Running an empire is, to quote George W. Bush in a different context, “hard work.” Just take this example from Afghanistan:

KABUL: India’s growing influence in Afghanistan could “exacerbate” regional tensions and encourage Pakistani “countermeasures” in Afghanistan or India, a top US military commander says.

At the same time, General Stanley McChrystal, commander of the US and coalition forces in Afghanistan, has in his report to the Pentagon noted that “Indian activities largely benefit the Afghan people”.

“Indian political and economic influence is increasing in Afghanistan, including significant development efforts and financial investment. In addition, the current Afghan government is perceived by Islamabad to be pro-Indian,” the general said.

“While Indian activities largely benefit the Afghan people, increasing Indian influence in Afghanistan is likely to exacerbate regional tensions and encourage Pakistani countermeasures in Afghanistan or India,” added McChrystal.

Uh, let me get this straight. Our involvement in Afghanistan is strengthening Indian influence in Afghanistan, which then pisses off Pakistan, who then aids the Taliban, who then fight us. This necessitates greater US involvement, which then strengthens India, which then pisses off Pakistan, who then aids the Taliban, who then fight us. This necessitates greater US involvement, which then strengthens India, which then pisses off Pakistan, who then …

I think I see the light: We need more troops!

All of this gets filtered through our dumb media and into our dumb brains as “fighting evil” or “fighting terror.”

Oh, by the way, we just can’t have health insurance. No money, you see. Grow up and stop being so unrealistic.