The People Will Win. Long Live Afghanistan.
The spinning on Afghanistan's elections and their meaning will be fast and crazy over the next few days. As things have turned out so far, voting day wasn't anywhere near as calamitous as we'd been warned to expect.
Here's the United Nations' Kai Eide:
"First of all, let me remind you all of what our thinking was and about all the questions I got from you a couple of days ago. Those questions were: With all these security incidents and with this security situation will it be possible to hold elections in Afghanistan? Now, we see that elections have taken place across Afghanistan and I believe that, that is in itself an important achievement.
"There have also been a lot of discussions over the number of poll centres that the election commission will be able to open. Now we know that around 6,200 polling centres were open. The figures are not precise yet. But that is what we believe is the approximate number. That number is equal to the number that was open in 2005. And I must also say that, too, is an achievement."
An understatement, that. Despite the looming threat of dismemberment, mass murder and terror, millions of Afghans voted anyway. The courage of ordinary people is breathtaking:
"I was scared of bombs and suicide bombers when I walked on the street to the polling site, but I had to take the risk and participate in the election," said Sharin Bano, 28, who voted in the provincial capital. "I am telling all my sisters who are at home to participate in this election, too. As women we should use our vote to get change and peace. There are threats and warnings for us to stay in our homes, but if we stay home how can we expect any changes that will lead to peace?"
As to the question of how to deal with the counter-revolutionary bandits who persist in inflicting bloodshed and mayhem upon the Afghan masses, I'm inclined to this policy. The old bastard did have a few good ideas. You've got to grant him that.
But here is a contrary position, currently being promoted by the pseudo-left sect that runs the Canadian Peace Alliance and the Toronto Stop The War Coalition: "The Taliban is the resistance in Afghanistan and we must support it, critically, but unreservedly. . . There is no fundamental difference between the liberation theology movements in South America and the popular Islamist resistance movements in the Middle East and Asia, movements such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Taliban. . . .Every U.S. and NATO tank that the Taliban destroy, every Karzai-appointed stooge they assassinate and every town or village they liberate is a victory for our side and a grievous blow to U.S. imperialism."
A victory for our side, if you don't mind.
This is lurid, reactionary filth, all dressed up as "anti-imperialism." Its adherents and apologists, and every last one of you who would tolerate it, make excuses for it, or give it sanctuary by alleging that to merely notice it is to "smear the peace movement," will rot with it in history's dustbin. And while you weep and gnash your teeth at every tiny revolutionary victory, Afghanistan's long and bloody democratic revolution, for which so many Canadians have given their lives, will surely triumph. Slow and steady, the people will win.
Long live Afghanistan.
Here's the United Nations' Kai Eide:
"First of all, let me remind you all of what our thinking was and about all the questions I got from you a couple of days ago. Those questions were: With all these security incidents and with this security situation will it be possible to hold elections in Afghanistan? Now, we see that elections have taken place across Afghanistan and I believe that, that is in itself an important achievement.
"There have also been a lot of discussions over the number of poll centres that the election commission will be able to open. Now we know that around 6,200 polling centres were open. The figures are not precise yet. But that is what we believe is the approximate number. That number is equal to the number that was open in 2005. And I must also say that, too, is an achievement."An understatement, that. Despite the looming threat of dismemberment, mass murder and terror, millions of Afghans voted anyway. The courage of ordinary people is breathtaking:
"I was scared of bombs and suicide bombers when I walked on the street to the polling site, but I had to take the risk and participate in the election," said Sharin Bano, 28, who voted in the provincial capital. "I am telling all my sisters who are at home to participate in this election, too. As women we should use our vote to get change and peace. There are threats and warnings for us to stay in our homes, but if we stay home how can we expect any changes that will lead to peace?"
As to the question of how to deal with the counter-revolutionary bandits who persist in inflicting bloodshed and mayhem upon the Afghan masses, I'm inclined to this policy. The old bastard did have a few good ideas. You've got to grant him that.
But here is a contrary position, currently being promoted by the pseudo-left sect that runs the Canadian Peace Alliance and the Toronto Stop The War Coalition: "The Taliban is the resistance in Afghanistan and we must support it, critically, but unreservedly. . . There is no fundamental difference between the liberation theology movements in South America and the popular Islamist resistance movements in the Middle East and Asia, movements such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Taliban. . . .Every U.S. and NATO tank that the Taliban destroy, every Karzai-appointed stooge they assassinate and every town or village they liberate is a victory for our side and a grievous blow to U.S. imperialism."
A victory for our side, if you don't mind.
This is lurid, reactionary filth, all dressed up as "anti-imperialism." Its adherents and apologists, and every last one of you who would tolerate it, make excuses for it, or give it sanctuary by alleging that to merely notice it is to "smear the peace movement," will rot with it in history's dustbin. And while you weep and gnash your teeth at every tiny revolutionary victory, Afghanistan's long and bloody democratic revolution, for which so many Canadians have given their lives, will surely triumph. Slow and steady, the people will win.
Long live Afghanistan.
posted by Terry Glavin at 10:31 AM
25 Comments:
Excellent piece Terry!
Thanks for the tip on the "Socialist Worker" editorial, Blazer.
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Spineless excusemakers and dissembling subject-changers will not be tolerated here. See point 2 of Mao's line in suppressing counter-revolutionaries for how your type should be dealt with.
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Then rot in the dustbin of history with the rest of them, you reactionary scumbag.
Terry,
Ever notice how those of us who are here in Afghanistan have a completely diffenent view from the reactionary scumbags sitting safely at home?
One of the Afghans I work with was thinking about not voting. We had a long talk the other day.
