Afghanistan

Afghanistan needs the international assistance to do what should have occurred after the cessation of the Soviet invasion. Failure to do so, led to a weakened state hosting "al quaeda" and the Taliban; followed by the US-Afghani War after 9-11 and then the diversion of aid and forces to attack and occupy Iraq.
The United Nations with the United States, should sustain the committment to a peaceful electoral democracy in Afghanistan, with the protection her new government needs. As the mission was commenced, let the UN and her agents continue, with American help, and let the force be objectively commensurate and sufficient for the task.
A lesser force destroys the mission, and costs civilian and military lives.

Safire

Condolences to the Safire family on the death of William Safire, and thanks for the shared life of a great wordsmith and political analyst. The passing of William Safire at the early age of 79 after a convalescence yesterday, takes away one of the truly great reasoners in post-war American politics and political journalism. He will be missed.