for the activities of Afghan citizens when they go home. The war in Afghanistan cannot be won by military means. Sanity has been saying this to deaf ears. Pakistan's peace deal with North Waziristan has been widely criticized, however this pact is the real blueprint for peace on the Afghan side also. This blueprint for peace was recently eulogized by the British foreign office establishment. This pact will enable Pakistan to build factories in FATA export zones which will export goods tariff-free to the USA and the world. Employment and prosperity will bring peace in the long run. President Musharraf told the Brits last week "without the ISI and Pakistani help, you will lose in Pakistan". This warning is heeded, and Pakistan's help is appreciated by the Whitehouse, and 10 Downing Street, but not in the British/US media or American Talk radio.

Moin Ansari,

Great analysis. As much as it is painful to say I also found this statement by Frist to be right on the mark. I just wish our trigger happy nation had been more aware of the realities in that region five years ago instead of condemning us who prefer diplomacy to killing as a way to solve problems. I've always had a problem believing you can win the hearts and minds of a people by killing their family and friends.

Im a boring Muslim housewife , yet , i differ from what the politician is saying . the way i see things , REAL reconstruction should have taken place all these 5 years , and the donor countries should give generously ASAP the money they pledged so Afgan people see a difference in their lives . so far they have not seen anything but the poor getting poorer and more people begging on the streets . the Elite within the Karzai gov are taking away people s land and homes to build their lavish mansions et.. (click on the moving photos to admire the new homes )

More and more Afghans citizens are joining the talibans , some are offering them food and shelter and telling the US forces they have not seen anyone . Shown in a tv channel )they said we have been fed lies , it was all about the oil and gas pipelines , not about us . our lives have got worse . at least we help the talibans for ousting the Invadors so they wont stay too long .

I dont know why the link i provided did not show up . it was the photos of mansions in the Shirpur disctrict in Kabul where gov officials decided to group all their houses even if they had to destroy other poor homes and dwellings and send them away without any compensations .

marcuscarcass

the Talibans were AQAINST the drugs they were the ones eradicating it , before the invasion but the production of 2005 and 2006 were record numbers (and the warlords and probably the CIA have benefited from the drug trade. some people in Karzai gov are involvd in the trade too , including his Own brother . the talibans were totally against the drugs .

what is lacking is lack of jobs , services, financial help , reconstrution , jobs , food that s what make afghan citizens sympathise with the talibans and join their ranks .

(there are too many warlords in the gov yet they are causing the most human abuses and violations in afghanistan right now ) check rawa website right at the bottom and you ll see for yourself

greg 6309

A Taliban has been admitted by your own governemnt to study in YALE . yep that s right . check it out

A few talibans are also in the Karzai gov , they have been pardonned adn joined this govenemnt The warlords are also helping arming the Talibans , the same warlords who are in governemtn and cusing the worst Human abuses in the country (check rawa website right at the bottom )

I hope this link will show up

Being in Afghanistan, I can tell you that they live here like 1000 years in the past. Let the Taliban be part of the govt, and you can add another 500 years.

The Taliban have done nothing but add to the destruction of this country. They have oppressed women to a level beyond understanding. They banned the arts (movies/music/fine art), they have done countless abominal acts of "terrorism" on the afghan population.

If the Taliban is placed into the Afghan Govt, then the Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 did not mean jack @!$%#.

Mr. Frist, you are out of your @!$%#ing mind.

Now, there's another brilliant Fristism.
Why not invite the Nazis and Communists and all the other fringe groups to the party, too.