Article

2006-01-09 Africa Horn

US troops winning hearts and minds in East Africa

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Posted by Dan Darling 2006-01-09 03:04|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Standing in his office, Ghormley, surrounded by maps where arrow-straight borders drawn by European colonialists cut across mountains, deserts, and complex ethnic groups, provides more than an echo of a Victorian soldier-missionary.

Denial is also a river in Africa. It (Victorian solution) worked for a time before, it can work again.

Posted by Besoeker 2006-01-09 09:45|| 2006-01-09 09:45|| Front Page Top

#2 "I could use more money, more people, but I've got the resources I need to carry on," he says, taking a last look at the pictures on his computer screen. "They're good people and it breaks your heart that you can't do more for them."

In 1946, such men would go be a good candidate for state office or run for Congress upon retirement, and usually on the Democratic ticket. Now since that party has gone over the cliff in its hatred of the military and what it is doing, the bulk of those men and women won't even think a second of participating in their community aligned with such blackhearts. Now if there were an active 'Teddy Roosevelt' wing in the Rep's, their communities and country could still have such people available to follow these ideas and beliefs.

Posted by Slugum Unolulet7181 2006-01-09 09:50|| 2006-01-09 09:50|| Front Page Top

#3 Nowadays that is pure neo-con motivation: another facet of waging war is actively and effectively waging peace. The Democrats, unfortunately, are only interested in creating the realization that everyone is a member of some group victimized by the white, male oppressor. Idealistic youngsters who used to be drawn to the Democrats are end up voting Republican, and thinking of themselves as Conservatives, simply because they see so clearly the hatefulness and hypocrisy of those who call themselves Liberal Democrats.

Posted by trailing wife 2006-01-09 11:21|| 2006-01-09 11:21|| Front Page Top

#4 And, to actually answer Slugum Unolulet7181's point (sorry!), I strongly suspect returning troops will do the same. There is no room for them and their ideals in the military-hating Democratic Party, whereas they can join their parents and grandparents in the Republican Party.

Posted by trailing wife 2006-01-09 11:23|| 2006-01-09 11:23|| Front Page Top

#5 Aside from the easy slamming of our demwitted party, what these guys are quietly doing in Africa is outstanding. Removing sanctuary from our enemies is best done early and with food and brick. It worked on Basilan, PI, and will work on the upcomming mission on Jolo, PI. Even though they worried about funding, leveraging NGO's and local government and other doners is the best way to build the community and defeat AQ's ability to access an area. The Marines get it better than most who just want to llay waste to an area.

Posted by 49 Pan 2006-01-09 17:46|| 2006-01-09 17:46|| Front Page Top

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