How to answer this in nine million words or less? They dont like us much because 1) we blindly support Israel, in spite of the injustice visited on the Palestinians 2) we represent freedom, rights and self-determination, and thus are an obstacle to those who think that they have the only Truth 3) we represent Change from rather medieval thinking 4) finally, we are the largest target around. The Taliban do not enjoy "support" in the sense of the "love" of the people - its enforced support. 30% of the population can read in Afghanistan - and falling; the folk who can read are being gradually eliminated, as they represent a possibility of free thought. Suffice it to say that they get backing through fear. -- Eddie Pedantic Gasbag Discussion Group

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4, 5, 6 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 00:24:04 09/22/01 Sat
Author: gumtree
Subject: How to answer this in nine million words or less? They dont like us much because 1) we blindly support Israel, in spite of the injustice visited on the Palestinians 2) we represent freedom, rights and self-determination, and thus are an obstacle to those who think that they have the only Truth 3) we represent Change from rather medieval thinking 4) finally, we are the largest target around. The Taliban do not enjoy "support" in the sense of the "love" of the people - its enforced support. 30% of the population can read in Afghanistan - and falling; the folk who can read are being gradually eliminated, as they represent a possibility of free thought. Suffice it to say that they get backing through fear.
In reply to: Lady Luck 's message, "Taliban" on 17:10:23 09/20/01 Thu

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

I heard on NPR (I think) that Afghanistan's society was utterly destroyed by the war with Russia, the country fell into chaos, there was no government, only fighting factions. When the Taliban came in, they were welcomed by the desperate people because they promised order and authority. Much like the Nazis did in the thirties. Osama Bin Laden seems to be like so many terrorists, born with wealth, educated, and then converted to some extreme cause. In Osama's case it was fundamentalist religion. As for why we are hated, well, Eddie said it best, we are the Romans. I think the Taliban won't last, as long as we don't help their cause by making them seem like victims. And I feel better about Osama going down, today I heard that all over the world, other countries' police are arresting members of his network! (NT) -- spoot, 01:47:00 09/22/01 Sat