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Comments Posted By AlphaBitch

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DAMNED IF HE DOES…. DAMNED IF HE DOESN’T

Nellie: you are spot on! It IS up to the Afghan people. They are now aware of a timeline. With TRUE help – with agriculture (which really takes 5 years before it can start producing), roads, SCHOOLS and CLINICS, the people themselves MAY be motivated enough to stand up for their people and their country. And remember: they love technology and being connected now – more than ever before. I honestly think – and hope and pray – that this will enable them to make the decisions that you can see Iran struggling with. It’s not saying that they want democracy, or our westernized culture, but I don’t know many young people who don’t want a little more freedom, a little more opportunity, unless they are fundamentalists. They are outnumbered, here and there.

Thirty years of non-ending war has left an entire country w/ PTSD. May we ALL find the peace we desire.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 3, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

Thanks, BSM. Good article, and I agree wholeheartedly.

No easy answers. The key, I think, lies in that time “deadline” – this is a VERY strategic move by the administration. Don’t doubt that for a minute. There is a chance this COULD pay off, and I can actually see how; whether it does or not remains to be seen. Who can’t understand the anguish of families who are sending their loved ones? Who can’t understand the cost – in blood AND dollars – for the U.S. to do this? The harder part is trying to understand why, and in trusting that the best decision has been made. I don’t have all the facts, and to my understanding, none of us here do. But I do still think Obama is a very intelligent, very measured man. And you are right: this is NOT about his political well-being. When you consider all that he went through to get “here”, and all the crap and mud that he and his family have to witness being thrown at him daily, you have to suspect that it would be much easier to do the popular thing instead of the best thing. Why it is best may not be for any of us to know. Time alone will tell.

And thanks to the Planet, for allowing people to question and to think. It’s my favorite part of this wonderful Planet. I often come to just read, and weigh everyone’s perspectives. Doesn’t mean I will/could change mine, but it’s nice to give serious consideration to others.

Off to rake leaves; company arriving in three hours. I will miss you all this weekend, as we are booked in entertaining! See you Sunday night. – AB

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 3, 2009 @ 10:01 am

Your Economy Has Been Disconnected

AdLib: what’s the reconnect fee? I’ve got a jar full of pennies…..

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 3, 2009 @ 10:33 am

30,000 Reasons to Leave Afghanistan

Thanks Kalima – these links are great. The article in the Guardian is really good.

I think it’s important to realize that by announcing a deadline to begin withdrawal, Obama differentiates what is happening in Afghanistan now as opposed to when the British or Soviets were there (or Genghis Khan, or Alexander the Great). I’m not sure a “deadline for withdrawal” was given by any other military presence.

I had suspected – in my “what if” game – that a shortened timeline would be given, and why it is strategically important. Not just for us, but for the Afghan people. It is much shorter than I had anticipated though.

My only wish is that instead of talking even generally about some reconciliation with the Taliban, Obama had spoken of reconciling with the Pashtuns. Most -if not all – Talib are Pashtuns, but not all Pashtuns are Taliban. Bringing the Pashtuns into the mix is critical, since they are the largest ethnic group (and often see themselves as the only “true” Afghans, like Ms. Sarah’s “real Americans”). When we first went in, even the Pashtuns welcomed us. It has soured over time, with civilian casualties, little progress, a reversion to what is the known (Taliban) vs. unknown (occupiers). But I have had the pleasure to meet some really incredible Kandaharis, and I love the Pashtun people that I know. So that is my only “criticism” of his speech. Confusing the ethnic group (think German) with a political ideology (think Nazi) is never a good idea.

Has anyone read Louise Richardson’s book, “What Terrorists Want?” I loved it, and we had her come to talk at our speakers series. Really sets forth in clear terms what we SHOULD be doing, and how to do it successfully.

Thanks for the inspiration. I’ll write again soon, and get a list of suggestions for the guys to address when they write their article.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 2, 2009 @ 3:13 am

I sent both him and Michelle snail mail, with profiles of the four children I’m still working to get back for college (at least until the country gets better or worse, and we know which way it will go).

I asked him to please consider their faces and their stories when he made his decision; and knowing he liked Spike Lee, I implored him to “do the right thing”. I never heard back, but I felt better having sent it.

I figure I have to speak up, even if it never gets heard. I have to know I tried. I can’t control outcomes, just my effort.

Dinner!!!

