The arrogance of America is astounding. When you invade a nation and think the locals will great you with open arms, that is arrogance. The Vietnam government did not invade our country. The Iraqi government did not invade our country. The Afghan government did not invade our country. These countries were fighting a foreign invader, on their own soil. They know the layout better than any intelligence given to the invaders and that would not compare to what the locals know.
Answer me this, if any other country invaded the USA, what would you do? Would you fight, or welcome them with open arms? Could you see the invading army trying to fight through the Appalachian mountains, or the Rocky mountains? The locals, like the Taliban, would pick them off, one by one.
One of the few cartoons addressing this situation that takes a hard look at the truth. Most of the noise is about how we lost Afghanistan, reminiscent of the “Who lost China” cries of 1949. China was never ours to lose, nor was South Vietnam, nor was Afghanistan. What we need to lose is arrogance.
We spent 20 years “Training” the Afghan Military, or so we thought, when in reality the situation from their point of view was more like “You guys are here, so why should we really try to learn to defend ourselves?”
The lesson is, as with Vietnam, that even if the ascendant force is flawed or even evil (Ho Chi Minh, the Taliban) putting a corrupt and inept clique in power and propping them up with US troops is not the answer.
The only time the US has really been successful at “nation-building” was with the Marshall Plan, which was primarily aimed at restoration, primarily economic restoration. This is something we had better do for ourselves too with the infrastructure bill and budget resolution.
Well, let’s see, this mess was overseen by, how many presidents? George W. Bush; Barak Obama; Donald Trump; Joe Biden. Yet the Republicans want to lay the entire Afghan war failure solely at Biden’s door step? Really?
I think we often forget our own history. A determined, well-armed, disciplined minority tends to impose its will on the rest of the population. Our own revolution illustrates this—only about one-third of citizens supported the break from England; about one-fourth of those served in military/militia; and only about one-fifth of those soldiers were active during any year of the war.
Marty2Bulls, I have sat here quietly reading the whole archives of your amazing art and politikal cartoons. Speaking as a Southern open minded mixed white lady I admire your insights and depth and passion. Not realising I’d missed out on your brain droppings since 2017, I went through every one of them <3 It reminded me that the past 5 years that have beaten my soul was more hilarious and tragic and somehow those of us who are good folk might endure. I’m still ashamed as an “american” who found her British soulmate late in life that this country was created in this manner. More and more being with him has opened my eyes to great sad wisdom. I’m lucky to be here to love the land that all of the Native people deserve to regain completely again and I won’t live to see it, but I have hopes. The Native people loved this land and everything Mother provided and the other children of her Earth… same as I do to this day. Thank you for your poignant insights and amazing art. Walk in peace sir.
RAGs almost 3 years ago
When you go in to a country without understand the people or their culture, what do you expect?
Not having any functional plan on what to do or how to get out doesn’t help.
jimmjonzz Premium Member almost 3 years ago
~~~
[ …a fragment, from John Denver ]
Well, that’s the way it all appears,
‘Cause it’s been bouncing round for years and years.
In spite of all the wisdom wizzed since those wondrous days of yore
And the time they came across the box,
Bound up with chains and locked with locks,
And labeled “Kindly do not touch: It’s war.”
Kurtass Premium Member almost 3 years ago
The arrogance of America is astounding. When you invade a nation and think the locals will great you with open arms, that is arrogance. The Vietnam government did not invade our country. The Iraqi government did not invade our country. The Afghan government did not invade our country. These countries were fighting a foreign invader, on their own soil. They know the layout better than any intelligence given to the invaders and that would not compare to what the locals know.
Answer me this, if any other country invaded the USA, what would you do? Would you fight, or welcome them with open arms? Could you see the invading army trying to fight through the Appalachian mountains, or the Rocky mountains? The locals, like the Taliban, would pick them off, one by one.
TCA1799 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Yes, I hear, but will our government now and future hear? The USA is at least 0-2 in my lifetime.
The Nodding Head almost 3 years ago
One of the few cartoons addressing this situation that takes a hard look at the truth. Most of the noise is about how we lost Afghanistan, reminiscent of the “Who lost China” cries of 1949. China was never ours to lose, nor was South Vietnam, nor was Afghanistan. What we need to lose is arrogance.
Masterskrain almost 3 years ago
We spent 20 years “Training” the Afghan Military, or so we thought, when in reality the situation from their point of view was more like “You guys are here, so why should we really try to learn to defend ourselves?”
Newenglandah almost 3 years ago
The lesson is, as with Vietnam, that even if the ascendant force is flawed or even evil (Ho Chi Minh, the Taliban) putting a corrupt and inept clique in power and propping them up with US troops is not the answer.
Adolf Trump almost 3 years ago
Don’t forget a key element of the equation. Our guys didn’t want to be there. When the order came to BUGOUT, no one hesitated. Officers or enlisted.
They didn’t destroy the equipment left behind. Nuts.
Michael G. almost 3 years ago
Pay no attention to history! Or geography. Or science.
Alberta Oil Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Has americans “Manifest destiny” ever worked.. long term? Cultures last far longer than invaders can support their armies..
martens almost 3 years ago
The only time the US has really been successful at “nation-building” was with the Marshall Plan, which was primarily aimed at restoration, primarily economic restoration. This is something we had better do for ourselves too with the infrastructure bill and budget resolution.
Radish the wordsmith almost 3 years ago
Stop American Imperialism.
William Bednar Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Well, let’s see, this mess was overseen by, how many presidents? George W. Bush; Barak Obama; Donald Trump; Joe Biden. Yet the Republicans want to lay the entire Afghan war failure solely at Biden’s door step? Really?
Same2Ubuddy almost 3 years ago
It’s a shame islam forbids alcohol. We could have just given them barrels of cheap hooch and they’d settle down.
Ontman almost 3 years ago
He tries to hide it but once again Same2Ubuddy takes the racist path.
Duane Ott almost 3 years ago
I think we often forget our own history. A determined, well-armed, disciplined minority tends to impose its will on the rest of the population. Our own revolution illustrates this—only about one-third of citizens supported the break from England; about one-fourth of those served in military/militia; and only about one-fifth of those soldiers were active during any year of the war.
charliekane almost 3 years ago
As matter of fact, yes.
sperry532 almost 3 years ago
Don’t forget the corruption and just plain ineptitude of the indigenous forces and government(s).Yeah, That’s pretty familiar… unfortunately.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] almost 3 years ago
They didn’t expect the entire security force to just give up. (Only some of the special forces did fight the rest gave up to an inferior force.)
ncorgbl almost 3 years ago
Side note: Marty, did you see the news that the Governor of Colorado has ended the 1864 order to kill Native Americans?
loonygardener almost 3 years ago
Marty2Bulls, I have sat here quietly reading the whole archives of your amazing art and politikal cartoons. Speaking as a Southern open minded mixed white lady I admire your insights and depth and passion. Not realising I’d missed out on your brain droppings since 2017, I went through every one of them <3 It reminded me that the past 5 years that have beaten my soul was more hilarious and tragic and somehow those of us who are good folk might endure. I’m still ashamed as an “american” who found her British soulmate late in life that this country was created in this manner. More and more being with him has opened my eyes to great sad wisdom. I’m lucky to be here to love the land that all of the Native people deserve to regain completely again and I won’t live to see it, but I have hopes. The Native people loved this land and everything Mother provided and the other children of her Earth… same as I do to this day. Thank you for your poignant insights and amazing art. Walk in peace sir.
knutdl almost 3 years ago
https://genius.com/Edwin-starr-war-lyrics#note-2210043