He called me last night to say that he did indeed vote -- he's looking forward to showing me his finger. He said that he started out with some trepidation, but once he saw the crowds heading to vote he took heart. He said was a very moving experience to be among people risking their lives to exercise their rights. He would have been ashamed had he stayed home.
I concur with your view. The People will win! Long Live Afghanistan!
"...Every U.S. and NATO tank that the Taliban destroy, every Karzai-appointed stooge they assassinate and every town or village they liberate is a victory for our side and a grievous blow to U.S. imperialism."
Of course since we don't have tanks in Afghanistan, it's sorta hard to blow them up and strike a grievous blow. But hey, let's not let facts get in the way of our reactionary propaganda drivel.
70% of civilian fatalities are caused by these Taliban "heroes of the people." And a large portion of the 25% caused by the Coalition are indirectly due to the Taliban who like to draw fire into civilian areas for the propaganda value. But again hey, why let such inconvenient facts get in the way of our reactionary crap?
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Afghan presidential candidate Ramazan Bashardost says "This is not an election, it's a comedy":
It's called "sour grapes." Though he had some good ideas and was correct about corruption, he never garnered much support. Shalla Ata (a woman) drew more attention than Bashardost.
J. L. Krueger: Actually, Canada and Denmark (!?!) (more here) do have tanks in Afstan.
Mark
Ottawa
Mr Glavin: excellent piece. I followed your link to SW - weird drivel. According to SIPRI, not a dime was spent on military deliveries or training assistance to the Afghanistan during the entire Clinton administration. Not surprisingly there was likely no need for US 'support' as alleged by 'Nick', as plenty of soviet equipment had already found its way into the hands of all factions.
Any rate - keep up the good work - always a good read.
cheers, junior
J.L.: Long Live North Carolina, too.
Mark,
I failed to narrow the scope. The US doesn't have tanks here.
The "tanks" the Taliban usually report as destroying are IFVs (usually wheeled) and even those are wildly exaggerated.
I watched some footage where the Taliban talking in the background were calling Up-Armored HMWWVs "tanks."
The reports on the Taliban web sites are almost comical. Of course the media picks up these stories and runs with them. Bad news sells afterall, even when it's not true.
Even though I am a big fan of the troops and a freedom lover, I cannot see Afghanistan evolving into a successful free democratic state as long as there is Jihad.
This war is going to go on and on until the money runs out. Which, in the case of the USA will be soon.
Most of our NATO allies are fairies who don't want to help. They are busy back home appeasing these scum bags.
I noticed Iraq is getting ugly again.
Elections don't really matter much same as here.
It's the Jihad stupid.
...I cannot see Afghanistan evolving into a successful free democratic state as long as there is Jihad.
It would seem you have a skewed understanding of both the Afghan people and Islam. What's going on here is NOT about religion, but power and people using religion to justify murder and mayhem.
Neither the Afghan people, nor Islam are the enemy.
Hello Birdy:
Jihad is mitigated by a secure, properous society that provides employment and education to its people.
Jihad flourishes when Islamic religious leaders promote chaos to further their depraved agendas and the only avenues of education and employment are either nil or that of a radical madrassa.
So ... the enemy are a rag tag bunch of rebels who are trying to make their way back to ... earth? ... but the cylons are in the way?
I don't get it ... Radial Islam looks like the enemy because without it, what would little Abdul have to blow up about? A congressional misappropriation?
Of course everything is about power over others, and there is one hell of a large number of Jihadists out there who want power over the entire planet. Afghanistan just happens to be a hot spot.
There is no history of democracy or consensus in Afghanistan. It is a throw back to earlier times. It's a tribal quagmire currently locked in a spiral of supplying heroine to a decrepit western world where drug wars are taking over the economy, the justice system, the police, the borders ... political corruption and so on.
The problem is a decaying over abundant human society with a bunch of Neanderthal religious whack jobs hating and killing anyone who isn't them ... and using our money and technology to do it.
Kudos.
J. L. Krueger: Our reporters are also in the habit of calling frigates "battleships". The great Graeme Smith of the Globe once called the B-1B a "stealth" bomber.
The stalwart Danish military (combat) effort in Afstan has been inexcusably overlooked in the media--a "Torch" post :
"Danish contribution in Afstan/British casualties and commitment (Video Update)"
Mark
Ottawa
J. L. Krueger:
Ever notice how those of us who are here in Afghanistan have a completely diffenent view from the reactionary scumbags sitting safely at home?
Of course the MSM is an anti-war socialist orginization. The liberals as well the majority socialists of the Legacy Media.
So you will here nothing but gobbling about how this whole mission is useless.
Ther PM does something different . He shows up to meet troops & buys what they need. Hearthly endorsed by most Canadians. Not that anyone over in Afganistan is going to hear that.
The WEB has changed all. Most don't watch TBV news anymore. We get our infor from guys there. Be sure the majority of Canucks stand with our troops & are proud of the job they have done.
That's the real Canada not the CBC version.
JMO
long live Afghanistan, indeed. Love and peace to our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan.
1. Logic
There is no history of democracy or consensus in Afghanistan.
Er ... there was no history of democracy in any country before it was first established.
To do something desirable for the first time does not require a precedent, it can just make it a bit harder if there isn't one.
2. History
Here
The turnout is a disappointment though, a minor victory for the violence. The future is in balance making commitment to Afghan democracy more critical to its eventual success.
The turnout is a disappointment, the evidence for widespread ballot-stuffing is a disappointment, and lots more to be disappointed about, too. I'm hoping for a runoff and a Karzai loss.
Cheers, plump one.
TG
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