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 5:53 pm

Thank you so very much, Kalima.

It’s AFghan people; Afghani is the money. I know, it’s a bit counterintuitive.

And when we do the blog, with the kids chiming in (perhaps on a Friday night), I’ll include ways for anyone who wants to to also get involved. I’m a BIG believer in rolling up your sleeves and gettin’ to it! The rewards are tremendous.

See you guys soon – supper is ready!

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 5:48 pm

BIG GRIN! and hug back….

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 5:40 pm

Hi Kalima!

I’m with you. I have to trust him – he’s certainly thought long and hard and taken much counsel from many about this. I just hope what **MY** secret strategy is matches **HIS**. If only he’d call………

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 4:36 pm

Hey Bito!

As soon as I hear from them, I’ll let you know. I’m sure they will ALL be watching. Then they will talk with all their friends and family, and after all that, they will share with me. Thanks for thinking of them. It IS their country, but we are involved. I work with them in part because – as I tell them – for better or worse, our destinies are now intertwined. It is my goal to do everything I can to make it “better”.

Thanks again.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 4:33 pm

Hey everyone.

Big news tonight; no one will be happy in all likelihood. I can’t help but think there is something going on behind the screen (think Wizard of Oz). I’ve played the “what if” game and had some interesting answers, but I think the whole thing is a big old can o’worms.

I have enlisted my two Afghan guys to help write a column around Christmas. What I envision is letting them tell – in their own words – their perspectives on the war, life on the ground today vs. seven/eight years ago, what they see as a possibility for a stable government in the future, and what possible motives they – as Afghans – might think as to why we are there and what we could possibly want. Once we post the column (and I need firm dates from them as to when they want to do this – they are teenagers, after all, and will likely be distracted before and immediately after Christmas), we’ll stay on line for a couple of hours so that they can respond to questions. We’ll form little identities for them; both have laptops and we have wireless, so they can blog away to their hearts content.

I have not yet shared the site with them – I’d like them to come in fresh, with no preconceived notions. I also do NOT filter what my kids say – I believe the best dialogue we have is honest (BUT RESPECTFUL, and I will box their ears if they show any disrepect). They are both interested and anxious to do this.

I thank all of you for your caring about a country that I have come to love, if only for loving many of the people that reside there.

One person I know posted an op-ed in the LA Times – the title was “Afghans want Obama to hold Karzai’s feet to the fire”. It was authored by Pashtoon Atif (meaning Peaceful Pashtun), and was printed 11/19/09. He had a copy sent to me, so I haven’t looked it up online. Try and find it – someone – and paste link. It’s an interesting article. One of my girls STRONGLY disagreed, but she is the one who wants NO troops there – now or in the future. I personally thought it a good article. Pashtoon comes from southern Afghanistan, near Kandahar. He is a wonderful human being, and I am proud to know him.

Gotta run. I never have more than about five or ten minutes. GACCKKK!! That is frustrating. But I’m here in spirit if nothing else.

Just remember: there are no easy answers to this fine mess other than flat out walking away. That did not serve us well in the past (Charlie Wilson’s war), and I would strongly suspect it would not serve us well now either. But who knows? Adios.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On December 1, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

The Death of the Great Movie

We do the Peanuts dance every year when it comes on screen, no matter which guests we might be hosting. It’s cute to see the Afghan students dancing the old Pigpen with us….

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 30, 2009 @ 8:24 am

I SO loved the Silverado movie that I have the poster, framed, on my western themed screened in back porch! I’m sure it’s worth more now than when I got it for Christmas the year the film came out. Big Chill, too.

I also loved Big Lebowski and Oh Brother from the Coen brothers. Kasdan also were brother team, no?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 30, 2009 @ 8:23 am

Both Andy Griffith (and yes, from the TV show) and Peter Sellers are two of my all-time FAVES.

The Party (Peter Sellers) is the movie I watch when in a funk.

I use films to entertain me, not frighten me. I want to laugh, or learn. I don’t want to be scared. Life is scary enough.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 30, 2009 @ 7:02 am

The Earworms Are Coming! (Friday music thread!)

I hear tell that the Avett Brothers just taped a week or so ago. I’ve been back and forth from Austin twice this weekend; I would have given my left nut, if I had one, to have seen the Avett Brothers.

I’ve been to several tapings – Gillian Welch, Robert Randolph, Alison Krauss. And let’s not forget the Wheel…..

