51% of Afghans Feeling Good About Country's

[Alexandra]

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/18/afghan-poll.html

Janice Stein is director of the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, another of the poll's sponsors. She sees grounds for optimism in the results.

"I think Afghans are asking for continued assistance," she said. "They are asking for a continued foreign presence in the short term. They are asking for help in order to avoid a return of the Taliban to Afghanistan. These are the fundamental messages that come out of this poll."

Ms. Stein sees grounds for optimism in Afghanistan? Surprise. Surprise.

`

[CLRV]

Polls are always interesting, especially when we look at the language used to report them.

Forty-three per cent of all Afghans surveyed say that foreign troops should stay as long as it takes to get the job done. Only about 15 per cent of all Afghans surveyed want foreign troops to leave their country immediately, and the rest want time limits.

Anybody notice "the rest" equals 42 percent (100-43-15=42)? So another more honest way of reporting this would be that, since the poll has a margin of error of 2.5 per cent, virtually the same number of Afghanis favour timed withdrawal as want troops to stick around until the job is done (whatever that means).

Yet *another* and even more accurate way of putting it would be that the majority of Afghanis want the troops out either now (15%) or within a specific timeframe (42%); a whopping 57% want foreign troops out of their country.

[mikedavid00]

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/18/afghan-poll.html

Ms. Stein sees grounds for optimism in Afghanistan? Surprise. Surprise.

`

"60 per cent of Afghans surveyed believe the presence of foreign troops has been good for their country.

As well, 51 per cent said they feel their country is headed in the right direction, compared to 28 per cent who responded that it's headed in the wrong direction. The remaining interviewees saw no change or didn't know."

Sorry guys, I love our military but it's time to go.

These people aren't appreciating what we are going through and our deaths for their country.

They can go to hell.

Bring the troops home.

[mikedavid00]

Yet *another* and even more accurate way of putting it would be that the majority of Afghanis want the troops out either now (15%) or within a specific timeframe (42%); a whopping 57% want foreign troops out of their country.

Regardless, I was seriously expecting to 90% to be in favor.

This is not like a political poll, this is something completely different.

Think about the jobs they have now, the food donations, look at the clothing even that their wearing during the survey and it's appearant they are scum. They surveyd in a safe area also.

I am no longer favoring this mission at all.

I'm so p*ssed at them being so ungreatful after all our country has given them. All the donations, food, clothing, schools, etc. And this is what they think of us?

*** THAT!

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW.

[CLRV]

Guess you'll want to be voting NDP in the next election.

[mikedavid00]

Guess you'll want to be voting NDP in the next election.

No I'm hard core right wing. HARD CORE.

That means i'm democratic and for the people.

The people have spoken and said they don't appreciate the direction their country is going and they don't want foreign troops there.

Good.

Then we'll just go.

Lets table a proposition, have them vote on it, and if it's not 80%, then we're gone.

[Moxie]

Well the President of Afghanistan is begging us to extend our mandate, but of course it's about his pipeline right? It has nothing to do with the fact that SOME NATO partners won't come out after dark or put themselves in harms way to ease the burden on Canadian troops. It's as if they want the mission to fail lest they offend Muslims in their countries.

For the record, I want the troops to come home when our mandates up. Let the yellow belly countries crawl out of their BEER tents and mess halls and fight terrorist for a change.

[CLRV]

Well the President of Afghanistan is begging us to extend our mandate

Really, eh? The guy we put in power? The guy who would not, in fact, BE president without the direct intervention of foreign powers? The guy who cannot leave his safe house in Kabul without a phalanx of foreign soldiers to protect him from the many, many Afghanis who would try to take him out? That guy?

And he's begging for our troops to stay? Weird...

[gc1765]

I am also surprised that it wasn't closer to 80% of Afghans saying that they want us to stay until the mission is complete. In light of this poll, the more important question we should be asking is why do so many Afghans want us out of their country?

