As posted earlier in Madhatters, http://madhatters.me.uk/2009/08/27/what-price-democracy/ the offensive to clear the 
Taliban out of Helmand province in the run up to recent Presidential election in Afghanistan resulted in -
37 dead, 150 injured UK personnel – and in the event only 150 votes were cast in the region
Before the election, Hamid Karzai was President. After the 1st round of voting resulted in wide spread vote rigging by Karzai’s supporters, his main rival for the presidency has withdrawn from the 2nd ‘run-off’ round – citing lack of confidence that 2nd round would be any fairer than the 1st.
Result – The demonstration of democracy in action has proved a shambles. Karzai is still President. His family continue to have their noses in the trough! And Brown, Obama, are left still supporting a corrupt Government that has little respect or support amongst Afghan people
I wonder if the friends and family of those 37 dead, 150 injured UK personnel are wondering, like me – what was the point of that Helmand offensive. Bugger all has been achieved. Nothing has changed. Except a few more families and friends have lost loved ones – what a bloody waste of life !!!