Thanks, Bito – a stroll down memory lane (or what’s left of it).

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 28, 2009 @ 6:44 pm

Kris? I can play ’em all day long. I’ll give.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 28, 2009 @ 4:10 pm

GAK!!! OK, I was in L-O-V-E and thought I was at the first taping – maybe it was the first of the season??? He’s long gone for lying anyways…..

How about Willie? Alvin Crow? Merle?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 28, 2009 @ 4:09 pm

The Texas Playboys, along with Asleep at the Wheel. 1976. I was there.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 27, 2009 @ 11:14 pm

I’ve been craptured.

Hey there Feed Up! I knew Temple primarily as a thru=way from Ft. Worth to Austin. It IS a VERY conservative area – near Waco (or as some liberals call it, Whacko). But it’s prettier than people expect from Texas.

I’m so happy for you and your husband! Cost of living is probably less, too. So it will leave you time to travel.

San Antonio is decorated for Christmas – come see the lights. It is a colorful town, and I love it dearly. Trinity University is here, near my home,and we attend AMAZING lectures for free – Queen Noor, Pervez Musharref, etc.

The prettiest parts of the state- in my opinion – are HuntTX (especially Mo Ranch, which is a Presbyterian Camp, open to the public, and without any religious overtones – you can go to bird watch, swim, hang out) and Big Bend (including Marathon, Ft. Davis, Balmorhea). Depends on what you like to do.

If you ever get to San Antonio, and want to meet, send me your email (or have AdLib forward it to me, if you request) and we’ll connect.

Write when you feel the need to vent – I see my state with open eyes, and don’t take offense at criticism. How could I, with George Bush, Dick Cheney, George HW Bush, Rick Perry, John Cornyn and Kay Hutchison???? Not to mention Dick Armey (never a more appropriate name). Or Tom DeLay. But it also had Ann Richardson, Molly Ivins, Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks for a few.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 27, 2009 @ 8:09 am

Mind sharing where you live? I’ve got a good handle on the state. Dallas – ultra right wing. Ft. Worth – more mixed (they published Molly Ivins in THEIR paper). Austin -no problem. San Antonio – conservative in some parts, liberal in others. West Texas and East Texas – WAY conservative.

At least that’s my take…..

And FYI: I also call Houston “part of Lousiana” which I now feel bad about, since they were hit so hard by Katrina…..

Maybe we should do local Planet meet ups sometime?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 25, 2009 @ 9:29 am

Pepe?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:45 pm

Peacekitten: Where did you grow up? I grew up in Corpus Christi (or as I like to call it, Carcass Crispy).

What noble, brave parents you had! Sounds like you were from East Texas??

Don’t forget – Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks are from Texas. Watch Shut Up and Sing about their own run in with freedom of speech issues.

What’s that saying? She who laughs last, laughs loudest?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:37 pm

Woof, ecat! Howl you been?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:32 pm

Welcome to all the newbies! PK, they LOVE cats here! Read through a few blogs and see for yourself. Even as a “dog”, I feel loved here. Everyone is welcome.

It’s great to be part of this. I was able to make one donation, and will ask for another as part of my Christmas wish-list! I want this site to kick ass (but in a nice way…)

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:23 pm

Afghana-Stand-or-Go?

Thanks so much! Please, don’t overstate my role. I respect these children and their families for being brave enough to take part in this program. I respect the host families, who open doors and hearts to a kid from halfway around the world, from a country people often mistrust. They encounter lots of obstacles, but hurdle them and move on. THEY are the ones to be respected and listened to. I’m just their friend/mother/sister/daughter (to quote one of them, describing my role to her and her role to me).

As to a) I’m not saying technology has a role per se in the conflict, nor even in organizing. BUT I AM saying that this new found freedom will not be given up easily; and if the Taliban tries to destroy internet cafes, close computer stores, take away cell phones – the people themselves would “take care of the Taliban”. I DO believe that. Afghans are tough, stubborn, independent (for you dog lovers: read the description of Afghan hounds – the personalities do match up quite a bit, even though dogs are considered haram).

b. I think you are right, but the devastation to all those civilians would be a nightmare for us, not al-Qaeda, and AQ is counting on this. you can almost hear it now: “The US attacks you one day, pretends to be your friend for a while, then attacks you again. Who ya gonna trust? Only a Muslim brother.” Now that would be a horrific recruiting tool in my mind for Muslims around the world. Same if we were dumb enough to attack Iran.

