Comments on: Sangow Bar Village

By: symple19

symple19 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:04:18 +0000

No surprise that the Eastern Europeans in Afghanistan are competent and eager to help out. My limited experiences with them while serving in Iraq (03'-04') were much the same. While I didn't serve in Afgh I try to keep up with developments there and Mr. Yon is doing a good job. It would seem to me that the strategy being followed by Gens McChrystal and Petraeus will succeed if given time and MORE troops. Where roads end, insurgencies thrive. Economic/educational development will indeed be the key to making any headway here and Petraeus and his proteges understand this well. But this is not Iraq, a far more developed and educated country BEFORE we ever showed up than is Afgh. The tribal structures and centuries old rivalries are probably much deeper there than in Iraq. Throw in all the different languages and some of the most difficult terrain on earth and you start to see the beginning of how long and hard this will be. We've got to get more troops from other countries, and not just trainers that sit around in Kabul and never get out to the countryside. The Brits and Canadians deserve special mention as their contributions have been instrumental in keeping the situation from getting too much worse in the hardest hit areas, such as Helmand. Thanks to those serving over there and as well to the intrepid journalists who're trying to keep us all informed.

By: Kevlaur

Kevlaur — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:34:14 +0000

Thanks again, Michael for you no-nonsense on the ground reporting. I will continue to support you.
These small gestures – which are enormous when you are involved with them – will start to make a difference. Of course there are times we have to do the work of taking out the bad guys. I pray we find the wisdom to know the difference.

For a little different take on Afghanistan from earlier this year from Robert Y. Pelton check out:
http://www.mensjournal.com/new-war-for-hearts-and...

By: Kevlaur

Kevlaur — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:17:15 +0000

Pardon me…but HUH?

By: AL.

AL. — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:28:33 +0000

You make a useful and great work, Sir, thank you and God Bless You.

By: CrisD

CrisD — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:33:45 +0000

I saw your first post Sanmon and agree that there is more silence at this comment area but I sincerely hope that Mr. Yon is getting some results especially in the form of recurring gifts. His work is truly worthy. I suspect that people don't want to say too much if they are not kicking in some money–that would make sense.
They do not need to comment, though–unlike the funny posts these posts are more thought provoking, maybe?

Your "kick in the rear" may help and I give you thumbs up for that.

Have a great weekend!
CrisD

By: JohnnyKnuckles

JohnnyKnuckles — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:36:14 +0000

Tremendous reporting, Yon. Thanks for your courage and insight.

By: CrisD

CrisD — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:01:17 +0000

Fascinating. Thank you.

Huge job. Staggering.

By: Sanmon

Sanmon — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:44:29 +0000

ria,
You may be right. Then again I maybe. I just know that most blogs post articles that get conversations going. Andrew has taken this blog to new levels I just hope that the readers/commenters assist him in doing so.

What is more important than when our representatives vote to send our men and women to war than to show some interest in what is going on. Who shows more human interest than Mr. Yon. When will BH readers show interest? Or are we just going to welcome our dead and wounded home and say it was Bushs/Obama fault. And make no mistake about it, if we continue our Apathy those that come home will be wounded if we just sit back and say we had "awareness of limitations". I am not knocking your statement what so ever because you show great Wisdom in pointing out "awareness limitations". In a few words you pointed out the issue. So lets increase our Awareness and get a little more involved.

By: rlaWTX

rlaWTX — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:59:06 +0000

Sanmon:
I don't know that there is apathy here. I think that most of us know that we don't have any better answers than those who are there and writing. It isn't apathy, it just may be awarenss of limitations. I have seen many offers of monetary support to Mr. Yon since his advent on BH. I think that the glass is fuller than you have noticed.

Thanks, Mr. Yon.

By: Sanmon

Sanmon — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:20:57 +0000

Buck Off Big Holly Wood readers. I know this site does best when humor is published on this site. I know that many people here profess to be conservative believers. I know that many here have faith in our monolithic God.

I have seen on many occasions that when a post regarding our troops that are in harms way is posted here it appears to get very apathetic responses in comments. Maybe no one here even bothers to read the posts.

You have one of the bests writers that brings a humanistic perspective in Mr. Yon that covers the war and gives great insight of the issues our troops face. And the readers/commentators show great apathy. Do you think Andrew will keep on publishing Mr. Yon work if this apathy keeps up?

Apathy got us Obama! Apathy shown towards our troops will only bring home the dead and wounded if the responses in comments are any indication of how we support our troops, how we understand the fight they are in. Start showing real support of our troops show some sort of interest at least. Ask question if you do not understand these wars. Get into the discussions. Or keep on showing Apathy and maybe the war will disappear from these pages as it has from our MSM.