I just got done writing a paper for english (longest paper Ive written so far...5 pages...
Was wondering if yall could look it over and tell me if it sounds alright. Its persuasive (or supposed to be) most of it is background though and it might be pretty long. I know I tend to start arguments on these topics but this isnt trying to prove a point or anything. Purely for school.
War on Terror in Afghanistan
In 2008, president Obama campaigned on the promise that the troops in Afghanistan would begin leaving by 2011. On November 14, 2010, he changed that date to 2014. By the continued presence of troops in Afghanistan, they are protecting the citizens there while reducing terrorist attacks in the western world.
Following the September 11 attacks and assassination of the Northern Alliance Defense Minister in Afghanistan, the U.S. government and its anti-terror coalition requested bin Laden to be handed over for trial. The Taliban refused to expel him and his terror organization AlQaeda. The Taliban also refused to cut ties with other international terror organizations. Following these refusals, the anti- terror coalition began a campaign to remove the Taliban from power and capture or kill bin Laden on October 7, 2001 (Afghanistan).
The United States military began bombing targets throughout Afghanistan. The targets included terrorist training camps and other facilities. They also targeted Taliban military and political assets throughout their territory (Afghanistan).
Operation Anaconda was initiated on March 1, 2002. It was the first major battle to involve a large number of conventional forces such as the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain divisions of the US Army. It was comprised of a Taskforce Hammer and Taskforce Anvil. Taskforce Hammer was made up of army special forces and Afghan fighters from the Afghan National Army. Taskforce Anvil was made of soldiers from the 101st airborne and 10th mountain divisions. Taskforce Hammer was deployed on the 1st and pushed the Taliban and AlQaeda forces into a valley in which the Taskforce Anvil was deployed on the 2nd and the two forces closed in on and eliminated the combatants (Afghanistan).
On November 3, 2004, Afghanistan elected its first president. He was named Hamid Karzari. A total of 8 million people voted in the election and almost half were women. He was elected for a 5-year term and was re-elected in 2009 for another 5-year term (state.gov).
Another election was conducted on September 18, 2005. This election was for the lower portion of the National Assembly. It was the first time in nearly 30 years for a parliamentary election in Afghanistan (Afghanistan).
The Taliban was formed during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. They received support from Pakistan and in 1994, captured Kandahar from local warlords. By 1998, they controlled 90% of the country. They imposed an extreme form of Islam on the country throughout the 1990s. The citizens of Afghanistan had no civil rights and the women had it especially tough. The Taliban prevented women from working outside the home or receiving an education. Women were also forced to have a male chaperone if they left the home. Minorities also had a difficult life in Afghanistan, particularly the Shi’a Hazara group (Afghanistan).
The Taliban Also destroyed relics throughout Afghanistan. Most relics were from pre-Islam times including two large Buddha statues and items inside the Kabul Museum (Afghanistan).
The Taliban has allowed terrorist organizations from around the world to operate and train on its territory in Afghanistan. The Taliban also provided refuge to Osama bin Laden and his terror organization AlQaida. Osama bin Laden was wanted well before the September 11 attacks for his involvement in terrorist bombings against U.S. embassies in Africa. Directly following September 11, 2001, bin Laden denied any involvement in the attacks but praised those who were. In 2004 he released a video that abandoned his earlier denials and clamed full responsibility. This admittance confirmed earlier US intelligence theories about his involvement.
Finding Osama bin Laden proved to be very difficult. According to CIA director Michael Hayden, “One has to understand the circumstances and the vastness of the area in which we believe he was and is – the nature of that area. This looks simple in the abstract. It becomes hideously complex in the particular”(Herridge). You have to consider the terrain he is located in is very mountainous, spans two countries and numerous territories, and is very hostile. Finding anyone in that environment is difficult; let alone someone who does not want to be found.
As with every war, the youth is put in danger of death or injury every day. The fighting in Afghanistan is harsh. Even when not in combat, the terrain remains deadly. High altitudes, high and low temperatures, and unforgiving mountains make life very difficult for the men and women on the ground. When the troops come home, they face even more dangers. They face amputations, depression and often resort to suicide or alcoholism(Christian). They also face hatred from the citizens they were fighting to protect. How is someone supposed to step up and fight for his or her country when the citizens at home hold signs praising the deaths of American soldiers (Smith)?
For some the war in Afghanistan is not a war we should fight. “Why are we there? Why do we lose loved ones for this cause?” they ask. Some consider the fighting to be hopeless and not our job. There is no evidence proving use of a large force will reduce the threat posed by terrorism. “After fighting for nine years, what have we accomplished?” Continued fighting in Islamic countries exacerbates hatred against western countries. Not only are we fighting someone else’s war, we are neglecting our own problems at home. One in ten US citizens are without a job. The debt is rising to an all time high and the drug trade is increasing yet we continue putting soldiers in the line of fire. With the troop surge president Obama planned, it would increase every taxpayers payment by $195. That equals out to 30 billion dollars for the troops surge and it is expected to double or even triple the estimate.
If this is not a worthy cause to fight then what is? The fighting in Afghanistan is rooting out a oppressive regime, giving the citizens the ability to rule themselves, while weakening AlQaidas ability to conduct terrorist attacks. Above all support the troops. Do not let this war turn into another Vietnam by disrespecting the soldiers coming home. They are fighting this war because it is their job. They are fighting over there so the people at home do not have to. They are giving up everything they have at home to keep you safe so I ask you to do this; Go out and find a soldier and give them a hug, a pat on the back or just a firm handshake, and say thank-you.
