Obama, Fitting In, and Afghanistan

Several posts ago I made the argument that President Obama is a centrist in part because of his desire (or need, if we want to be psychological) to fit in with every crowd.  Take this comment, and add to it the historical reality that Democrats do not want to seem weak on defense, and that probably explains most of the explanation for Obama sending more troops to a situation that may or may not benefit. 

I am sure Obama is convinced that the policy objectives are achievable, since he is smarter than I could ever dream to be, but I am also sure that, like the centrism on dealing with the economy (lots of money for states to plug budget gaps and private companies in the form of contracts, but nothing for the poor suckers who need it most), he is attracted by the ideas of those around him, and naturally moves toward them.  That includes military advisors.

Since he isn't giving General Petraeus the whole number requested, Obama is already being criticized for not giving the generals all they need.  As if the generals know what is best policy.  They don't, you know...nor do the critics, regardless of whether they have any experience in macro-level military policy.

I remember being four years old and in the waiting room to see a psychiatrist (long story, but suffice it to say that my mother was at her wits end in trying to deal with my rather active and manipulative behavior..high IQ/ADHD/Middle Child Syndrome, or some combination).  I saw General Westmorland on the cover of Time and asked my mother about him and Vietnam.  Even to this four year old, the plan did not make sense to me.  I have the same feeling here.

I have a former colleague in Afghanistan; he served as Finance Minister for several years.  The stories he has shared in his surprise visits back lead me to believe that, unlike Iraq, there is no civil, educations, or economic infrastructure in Afghanistan.  I do not see an increase of troops as promising development.

For the sake of my former students and the tens of thousands of people who are serving there, I hope I am wrong...