where in the world is sunshine, and what the heck is she doing??

I am loved by many. I am a Sister, a daughter, a niece, an aunt, and a friend.
I am also a believer.
Though you have done your best to illustrate your support of my being deployed to the "middle of nowhere, afghanistan" i am not certain that any of you actually understand what my team is doing.
I am going to attempt to help you to thoroughly assimilate my teams mission, along with our cause.

For the last two and a half years, I have studied the history of the insurgency and (former) Taliban Government in Afghanistan and i have appraised the modern shadow governance established to undermine the emerging government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In my studies, I have found myself looking more at the concept and history of "world mafias"; more so than political sciences. A commonly held ideology among the insurgency, and some members of Afghan government, is that, he that carries the bigger stick is the one who commands the most respect. This idea accompanies the age old "if you rule by fear and brutality people will respect you and eventually love you", which is very much similar to the controversial studies of Harry Fredrick Harlow at Goon Park to understand the social dynamics driving this idea.

Looking beyond this illusion from the present perspective of the man on the street; in the game of day to day survival you use what tool leads to the desired outcome with the least amount of resistance. To put it simply; the people don’t love the government; nor do they love the Taliban or the shadow government. For example; in some places the Taliban provide swift and brutal justice if a crime is committed. Where the government judicial systems often take long periods of time to find a resolution and are too often prone to extortion and bribery. On the other hand, government budgets and community developments provide infrastructure where Taliban ideals work strongly against it.

Contrary to common belief Afghanistan also has a wealth of resources that could easily support a strong and stable economy; if the infrastructure existed within Afghanistan to capitalize on it. One need only consider the impact that would have on surrounding southwestern Asian countries that “may or may not” be making significant amounts of money exploiting those resources; using the Afghan people as ‘cheap labor’; if you will. It is no wonder that certain insurgent groups target contractors supporting the development of infrastructure and political officials moving toward national solidarity.

Though the citizens of afghanistan command great wisdom that should never be underestimated; the lack of education and literacy that is prevalent in so many parts of the country has generated a playground for insurgents and warlords. They hemorrhage educated people to other countries with security and strong economies leaving some vital positions of government to be filled by those lacking sufficient qualifications and the ability to research better practices of ethical governance.

The average person is more likely to gravitate toward insurgent cells that would provide something practical and palpable as opposed to the promise of a supportive government or future jobs. Some insurgent groups will offer paid positions, support and influence narcotic addictions or even offer a free motorcycle, an AK-47 and the freedom to steal shipments of goods moving into population centers controlled by the government.

Though the exact statistics will not be tallied any time soon; I would venture to guess that more than 70% of the Afghan people supporting the insurgency have a loyalty based strictly on a monetary need; 10% are actually fighting what they believe is a holy war; and 20% do it for fame, power, status, freedom of movement, or some other form of utility.

Before we recognize the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, let’s examine some misguided perceptions people have had in our approach to counter insurgency in Afghanistan.
First, the coalition forces, the Taliban, the mafias, the warlords, the insurgents or the drug lords will not win the fight for Afghanistan’s sovereignty; it will be the people of Afghanistan who will accomplish this. The clumsy footsteps of our troops go crushing blossoms on the very ground we step… The people of Afghanistan know who belongs in their villages and who doesn’t. It is they, who see only increased brutality of the insurgency.
That's my team's mission.
We call ourselves the "Provincial Reconstruction Team" (Which for those of you who care to send me snail mail is what PRT stands for) and we are here to not only assist, but to lead the future of afghanistan to have a voice, and a choice. It is time for them to choose between the brutality of the Taliban and a divided kingdom, or the hope of a country of their own where they can have a voice.
During the Afghan Presidential Election the Taliban created ruthless threats to cut off the fingers of anyone who was found with ink on their finger. In some villages they threatened to go into homes and shatter the legs of anyone that was seen going to polling sites. During the Elections, only two rockets were fired at our base while innocent Muslim people and the police protecting them; who chose to have a voice in their government, filled the Ghazni hospitals and our post clinic. More than half of the people actually driven and flown to our fob for medical care sustained life threatening injuries, and were not allowed into the gate because either they had only moments left before they were expired, or had expired on the way to us. A quarter of the citizens actually brought inside of our medical clinic,(and the common areas that we had to sqeeze into our common areas left as amputees. I will never forget having to shove my hand inside of the legs of those that i assisted in amputating, and learning what constituted as "this guys leg needs to come off" being the only alternative to saving the rest of them.

There are many young men who have never left their village. The Hezaran Tribes have noticeably different facial features than the Pashtuns who comprise most of the Taliban. In some areas if the Taliban set up a checkpoint and discover anyone who is Hezaran or Tajik; a tribe from the north; they are removed from the vehicle, beaten and killed. Some of the lucky ones can pay a ransom, that is generally the equivalent of $10,000.00 for their life.
A 10,000.00 that no afghan would have.
A Tajik Afghan Army Officer, traveling with one of our interpreters, was stopped at a Taliban Checkpoint. A cell phone was discovered on our interpreter that had American names in the call log. As they were removing him from the vehicle the Officer told them to stop and that the phone was his. As this ANA officer stepped out of the vehicle he turned to his friends and said, “When you get to Kabul, call my commander. Tell him to call my wife and father and tell them that I won’t be coming home…”. He was then taken to the side of the road where a full AK-47 magazine was emptied into his chest. His body was left as an example to anyone who believed in a government of Afghanistan.

Though the insurgents may host empty claims that we are the cause of this inhumanity. The people have eyes, and it is evidently clear who they truly fear when they walk down the street.The children who chase our vechiles on foot, and on bycicles, waving and cheering.
Afghans are not cowards. They have a proud history of standing up against those that compromise their safety. It is only a matter of time.

Serving on the short HRP (high risk personnel) team, (protecting the commanding officer and other dignitaries) i have had the opportunity to sit down to tea with the president of Afghanistan; and while my job is to keep my eyes glued to the commander, and watch his surroundings,not speaking a word, I have listened as my commander has shared his knowledge with Provincial and District leaders. He has exhausted every shred of his understanding of small business and marketing to help build district economies and provide jobs for young men who have no other means.

Money has no value without virtue. In struggling countries, money has never been the problem or issue. These countries are deprived of men and women with virtue and ethics that can’t be bought. They haven’t known a better way; that they are stronger united than divided.

The citizens of Afghanistan demand a government that supports them. They *want* peace. They *want* security.They *want* industry. The citizens of afghanistan have absolutley no desire to be caught in the crossfire; and they don’t want to be marginalized

The first thing the people need to see is significant political and economic progress in secure, pro government, parts of Afghanistan
However, the military is not the best means of building those areas because we are only built to secure and stabilize the violent areas. NGO’s (Non-Government Organizations) have a tendency to be a long and drawn out pacifier when they fill a need as opposed to supplementing a plan that leads to self sufficiency. This falls on ethical profesionals who can mentor themselves out of a job or develop industrial and economic symbiotic relationships.

When the Afghan people ‘see’ that they are stronger without the Anti-Afghan and Foreign Fighters in their villages we must find a means to allow the People of Afghanistan to remove them. They only need the vision to make the choice. It is their country and their struggle. Whether they like it or not, it is their war. When they are ready to decide we will be here to support them.

That is all. I’d love your opinions on this…