c. TOTALLY agree

d. Some truth to what you say – in that we cannot prevent future attacks solely by fighting in Afghanistan. Guess I didn’t argue that point well. But refer to point C above – the “on again, off again” commitment to help (starting in the 1980s w/ Charlie Wilson the biggest asshole on any planet, IMHO) will come to play. We can build all the schools in the world, all the clinics. They will either be blown up if not surrendered by “allies” there, or they will be commandeered for other purposes if not destroyed, should the Taliban/AQ regain power structure. Afghanistan is the THIRD poorest country in the world (the opium farmers make little; the narco traffickers are rich and they are Taliban). Our hand caused much of this mess, dating back to the Soviets. You break it, you bought it applies here more than anywhere else I’ve ever encountered. Don’t entirely disagree with you – I’m just trying to present the other side of the coin, as it were.

f) I’m all for setting up a trench with soldiers stationed every 10 feet, and then shooting anyone who tries to cross the border, if nothing else can be done to secure it. Kidding, but only somewhat. The border is a nightmare.

The comment made which touched my heart most by the young man coming for Christmas was this:

“Americans think there has been no progress for their seven or eight years. Trust me – I lived there then and I live there now. I see how much better it is, every day. The problem is Americans just want everything to be settled quickly. Just because everything happens fast in America doesn’t mean it will happen fast in Afghanistan. It IS changing, but it will take us a long, long time. We have 5000 years of history to overcome.”

I don’t think he wants the US to be there for 5000 years, but I do think he makes a point on our instant gratification addiction in this country.

We’ll see what he says for himself when he is here. Thanks again for all your kind words. Picking up the other boy child at 6:30 PM.

Happy T-day to you and yours, too; and thanks again for the site and intelligent conversation.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 25, 2009 @ 7:03 am

Hey escribacat! Last post of the night.

As you know, I don’t have the answers. If I did, I would shout them from the rooftops. But I try and listen to the people most affected by what we do.

Maybe I can get my sweet girl (the one whose photo I shared with you) to write. Her perspective is pretty powerful. Others I have worked with HATE U.S. troops there, and with good reason. But no one has the answers.

Maybe if we just send them all computers and cell phones and keep them up to date on the world? For 30 years, they were denied connections with the “outside world”. Try Amish times a thousand. But every single one I’ve met loves, loves, loves having the ability to correspond with and learn from others. can’t say they are all like this, but all the ones I know are.

Good night, escribacat. Love the avatar! I feel bad – went on HP to note that I thought Joe Lieberman was Eeyore, then immediately thought of your cute li’l ass! Forgive me. Joe is Eeyore’s dung.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 8:06 pm

Thanks, Nellie! I’ve shared stuff with Escribacat, and even a photo of one of my girls (on her private email – not allowed to post on web site, even though each of those little devils have a FB page w/ photos).

I’ll try and get this girl to write; her story will tug your heart. But she is here now, in college, and doing great. She will never give up on her country, and for that and many other reasons, I am proud.

I’m falling asleep, so till tomorrow.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 8:00 pm

Guess what I got in the mail today? Jerry Christmas, from Mr. Douglas himself (and I’m assuming you know of him)

I would really love you to hear all of Beth’s version of that song. You only get a snippet of it on Amazon, but better than nothing. It makes me all weepy.

I’m friends w/ several bluegrass “kings”. They are amazingly wonderful people. We’ve been friends – some of us – for almost 25 years! I’ve gone to MerleFest and Telluride, Strawberry in Yosemite – lots of great festivals.

So one more thing in common.

You are a good person, KQuark (although I have to admit -physics scares me and typing Quark is a little spooky, too!) I’m sorry to hear of your struggles and wish I could do something to help. Know that you are special to me, even if I do not “know” you – your honesty and kindness speak volumes about who you are.

It’s late. I’m pooped. and I go get an Afghan boy in Austin tomorrow to drag out to a ranch in the hill country for Thanksgiving. (Kind of a show and tell; for year, the folks have heard of my work with these kids, now they can meet one for themselves!) And I am thankful I have the chance to do it all.

Good night, my friend. Sleep tight.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:56 pm

On behalf of several of my girls, and their families, thank you.

Did you look for that Beth Nielsen Chapman song? I found it on Amazon, and you can hear a bit.

