Frist: Taliban should be part of Afghan government

[dexvx]

This is a very interesting turn of events. The Taliban are somewhat popular in the rural areas of Afghanistan, where they still control rather large parts of the countrysides. However, for a political leader to suggest that these fundies be actually part of government is quite interesting and a turn of policy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061002/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan_frist

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Monday that the Afghan war against Taliban guerrillas can never be won militarily and urged support for efforts to bring "people who call themselves Taliban" and their allies into the government.

The Tennessee Republican said he learned from briefings that Taliban fighters were too numerous and had too much popular support to be defeated on the battlefield.

"You need to bring them into a more transparent type of government," Frist said during a brief visit to a U.S. and Romanian military base in the southern Taliban stronghold of Qalat. "And if that's accomplished, we'll be successful."

 

[Lemon law]

It actually might work and be a positive step---the appeal of the Tailban is that they broke the power of the war lords and brought order out of chaos---and in the country side
the war lords are in control.---and war lord control is not good for the common man or for any national unity---but its sure great for opium production which is up 59% last year.

 

[judasmachine]

Houston Chronicle


I can see his meaning so far as he wants them to play nice, but it won't happen. They will just bide their time and take over again. Frist is a moron.

 

[ProfJohn]

Hey at least they are trying something new

Really now, I think the idea is to get them involved in the political process. Just like we are doing with both Shias and Shiites in Iraq.
If they feel like they have a part in the way the country runs they are more likely to put down their guns and join in the running of the country.

Of course I am not sure how good of an idea it is to invite such a radical and violent group into the government, look at how that has affected Lebanon and the Palestinians.

Maybe they are operating on the idea that long term the people will turn away from such radicals and embrace a more open style of life. We see this in every radical Muslin country, when people are given a choice they embrace the freedom of a more western style of life.

 

[judasmachine]

Yeah I know he hopes to 'tame' them, but I just don't see it happening. And you are right, he gets points for thinking outside the box. IMHO I think the only way to keep them and AQ out of power and the megalomania that comes with it is to hunt them down. I say take the troops out of Iraq and send them to Afghanistan. We should at least try that before inviting Osama to a state dinner.

 

[Narmer]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Hey at least they are trying something new

Really now, I think the idea is to get them involved in the political process. Just like we are doing with both Shias and Shiites in Iraq.
If they feel like they have a part in the way the country runs they are more likely to put down their guns and join in the running of the country.

Of course I am not sure how good of an idea it is to invite such a radical and violent group into the government, look at how that has affected Lebanon and the Palestinians.

Maybe they are operating on the idea that long term the people will turn away from such radicals and embrace a more open style of life. We see this in every radical Muslin country, when people are given a choice they embrace the freedom of a more western style of life.

That's your Western POV. To others it was necessary since they are a popular reality. In other words, deal with reality in those countries rather than thousands of miles away.

 

[GoPackGo]

Stupid Frist

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Narmer

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Hey at least they are trying something new

Really now, I think the idea is to get them involved in the political process. Just like we are doing with both Shias and Shiites in Iraq.
If they feel like they have a part in the way the country runs they are more likely to put down their guns and join in the running of the country.

Of course I am not sure how good of an idea it is to invite such a radical and violent group into the government, look at how that has affected Lebanon and the Palestinians.

Maybe they are operating on the idea that long term the people will turn away from such radicals and embrace a more open style of life. We see this in every radical Muslin country, when people are given a choice they embrace the freedom of a more western style of life.

That's your Western POV. To others it was necessary since they are a popular reality. In other words, deal with reality in those countries rather than thousands of miles away.

And w/ respect to Lebanon and Palestine, you can see what they (radical groups) have accomplished after the euphoria wore off. Just made life worse for the general population by feeding the egos of the militant leaders.

 

[Strk]

So his plan involves bringing one of the most violent groups in modern times into the government? I'd love to see what he has planned for Iraq.

 

[Thump553]

You people don't understand the purpose of this trip-Frist is proving his foreign policy chops. He's padding his PR resume for his upcoming Presidential campaign. God save us.

 

[yllus]

We've got a moron of a federal party leader up here in Canada who wants to do the same thing:

But Layton says he wants Taliban terrorists invited to peace talks and our troops pulled out -- and then we can "focus on building a made-in-Canada foreign policy."

When he appeared on my radio show this week, Layton was both unapologetic and brazen, even cribbing a quote from Winston Churchill to support peace and negotiation.

Personally, I prefer the Churchillian doctrine that "one ought never to turn one's back upon a threatened danger and run away from it. If you do that, you double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half."

If Layton were just another naive, latte socialist from Toronto, his ignorance would be tolerable -- excusable even. But this "why doesn't everyone just get along" gadfly is the leader of a national political party.

 

[ayabe]

Can you imagine the chickenhawk toy soldier Republicans screaming if a Democrat suggested this approach?

What a joke.


Flip-flop.

Let's not forget, it was the Taliban who gave shelter to OBL and his minions to carry out 9/11.



