Stupidity Squared

This week has just been appalling in Afghanistan.  Given the furor last year about one Koran being burned in Florida, how can anyone let any be burned in Afghanistan?  Having said that and knowing full well that much of the protests and violence are organized quite deliberately, I just wish 50% of the mobilization that occurred and continues to occur could have been aimed at the Taliban when their forces attacked various religious institutions and personnel over the years.  Or using kids as suicide bombers. 

To be clear, even in times like these, the vast majority of people are not engaged in dissent, not engaged in riots, not engaged in violence against ISAF, etc.  But whether the goal is to win hearts and minds or simply to gain confidence, this week is in the loss column in a big way. 

2014 cannot arrive fast enough.