Please Read (Re: Afghanistan)

Sure, email me at sucker@yeahright.com.

 

In light of the recent Pat Tillman event, I have no choice but to believe him.

What kind of American would I be otherwise?

Besides, it' s not like someone would really lie about something like this to raise $2500 in cash that doesn't need to be reported to anyone, right? Come on, y'all need to be a little more trusting.

And you don't even have to give money! You can donate sporting goods, gift certificates (nothing to Bath and Body Works, he's allergic), electronics, or snack cakes.



If you're really so interested in helping these people, why don't you just collect the money and send it to them? I'm sure they'd much rather see Ben Franklin than you.

 

Just FYI, the politically correct term is Arabs, and in this case, Afghans.

I really hope its not full of terrorists, because that would be a pretty big problem. I really hope you do your homework before you go, if you ever do. Anyone going into an unknown area should really know what to expect and what they are getting into, and especially, don't just focus on the risks and how cool it would be to survive them.

 

If you really want to go to Afghanistan, you can enlist and go there for a long time. Just go see your local recruiter or visit GoArmy.com

 

With all due respect, provided you're not scamming people, this sounds like an awful plan.

There are a lot of other people in need in places that are not as dangerous as Afghanistan.

You really should leave this kind of thing to professional NGO's like the Red Cross/Red Crescent that specialize in helping people in places like that.

Going to be a christian missionary in anarchic, lawless country ruled by militias and warlords known for militant, fundamentalist islam really just seems kind of like asking for trouble; I'm not really sure what you're object here is.

 

<a HREF="http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/af.html#People">Afghanistan: People</a>

<i>Ethnic groups:
Pashtun 44%, Tajik 25%, Hazara 10%, minor ethnic groups (Aimaks, Turkmen, Baloch, and others) 13%, Uzbek 8%

Languages:
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
</i>

Pashtun are mainly in the South and Southeast

Tajik are mainly in the North

Hazara are mainly in the Central and the West

Baloch are mainly in the Southwest

Uzbek are mainly in the North

 

I agree. It sounds like a suicide mission.

I dont think that at 17 you should even have the choice of going over there. I think that it is incredibly valiant of you (if it isnt bs) but you have no clue what you are getting into. There is no way you have the skills to handle that kind of situation.

Of course your church has you brainwashed that this is a noble and courageous thing to do but naivity is not heroic. I'm sure your church will also tell you that you that you will hear this type of opposition and that it is evil trying to thwart the work of Jesus. That is not always true.

Bottom line is, you are not old enough to make this kind of decision and could wind of getting yourself killed. You arent an Army Ranger. You arent Pat Tillman. You cant handle this type of responsibility. You might end up just as dead. Please know that I say all of this with a kind heart.

 

Agreed.

<hr color=green>

<a HREF="http://www.tennessean.com/special/worldtrade/archives/01/11/10551033.shtml">Dayna Curry, 7 other aid workers freed in Afghanistan (2001)</a>

<i> Nashville native Dayna Curry and seven other foreign aid workers held by the Taliban militia since August for preaching Christianity in Afghanistan were freed today, a U.S. official said.

The Pentagon said the aid workers are safe in Pakistan.

Curry's family celebrates in Nashville

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the operation involved many people and several entities. He said U.S. forces performed the extraction well. There was no deal and no exchange of prisoners.

Rumsfeld said it would be incorrect to say that the Taliban released them. The workers were freed ''by some other folks.''

The disclosure came after the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi said he was confident the eight would be released soon.

Seif el-Islam Gadhafi, chairman of the Gadhafi Foundation for Charitable Organizations, told The Associated Press that his nongovernmental organization has been in touch with the Taliban for about two months in efforts to win their freedom.

''I believe that the Taliban will release these people in the near future,'' he said in a statement to the AP made through Libya's consulate in Vienna.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said he hopes the reports are true but could not confirm them. He said U.S. officials had received no word from the Taliban as to the whereabouts of the Americans or on whether they will be released.

Although the United States accuses Libya of sponsoring terrorism, and recently extended sanctions against foreign companies suspected of doing business with the North African nation, Washington suspended sanctions against Libya itself in 1999.

The suspension came after Libya handed over two officials for trial on charges of planting the bomb that downed Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. The attack killed 270 people, including 179 Americans.

The eight workers -- four Germans, two Americans and two Australians -- are employees of the Germany-based Christian organization Shelter Now International. They have been held since Aug. 3 on charges of trying to convert Muslims, a serious offense in Islamic Afghanistan.

Taliban Supreme Court judges had indefinitely postponed their trial, saying they feared anger at the United States over the airstrikes could hamper their ability to make a fair ruling in the case.

On Tuesday, the eight were moved from their cells in a detention center in the Afghan capital, Kabul, and were taken to the south by retreating Taliban forces.

Jimmy Seibert, senior pastor at the Texas church attended by the two Americans, Heather Mercer and Curry, said he had not received word on when the women would be released.

''Our hope is that they will be released in the next couple of days,'' Seibert said Wednesday at a news conference at Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas.

