Seeing The War In Afghanistan Through A Child's Eyes

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

Seeing The War In Afghanistan Through A Child's Eyes
posted with permission from http://sane-ramblings.blogspot.com/

As the U.S. military prepares to invade Kandahar, Afghanistan's 2nd largest city, I reviewed what happened in its recent invasion of a smaller Afghan city, Marjah.

With major bloodshed and destruction, the U.S. prevailed, and fundamental to its strategy of winning the war, it intended to rebuild what it just destroyed. But the Taliban continues to attack and few residents want to be seen with the Americans nor are most U.S. contractors safe there. So Marjah mourns its dead, takes care of its wounded and its orphans and it remains in ruins.

To put this war in perspective, it was time to discuss it with my 9 year old grandson in a hypothetical conversation:

"The U.S. military will soon invade Kandahar to seize it from the Taliban," I told him in the confident voice military leaders often use. "Why," he asked. "To win the war," I replied. "Won't many people be killed or hurt," he inquired. "Yes," I answered. "But it can't be helped. It's called collateral damage, but it is a necessary price to pay."

"But won't the people be crying and scared," he asked. "And where will they live if their homes are destroyed?" "Yes, they'll be scared," I replied. "And I don't know where they'll live. But they'll just have to see the bigger picture, as the U.S. kills its enemies to make the world a safer place." He didn't seem to understand that answer but then he's only 9.

"Why will they like the Americans," he asked. "Because the U.S. is there to help them," I replied. "We're going to kill or drive out the Taliban." "Who are the Taliban," he asked. "They're Afghans," I answered. "But they're bad people and the U.S. wants to kill them." He seemed puzzled by my answer.

"Isn't killing bad," he asked. "Didn't you tell me we shouldn't kill or hurt anyone? My religion says that too." "Yes," I replied. "But it's okay to kill or hurt others during war. It's the right thing to do or President Obama and Congress wouldn't have authorized it, and they're religious too.

"How do they know which Afghans are the Taliban and which aren't," he asked. "The U.S. just knows," I answered. "And they kill them." "What happens to those they don't kill," he inquired. "They'll flee," I replied. "Where do they go," he asked. "All over Afghanistan and nearby Pakistan. That's why it's so important the U.S. kills them all. Otherwise they can't be stopped. They regroup, recruit and buy more weapons and come back angrier than ever."

"Won't some of those angry people come over here and try to hurt us," he asked with fear in his voice. "They sure will!" I answered. "That's why we fight them over there. So they can't do that."

"But what if they do," he asked while fighting back tears. "Or what if somebody else gets mad at the U.S. and does that?" "No problem," I assured him. "For those we are already fighting, we have 'no fly lists' to stop them, and for the others, just like the U.S. did in Afghanistan and Iraq, it will invade their country and occupy it and kill all the bad people."

"I think this is terrible," my grandson said, as he hung his head in sorrow. "There are over 300 million Americans," I replied. "If this is so terrible, don't you think many of them would raise their voices in protest? Don't you think religious leaders would? A letter to an editor, an appeal in a house of worship, actively blogging to reach the consciences of others, any of that could make a difference. Instead, only a handful of people protest and in the silence of the others, the U.S. government is free to protect us in any way it chooses.

[Echo In Light]

1. K/R