Greetings Webtaculators. One of the more … interesting things I have seen out in the wild regarding our withdrawal from Afghanistan is the claim that our current government is “abandoning our troops.” I am completely stumped with this one. Yes – the loss of 13 Marines who were working to evacuate people during the suicide bombing attack at the Kabul Airport was tragic. However, putting that blame squarely on Biden’s shoulders is wrong. The additional claim that our troops are being abandoned in an EFFORT TO REMOVE THEM ENTIRELY FROM BEING IN THIS SITUATION IN THE FIRST PLACE is maddeningly absurd. Here’s my personal list of people / groups to blame for the U.S. failure in Afghanistan:

1. ISIS for being uncompromising religious fanatics who committed the horrendous act of terrorism against Afghan citizens trying to leave the country and the soldiers helping them
2. The Taliban for being slightly less uncompromising religious fanatics
3. Bush / Cheney / Rumsfeld (RIH) and co. for misleading the U.S. public about the war, and diverting focus from ensuring victory in Afghanistan and switching our focus needlessly to Iraq to settle personal vendettas and enrich themselves
4. The Military Industrial Complex companies for misleading the U.S. public about the war and profiteering off of murder
5. President Trump for unconditionally surrendering to the Taliban without participation from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
6. The 2001 U.S. Congress minus Barbara Lee for not doing its due diligence and giving the executive branch a blank check to use its war powers without a proper declaration of war
7. The U.S. Congress for the last 20 years for continuing to rubber stamp the same war
8. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for being routed by the Taliban
9. The United States Military for failing its mission to adequately train the Republic of Afghanistan army over 20 years and 2 trillion dollars spent
10. Biden and the U.S. Public at large for failing to understand the cost of what leaving Afghanistan would actually entail

At the end of the day, Afghanistan is its own country. If those of us who say things like “Don’t Tread On Me” and demand personal freedom at the cost of everything else, that also means that they should be the first in line to demand that we let Afghanistan determine its own destiny without our interference, and let the chips fall where they may. There were thousands of different things America could have done to actually develop democracy, protect women, and encourage a shift away from theocracy, but considering American can barely do that for itself, we are no place to be telling a foreign country how it should run itself.

On to the news.

STORY OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: 16 Years Later To The Day
Why: Because Hurricane Ida made landfall today, a decade and a half after Katrina. So far, the entire city is without power for the foreseeable future. Hopefully the levees hold.

ECONOMIC THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. read)
What: Kill The Jobs
Why: Because all you have to do is look at how retirees spend their time to understand what a post-work world would look like. Work, projects, and tasks are still completed without forcing people to do them. It’s almost like humans enjoy being helpful when they can be.

LAW THING OF THE WEEK (4 min. read)
What: The Court Hates Poor People
Why: Because Conservative members of the court decided that the pandemic isn’t a good enough reason to not allow landlord to throw people out of their houses.

TECH THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. read)
What: Stay Naked On OnlyFans 
Why: Because one of the largest sites for sex workers recently reversed its decision to ban sexual content on its app, even though that’s essentially the only thing that people use it for.

SPORTS THING OF THE WEEK (5 min. read)
What: Shuffle The Deck
Why: Because both Ronaldo and Messi, two of the best soccer players ever, are at new clubs. 

MOVIE THING OF THE WEEK (4 min. read)
What: Keep The Streak Going
Why: Because Marvel movies seem to keep creating fun and entertaining experiences.

MUSIC THING OF THE WEEK (3 min. read)
What: These Violent Delights Have Sick Beats
Why: Because CHVRCHES new album Screen Violence is one of my contenders for album of the year. In a world of mass produced pop, it is amazing to see a band do everything on their own and absolutely kill it. Also, check out Big Red Machine, and continue to support the year of Aaron Dessner and friends.

PHOTOGRAPHY THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. look)
What: Watching The World Fall Apart Again
Why: Because even though it feels like we are constantly reminded about the fragility of everything we have built up, it is important to keep looking. Our problems are not going away. We must face them.

LITERATURE THING OF THE WEEK (4 min. read)
What: Gateway To Becoming A Book Lover
Why: Because picture books are awesome.

VIDEO GAME THING OF THE WEEK (6 min. read)
What: Once More, With Empathy
Why: Because they just don’t make games like Psychonauts 2 anymore. I am so glad that Tim Schafer’s Double Fine absolutely nailed the sequel.

INTERNET THINGS OF THE WEEK (∞)
What: How To Win The Internet; How To Lose The Internet; Three Two One Let’s Jam
Why: Because Internet.

THING YOU SHOULD GET BRIAN OF THE WEEK
What: Just Another Reminder To Vote No On California’s Recall
Why: Because Brian deserves it.

Webtacularly yours,
Brian
Managing Editor, Webtacular World
The Internet You Didn’t Know You Needed™