Can we train U.S. to learn its lesson?

Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933. By 1939 he had built, equipped and trained armed forces that subjugated almost all of Europe. Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in late 1941. By 1945 the U.S. had created, equipped, armed, and trained armed forces that not only defeated the Japanese but also had a major role in the European theater of war.

We have now been in Afghanistan for nine years. Last week it was announced we had to stay there until 2014 to “train Afghans to take care of their own security.” Today the news is that 2014 is too optimistic, and that we will probably have to remain there much longer than that. What on earth are our “trainers” doing there? Could it be the locals’ hearts are not really in it? And how many billions is this charade adding to our deficit every year?

Frank Baumann

Snohomish