Here are the facts: the War in Afghanistan is the longest lasting war in United States history. It began in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Afghanistan was a known safe haven for al-Qaeda, and they had to be dealt with to ensure our safety. The cost of the war to America thus far has been 1,994 soldiers lives and hundreds of  billions of dollars.

I find it necessary to start with these basic facts. Before I wrote this, I interviewed 30 WKU students, three of whom are Iraq veterans, about why they think we’re there at war. I received many different responses, only four of which were in the realm of knowing the Taliban harbored terrorists.

And it’s perfectly understandable when the war started, most of us were still in elementary school. Yes, we were sad when the events of 9/11 occurred, but we were too young to fully understand what a devastating loss of human life it was, and too naive to realize the depravity of the human condition. Life went on. Later when President George W. Bush would declare war, all we were mad about was the president being on TV when we were trying to watch cartoons. 

By the time we were old enough to analyze such factors, 9/11 was mythologized as, “where were you?” and not much more. The only people in America forced to live with the present reality of the war on terrorism are military family and friends. Sure, we hear stories and stats in the media, but that is in some far away place, we would never have to worry about that here. That’s the point.

The war has cost us an egregious amount of human life and tax dollars. Things are still a mess over there with the very corrupt Kajaria government.

There is no real vision from our current leaders about how we are to move forward with the war effort. 

At the end of the day, however, Americans are safer from us having been there. What you must decide is if it’s worth it to you.