A predictable response from a bully who is criticized is to "kick the dog," that is, to pass on the pain to someone or something more helpless and blameless. The policy announcement by President Trump Monday evening to ramp up American involvement in Afghanistan was definitely such a reaction. After having, perhaps, the worst week of his tenure in terms of criticism and public backlash after Charlottesville, he has made war his "distraction of choice" and has delivered his "kick" to American and Afghan citizens.
How so? American taxpayers will pay the price (literally) in dollars, which, of course, will mean less money in the budget for needs here at home. American military men and women will pay in blood once again, and we will not be able to honor their sacrifice because reporting of casualties will not be allowed. Additionally, this means that the president will not have to accept any accountability for military personnel losses because they won't be acknowledged publicly. He evades any shadow of responsibility, predictably faulting former President Obama for any bad outcomes.
Trump's "gloves are off" policy also means that Afghan civilian casualties will increase as he releases our military from any moral constraints in the intensified the campaign. To sum up, more financial pain at home, more Americans in harm's way, and more civilians as "collateral damage" with an indefinite endgame that we're supposed to accept as "winning" because Trump needs to distract us from his reprehensible lack of moral courage and failed leadership.
Karen Riley, Tualatin
