WP: Spate of Violent Crime Spurs Nostalgia for Taliban

Child Kidnappings Crystallize Afghans' Discontent With Ex-Warlords in Power

Friday, March 18, 2005; Page A01

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- "We are savage, cruel people," the kidnappers warned in a note sent to Abdul Qader, demanding $15,000 to spare the life of his son Mohammed, 11. The construction contractor quickly borrowed the money and left it at the agreed spot. But the next morning, a shopkeeper found the boy's bruised corpse lying in a muddy street.

A wave of crime in this southern Afghan city -- including Mohammed's killing two months ago and a bombing Thursday that killed at least five people -- has evoked a growing local nostalgia for the Taliban era of 1996 to 2001, when the extremist Islamic militia imposed law and order by draconian means.

Residents reached their boiling point last week, after a second kidnapped boy was killed. Hundreds of men poured into the streets, demanding that President Hamid Karzai fire the provincial governor and police chief. Some threw rocks at military vehicles and chanted, "Down with the warlords!" Witnesses recalled some adding, "Bring back the Taliban!"

Both provincial officials are former militia leaders -- commonly called warlords in Afghanistan -- whose fighters reportedly preyed on residents before they were driven out by the Taliban. They regained power, like a number of other current officials, by joining the U.S.-led military forces that defeated the Taliban in late 2001.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45302-2005Mar17.html

1) Drugs
2) Warlords
3) Taliban

Most of the country is still not in control of the gov. Karzai can't really travel outside Kabul. Although attacks are fewer in number, the security situation is still not good. The Taliban are considering giving up their weapons...but it's the groups under the warlords that are the main problem now. Other than the narco situation....

Wait until the Iraqis are shouting "Bring back Saddam!"

Do ya think the ignorant moran 40% in America will finally wake the f*ck up then???

Nah.

I hate to be a pessimist, but I've got people I've been showing
the truth of Bushco to for years, and all I get is
"you're a terrorist sympathizer who hates America".

Their egos will suffer too much to ever admit they, and
America, were wrong.

It's bloody embarrassing enough that ONLY AMERICA ever believed that bullshit in the first place...but that so many Americans STILL believe it, even after their bushgod has several times publicly admitted it isn't true is so far beyond merely embarrassing.

Let's just change our name to Unbelievably Stupid Assholes.

the Taliban back - maybe the men, but certainly not the women.

The incidence of rape and violent crimes against them have risen.

How f*cking tragic is that? bush; the only ass on the planet that can make things WORSE than the Taleban.

don't be so sure about women's current conditions (of course, this doesn't constitute an endorsement of the Taliban)...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45302-2005Mar17.html

<snip>

Human Rights Watch, a U.S.-based advocacy group, charged last week that numerous former warlords, who hold many provincial governorships and top police jobs, "have been implicated in widespread rape of women and children, murder, illegal detention, forced displacement, human trafficking and forced marriage." There are also allegations that some militia leaders and civilian officials are involved in drug trafficking.

I've spoke to a womam this morning who've living in Kabul since 1985 and there is virtually no chance the Taliban could return. They are beyond despised. Don't let a few quotes by one of their's crazies infer the Kabuli or the Herati or the Kandahari want the taliban whipping their women in public for wearing finger-nail polish.

When asked about the situation in Afghanistan, Scott McLellan looked blank for a moment, then whirred into life:

"The fact that Afghan businessmen have $15,000 to pay kidnappers is a sign that President Bush's glorious policies have worked so well in Afghanistan that we are looking at other countries where we might implement the Bush Doctrine.

"Not so long ago in Afghanistan, businessmen whose sons had been kidnapped either had to turn to the ruthless Taliban, or offer to pay a ransom in livestock. The fact that Mr. Qader had $15,000 to offer the kidnappers shows that freedom is reigning in Afghanistan, and the president looks forward to a new era in Afghanistan where businessmen can pay $20,000 or even $50,000 to ransom their kidnapped sons."

Besides, this administration has a strong track record in rendering sarcasm meaningless.

and yes sarcasm is becoming obsolete... my earlier post a case in point, I honestly could hear Scotty saying those things. sad sad sad.

Jesus....MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Nostalgia grows amid crime wave
By N.C. Aizenman, Washington Post | March 20, 2005

-snip
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- ''We are savage, cruel people," the kidnappers said in a note sent to Abdul Qader, demanding $15,000 to spare the life of his 11-year-old son, Mohammed. The construction contractor borrowed the money and left it at the agreed spot. The next morning, a shopkeeper found the boy's bruised corpse in a muddy street.


A wave of crime in this southern Afghan city -- including Mohammed's slaying two months ago and a bombing Thursday that killed at least five people -- has evoked a growing local nostalgia for the Taliban era of 1996 to 2001, when the Islamic militia imposed law by Draconian means.

Residents reached their boiling point about a week ago, after a second kidnapped boy was killed. Hundreds poured into the streets, demanding that President Hamid Karzai dismiss the provincial governor and the police chief. Witnesses recalled some chanting, ''Bring back the Taliban!" emphasis added

...
The Kandaharis' complaints echo those of other Afghans. On Monday, demonstrators in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif called for the resignation of General Attah Mohammad, the militia leader who governs their province, complaining that he had stolen people's land.

Human Rights Watch, a US-based group, has said that numerous former militia leaders, who hold many provincial governorships and police commands, ''have been implicated in widespread rape of women and children, murder, illegal detention, forced displacement, human trafficking and forced marriage."

-snip

Anyone keeping track?

There and elected Karzai as a mayor of a city more than a leader of a country. Now we have a Narco state, is that not about the summary of it?

Bush has f***ked up the world just a little more than he has the US.

when they're asking for the Taliban back.