Secession, Afghanistan and The CIA

It is a lovely spring day sun shining, birds singing their happy songs. I can even hear the sound of my morning doves. All so very lovely and soothing! I did ruin my delightful mood by turning on my computer to check my e-mail and read the news.

Let us start with Governor Rick Perry and secession. I know that this is only an of the cuff statement. I know that he is not serious… maybe? I guess he could be and that is fine too. However in today’s environment of hypersensitivity and extremist leanings maybe this is not the best time to through out any kind of idea.

Governor Perry is coming into a reelection cycle. He has stiff competition from his own party. He also accepted unemployment stimulus dollars. Could it be that he hopes to court the conservative right? No, maybe the ultra conservative right? This is just enough to get the wild-eyed started on a path of myopic zeal. Conservative or Liberal I do not care but zealots are a dangerous group. This can be very dangerous and can often cause casualties of innocents.

Then there is the Taliban in Afghanistan. This is from an AP article

Angry Afghans protest over new marriage law

“The law, passed last month, says a husband can demand sex with his wife every four days unless she is ill or would be harmed by intercourse — a clause that critics say legalizes marital rape. It also regulates when and for what reasons a wife may leave her home alone.”

To quote Mel Brooks “it’s good to be the king” or in this case a male if you are a Shiite in Afghanistan. Yes, I think I would like sex to be my responsibility every four days whether or not I am so inclined too. Wow, isn’t that an idea that makes marriage seem wonderful! Add to that that your marriage is arranged you may never have met the groom and he may be a real looser. As a woman you most likely are not be able to read or write and can’t leave the house of your own accord. What a great life for a female!

Then I get to the Tea Party. Okay I will admit taxes are not fun but they are a necessary evil. Do I agree that government is large? Yes! Do I admit that “Our” government is in need of fiscal responsibility? I will be polite and just use the word yes. However, we have become a country of entitlement. As individuals we pick and choose what we feel are worth taxes.

Many are incensed by “welfare” but few ask questions about the billions paid in farm subsidies. Many are incensed by tax breaks offered to large companies yet no one asks why is unemployment taxed?

Our infrastructure is on the verge of collapse. Schools, colleges and universities now there is something I can get behind. Children with health care another good thing. How about structures to deal with children who are harmed or exploited? Many are pro-life but what happens when an unwanted child is born? They stay with us they do not disappear.

Here is one how about paying the national debt? That would be good too. To be honest I do not mind paying taxes. I think of it as a service. I pay for clean water and such but this company leaves some thing to be desired. How does all this fit together?

Back too Afghanistan talk about tax dollars gone amuck! Here is just a little something to think about. Many years ago there was a country called Afghanistan that was invaded by The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Yes, the USSR had their own Vietnam too. Since the USA was still in the depths of the cold war President Carter gave aid to the people fighting the invasion of their county buy the Soviets! All good to coin a phrase... The US gave weapons, training and military advice. Great! We will help Afghanistans force the communist back to their wayward land and bring democracy to this desert county.

Well it did work in an odd kind of way. The USSR did leave with its tail between its legs BUT there were other issues. Who was fighting the Soviet threat? The Mujahideen. You remember when then President Ronald Reagan praised mujahideen as "freedom fighters". Then they were now not so much.

The United States Central Intelligence Agency trained the Mujahideen on tactics to bring down the Russian threat. The CIA instructed in how to work in small groups or cells. The CIA offered training on how to use minimum weapons for the greatest impact and how to hide from superior forces. Did I also mention that Osama bin Laden was a part of these well-trained forces? Did I also mention the Mujahideen have always been Islamic extremists?

Yes, bin Laden was and now we have a jihad against the west. Using the tools and training that the US gave freely with tax dollars. Now we have an armed conflict in two countries in the Middle East. Military stretch to the breaking point. No foreseeable way out. Spending billions weekly to keep all this moving… What have I learned today?
Weapons and training, cold war mania, religious extremist? Priceless