an epicurean cynic

so i'm a bit optimistic lately. perhaps it's just my own little personal echo chamber, but i'm starting to see a little more informed cynicism out there. it's pretty tough to win a war when you commute to the fight. it's even harder to win it when you don't even commute. there are probably more staff officers running the PowerPoint assembly line in country losing this war than NCOs and junior officers outside the wire trying to win it. first up in the 'makes me happy because it makes me sad' list, we've got the economist weighing in. here's the moneyshot:

What can America do about Afghanistan besides spend money on it? What possible American solution to Afghanistan's problems (as we perceive them, anyway) could involve not spending over four times the country's GDP? Who can we send to do agricultural extension work in Afghan villages besides American agricultural experts, at decent American salaries (80 times Afghan salaries) plus hazard pay? How can we ensure their safety, except by hiring American security companies on hundred-million-dollar contracts? When those security companies use Afghan subcontractors, how hard a bargain can we really expect them to drive to keep Afghan militia salaries down? How can we expect that the Afghans will refrain from doing the obvious, by concluding deals with the enemy to attack in order to increase demand for their services, then to hold off to demonstrate the value of those services? What did we expect would happen to Kabul, when we started sponsoring its government, but that it would turn into Saigon: Tokyo-level rents for villas with working internet but no working showers, New York-level prices for gym memberships for Western consultants, private militias more reliable than government troops, the RPGs going off within hearing distance of the central city?

First off, we could push almost all spending to battalions and below. Only the maneuver units that actually go outside and interact with the locals get to know them well enough to have a good idea where to put their money. Units this size wouldn't dream of starting some ridiculous grand project that just isn't feasible in a country where bringing together a skilled workforce, quality materials and efficient project management is a herculean task. A road is feasible, a hydroelectric powerplant and electrical grid is not. To save both money and manpower we could give them a budget and let them manage it and remove the ridiculous bureaucracy we've emplaced for managing money. Which reminds me.... overhead is killing us. If you can't afford to lose a staff officer for a few months to fill an open leadership billet, chances are you ARE losing.

Anyway, enough of that. All the projects in the world aren't going to win the war. The people of Afghanistan are tough, resourceful people, and they'll learn how to thrive if we would stop messing things up. The thing we need to focus on is killing and marginalizing al Qaeda and the Taliban. They have names. They have places they live, places they train. If it's over the border, then shut down the border. Do what needs to be done to pull the logistics tail out from Pakistan. Watch how fast Pakistan rights the ship when they realize they are accountable to their people for support, not foreign money and influence peddling. I know, I'm sound like Herschel Smith here, but if we pull this out it will be because the Marines show us the way. If only they could give up that silly floating tank.

But anyway, on to brighter things. I have a bit of a revelation in the past few years since all my dreams came tumbling back down to Earth. I've decided to live a more epicurean life. Who knew that it could be so good for you? I spent so much of the past 15 years with my head down, grinding out the miles, that I missed the view along the way. So I want to dedicate my free time to pleasure, to having fun. I have to say that this past year has been the best one of my life. I've made some many incredible friends and lived through epic adventures that most will never experience. I dislike my job, but I'm at peace with it. I enjoy the good people around me and I get to laugh at the idiots, too. I enjoy killing myself in the gym more than ever, and I'm pretty sure I've had more results in the past year than the past 10 combined. When I get back I've got a dozen hobbies I want to pick up and try not to suck at. And I have the coolest, most awesome dog ever. Shit, I may even get to fly again....

- transplants - i want it all -

p.s.: apparently i was so happy i started capitalizing again.