Fear is not the same as respect, fear is caused by not knowing what violent thing may befall our family as a result of an impossible to judge or anticipate transgression.

Respect is not bringing harm on a village despite the occurrence of such a transgression because you know what the response will be, so finding an alternative means to settle the matter is preferred.

War happens whenever there is a serious lack of respect, and fear is perceived to be the dominant emotion. The Afghani people put up with our attempts to introduce representative government as a result of Al Queda’s disrespect and because they respected our warriors. That respect is nearly used up not only as regards the Pashtun Taliban but also the regular Afghanis and Pakistani populations as well. It is not fear taking its place.

Add to that the understanding that many high school students, at least in Pakistan, are technologically capable of making that up linked hack, that LOTM mentions. Understand that in the age of computer based communications there are high school aged kids with the ability to launch cyber attacks against foreign governments as well as our own.

The ability to protect the links and the information is directly tied to our ability to protect privacy and personal information from prying eyes, including especially the government eyes and ears. Respect for the rule of law is lost when fear of consequences for acting unlawfully does not mean the same thing as fearing to act in ones own best interest.

It goes back to Mikes sentiment. The natives in Afghanistan have no reason to respect us, because (insert your favorite reason here) we have not freed them from their fear of the Taliban.

Wadeusaf