Behind Frist Taliban idea: Shore up Afghanistan in advance of Iran attack?

[Human Torch]

October 2, 2006
Springing the Trap

posted by Arthur Silber at 9:16 PM

Email: arthur4801 at yahoo dot com

http://powerofnarrative.blogspot.com/2006/10/springing-trap.html



Capitalizing on the still-expanding Foley scandal may very well carry grave risks that the Democrats -- all too typically -- seem to be blissfully and stupendously ignorant about. Foley acted terribly, and in ways that were potentially deeply damaging to the young people involved. Foley and the Republican leadership must certainly be held responsible for their malfeasance. That is fine, and admirable and necessary. But it is not fine to continue to ignore the other, ultimately much more monumental issues that have been staring us all in the face for years.

In the course of a discussion about Frist's foot-in-mouth pronouncement about "bring the Taliban and their supporters into the Afghan government" (a statement Frist is now scrambling to back away from) -- and after tying the Frist episode to the larger efforts to tamp down the violent instability wracking Afghanistan -- Billmon makes this critical connection, which I had missed:

Either way, I think we can take a guess at the larger motive: To shore up (or at least simmer down) the Afghanistan front in advance of the attack on Iran.

It seems utterly futile to me to keep making the following point, since I am convinced that not a single Democrat in Washington -- and only a few liberal and progressive bloggers -- appear to be willing to acknowledge or grapple with this issue. (Does that sound angry? You bet your ass.)

[blondeatlast]

1. We need to be attacking what Frist said at every trun as "appeasement,"

I will say that much. Using the phrase "cut and run" will get some attention, too, I imagine.

There's a danger in enlarging the issue on speculation as you present above, though, IMHO. If we start bringing Iran into the mix, voters will become confused--they aren't political wonks like we are, and the Dem leaders need to learn to keep the message as simple as possible.

The RRR wants to APPEASE the enemy--we aren't the ones who are saying it.

Why this big issue isn't getting more attention on DU is beyond me--here's another thread on it, perhaps we can K&R them till they can't be ignored.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2860366

[Human Torch]

2. The Iran thing is borderline tinfoil hat, to be sure...

...and yes, I agree completely...the concept is more than the average voter can swallow between now and November.

Simply focusing on Frist's "bring back the Taliban" remarks...especially in light of how many times Bush has pounded his chest and claimed victory in "removing the Taliban from power"...should be enough.

:patriot: