I promised my listeners and friends that I would never unconditionally give my support to any elected official on specific policy. Other talk show hosts have done that, and not only has it taken away their credibility, but it’s hurt them in their ratings. Endorsements of policy should be earned based on merit, not a political party.
President Biden’s policy and execution in regards to our exit from Afghanistan doesn’t deserve such support. His plan to remove Americans and our allies has been unorganized and chaotic to say the very least. The haphazard way this administration has handled their responsibility has weakened our position in the world. Not to mention the feelings this must invoke from the men and women that have served or are serving our country.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pull out of Afghanistan. We should leave because it’s the right thing to do after all these years. The previous administration promised the American people they would get us out of our longest war, but one President kept their word and another did not. At least this administration is getting it done, even if it’s been ugly along the way.
That being said, it needs to be painted out that President Biden has accepted responsibility for his actions and former President Trump has not. In fact, the actions taken by the Trump administration has played a major role in the Taliban now having control. His negotiations with the Taliban threw the Afghan army and their citizens right under the bus. His withdrawal of a sufficient amount of troops to support the exodus has shown how much damage it can cause. All the while trying to reinvent history as they want the American people to see it.
For an example of this, you only have to look to two former members of the Trump administration. Vice President Mike Pence and U.N. Ambassador, Nikki Haley, were quick to seize their opportunity, which I’m sure is to assist in a future run for President. Pence claimed their deal with the Taliban “kept the country stable,” despite the last three months of 2020 having a 45% growth in civilian casualties compared to 2019.
Haley on the other hand has criticized the Biden administration for relying on the word of the Taliban, stating that “negotiating with the Taliban is like dealing with the devil.” She forgot to mention that she was quoted saying, “we are seeing that we are closer to talks with the Taliban and the peace process than we’ve seen before,” back on January 17, 2018 in New York.
There’s plenty of blame to go around in regards to Afghanistan. The goals of the war in Afghanistan will never be achieved. The Democratic government we had hoped to form would never sustain itself. The Army we had trained and was equipped to support Afghanistan would never defend it, but that isn’t America’s fault. We have given them 20 years of opportunity for a new life, but it’s a life they will never see.
It was time to leave.
Good riding with you,
Joel
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