It is not I who got misdirected at you on a personal level - but you who directed the target to yourself - terming yourself self righteous and a Patriot.
Now let me ask you are those people living in the Taliban badlands as you call them - any less patriots than you and the others in the rest of Pakistan?
And who is a rightful owner of the FATA?
Wasn't FATA governed under their own set of governance that was certainly different from the rest of the country since times immemorial?
Look this issue is much larger to be dealt here so simplistically in just few words. One of the clues you should be looking for is, why did the Taliban pick up this animosity against you? who fired the first shot? Who is to blame for starting it all?
For solutions and what is the right course of action now after this decade of another round of violence - again I tell you look into yourselves and look at it in clearer light instead of the bias that you usually do and the answers you seek you will find within yourselves.
Much better than me giving you the answers that you shall of course reject outright.
Here lies the weakness in such an argument...
FATA is part of Pakistan regardless of whatever arrangement is there...that is the undeniable truth...If any part is infested with anti Pakistan enemies then Pakistan has to act in defense...
Pakistan is a state...not FATA, Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan or NWFP...the state has to fight its enemies whether they are external or internal...in this it is the prerogative of the State to take necessary action as per assessment...
On one hand the people of FATA have been given freedom from usual Pakistan system but on the other hand the same lack of conventional State presence has lead to a disaster in post Afghan Jihad scenario when so many fighters from all over the world stayed back and had no role in society...this led to a new power in the region which was not answerable to the tribal leaders...in this manner the state and tribes both had little control over many areas where the Mujahideen had settled...most of the Mujahideen even now are fighting against NATO and US forces and have no issues with Pakistan...
TTP is another dimension altogether, they are not freedom fighters by any definition, they have cleverly manipulated the chaotic situation and the on ground sympathy with actual Mujahideen to grab hold...they initially claimed themselves as Mujahideen but were quick to Kill Pakistanis and have had no real role in their claimed fight against US ...their actions in Swat exposed them further and led to at least one major counter attack from the State which is responsible for the safety of its people...
No doubt the weak governance has played its part in creating the power vacuum since TTP has cleverly eliminated many opponent Tribal Jirga members and elders...leaving the locals confused and hesitant to act....
Some Mehsud sub clans are openly supporting TTP so of course such clans shall also have to be faced as enemies not because they disagree with anything...because they are sanctioning the killing of innocents in all parts of Pakistan...
However those who are not supporting TTP overtly are not the targets...this has been reiterated by all the State apparatus...Swat is a clear example of how State made best efforts to minimize collateral damage...
The model of political agents working with the tribal elders has not yielded any positive results, the development here has been dismal due to lack of coherence and individualistic culture...so the token freedom has also hampered any growth and development here...
I want this model to be changed...yes indeed...however with current state of affairs even this step or any other peaceful step first requires the defeat of TTP which is challenging the state openly and publicly killing all opponents...
Just for the record, the majority of locals are supportive of Taliban fighting in Afghanistan whom they perceive as freedom fighters against foreign occupation, they are certainly not in love with the terrorist TTP...and if any Pakistani supports TTP then he should be dealt with as an enemy of Pakistan.
Supporting Pakistan Army against the terrorists is not reflective of any self righteous attitude...It stems only from the trust which a patriot should have in their own Army when it is acting against the anti state terrorists...
If we do not clean this mess up and still rely on others, then indeed we shall lose FATA forever and forfeit our right to call it part of Pakistan...
We acted in Swat and despite the same hue and cry, the overwhelming majority of Swatis are satisfied with what Army did...it was difficult in Swat and much more so in Waziristan but not impossible and we have little else in the way of any real alternative...Swat at least has proven those wrong who thought Swat would be destroyed and Swatis would rebel against Pakistan..their spirit has only become stronger after Army support...
The state has a right to punish the miscreants which try to undermine its authority...it is the right of the state by virtue of any religion, creed, code or constitution.
Whatever well thought decision the state apparatus takes in this regards, has to be supported...clearly the Army has always given statements that evidence proves South Waziristan as a major source of attacks and planning across the country...
Our choices therefore are very limited...