Why does Bill Frist hate America?

 

[kage69]

Frist is a moron

I liked him better when he was a former heart surgeon who somehow specialized in brain injuries. Toss this one on the ever-growing worthless GOP pile. :roll:

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: kage69

Frist is a moron

I liked him better when he was a former heart surgeon who somehow specialized in brain injuries. Toss this one on the ever-growing worthless GOP pile. :roll:

Maybe he should go back to being a doctor...thats when I liked him.

 

[zephyrprime]

The taliban is so intolerant I don't know how they could possibly be satisfied with just being one party in the government. I think they're just try to stage a coup.

 

[judasmachine]

n/m

 

[imported_dna]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Maybe he should go back to being a doctor...thats when I liked him.

Did you like him playing doctor... I mean giving expert opinion in the Teri Shiavo case?

Needless to say, Taliban in the gov. will be like Hezbollah in Lebanon: the gov. won't be able to do anything against them, and if someone criticizes them, well, they might hear a ticking sound then next time they get in their car.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Originally posted by: zephyrprime
The taliban is so intolerant I don't know how they could possibly be satisfied with just being one party in the government. I think they're just try to stage a coup.

I agree, the Taliban's views on women alone is staggering primal and tribal even for a "Muslim" nation. Of course the degradation of women is mostly a cultural ideology excused by a religous one that isn't even really relevant. Sigh

Taliban in government = defeat of purpose in Afghanistan = unfortunate reality = Taliban in control as soon as Nato/US pulls out = another invasion = billions more spent = cycle of life and politics of humanity

I know, I know Straw man argument/hypothetical :laugh:

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Originally posted by: dna

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
Maybe he should go back to being a doctor...thats when I liked him.

Did you like him playing doctor... I mean giving expert opinion in the Teri Shiavo case?

Needless to say, Taliban in the gov. will be like Hezbollah in Lebanon: the gov. won't be able to do anything against them, and if someone criticizes them, well, they might hear a ticking sound then next time they get in their car.

This would be akin to allowing the Nazis back into German politcs/government. The Taliban most certainly did harbor Bin Laden and Al Queada and if the President and Republicans really cared about terrorism would oppose them entering any form of government unless they clearly stated and maintained a different ideology than the one they have followed. Oh well, idealism aside, the political reality is that they will probably have to play a role at some point and as soon as the US/Nato pulls out or back the Taliban will probably be in control again.

 

[Todd33]

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad idea (sounds bad), but imagine if Murtha had suggested it? The right wing echo chamber would be going off for a week, the hypocrisy kills me.

 

[DealMonkey]

First has much in common with the Taliban, so no news story there.

 

[Pens1566]

Originally posted by: kage69

Frist is a moron

I liked him better when he was a former heart surgeon who somehow specialized in brain injuries. Toss this one on the ever-growing worthless GOP pile. :roll:

I wonder if he came up with this "diagnosis" strictly from video as well, or has he actually been there to observe.

 

[KGB]

Frontline this week should be interesting.

 

[Zedtom]

Do wars go on forever?

Not usually. There eventually is a prevailing force that accomplishes their goals and the hostilities end. Sometimes the adversaries agree to stop and negotiate a settlement. There is nothing new under the sun when it comes to armed warfare.

So what Senator Frist is proposing is that we get real and start looking at alternatives to banging our heads against the wall.

 

[Lemon law]

Here we are discussing this issue---and its all about us and what we think of various questionable leaders of ours---and maybe---just maybe its time for us to realise its not about us.
Its ALL ABOUT THE AFGANI PEOPLE---and what they want.---and if we can accept that premise---its time for us to ask what is the appeal of the Tailban to them---and my premise is that it gave them a government that worked---even though few liked Sharia law---it was preferrable to the anarchy, civil war, and musical xhair governments that had been the Afgani lot since 1937. The Tailban and Ossama Bin Laden did not have to be compatable---and 20 20 hindsight---the Tailban would likely still be in power were it not for Bin Laden and 911.

The Tailban was also a homegrown movement---the product of native sons who were sent at a young age to study in Madrassa's in Pakistan---and madrassa's are the result of the British colonial past that had the net effect of destroying local educational institutions---which producted a generation of young and idealistic people who above all wanted things to work as they were taught things should work. But at least they broke the power of the war lords and general banditry---stopped opium production---and laid of foundation for Afganistan to join the modern world----the Sharia law was almost the lone negative.--and might have moderated over time.

Its also interesting that Somalia has become the new Afganistan---a country they can now call their own after GWB backed the wrong set of war lords---and there---I see reports that
a more liberal policy is being instituted--rather than Sharia law---but Somalia is also backing violenece in Darfur so the question must be addressed.

So I for one think Frisk has a good idea for a change---but the devil is always in the details and the implementation---and a stable Afganistan is a win win win for all. To say the Tailban is pure evil incarnate is narrow minded and naive.---when they have their good and bad points---and no nation can reach its potential if it disenfranchises half of its population.--which Sharia law tends to do.