Taken for Another Ride

As another 17,000 American troops prepare to leave for Afghanistan, I think the new president should look past his own ego and remember how he won, not just that he won. He promised to bring the troops home! Not continue the same ride down 'oil interests' avenue in southern Afghanistan. Do the American people have any influence at all?
To act like it is anything else (ie. chasing Osama, the War on Terror, human rights concerns) is pure smoke and mirrors. It is a war of occupation for oil profits. The pipeline route is through the south. The problems are in the south. The opium is there, too. Remember a year ago?
"I see the the U.S. Army has built a base at 8000 ft in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's a well fortified castle with helicopter pads, big guns etc. A command center high in the mountains for the war on terrorism.
This reminds me of the boot camp mentality, "If we're going to fight them, lets do it at their house; burn their land; kill their women and children." This is all good and fine I guess and I agree. But is this border patrol really necessary when I can't afford it? If we elect not to defend the Afghanistan border might there be enough money to defend America's borders? And dare I say it? Isn't it enough to keep our southern borders open and get The Cut there, rather then control the poppy fields?" (The News 08Dec07)
President Obama is supposed to be the guy who was ending these imperialistic adventures that are wasting American blood and bankrupting the country.
President Obama, loved and viewed by the world as a President who would stop American aggression, is sending another 17,000 troops into a country the US has already occupied for seven years. A country in which 82% of the people don't want US present. Troops could stay another 5 years. What the hell did we have an election for? Who the hell does he think he's kidding? We didn't need those bases in the first place. Now we need more troops? It is out and out oil policy.
President Obama should understand that first and foremost the American people were dissatisfied with the Bush administration because of the wars. So, first and foremost, the troops should return home. Unfortunately, we need to save ourselves. Not the world or UnoCal. I'm much more afraid of what's coming across the Mexican border than terrorists on Afghanistan's.
Crassly speaking, with satellite and spy technology being what it is, we could probably bomb most threats to the US in Afghanistan. What are we guarding with bases? Pipeline routes?
I remember when the Russians went into Afghanistan. They were us, and we are them. Kind of a 'Magical Mystery Tour', huh? In other words, 'same old bullshit, same old rock and roll'.
I would bet the nickel in the mountain I live on that American families who have a member in harms way would rather have them home saving their own country instead of defending oil dreams.
There is no excuse (NONE!) to prolong these wars in the Middle East.
Bring the troops Home now.