First... no, I don't have the answers and I don't pretend to have them. But I also am not delusional -- thinking things are different in Afghanistan and the Taliban than they are. I don't know about you, but I don't think looking the other way changes the reality of what is going on in Afghanistan.
As we begin to leave Afghanistan, are we fooling ourselves about what we are leaving behind or what we have promised the people of Afghanistan? Especially the women and girls?
Here is a fact: the Taliban is no different than it was 10 years ago. They are mean and are still aggressively hurting -- I would describe it as torturing -- women and young girls. That is the Taliban mission and they are carrying it out. (See below the blockquoted text and click on the link to read the entire article.)
I don't know that we can do something more and I know we all want to leave Afghanistan (at the right time, and in the right way) but we should at least not fool ourselves as to what has gone on and what is going on RIGHT NOW... and what we are leaving behind.
I was in Afghanistan with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a couple years ago and heard her promise a group of women that we, America, would not abandon them. Looking around the room, I could tell the Afghani women were relieved to hear that. In an AP story dated May 13, 2010, Secretary Clinton is quoted as saying "..and I make that same pledge to the women of Afghanistan We will not abandon you, we will stand with you always." I know the secretary really cares and I know she is not the president and I know she does not have a magic wand (and President Obama does not have a magic wand)... but I also know we are walking away from the women and young girls.
And let me repeat... I don't know or have the answers... I am merely troubled by this...
What do you think about this? (And read below):
(Reuters) -- More than 120 schoolgirls and three teachers have been poisoned in the second attack in as many months blamed on conservative radicals in the country's north, Afghan police and education officials said on Wednesday.
The attack occurred in Takhar province where police said that radicals opposed to education of women and girls had used an unidentified toxic powder to contaminate the air in classrooms. Scores of students were left unconscious.
CLICK HERE to read the entire article
Cross-posted from GretaWire.