When Republican National Committee Chairman, Michael Steele recently said that the Afghanistan war, "Obama's war", was "unwinnable", a wave of Republican protests and calls for his resignation hit the shores of the RNC.
"This is outrageous!" some thundered. "Mr Steele does our party a disservice!", harrumphed others.
Steele, part of a tiny coterie of Black Republicans, has hit his share of missteps in the past, mostly for his off-the-cuff statements, as much for his style, which clashes with both the country club types, and the strong military supporters in the GOP.
While Steele may-or may not- resign, in point of fact, he told the simple and powerful truth.
Many empires, from the Greeks of Alexander's age, to the British (twice), and to the former Soviet Union spent much blood and treasure in a futile attempt to subjugate Afghanistan.
They spent until they were both bloodless and broke, and were forced to leave. The ten years of Soviet war sent millions of Afghanis into exile, and wiped hundred of villages off the map.
Yet, they had to pack their bags and leave, suffering the same as the U.S. Empire did in Vietnam, a loss to a foe long thought inferior.
Afghanistan is a dirt poor country (despite recent reports of immense potential mineral wealth), with perhaps 90% of its people illiterate.
Yet, their boys are molded into warriors at 14, when American boys are playing X-Box, or Grand Theft Auto-virtual battles played in nice, warm, cozy homes.
Afghani boys are bearing AK-47's, walking miles from village to village, over treacherous mountain terrain, fighting and killing their enemies.
"Unwinnable?"
When people said that in the '60's about Vietnam, they were deemed as traitors.
But they were right.
The same can be said of Afghanistan - whether Michael Steele says it - or not.
--(c) '10 maj
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