nerdgirl 0 #1 August 22, 2009 In the weeks and days leading up to Thursday’s elections in Afghanistan, Taliban representatives in the countries’ south had threatened to cut off the fingers of people who voted. Like Iraq, in the elections the Afghan voters fingers are stained with an indelible dark blue ink after voting. There have been reports from Kandahar that the fingers of two voters were cut off by the Taliban as punishment for voting. Beyond condemnation of such actions, it’s more interesting to me that the Taliban insurgents *only* -- at least thus far – were able to carry out the threat against 2 voters. That’s not a significant intimidation level. Hmmm .... /Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #2 August 22, 2009 If I were there, I think I would dress an entire company of Ranger or Marines like Afghans and put ink on their fingers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #3 August 23, 2009 Josif Vissarionvich Tsughashvili; "When you shoot one person, you encourage ten thousand" Like so many things in politics, it's all about the impression given. I understand voter turnout was down to some 10*ten)% in parts pf Helmand. Still. (like so many things in politics, it's all about the impression given) as long as the election result is internationally accepted, then the Afghan Government will continue to deserve support against the extremists and criminal elemants which collect under the "Taliban" banner. Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #4 August 24, 2009 What we ought to do is find the two people that had their fingers cut off and make a big deal out of the sacrifice they made to vote. Sell them as heros. Villainy against the masses is a behavior the Taliban can't afford, and it's one that needs to be advertised. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #5 August 24, 2009 Quote …as long as the election result is internationally accepted, then the Afghan Government will continue to deserve support against the extremists and criminal elemants which collect under the "Taliban" banner. Concur on the need for perception internationally w/r/t international community. But that’s not the most important piece, imo. Substitute “international” with “domestically.” Perception of legitimacy of government is the most important factor in successful counterinsurgent efforts. Legitimacy doesn’t mean “happiness with” or “overwhelming support.” It is imperative that the population recognizes their government as legitimate (perhaps, in spite of all its faults). Governments security forces (military and police) must be seen by a populace as legitimate as well. Populations that don’t feel secure in their homes and communities are vulnerable to insurgents promises of safety. (NB: I’m borrowing heavily from FM 3-24 there.) /Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdgirl 0 #6 August 24, 2009 Quote If I were there, I think I would dress an entire company of Ranger or Marines like Afghans and put ink on their fingers. While there do appear to be not insignificant reports of voting irregularities, the threatened level of violence does not appear to have materialized, which is a (excellent ?) metric for success. E.g., GEN McCrystal: “The measure of effectiveness will not be enemy killed. It will be the number of Afghans shielded from violence.” It doesn't appear that such a scenario as you suggested was neccesary. /Marg Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters. Tibetan Buddhist saying Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #7 August 24, 2009 Quote Quote …as long as the election result is internationally accepted, then the Afghan Government will continue to deserve support against the extremists and criminal elemants which collect under the "Taliban" banner. Concur on the need for perception internationally w/r/t international community. But that’s not the most important piece, imo. Substitute “international” with “domestically.” /Marg So; APPEND international to Domestically? I concur in turn that domestic acceptance is even more vital. At the time of my original reply I was (restrictively & asininely) focussed solely on the international support currently received by the Afghani administration.Mike. Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
