Re: Top commander bans night raids without Afghan troops — March 6

After more than 8 1/2 years of attempting to spread democracy with violence, money, cultural indifference and fear, U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, the top commander of the occupying force in Afghanistan, has realized that, “In the Afghan culture, a man’s home is more than just his residence, it represents his family and protecting it is closely intertwined with his honour. He has been conditioned to respond aggressively in defense of his home and his guests.”

What makes an Afghan’s response any different than anyone else protecting their own home and family in the midst of these nighttime raids?

The raids will continue — the only difference being that a fellow Afghan will be present at all times to put a local face to the intrusion with guns drawn yelling in front of women and children in a language the family can understand, as well as to witness and translate the ensuing conflict.

Casting ballots in fortified green zones, and propping up corrupt governments is not a part of democracy. Neither is controlling drones that kill innocents from thousands of miles away nor, in my opinion, are nighttime raids that scar young children for life.