In Nashville, Curry's stepmother, Sue Fuller, told a reporter she had not heard officially of her stepdaughter's impending release.

''I'm so excited that we're going to see her soon and that she's safe,'' Fuller said. ''I just think you know she trusted that God would take care of her and get her out of there safely, and it's happened.''

Gadhafi's son said his foundation made contact with the Taliban ''with the aim of finding a solution for these people through third-party mediation,'' and that the effort was bearing fruit ''because of the good standing the foundation enjoys in this area.''

He said his group was working ''to try to visit these people in order to convey letters and messages from them to their families,'' adding: ''As far as I know, they are all in good health.''

Joachim Jaeger, co-chairman of Shelter Now, told the AP today that the organization had not yet been contacted by Gadhafi's son or his foundation.

But Jaeger said he welcomed any nonviolent assistance in winning the freedom of the eight. ''We are thankful for everything that helps, of course, as long as it's peaceful,'' he said.

Germany's foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, played down a German newspaper report Wednesday suggesting that his government had information from foreign intelligence agencies indicating the eight were already on their way back to Kabul.

''I have no new information to report on the status of the jailed Shelter Now workers,'' Fischer told reporters.

Libya is anxious to improve its standing with the West, and last year, it was involved in freeing all but one of 21 Western tourists and Asian workers kidnapped by rebels in the Philippines.</i>

 

But the Red Cross/Red Crescent wont teach these heathens about the true solution to all of their problems!

 

Exactly, its impossible to teach people common sense.

 

Trying not to offend anyone, but...


As a Jew myself, I find your trip kind of offensive. I respect your thoughts of trying to help and all, but a mission trip??? To the most dangerous part of the world?!?!

From talking with various people who have gone on mission trips, I find it that they view a trip as a vacation more so than 'saving people'. Granted I don't know what exactly happens on these trips, but I have a general idea. I personally find the idea of changing someone's religion (if that is the plan) by giving them aide is completely asinine. Ultra-conservative people who participate on mission trips are some of the most close-minded individuals on this planet. Why in the ****ing world do they think their ideals are best? Why do they think being non-Christian will force you to burn in hell? It's silly and extremely disrespectful to the people that will be 'saved.'

Again, that's my general view of those kinds of specific mission trips (although what else goes on during a trip than trading help/food/education/shelter for their souls/faith/religion?). And sorry for making this a religious debate if it becomes one.

Two things; first, move this to the D & D where I will never see this and second, donate the money. Why spend most of the money trying to get there when you could just as easily donate it to a GOOD cause (children's education in the region for instance).

 

Mr Mooch: I understand your point

And whoever started this thread if you are looking for donations i think you went about the wrong way in doing so.

And i personally went on a mission trip to Bulgaria and not once did i say anything about Christianity to anyone, honestly, i just worked in an orphanage for two weeks, so granted some ppl's mission might be a different one i know that for me personally on my mission trip the purpose wasnt to go convert it was just to go and help the peopel of the country, but once again who ever started this thred ..u went about the wrong way in doing it.

 

Those people who go on those missions are the same cats that say that D&D is the game of the devil.

 

After reading the last two responses and rereading mine, I think i want to clarify.

I think I came off as a little harsh in the idea of converting people (and at least now I know there's more to mission trips than I thought which is good). I personally don't agree with it, but mission trips do help a lot. Anyway, I also want to say I don't view mission people as 'bad' or 'negative'; I don't judge my friends on their religion or what they do with it. It's not like they try to convert me (well one did actually, but that did involve a Southern Baptist which was strange).

Yeah, but going back to Memorial High boy, you would be one of the daftest persons alive to attempt to go to Afghanistan. And because I'm sure it's kind of difficult to get a charter ticket on 'Terrorist Airways', I'm sure this is just an attempt to scam people. I certainly hope it is. But hey, if you do actually get money and risk your life with those 'terrorists', then mayne you'll get what's coming to ya. I always felt the gene pool was too big.

I don't know what what this was, but I don't think you succeeded in correcting your flaws. I'm sure 'North of the fighting' is a far better place than just 'the fighting'. But hey, good luck with that.

 

I must agree.

The people that do convert are so confused in life and even later if they come to America they have no idea, they are raised one way, and then are forced to lead a life another, and then when they are on their own have no idea which way to go, and end up totally confused on what to do... I have talked to many bosnians and sudanese kids at school who when asked what religion they are say Muslim, but then walk around rocking a cross charm and eat pork.... It is a little offensive to me as a Muslim, but i really feel bad for these people who are so confused in life. They are basically told that their religion is wrong and christians are the right way to go because they are soo nice and are giving them aide, etc etc.

But still your cause is valiant, but if you are going for your country, enlist inthe army/navy etc etc. if its for your own enjoyment/church reasons, dont go to Afghanistan, while many african and s.american countries are still in need.

I mean i would love to do something like that as to teach people the language and culture of our country, but if religion is included, i find that just skews the whole cause up.