The whole premise for going into Afghanistan was faulty from the beginning. The reasoning was that we had to eliminate a safe haven for al Queada, just one of numerous Islamic terrorist organizations. Never mind that the only member of al Queada in Afghanistan that was any concern to the U.S was Osama bin Laden. His operatives were not based there. Nearly all were Saudis's and they were freely moving around in various first world countries. The 9/11 hijackers real safe haven was right here in the U.S. where they had readymade support networks from mosques and the numerous alphabet soup Islamic organizations that have taken root here. It's not me saying this, it comes straight from the official 9/11 report. There certainly is a significant amount of apathy over this endless and pointless war, but the the underlining problem is fear based on political correctness. We as a society have for all intents and purposes shamefully surrendered to CAIR [Council on American Islamic Relations] and their incessant drumbeat of that mind numbing and nonsensical invented word "Islamophobia." A case in point is this long article which manages to avoid any mention of the words Islam, Muslim or infidels which should be the central focus of any analysis of any conflict involving Muslims and non-Muslims.

Having been "draft-bait" for the Viet Nam war, I was delighted when the draft ended, and thought it was the right thing to do. Almost a half-century later, I have come to understand that the single most important thing that could happen which would alter USA foreign policy is to re-institute the draft. Everyone would sit up and pay more attention to the cost of decisions, both personal and financial.

TheSystemWorks below writes "Unlike the Party Over Country liberals and Democrats who obscenely and grotesquely demagogued US KIA for political gain, Republicans have behaved nobly." It's hard to find an adequate explanation for such an statement other than to suspect that, underneath it all, his frame of mind is Stalinist, someone so deceived by a combination of thoughtlessness and lack of judgement, someone so twisted by ideology that the complexities of reality escape him. Maybe he was just ten years old when Dick Cheney and his bunch were advocating a policy of unquestioned American hegemony, a policy that led to our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq in ways disastrous to our honor and our economy. Cheerleaders are particularly blind to the nature and context of the game. I guess its just not part of their job. They just want their side to win...at any cost. Apparently they find that to be a "noble" endeavor.

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper: "Go to sleep, everything is alright" I close my eyes Then I drift away Into the magic night I softly sway Oh smile and pray Like dreamers do Then I fall asleep To dream my dreams of you

Our facile media is responsible for burying the story of this war - plain and simple. Let's line up the guilty: newspapers - declining revenue and loss of ad dollars to the Internet = no reporters on the ground, no reporters in the region, not even a Washington DC branch. Who, oh who is the Globe's national defense correspondant? If you want war news - see the NY Times, otherwise, if it happens outside of the 128 beltway - it didn't really happen - unless it is a diversity story. ( graph ) Network TV news - what a laugh! Out of money and reduced to chasing ad dollars based on selling drugs and cat food to middle aged women - the closest they get to the war is the DC press briefings, voicing over video provided by independent sources and 2 bit ' recreations ' with an 8 bit look. Wheel out the Kardashians and reports that oddly, seem to increase interest in upcoming primetime shows. Dirty little secret revealed: middle aged women do not want to see too many sad stories on the news - war reporting is always sad news - ( graph ) Next we have the cable giants - never before has so much opinionated hot air clouded the scene. At least they cover the Pentagon and wheel out Vietnam era generals and colonels to opine in $500.00 dollar suits but this war has no story arc beyond going from bad to worse to ohh well. But that, in fact, Is the story. Does anyone remember pool reporters and embeds - haven't seen that lately. And finally - the most guilty - look in the mirror.

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper: "Go to sleep, everything is alright" I close my eyes Then I drift away Into the magic night I softly sway Oh smile and pray Like dreamers do Then I fall asleep To dream my dreams of you

Thanks for highlighting your own Islamophobia, flags. You're also one of those nuts who deny global warming and climate change, as I recall. The views you express here today indicate you are part of the problem highlighted in the report entitled, "Fear, Inc. - The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America" [ http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/08/islamophobia.html/ ]. As it notes, "Around the world, there are people killing people in the name of Islam, with which most Muslims disagree. Indeed, in most cases of radicalized neighbors, family members, or friends, the Muslim American community is as baffled, disturbed, and surprised by their appearance as the general public. Treating Muslim American citizens and neighbors as part of the problem, rather than part of the solution, is not only offensive to America's core values, it is utterly ineffective in combating terrorism and violent extremism."

The reason it is not in the news is because there is no political gain available by harping on it. It was launched by a Republican president, and adopted by Obama as the "good war". He surged the level of troops, but has failed in turning the tide. Romney will focus on the president's other big failure, the economy.

I can't think of one good reason why our soldiers need to die for a people do not care or do not want to stand up for their own rights. We should leave this s**t hole of a country and let them suffer their own consequences. I would cut out every dollar of foreign aid and leave these medieval warlords to fight among themselves. Good luck and good riddance.

it's too bad

The only way to end this long long war is to have it presented on a daily basis --on the front page --every single day--in the newscasts as top story of the day. That will drive home the message an maybe the rage will bring it to an end. We need good Journalism like never before and they need the support of the Editors and owners to do this effectivly--- Journalism need to be free--not hindered because of a political opinion or advertisers imput--- Am sure like many others if there was a draft then the outbursts of rage against a war would most likely end it and give cause to think before we start. For all those who lost their lives, God Bless...and bless the little children who will never know a Dad or a Mom--for the loss all the families bear ---and shame on us for not speaking out---- for the memories go away by most but never for the famlies. Thank you Bryan --thank you Globe for finally putting this on the front page where it belongs.

beebalm is correct but the Globe cannot do it alone. Fox never covers the war because it was started by W, and Romney talks about military action regarding Iran and Syria! The Republicans always want it both ways...go patriotic when they start a war and blame Democrats when their guy is in charge.

I can see a swath of sinners settin' yonder And they're actin' like a pack of fools Gazin' into space lettin' their minds wander 'Stead of studyin' the good Lord's rules! You better pay attention, build your comprehension There's gonna be a quiz at your ascencion Not to mention any threat of hell But if you're smart you'll learn your lessons well!

It's simple because George Bush is no longer President

One other difference is that the military has deliberately and effectively silenced news coverage of the war in the field. In Vietnam, a reporter or even a film crew used to be able to get on a bird and go to a forward post. Try that now. "Died of injuries received during combat operations" does not tell us a heck of a lot about how this troop met his end. We don't know what the fight was, who his buddies were, who his commander was, what weapon he carried ... who else got hurt ... who else died -- enemy? Civiians? We will never hear that story. It's all processed and freeze dried ... the MRE of news. It's not real. The guys may wonder whether the country supports them. But hey - no news is good news. This is Pentagon policy, developed and implemented over years -- this is your professional Army at work. They did this on purpose. This is what they get. We don't see, we don't hear, we got nothing to say. Drive on.