The Afghanistan crisis broke out on the news cycle less than twenty-four hours ago. Within such a short time frame, the tragic story has already become the new favored talking point on the right and just as those on the left under the previous administration looked for any and every reason to poke the yellow-haired troll. Unfortunately, the right has taken up a similar mantle under the new regime, albeit with much less ammunition.
I have never found the discourse emanating from either side to be particularly beneficial or compelling. However, now, more than any time prior, I have developed a particular revulsion towards the right wings tact in attempting to undermine the current president.
I found the entire spectacle that unfolded this morning on Twitter and other social media sites grotesque and juvenile. My feeds were assaulted by one vulgarity after another, each uttered by accounts of supposedly reputable people. I know that many go out for that kind of thing on social media, but I am not one for such violations of intellect.
Many of the right-wing attempted to exploit the suffering of those in Afghanistan in the way only an American could. In hopes of only scoring a couple of points with members of their own team. Points that will be forgotten by next week as they seek to exploit the next politically tragic event.
Of course, it is an entirely human and, for that matter, bestial tendency to bond ourselves to our groups and win points for them, but that, of course, does nothing to justify the behavior morally. If such a language could be used, our goal should be to transcend these archaic warlike tendencies wherever possible. No one in the developed world needs to be so bonded to their own political party to such a degree that they void the humanity of all other people groups. Our alliances with our groups are not a matter of life or death anymore. They are simply outward manifestations of those people who we gravitate towards, for better or worse.
Using the misfortune of others as a weapon against those you dislike for whatever reason is a morally abhorrent action. The crisis for those living in Afghanistan should be reported simply as a means to bring awareness to the situation. In so far as it broaches the topic of American politics, it should be considered in the broader context to bring a more real criticism of those whose decisions impacted the fate of those who have been turned over to the Taliban.
Whether on the left or, in this case, the right, propping up those who suffer to dunk on whoever the current sitting president happens to be should make you ashamed of your actions. If you would like a better America, an America you can be proud of, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of such a nation.
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I’m struggling with this one… At what point can the discourse legitimately transition from shared solidarity with a sufferring people where there isn’t criticism to be given to the politicians in charge to a point where they actually bear some responsibility for the outcome and need to hear complaints?
Seems like there is a pretty wide bipartisan movement to criticize not necessarily the decision to withdraw but the manner in which it was done. I, like most of us, weren’t in the rooms when decisions were made as to what specifically would be done. Nor am I credentialed to weigh in on military strategy or tactics.
But when news comes out that the Biden administration went in opposition to the recommendations of it’s top military personnel because of optics, it begs the question if he had trusted our military leadership, would things have gone differently and lives be spared.
Trump was planning to remove troops as well so maybe this would have occurred under his watch as well. I’m no MAGA person but regarding foreign policy especially in the Middle East there certainly seemed to be more peace during his term than the former and current presidents’. I’m not sure exactly why that is. But a more measured exit from Afghanistan probably wouldn’t have created the vacuumthat occurred.
There are real consequences for these decisions and actions. I actually think this is one of the most fair issues to criticize even if I also agree that some just use this as a weapon solely for political gain. That always happens but it doesn’t take away the fact that from the perspective of many, this wasn’t handled in a way that ensured the safety of many Afghans and Americans.
A couple more thoughts. I’ve actually seen more nuance from many voices on the right assigning blame to former administrations (primarily Bush). Sure it’s not everyone on the right. But much like Vietnam, I think we’re being shown the Illusion of Omnipotence as one former British political commentator put it as an outsider’s perspective. That as Americans we think we can do more to effect change in other nations than we actually can. We’re having an identity crisis. We can’t just will the change in other countries and we can’t keep all bad things from happening. That comes as a shock to the many who have thought otherwise.
Mosley, my shame at how Afghanistan has fallen is motivated by my love for friends who live in Kabul and Mazir-e-sharif. I was just as ashamed of Nixon when he pulled out of Vietnam.
I have not said hateful things about our president, but his unilateral decision to abjectly abandon this tragic nation will make him responsible for the coming bloodshed for which the Taliban is known.
Pleas pray for the people of Afghanistan. They need Jesus, and the Taliban will kill anyone who owns a Bible or talks positively about Him.
Yeah, the whole event is miserable from whichever angle it’s looked at regardless of political positions. Undoubtedly this blunder will irrevocably damage reputation of Biden and America in general.