re: #157 tradewind

With all due respect, that phrase has been lathered, rinsed, and repeated for a decade now, to little effect.
Maybe it’s too ambitious, and we should substitute ’ live and let live ‘.
Baby steps.

Really. We are engaged in hostile action as an occupying force in a foreign country where the majority religion is the Muslim religion. The population there will be influenced by what they see happening the USA with the sudden ramped up Islamaphobia and will thus see US troops as being from a country that is hostile to their religion through these actions. The competing force is the Taliban. How can we win them over or keep them on “our side” with this rampant bigotry?

Put another way. If this keeps up the Afghans will think we’re a bunch of assholes and start siding with the Taliban, again, and in greater numbers.

No hearts and minds will be won. Advantage, Taliban.