I understand that our troops deal with wonderful people every day, people they have become fond of, people they wish to help. But dispite the insistance that Karzai's corrupt government will be dealt with, the reality is that the rigged election will allow him to stay in office, siphoning USA money into his own pocket, for years to come.
Meanwhile, his government, which has insisted that it will restore rights to the women in the country, is systematically removing those rights which
were so painfully restored.
Women who have fled from abusive husbands and families that would kill them have found some protection at women's shelters in Kabul. Karzai's government is now passing a law that would put onerous burdens on these women, and have the authority to send them back to face certain death.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/11/world/asia/11shelter.html
The 2-page article is bone-chilling to me, and a horrific step backwards for the rights of Aghan women. Karzai's government is not to bring democracy to his people. It's to solidify his own power by any means necessary.
The USA should
not support this man or his government any longer. We should withdraw our money and our troops. Afghanistan will remain a tribal culture until Afghans decide they want something more. Until then, there is nothing more we can do there.