Your writing, and the way your mind works, are totally engaging to me. You took me back to my own piano lessons and the moment when my piano teacher forced me to choose between piano and sports. At 16, there was no question what I would choose. But I've had many moments as an adult when I wished I had chosen the piano. Basketball doesn't do much for me now.

I believe the irresponsibility and greed of the American elite is the principal cause of right-wing anger and the current divisions we cannot seem to escape. As in Afghanistan, Americans are going to have to find a way to unseat these people.

You are a man among men. I try to imagine whether I would have your courage if I were in the same situation. I hope you find an even greater platform for your words. They need to be heard, not just in Afghanistan but in this country.

Excellent article. Afghanistan has always been a mystery to me, largely because it is so much about male dominance, which I oppose everywhere. In my view, the people who suffer the most from this ignorance are the men, not the women. Neither Afghanistan nor America will heal and flourish until the feminine voice is honored and included. Keep writing because I now follow you.

A a family and relationship counselor, my nickname among some was "DR Death". I kind of liked it. I have one son who is athletic and was frequently described as a "genius" in his sport. I have another son who is regularly referred to as a "genius" after becoming the youngest person to attain chess master status. What is the value of all this to me? I can't get either one of them to take out the trash.

I enjoyed your article, and it certainly parallels my thoughts about the war But I've tried to stay open to other points of view. Accordingly, I've been reading Tim Rourke"s articles in Substack. As you probably know, he differs from (and insults) you and the others who express opinions similar to yours (and mine). My problem is this. Both articles are very well written, but neither one provides any way for us to check the assertions made in those articles. I want to believe you, but I share Rourke's mistrust of the press and the anonymous elite which seems to run everything ultimately. Where can I find support for your factual assertions? And what do you say to the Rourke camp which claims that you are lying to us?

We've all come to learn that the media, on both sides, has no integrity. But you need to start doing your historical homework. Neither Hitler nor Mussolini needed overwhelming force to take over.

Like you, I have no respect for the media. But your equating the liberal media with Fake News is ludicrous. Another example of the right projecting on others its own sins. The left has one station left, namely MSNBC. The right has doze ns. And the lies from those stations dwarf the "lies" from MSNBC. And by the way, the majority of Americans, though not as vociferous as your friends, still overwhelmingly support abortion, want guns regulated to some extent, etc. So just who is fake?