The New York Times has emphasized that Pakistan is perusing peace talks to end the war. Somehow if left out that Mullah Omar has been for a long time urging an end to the attacks on Pakistanis, urging the rebels and al Qaeda to only attack the Americans, therefore Pakistan has been dragging its feet when it comes to going after him like the US wants,
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/world/asia/10pstan.html

There has been a lot of negotiation efforts around the world to end the war in Afghanistan. Somehow the peace movement hasn’t paid much attention. Gareth Porter in Common Dreams enthusiastically reported Afghan President Karzai defining the US by seeking unconditional talks with the Taliban, neglecting to mention Karzai having done so several times before. Nevertheless any information on negotiation attempts is so scattered that googeling Gareth Porter is the best way to know what is going on,
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/02/02-8

The retired Taliban officials who were taken of the terrorist list after a UN peace conference in Prague urged all of the Taliban to be taken off the list are, as of late, tying to mediate a step down approach such as no destroying of roads or killing of doctors, in return for no night raids,
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2010/02/05/4443
For links on the peace conference and Karzai trying to get Saudi Arabia involved see the links at these sites,
http://www.phillyimc.org/en/finally-peace-may-be-hand
http://www.phillyimc.org/en/cyber-repression-cyber-prison-can-threaten-ordinary-folk#comment-34604

Since the US peace movement hadn’t cheered the Feb 2009 cease-fire in the Swat Valley instead joined hawks in condemning that modified Shria Law was established there, it makes it difficult for the Obama administration to go along with any cease-fire that has harsh conditions involved. However if the US just left in a hurry the conditions for any Afghan seen as too close to the Americans would be even harsher. The Taliban and other normal Muslims who end up in a fight with Americans see hiring al Qeada suicide-bombers as a disgusting necessity, since normal people don’t commit suicide on command and will want al Qaeda to keep their distance as soon as they no longer need them. However, they may or not be able to stop al Qaeda from conducting internet broadcasted trials and punishments, of anyone who got close to the Americans.

Al Qaeda is confident that the US is heading straight toward bankruptcy and a US-currency-less world. Maybe the reason they have delayed a huge attack on the US is that it might result in the US fighting cheaply, instead of spending ever increasing sums to keep each soldier as safe as possible.

During Vietnam there were teach-ins so people could understand what is going on.

One possible scenario would be a repeat of history where the next Republican President candidate will like Nixon claim to have a secret plan to end the war. Nixon expanded the war to Cambodia and Laos, the next Republican President into Iran and beyond. But next time it ending as desperate Americans try to barter to stay alive since the dollars will be worthless.

However if we get excited about each peace scare, instead of not paying attention, the future will be much better than this. Let’s at least spread the word around the internet of a need for new teach-ins. There is an even change we won’t end up with a goon like Cheney in the White House, and no matter what else the odds keep improving the more we educate ourselves.

I am troubled that sometimes people who want to end the war end up making it harder not easier for the President to do what is right, Teach-ins unlike some other suggestions can only help.

http://RICHARDKANEpa.blogspot.com