“As I understand the Talibans’ motivation, they strive to establish a society guided strictly by Islamic principles. I presume they really do act on that motivation …”

Mike, do you think the motivation of the Poles to turn their Jewish population over to the Nazi’s was more because the Poles believed in Nazi-ism, or a desire to move into the homes of the absent Jews, take over their left-behind cars, and wear the fur coats left in their closets?

Why on earth would you find it in your heart to believe the Taliban are motivated by the morality preached by Islam, but also universally ignored by the practitioners of same? Do you also really believe that Obama wants to be President to “do good for America” or for the personal power (and wealth) that will come to him and the chance to kick whitey in the teeth?

I’m not sure if your post is a sign of sweet naivety or just stupid ignorance, but it doesn’t bode well for your continued health as a citizen of the world.

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What do we think happened to the billions of dollars we have poured into Pakistan since 2001? I can’t see that the country has done anything with it to improve itself, the Taliban and the military don’t seem to have bought themelves any better grade of weapons, and Musharref is still there which makes me wonder if he’s bothered to set up his Swiss bank account like any decent, God-fearing dictator would have done from skimming American largesse.

Like Arafat, there reaches a point in the accumulation of bribes and wealth where it just becomes ridiculous. Arafat had gazillions of dollars socked away when he died and was still skimming and not using the money to make a better nation. Saddam, Mugabe, Idi Amin, Mubarek, Marcos — all of them have fed at the Western teet, enriching themselves to the detriment of their countries and the people under them. Wouldn’t you think they would notice, eventually, that it’s counterproductive?