It appears that Obama has rattled some chains....an opinion

[Lesley]

Regarding the Taliban.

Suddenly they need to flex their dictatorial muscles in a vocal way...again. How horribly sad for all those people that have had their lives and homes destroyed by this extremist faction of religion/government. Trying to make other Muslims quake in their shoes is a repeating mantra. They are one nasty group of extremists who beautifully exemplify the importance of a complete separation of church and state.

Afghanistans general population haven't been under Taliban's oppressive rule so long that they can't remember what life was like before the "ministry of Morality" decided to stone women in the streets for daring to show a forearm. There are plenty who remember what life was like before Taliban and Russian rule and the wholesale destruction of their heritage. Those that remember talk and yearn for the old life. And it would almost an impossibility to find a national that believes life is better now under Taliban rule than when the Shah ruled. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1573181.stm

In 1964, a new constitution transformed Afghanistan into a modern democracy, with free elections, a parliament, civil rights, emancipation for women and universal suffrage.

Yeah....it seems that the US President giving some credence to the possible moderates in the Taliban has them a tad angry, and concerned. How dare the upstart US President question their total authority and dignity? lol They are making sure Afghani's and Pakistani's remember they are still in charge. Apparently the old formula of stepping up Shi'a rule, and murdering the potential unruly is back on the forefront of their political/religious agenda. I wonder if they realize their own zealous reactions are part of their own minutae, by minutae demise.

Lack of creativity and lack of uniqueness in dealing with opposition to their rule, is their vunerability. It's not like the Taliban were the only rulers of Afghanistan for the last 50, 100 years or 1000 years and have some multi-generational tradition to uphold. They are bound and determined to flex some muscle to squelch and crush any that would flirt with the USA...in fact lookie here....they will threaten the big guy himself in DC nonetheless. That should get the Moselm world back on some imaginary, suppressed track where the Taliban thinks they belong!

I'd say, Obama's premis and televised New Year greeting in Iraq is already having an effect in Afghanistan. I guess there's another reasons to ramp up the military in Afghanistan

The man Obama defeated for the presidency, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said he welcomed Obama's revamped strategy as long overdue.

"The war there is one that we can and must win, but for years now we have been fighting without a clear strategy and with insufficient resources," McCain said.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationwo...,4240378.story