A Different View of the Election in Afghanistan

The Times: Reports on the election in Afghanistan. The paper of record has a more negative view of the election in Afghanistan, it points to the low turnout due to the threat from the Taliban to cut fingers of those that voted in the election and the violence of the Taliban on election day that prevent some polls opening in Afghanistan. I think it can be argued that this is to negative, yes, there are problems, but Afghanistan did hold its second Presidential Election since 2001, people did vote. The development of a civic society in Afghanistan is going to take time; it is the job of the Western Forces to bring security to Afghanistan and for the Government of Afghanistan to help in the economic and social development of Afghanistan. Thus, the new government has to crack down on corruption, it has to build schools for both genders, it has to show the farmers of Afghanistan than growing food is more profitable that growing drugs. All this will take time, let us hope not 40 years but it will take time, let’s hope the West has the nerve to stay in Afghanistan.