[jdobbin]

Ms. Stein sees grounds for optimism in Afghanistan? Surprise. Surprise.

We'll see if this poll will result in Canada getting more support from its allies or whether the Afghan military and police will get any better in the next months. The police are unreliable and corrupt and the the military is too tiny to be effective for almost any major activity.

[shavluk]

Really, eh? The guy we put in power? The guy who would not, in fact, BE president without the direct intervention of foreign powers? The guy who cannot leave his safe house in Kabul without a phalanx of foreign soldiers to protect him from the many, many Afghanis who would try to take him out? That guy?

And he's begging for our troops to stay? Weird...

hear !!

hear !!

He did pretty good with that plea to Canadians that harper/ hillier wrote for him though ,,didn't he?

Little girlsssss are in dangerrrrrrr

Wait for the continued stories meant to tell us we are in fact staying there till that pipeline is safe ,,er I mean until the people are safe.

Yes help the Americans.

They sure did a great job themselves in Iraq and fought bravely bringing freedom to the people of NASDAQ with the price of oil

Well at least since 2003 when Bush declared an end to the war. hahhaha

[Wilber]

I'd like to know what is meant by a timed withdrawal. No one likes foreign troops on their soil so it doesn't surprise me that a majority of them want us out at some time. I also expect that the numbers varied as to location and amount of Taliban activity.

[August1991]

This poll is remarkable. Usually, when people in a country face changes, they complain. If this poll is to be believed, despite all the changes, Afghanis are not complaining.

IME, about 5% of a population can make life Hell for the others. In every society, there are fanatics - in some cases, fanatics take power. For example, Ireland, Lebanon, Sri Lanka. IMV, democracy should ensure that the 95% don't let a dictator from the (fanatic NDP) 5% get control. In a sophisticated democracy (the US), such a dictator cannot do serious harm. There are 50 governors with power too, and federal checks. (Russia and Iran don't have such checks - except in name.)

This poll simply shows that most Afghanis want to live in peace. Around the world, it is the same.

The recent bombs in Pakistan show also that 5% of the population - fanatics - can control the agenda. (Greg, take notice for this forum. 5% of posters can hijack your best intentions.)

---

What about Afghanistan? We Canadians have not asked our soldiers to go there and risk their lives for Afghan civilization, or to protect against Afghan fanatics. Our soldiers are there because we want the soldiers to defend us.

Afghanistan must never again have a regime permitting such terrorists as al-Qaeda. No more planes into big buildings. That's it.

Edited October 19, 2007 by August1991

[Alexandra]

We'll see if this poll will result in Canada getting more support from its allies or whether the Afghan military and police will get any better in the next months. The police are unreliable and corrupt and the the military is too tiny to be effective for almost any major activity.

http://uscavonpoint.com/articles2/Article.aspx?id=6963

A briefing by Col. McGrath on the Afghan army, police and border guards, etc. posted in a different thread.

Edited October 19, 2007 by Alexandra

[mikedavid00]

We'll see if this poll will result in Canada getting more support from its allies or whether the Afghan military and police will get any better in the next months. The police are unreliable and corrupt and the the military is too tiny to be effective for almost any major activity.

Regardless, the people do not want us there and feel there is not an overwhellming sence of optamism as there was in Iraq.

They pretty much want us ot leave.

I would have put the number at 80% but these people really ARE animals I guess. Scum of the earth.

Lets just leave. They certainly aren't worth it.

Nato can build their pipeline. Let's get out now.

[mikedavid00]

Yes help the Americans.

They sure did a great job themselves in Iraq and fought bravely bringing freedom to the people of NASDAQ with the price of oil

Are suggesting oild prices went DOWN since the Iraq conflict?? Do you drive??

[mikedavid00]

I'd like to know what is meant by a timed withdrawal. No one likes foreign troops on their soil so it doesn't surprise me that a majority of them want us out at some time. I also expect that the numbers varied as to location and amount of Taliban activity.

