"A large part of the Pushtuns in Afghanistan have no representation in the government; most of the Taliban are young men of their group.
They are conservative, with an Islamic culture that dates back to biblical time. Treating them as if they were Al Queda is wrong."

IIRC Hamid Karzai is Pashtun from the Durrani tribe. The Ghilzai tribe and the Durrani tribe have been enemies for centuries. The Taleban have been given every opportunity to join the political process.

Obvious point I know but no Islamic Culture dates back to biblical times. Islamic religion kicked in around 640 AD hardly biblical. I was not aware that they are being treated like Al-Qaeda.

US-Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan troops if they find Taleban assisting Al-Qaeda will attack them, that is after all their mission and mandate from the UN.

NATO-ISAF troops were deployed to provide security for UNAMA's Provincial Reconstruction Teams and to train and mentor the Afghan Security Forces. When they deployed throughout Afghanistan in April 2006 they had no combat role. The Taleban in Helmand; Kandahar & Uruzgan Provinces declared war on NATO-ISAF troops not the other way about.