Let's give thought to war in Afghanistan

Although health care reform matters, let's not forget about the two wars this country is currently engaged in, most importantly, Afghanistan.

There are currently 62,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and 35,000 from other nations. After eight years, what do they have to show for it?

Afghans recently held an election in which a United Nations-backed panel found elements of fraud. Afghanistan is now a deadlier battlefield than Iraq, and over 90 percent of the world's opium comes from Afghanistan.

Let's face it, Afghanistan is not a war we can win or lose. Finding the Taliban and al-Qaida will not end terrorism. Those who argue that we should be there to prevent a future attack and deter terrorism are not aware of the complexities involved in nation-building, the history of foreign involvement in the region and the thousands of innocent civilian lives lost due to the U.S.-led invasion.

Presidential candidate John Edwards said during the campaign that "it is time for Americans to be patriotic about something other than war." I think those words are the guidance that our country needs right now. We can't build a democracy for other people – especially when our own democracy needs help – but we can be patriotic about bringing our troops home and saving lives. As important as the health care debate is, let's give the same attention to a war many Americans have forgotten.

DOUGLAS BRIZGYS

Champaign