The problem with the incessant manipulation of the news media (and thereby the American public) is that it concedes that the whole truth is inherently bad. Americans need to see the whole truth about Iraq, not just some beautifully packaged soundbites. Furthermore, we can take the whole truth.

I highly recommend what Anna Badhken (sp?) is writing for this website. Americans can judge the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of our Iraq policy based on that excellent reporting. There should be more like it.

Ms. Sey

Your reaction is incredibly childish. I am awed that you shared it anyone - much less printed it on a website. People try to connect with what they watch and people they know. We are social animals. Sometimes the connection is apt, and sometimes it ain't. Your choice is to (1) be gracious and engaged the person on their life experiences (that's also known as being an adult) or (2) degrade them for not being you (a reaction even teenagers should be scolded for). Good luck as an author.

All right-thinking government officials must reject the concept that our ultimate bosses (the American people) need different truths (or even outright lies) in order for government to function properly.

Government officials at all levels may see the American people as "stupid" or "lazy" or even "celebrity-crazed," but those overgeneralizations, however pithy or satisfying, must be avoided. Those condescending attitudes ultimately lead to a culture of market-based truths in which the most compelling packaging of the truth gets believed.

In a representative democracy, the people ultimately decide on the policy of the government (because they elect the people that will set the policy). The long-range selection of politicians and policy cannot and should not rest on lies of politicians - whatever their political affiliations.

Thomas F. Hurley

MAJ, U.S. Army

The views expressed in this comment are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the army, Department of the Defense, or the U.S. Government.

Glenn

I appreciate (and agree with) much of what you and Mr. Moyers have to say on many, many issues, but his (and by implication your) suggestion that we should quit on Afghanistan because "America isn't good at national building" is as inaccurate as it is jingoistic.

First, America is good at nation building. I would use the former Republic of Yugoslavia as the best example of what America (and the international community) can do in order to help a nation go from completely failed to not-great-but-not-the-disaster-it-once-was.

Second, Afghanistan needs help for many reasons, or it will become (again) a failed state the provides a safe haven for terrorists to launch attacks on the West. We have to do something in Afghanistan and failed states around the globe. Those types of states should be the focus of our foreign policy, not an afterthought.

Many on the left were right about Iraq, but our "rightness" does not translate to Afghanistan. America must provide a prolonged diplomatic and military presence to that country in the hope that we can build a state there (and in Pakistan).

Please keep up the good work.

Tom Hurley

Glenn

Afghanistan continues to need international (OK, OK, American) military, economic, and diplomatic support in order to have a society that promotes the Rule of Law.

We have seen the results of ignoring Afghanistan: the rise of the Taliban, a safe haven for Al Qaeda, the brutal oppression of women, the continuing production of opium, etc.

Our presence there can have a positive effect for their country, the region, and the United States.

I would propose an increase of military forces deployed to Afghanistan, an increase in the foreign service personnel in the country, and a decrease (or elimination) of any contractor that doesn't interact with the Afghan people. This support should continue through the first Obama Administration (2013) in order to (1) provide a stable environment for the next round of Afghan elections and (2) allow for a building of the Afghan police forces that will ultimately destroy the Taliban control.

For what it is worth, I am an Army officer that has just returned from Iraq. This post reflects my personal opinion and not official Army policy.

Thanks.

Tom Hurley

Major, U.S. Army