Why escalate the war in Afghanistan?

"The context within which people live their lives shapes everything-from their political outlook to their religious one. The reason there are so many frustrated and angry people in the Arab-Muslim world, lashing out first at their own governments and secondarily at us- and volunteering for martyrdom-is because of the context withing which they live their lives."
-Thomas Friedman

Last night our President made the case for escalating the troop level in Afghanistan in the hopes of creating long-term stability in the region. I am against the escalation in Afghanistan because I have yet to hear a convincing argument as to why we would now be successful after occupying parts of this country for seven years. We all want our troops to be safe and for American values to be exported to this country. One of the supposed advantages of Gulf War II was the ability to create a modern, democratic society in Iraq. The U.S. was going to help the Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds live together in a peaceful society under a constitution that they created. It was, and is, a noble goal. However, I do not want one American dying so the Sunnis and Shiites and Kurds can all live together in peace to praise Allah and launch fatwas on Israel. A wise man once said that "you cannot impose democracy with the barrel of a gun." Think about that statement, you cannot force a tribal Muslim society (such as the Afghans) to adopt American values of tolerance, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and freedom of speech. All change must be organic and it must come from within. (such as the velvet revolution in Prague) I would challenge anyone to show me an example of one country that adopted another countries social mores and values by force. Is this just one more example of the famed "white man's burden?" The "white man's burden" was the Christian belief that God has called upon the white race to penetrate Africa, South America and Asia to bring these heathens to the Lord. It seems to me that we are now engaging in the same faulty thinking. It seems as if our collective mindset is, "gee, they would be so much happier if they were just like us!" I do not see how having more troops is going to change the mind of any potential terrorist. This mindset is drilled in at birth and is constantly reinforced in the religious and cultural mindset. Sending more troops in after seven years will not change the thinking of a single Afghan. Unfortunately, all that will change is the death toll of American troops and the long-term effects of P.T.S.D. If you do support the surge, I would respectfully ask you to comment on my blog and tell me why you think it will work.