Was wondering if yall could look it over and tell me if it sounds alright. Its persuasive (or supposed to be) most of it is background though and it might be pretty long. I know I tend to start arguments on these topics but this isnt trying to prove a point or anything. Purely for school.
War on Terror in Afghanistan
In 2008, president Obama campaigned on the promise that the troops in Afghanistan would begin leaving by 2011. On November 14, 2010, he changed that date to 2014. By the continued presence of troops in Afghanistan, they are protecting the citizens there while reducing terrorist attacks in the western world.
Following the September 11 attacks and assassination of the Northern Alliance Defense Minister in Afghanistan, the U.S. government and its anti-terror coalition requested bin Laden to be handed over for trial. The Taliban refused to expel him and his terror organization AlQaeda. The Taliban also refused to cut ties with other international terror organizations. Following these refusals, the anti- terror coalition began a campaign to remove the Taliban from power and capture or kill bin Laden on October 7, 2001 (Afghanistan).
The United States military began bombing targets throughout Afghanistan. The targets included terrorist training camps and other facilities. They also targeted Taliban military and political assets throughout their territory (Afghanistan).
Operation Anaconda was initiated on March 1, 2002. It was the first major battle to involve a large number of conventional forces such as the 101st Airborne and 10th Mountain divisions of the US Army. It was comprised of a Taskforce Hammer and Taskforce Anvil. Taskforce Hammer was made up of army special forces and Afghan fighters from the Afghan National Army. Taskforce Anvil was made of soldiers from the 101st airborne and 10th mountain divisions. Taskforce Hammer was deployed on the 1st and pushed the Taliban and AlQaeda forces into a valley in which the Taskforce Anvil was deployed on the 2nd and the two forces closed in on and eliminated the combatants (Afghanistan).
On November 3, 2004, Afghanistan elected its first president. He was named Hamid Karzari. A total of 8 million people voted in the election and almost half were women. He was elected for a 5-year term and was re-elected in 2009 for another 5-year term (state.gov).
Another election was conducted on September 18, 2005. This election was for the lower portion of the National Assembly. It was the first time in nearly 30 years for a parliamentary election in Afghanistan (Afghanistan).
The Taliban was formed during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. They received support from Pakistan and in 1994, captured Kandahar from local warlords. By 1998, they controlled 90% of the country. They imposed an extreme form of Islam on the country throughout the 1990s. The citizens of Afghanistan had no civil rights and the women had it especially tough. The Taliban prevented women from working outside the home or receiving an education. Women were also forced to have a male chaperone if they left the home. Minorities also had a difficult life in Afghanistan, particularly the Shi’a Hazara group (Afghanistan).
The Taliban Also destroyed relics throughout Afghanistan. Most relics were from pre-Islam times including two large Buddha statues and items inside the Kabul Museum (Afghanistan).
The Taliban has allowed terrorist organizations from around the world to operate and train on its territory in Afghanistan. The Taliban also provided refuge to Osama bin Laden and his terror organization AlQaida. Osama bin Laden was wanted well before the September 11 attacks for his involvement in terrorist bombings against U.S. embassies in Africa. Directly following September 11, 2001, bin Laden denied any involvement in the attacks but praised those who were. In 2004 he released a video that abandoned his earlier denials and clamed full responsibility. This admittance confirmed earlier US intelligence theories about his involvement.
Finding Osama bin Laden proved to be very difficult. According to CIA director Michael Hayden, “One has to understand the circumstances and the vastness of the area in which we believe he was and is – the nature of that area. This looks simple in the abstract. It becomes hideously complex in the particular”(Herridge). You have to consider the terrain he is located in is very mountainous, spans two countries and numerous territories, and is very hostile. Finding anyone in that environment is difficult; let alone someone who does not want to be found.
As with every war, the youth is put in danger of death or injury every day. The fighting in Afghanistan is harsh. Even when not in combat, the terrain remains deadly. High altitudes, high and low temperatures, and unforgiving mountains make life very difficult for the men and women on the ground. When the troops come home, they face even more dangers. They face amputations, depression and often resort to suicide or alcoholism(Christian). They also face hatred from the citizens they were fighting to protect. How is someone supposed to step up and fight for his or her country when the citizens at home hold signs praising the deaths of American soldiers (Smith)?
For some the war in Afghanistan is not a war we should fight. “Why are we there? Why do we lose loved ones for this cause?” they ask. Some consider the fighting to be hopeless and not our job. There is no evidence proving use of a large force will reduce the threat posed by terrorism. “After fighting for nine years, what have we accomplished?” Continued fighting in Islamic countries exacerbates hatred against western countries. Not only are we fighting someone else’s war, we are neglecting our own problems at home. One in ten US citizens are without a job. The debt is rising to an all time high and the drug trade is increasing yet we continue putting soldiers in the line of fire. With the troop surge president Obama planned, it would increase every taxpayers payment by $195. That equals out to 30 billion dollars for the troops surge and it is expected to double or even triple the estimate.
If this is not a worthy cause to fight then what is? The fighting in Afghanistan is rooting out a oppressive regime, giving the citizens the ability to rule themselves, while weakening AlQaidas ability to conduct terrorist attacks. Above all support the troops. Do not let this war turn into another Vietnam by disrespecting the soldiers coming home. They are fighting this war because it is their job. They are fighting over there so the people at home do not have to. They are giving up everything they have at home to keep you safe so I ask you to do this; Go out and find a soldier and give them a hug, a pat on the back or just a firm handshake, and say thank-you.
