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Gen Stanley McChrystal, the USArmy commander in Afghanistan, explained to ABC's Bob Woodruff (at the head of the Boettcher videostream) the three reasons why the fighting in Helmand Province is so dangerous. Helmand, he listed, is the Taliban's original home; its opium agriculture is lucrative and corrupting; and its porous border with Pakistan affords guerrillas a safe haven. ABC has Mike Boettcher embedded with a Marine Corps company as it advances along the Helmand River valley "in Afghanistan's volatile breadbasket." Boettcher was simultaneously surprised that "unlike past ambushes the Taliban do not attack and hide--they stay and fight" yet at the same time had his expectations confirmed: "Marines expected a tough fight."
Richard Engel painted a peaceful picture at a school in Kapisa Province for NBC. There soldiers from the Georgia National Guard handed out boxes of handmade wooden cars to local schoolchildren: "This is a very poor village and for the vast majority of them these are the first toys they have ever received." The 500 cars, costing $70, were carved at the Holly Creek retirement center in Colorado by military veterans Making a Difference.
A lovely, lovely story! So nice that youngsters in Afghanistan are receiving a touch of loving kindness from the retired veterans. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all we exported to other countries was our geniue and loving kindness - no more bombs and bullets! Thanks to all involved in this sweet venture.
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