Letter: Have we forgotten about Afghanistan?

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 | 8:43 a.m.

We have spent so much time discussing, condemning or fiercely defending the war in Iraq that we hardly ever hear of or mention the war in Afghanistan.

Or isn't it a war anymore? We seem to have given the administration a pass on this war. Have we forgotten that this is where it all began? Wasn't Osama bin Laden headquartered in Afghanistan? Didn't we demand that the Taliban turn him over to us or else we would come and get him? Wasn't this back in 2002? What was our mission in Afghanistan? Did we accomplish it? Do we have a mission?

I follow current events pretty closely but I'll be damned if I can recall President Bush or anyone in the administration ever giving us a progress report on what's happening there. I know we have troops there and occasionally I read where a few of them are killed.

I believe that the Taliban is history and that we have mixed relationships with the tribal leaders who are somewhat autonomous. Are we just occupying the country?

Don't we think it's about time that the administration does some explaining about our status in Afghanistan? If we want some answers about bringing the troops home, don't the troops in Afghanistan count? Seems like it's all smoke and mirrors with this administration.

Joseph Carbone

Las Vegas