General Discussion

kpete

(72,013 posts) Thu Apr 12, 2012, 11:40 AM Apr 2012

Young Afghan Girl & American Soldier-Hold Hands: "tranquility and peace, that is what we fight for"

Young Afghan girl holds hands with a female American Soldier

Of this image, Sergeant Tant explained on Reddit:

Clarification time, from the guy who took the pic....ME! 1. Not a staged photo. Just happened to catch it. 2. She was not wearing her helmet because we were attempting to display to the locals a level of trust. We were working the COIN piece here. 3. She was wearing the head scarf as a show of respect for their culture and beliefs. 4. Those of you who guessed 'admiration', you are center mass!! I spoke with the little girl after the shot, through a translator, and she said it was inspiring to see a woman do a mans job, which is not common in Afghanistan. 5. Soldier is wearing ACU's because this was shot in 2010, we weren't issued the new uniforms then. 6. A year-long running stream cut through this apricot orchard, though this area was destroyed four months later from a flood. We went back after that to help them rebuild. 7. Finally, this shot for me sums up the other side of the war CNN won't show. I mourn my lost comrades to this conflict, and honor their service and memory by showing the world, this moment of tranquility and peace, that is what we fight for.

http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/s582k/young_afghan_girl_holds_hands_with_a_female/
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/12/1082755/-Awe-Admiration-Image-of-an-Afghan-Girl-Holding-Hands-w-Female-American-Soldier-Goes-Viral

13 replies

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Highlight:

Young Afghan Girl & American Soldier-Hold Hands: "tranquility and peace, that is what we fight for" (Original Post) kpete Apr 2012 OP

This does speak. But the problem is that if there aren't enough such moments, the little girl AND patrice Apr 2012 #1

fighting will not bring tranquility and peace. only destruction. and more fighting. KG Apr 2012 #2

That is staged. snagglepuss Apr 2012 #3

You're kidding, this "not staged" photo justifies all the death and destruction? xtraxritical Apr 2012 #4

"Anyone that thinks it's honorable to enlist for this sham war is part of the problem DevonRex Apr 2012 #8

Why is the soldier wearing a headscarf? mactime Apr 2012 #5

Yes. Just like I had a beard when I was in Afghanistan. Muskypundit Apr 2012 #9

"She was wearing the head scarf as a show of respect for their culture". CJCRANE Apr 2012 #13

i hit you because i love you, baby. frylock Apr 2012 #6

CNN shows a side of war? obxhead Apr 2012 #7

Nice picture. Daniel537 Apr 2012 #10

Fighting for peace... ljm2002 Apr 2012 #11

Nice picture, but.... RT Atlanta Apr 2012 #12

patrice

(47,992 posts)

1. This does speak. But the problem is that if there aren't enough such moments, the little girl AND

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 11:50 AM

Apr 2012

our soldier will BOTH be used in ways that, were they more concretely physical, can ONLY be described as un-ending rape.

Inspiration is good; critical mass is better.

KG

(28,752 posts)

2. fighting will not bring tranquility and peace. only destruction. and more fighting.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 11:58 AM

Apr 2012

snagglepuss

(12,704 posts)

3. That is staged.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 12:25 PM

Apr 2012

xtraxritical

(3,576 posts)

4. You're kidding, this "not staged" photo justifies all the death and destruction?

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 12:31 PM

Apr 2012

When we leave the Taliban will reappear as they always have for the last 100 years (thousands really). So one photo makes up for pissing on Korans, berserk troops mowing down people in their homes and bombs killing thousands of civilians?

"I mourn my lost comrades to this conflict, and honor their service and memory by showing the world, this moment of tranquility and peace, that is what we fight for." A moment of "tranquility and peace" in a "not staged photo" is worth the lives and limbs of thousands of Americans? Not to mention the tremendous debt Bush laid of on future generations?

Anyone that thinks it's honorable to enlist for this sham war is part of the problem not the solution. Are shiny medals on your chest worth it?

DevonRex

(22,541 posts)

8. "Anyone that thinks it's honorable to enlist for this sham war is part of the problem

Reply to xtraxritical (Reply #4)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 01:31 PM

Apr 2012

not the solution. Are shiny medals on your chest worth it?"

mactime

(202 posts)

5. Why is the soldier wearing a headscarf?

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 12:42 PM

Apr 2012

Are female American soldiers forced to do this?

Muskypundit

(717 posts)

9. Yes. Just like I had a beard when I was in Afghanistan.

Reply to mactime (Reply #5)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 01:58 PM

Apr 2012

Anything to build trust.

CJCRANE

(18,184 posts)

13. "She was wearing the head scarf as a show of respect for their culture".

Reply to mactime (Reply #5)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 07:13 PM

Apr 2012

It's right there under the photo, point number 3.

frylock

(34,825 posts)

6. i hit you because i love you, baby.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 12:50 PM

Apr 2012

bombing brings peace and tranquility? hokay then.

obxhead

(8,434 posts)

7. CNN shows a side of war?

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 01:17 PM

Apr 2012

"7. Finally, this shot for me sums up the other side of the war CNN won't show."

I haven't seen shit about our wars on CNN for some time now. I find that to be a huge part of the problem with getting them ended.

whether this photo is staged or not it's fucking pointless. No amount of bombs and bullets are going to bring peace and tranquility. It will only create more hate, more anger, and a further divide.

GET OUT NOW!

Daniel537

(1,560 posts)

10. Nice picture.

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 02:05 PM

Apr 2012

Still doesn't do anything to change my opinion that we should have gotten the fuck out of there years ago.

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)

11. Fighting for peace...

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 03:21 PM

Apr 2012

...is like fucking for virginity.

To paraphrase an old 60's saying.

Sorry. It's a nice sentiment and all, but trying to use a "moment of tranquility and peace" to justify this failed war just don't cut it for me.

RT Atlanta

(2,517 posts)

12. Nice picture, but....

Reply to kpete (Original post)

Thu Apr 12, 2012, 03:28 PM

Apr 2012

it is time for the practically bankrupt U.S. of A. to pull out of Afghanistan, Iran and any/all other clandestine efforts throughout the ME.

Separately, it's always been sadly ironic to me that republicans seem to be "all in" for nationbuilding (you know: infrastructure, places for education, hospitals, etc.), but only after the existing country's systems/structures have been blown to bits by our military $. I'd like to see a Democratic candidate for national congress be willing to call out the Republicans (and President Obama) for this.

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