Who's On First?

You know, I have trouble nowadays keeping up with the revolving-door series of supreme US commanders in Afghanistan, but apparently it is presently General David Petraeus who's directing the killing of women and children and goats over there to keep America safe.

Jonathan Schwarz at A Tiny Revolution passed along this charming story today, though. In a closed-door session, Petraeus suggested to some of Hamid Karzai's aides that "Afghans caught up in a coalition attack in northeastern Afghanistan might have burned their own children to exaggerate claims of civilian casualties, according to two participants at the meeting."

That's a perfect incitement to liberal handwringing over how we're ever going to win hearts and minds over there if such things keep happening. But what I liked best in the article was a comment by the reporter, Joshua Partlow: "The anger greeting this message showed the political challenges inherent in dealing with allegations of civilian casualties, particularly in remote and dangerous areas where investigations prove difficult."

It's all about us, you see. Remember that. It's all about us, and the challenges we face in a remote and dangerous country. If only the Afghanistanis would think for a moment about somebody other than themselves, and give some consideration to us and the sacrifices we are making for them! General Petraeus said he was sorry. What more do they want from him?