Iraqi's didn't feel the same way and still don't. A very high majority of them want troops to stay, but eventually leave.

This survey is completely different with these animals simply wanting us out now and feeling that their country has not imporved.

Good. Cya later then. All forces should pull out and let the taliban come back and cover the women in blue sheets and whip them with a stick if they don't behave.

[ScottSA]

This thread is a bit odd. It seems the folks who don't like our presence in AF didn't actually read the poll results. Everyone wants us out? Is that the right way to intpret this:

"Results from the Environics Research poll, conducted in partnership with the CBC, show 60 per cent of Afghans surveyed believe the presence of foreign troops has been good for their country."

or this:

"As well, 51 per cent said they feel their country is headed in the right direction, compared to 28 per cent who responded that it's headed in the wrong direction. The remaining interviewees saw no change or didn't know."

how about this:

"Forty-three per cent of all Afghans surveyed say that foreign troops should stay as long as it takes to get the job done. Only about 15 per cent of all Afghans surveyed want foreign troops to leave their country immediately, and the rest want time limits."

I don't know...this doesn't seem to suggest that people are about to riot in the streets to get us out...and if anything the pressure is on for people to slant in that direction, since the bad guys are ready to slit the throat of anyone who cooperates.

[mikedavid00]

This poll simply shows that most Afghanis want to live in peace. Around the world, it is the same.

No that's your interpertation.

The Iraqi polls were highly in favor of the troups staying once they got a taste of freedom and could speak about issues on talk radio. They wanted them to leave eventually but were greatful and knew what was good for them. And then all the aid from Red Cross and Unicef.

The same happens in Afganistan pretty much, and they are ungreatful and want us out now.

You can't sugar coat that. They are just animals and we should pull out.

[M.Dancer]

Really, eh? The guy we put in power? The guy who would not, in fact, BE president without the direct intervention of foreign powers? The guy who cannot leave his safe house in Kabul without a phalanx of foreign soldiers to protect him from the many, many Afghanis who would try to take him out? That guy?

And he's begging for our troops to stay? Weird...

No the guy the afghans put in power......and the fact that the enemies of freedom want him dead is irrelevant...Churchill also needed a bodygaurd.

[M.Dancer]

In light of this poll, the more important question we should be asking is why do so many Afghans want us out of their country?

I wonder if there was a follow up question to that group. I could guess that they would be broken up along several lines

x% because the foreigners are infidels

x% Because they profit from the Taliban

x% because they are involved in a blood feud.

[Wilber]

I think people tend to forget that we went to Afghanistan for our own reasons. We went to rid the country of Al Queda and the regime which supported them. In order to do that on a long term basis we need to help it develop into a country which if not our friend, is at least not our enemy.

[mikedavid00]

I don't know...this doesn't seem to suggest that people are about to riot in the streets to get us out...and if anything the pressure is on for people to slant in that direction, since the bad guys are ready to slit the throat of anyone who cooperates.

Actually the CBC did fund this poll... makes you think.

Either way, I'm tired of trying to get involed in the affairs of Islam around the world. The solution is to stop letting them in here.

[mikedavid00]

I think people tend to forget that we went to Afghanistan for our own reasons. We went to rid the country of Al Queda and the regime which supported them. In order to do that on a long term basis we need to help it develop into a country which if not our friend, is at least not our enemy.

That's just it though.

You you can't 'rid' Islam. It's not possible.

The best we can do is stop letting them to our countries for our own safety.

[M.Dancer]

I think people tend to forget that we went to Afghanistan for our own reasons. We went to rid the country of Al Queda and the regime which supported them. In order to do that on a long term basis we need to help it develop into a country which if not our friend, is at least not our enemy.

To develop the country so that the Taleban have no resonance. What brought the Taleban to the forefront was the anachy and chaos that was Afghanistan post Soviet era. The nation was awash in private warlords/crime lords......to that end Canada is helping bring security to really what is one of the last hold outs of insurection.