I know there are those that will consider this idea nation building. I also know that there are people who think war is the answer or at least hunting down and killing terrorists is the answer. There are also those that just want us to get out of Afghanistan.
But I propose something different.
I propose that we stop fighting and we start helping.
Lay down our guns (or at least just use them to protect the people) and pick up the shovel.
If we changed our strategy of fighting an unseen enemy to build schools, hospitals, clinics, farms, wells, and whatever else the people need to rebuild their society we would be making LONG TERM changes to the country that would benefit generations and plant the seeds of respect and trust.
Fighting isn't working.
We don't know where we are shooting and the people of Afghanistan are suffering.
What happened after the 70's pullout of the Soviet Union is that the Taliban went in and built schools - schools that used education as a tool for hate (how many bullets can your gun hold and how many people can be killed with one round - a fun math problem for 4th graders). While we abdicated and left weapons for them to use. They built a nation and crippled a society.
So, why don't we follow their lead? Why don't we do what we do best and build roads, economies, hospitals? Why can't our military be used as forces of good.
I propose that it is a solution that would work - in the long term. And although unconventional it is a chance to do what is right.
Either that or we just leave and, really, that didn't work last time.
