Army flight medic Sgt. Michael G. Patangan, right, of Houston gets help from Marines as they carry one of three wounded Taliban fighters captured after a firefight in Marja. (Brennan Linsley, Associated Press / February 13, 2010)
I guess if numbers matter, here are numbers. The real issue with Afghanistan is maintaining a consistent presence that will secure the people from oppression. That is difficult if economic ties are maintained to the Poppy Culture.
The Taliban tend to carry on, resurgent presence outside the perimeter. I think it was called, "Wack a Mole." There has to be a conscience decision by the people of the region to reject 'old ways' and 'old ties.' They need to give themselves and their leaders a chance to show them a better way.
The first place the coalition can make points with the Afghans is by showing off its new weapon 'against mines.' We know how the late Princess Diana donned gear to walk among the lands where minds removed the legs of children if they weren't killed by them. It would be nice if children were able to live without fear of playing 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
It has probably been a long time since the people of Marja have walked to road that was lined with mines. They may even be missing the presence of relatives and friends for their inability to move about freely. The Taliban really did take a coward's stand in that area. They used people as shields and land mines as fences.
I would think freedom of movement and new places to sell goods might be a considerable improvement over the oppression of their captors. I would think there might be more opportunity for goods trade, other than Poppies, from others coming into the region as well.
There have to be some perks to be rid of the Taliban. Certainly, it is not all imposition and danger. I would hope the Soldiers were welcome and not scorned.
I would hope the CIA would entertain a new headquarters in Marja. One where civilian members could turn the economic corner for the Afghans. Overwhelming turn the economic corner for them. I am quite confident there are schools to be built along side of police barracks, new shops, new businesses and NEW homes. Homes of quake-proof tragedy. Are the people hungry, ill? The basic needs of life when realized can be a very good 'bonding' ingredient.
Schools need books, police barracks need beds and shops need TV and their favorite 'tea.' And children needs "Sponge Bob Square Pants." All the cashmere wool from the goat farmers don't HAVE to make its way to Fifth Avenue, now does it? Goats are more important than donkeys. Absolutely. Milk, wool and meat. Sustaining livestock, not fashionable mountain travel that can be used to transport illegal goods and weapons.
...NATO also reported its forces had accidentally killed 12 Afghan civilians in a misdirected rocket strike in Nad Ali, the district in which Marja lies -- the first major episode of civilian casualties since the start of the offensive on Saturday. The alliance expressed deep regret and said it was immediately suspending use of the weapons system involved.
Afghan officials said 27 insurgents had been killed so far in the fighting in Helmand province, long a heartland of the insurgency. NATO reported the death of Western service member in an explosion Sunday in southern Afghanistan, but did not disclose the nationality involved, or say whether the fatality came in the course of the assault on Marja....