I love the fact that you love music. You’re also the bluegrass fan, right?

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:39 pm

a. The one thing that has not been considered, in my opinion, is that unlike in the past (Russia, British, etc), we now have technology. And by that, I don’t mean bombs. I mean computers, internet, cell phones. During the Taliban – in 2000 – one of my children remarked that they had a satellite dish and could watch the news, but that they had to put up and take down the dish in the dark, away from the Taliban’s watchful eyes. Now? There are internet cafes, and computer stores everywhere. There are cameras to document happenings – both good and bad (remember: no images of ANY animal or human allowed under Tb.) AND there are cell phones. In Kandahar, thousands of Pashtuns rioted against the Taliban when they took down the cell phone towers, fearing the U.S. was using GPS to track the insurgents. So technology is, like most things in life, a double-edged sword. But my experience is that American teens are not willing to get off the computer or cell phone. Take that, multiply it by x10, and you have an Afghan. Good luck to the Taliban trying to fit that genie back into the bottle.

b. Yes, al-Qaeda is now more heavily focused in Pakistan. But don’t think for a minute that they would not return to Afghanistan. It’s much closer and more accessible than is Somalia or Yemen. Also, there is a huge animosity between non-Pashtun (and even among some Pashtun) Afghans and Pakistanis. Pakistani ISI is the cause of much of Afghanistan’s grief, and Afghans know this. If they can learn that it truly is the Pakistani madrassa fueled Taliban who are the “occupiers/invaders”, and if they are given the weapons to combat them with their own army, game over. The Afghan Army is respected; the police are horribly corrupt and distrusted. Putting time and effort into training the local army is essential.

c. Pakistan is obviously more of a threat. It always amazed me that they were our “friend/ally”, while in truth they are the ones destabilizing Afghanistan. Why? Well, Pakistan (once part of India, remember) is very poor. India is a thriving, stable democracy. India hates Pakistan. Were Afghanistan to become a stable country, with some measure of economic success, it would represent MORE of a threat to Pakistan. Thus it is in Pakistan’s interest to keep Afghanistan destabilized. Now, of course, they are facing blowback on thier own country with extremists that they themselves have trained, fostered, protected and armed.

d. Yes. But turning your back on a country and leaving it (see what happened after Charlie Wilson’s War) is also going to be costly to us. A few more 9/11s and we are toast financially. Either way it will be costly.

e. See answer to a.

f. The border is porous. Plus, I’m not sure that Pakistan will “allow” us to fight there, and we cannot invade a sovereign country without provocation (or rather: should not) Once the Taliban and al-Qaeda were two separate entities. They are now more blurred than you would like to imagine. Even though one wants only regional control (Taliban), and one wants to defeat the West and destroy Israel (al-Qaeda), they now share many of the same goals, thanks to the boon in narco-trafficking allowed by the Karzai government. The Taliban will be just as nasty to women and children, just as harsh on men, but with the international intent to produce and distribute drugs. Check out Columbia, Mexico – these things spill over, too, guys.

Again, thanks for tackling this. It’s a complex, complicated issue and I tend to agree with all of you on one thing or another.

If anyone would like, I will have one of my students (and a smart one, to boot) staying with me over the holidays. I’ll get him to write a piece, or co-author the piece, from his perspective. I will have to protect his identity with a nom-de-plume, but my name is really NOT AlphaBitch anyways (at least on most days).

Cheers and happy eating!

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 7:12 pm

Do not go gentle into that good night (well, on second thought…)

Hi Javaz! Thanks for the suggestions. We are working to get him some psych help. I KNOW he is frustrated and feels like he is out of control; the problem (and remember – I’m the daughter in law) is that this seems to have only been exacerbated by his situation. In other words, he had the same tendencies before the stroke; but it’s magnified by his situation.

As to your mother in law: it’s hard. I lost my parents when I was 30 and 37 (way too young to be an orphan). Both died from lung cancer. I tried to talk them into quitting smoking. What I learned is that you have a duty to speak up, but you can’t make grown-ups (especially parents) do as you ask.

I’ll keep you guys in my thoughts. Keep your spouse supported. That’s the best we can do in these in-law situations! I’m so glad I have this forum which allowed me to vent here – I want to just listen at home, and not vent.

» Posted By AlphaBitch On November 24, 2009 @ 2:38 pm