Comments on: I don’t read most pundits because they all say the same thing, they think in herds

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:29:25 +0000

It’s clear why Foust is angry. People will live and die based on some of these pundits recommendations. I know that probably seems a bit over the top to some of you, but its really that simple. People’s advice on Afghanistan/Pakistan policy can be deadly. Its not the same as pundits talking about the “Cash for Clunkers” yet all punditry is seemingly weighted the same. Luckily for these pundits there’s no vetting process and their editors no less about the region than they do. Its idiocy plain and simple, and that gets people killed.

Schmedlap I partly agree with you, but in Iraq there were added issues, such as the destruction of the social fabric(newish to iraq, not to Afghanistan), also there was the wholesale failure of the US to protect the Sunni populace from crazies which eventually forced them into Petraeus arms in a desperate bid to regain stability. It remains to be seen how the new militias of Iraq will end up. Plenty of Baath operatives are still free and operating, it could be it turns out that AQI was a small time player and most of the “resistance” really is still run by Saddam’s old guard…

By: Joshua Foust

Joshua Foust — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:12:26 +0000

You guys are right. I toned down the language here, it was way over the top.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:05:56 +0000

I agree with Ryan. I don’t think Kaplan’s been as bad as most of the conventional wisdom thinkers in Washington. So he wrote a bad column. And in his defense, most of the column wasn’t about bribing Afghans; it was about Adm. Mullen’s hearing in front of the Armed Services Committee.

You are right though, bribing the Afghans probably won’t work. Plus, I thought we already tried this with the Afghans during our initial efforts there. Did we not “hire” various warlords to do our dirty work?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:22:26 +0000

Dude, I understand you are frustrated, but tone down the rage a little bit

By: Schmedlap

Schmedlap — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:29:53 +0000

It’s just that easy!

I would add that his Iraq example kind of sucks, too. I really don’t think that “bribing” Sunnis would have worked in early 2006. Money does not wash away the fear that the larger sectarian group is going to slaughter you. There needs to be a fundamental change in the situation. Money is merely a lubricant.

By: dennis

dennis — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:25:11 +0000

so let’s see now.we give out big bribes.to a government.that’s a little shady. in hope’s they might do right for the people. or am i wrong here.? how about the pundits go there, in bed, then wright what they see. instead of copy an paste. each other.