'Couldn't we just give them bin laden?' 'NO! He is our guest, that is against Islamic principles. I know, let's offer the proselytizing Christians instead!' 'Good one Omar! Good one!'
Bush has already nixed any chance of this happening as he continues to take the "no negotiations" stance. http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/10/06/gen.america.under.attack/index.html ------------------------------------------------------------------ White House to Taliban: No deals October 6, 2001 Posted: 10:36 a.m. EDT (1436 GMT) (CNN) -- The Bush administration repeated its long-standing position Saturday that it will not negotiate with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia, after the Taliban offered to release eight Western aid workers currently on trial in Afghanistan in exchange for the United States ending its "propaganda" about military action. The eight aid workers -- four Germans, two Americans and two Australians -- have been held by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers since early August. They are charged with trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. Their trial began Sunday in Kabul.
So now the Taliban is taking hostages and trying to spin it in the name of religion huh? He is just digging his grave deeper and deeper. And funny how the Taliban talked this big game basically talking to the U.S. and telling them to come get some, and when the U.S. responded he's trying to get them to stop.
why in the world are these workers doing trying to convert people to christianity in the first place anyway...they know better than that, that's what they get for being so stupid...these ppl piss me off...
They are not hostages. Before any of this happened, they were arrested for attemptin to convert citizens to Christianity -- something which is illegal. They are currently in detention awaiting trial/sentencing. This would have happened no matter what. These people were aware before hand (accrding to parents of the captives) but went on their missionary trip anyway. They knew the danger, no they are facing the consequences.
rimbaud is right-on in his assertion, but NOW they are being treated like hostages-- even though they weren't TAKEN hostage: "The ruling Taliban could free eight aid workers held on charges of spreading Christianity <B>if</B> the United States halts its threats against Afghanistan" (Emphasis mine)
hmmm.... so if we don't avenge the deaths of the 6 thousand people, we might get 8 people back... hmmm.... I'll have to agree w/ the others here that these guys knew what they were getting into.
Anyone brave/crazy enough to go into a violence-stricken land that is so fundamentally driven by its religion to try and convert people from that religion, should be smart enough to know what they're getting into. I feel for them being trapped there, but what did they expect?
I agree with you guys that those people put themselves in that position, and they have to face the consequences, but the minute the Taliban said he would release them only if the U.S. would stop their attack that became somewhat of a hostage situations, especially if the future of those people solely hinge on what the U.S. does, because the U.S. and those people shouldn't be connected. So if he continues this, those are more charges levied against him, and the Taliban is becoming less and less of a sympathetic figure around the world.
I really try to stay unattached but, y'all need to shut the **** up and show some sympathy. A couple of these girls graduated from Baylor. Are they Christian? Yes. What were they doing? Working for a relief agency! Helping the poor! Feeding the hungry! Sheltering the homeless! Y'all are sick, sadistic, negative bastards. "They knew what they were getting into..." WTF!!!!???!!!! How do y'all know what they knew? I can't believe y'all are already finding them guilty of an unjust law that they themselves are denying that they broke, and that y'all are siding with the Taliban on conditions of fact!!! I'm not even Christian, but show some ****** respect. CNN- "Previously, the chief justice of the trial has said that the trial of the aid workers -- two Americans, two Australians and four Germans -- would be fair and the defendants would not be treated as political pawns. " Hello, is that not a lie or what? Achebe- "hmmm.... so if we don't avenge the deaths of the 6 thousand people, we might get 8 people back... " what the hell? This is not about avenging. That is evil. This is about sending a message, securing our future, our safety....This is about stopping terrorism. And yes, I want damn hard to get those 8 people back. George W. Bush- "There's no question that we're an angry people about what happened to our country. But in our anger we must never forget we're a compassionate people as well. We will fight evil, but in order to overcome evil, the great goodness of America must come forth and shine forth," he said. "And one way to do so is to help the poor souls in Afghanistan." CNN- Afgan Lawyer: Khan said he reviewed an English translation of the charges Thursday morning and said they were not that strong. My point is, y'all need to lay off on bashing these poor good sumaritans.
Damn, Baylor? Why didn't you guys say so! They're not just hostages! They're hostages from Baylor! Uhhh... That's some nice stuff there. Mighty nice stuff. It's too bad the evil Taliban took them hostage. Hey! I have an idea Kim!!! Why don't we just drop the whole damn thing! Sure, these pig ****ers (OBL and his network) killed thousands of people, but his host now has some Euros, a couple of Americans, hell a couple of people that graduated from Baylor as hostages. They win! We're backing off. Whatever. You have my resume? I don't think anyone here agrees with Taliban law. Most everyone here wants to see the Taliban destroyed (except for that commie Rimbaud). No avenging? Then I'm out. If I don't get to kill at least 5 terrorists personally, I'm calling the whole thing off. Those ****ing samaritans. Always trying to do good stuff, ****ers.
Before you toss about names that hurt feelings, you should probably read a little more closely...in my post I said the parents had said so. You see, I saw an interview and the parents said that their daughters knew before hand about the laws, about what they would be doing (which included talking up Christianity), they even siad that they were "briefed" right before the trip about the specific laws and dangers. One father said that his daughter was not trying to convert anywone, she was just "explaining Christianity to people." Her words. So, yes, they knew what they were doing, they did what was illegal in a different country...they got caught. Now, as Rich said, they are being used as political bargaining chips. I am not saying the Taliban is right or not stupid or anything, but I still wouldn't go to a country with an oppressive regime and do something about which they have made forcefully clear classifies as illegal and punishable by jail time or worse. Achebe, For the record, only two of them are Americans, so "we" would only be getting a 2 for 6,000 deal.
HEB, Okay, I think this is like two ships passing in the night. Your sarcasm is amusing(though most of it does not lead to valid points), and I see what you are saying. A lot of our arguments though are not clashing, so that means we're talking about different things. Let me just sum it up: I too want to destroy their fundamentalist regime, and I do not want to back off or negotiate or anything. I just felt that y'all were being too negative and judgmental on some people who were just working relief aid and talking about their beliefs. Sorry I called you b*stard.
Article in Washington Post: <A HREF="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=digest&contentId=A54280-2001Sep6">For Faithful Friends, A Trial at a Distance Vienna Awaits Verdict From Taliban</A> What the Taliban <i>government</i> was doing last spring: <A HREF="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/03/0309_buddhastatues.html"> Explosions Tear at Afghan Buddha Statues</A> <i>.....The Taliban are being true to "a promise they have made when they came on the scene," said Zadran. "They said they were about to implement a pure Islamic government." The Taliban control more than 90 percent of Afghanistan and have said they plan to destroy all Buddhist statues, including the two large Bamiyan statues....... </i> Mango
I totally agree with Kim on this one... Even though I do agree they knew what they were getting into. And avenge? We going to kill 5500 Taliban's or terrorist? I would careless about revenge. If there was some way they could hold true to a promise that they would drop terrorist against americans forever, then I would be all for them dropping this subject. Now lets just say this was 8 people being held because they were gay; or 8 people being held because they were black; or 8 people being held because they had abortions ... im sure you liberals would be all over this!
At a time like this, the mere fact that there are people still espousing the "you liberal"/"you conservative" thought processes is beyond belief. How about we send your asses over there like the people in the military are now and see if the first or most important thing on their minds are is whether or not they're liberal or conservative. It's a pathetic and disgusting shame that in the midst of this battle against idiots and terrorism we still have to fight battles of stupidity like this at home.
Personally, I'm not all that worried about the 8 aid workers (and the Brit journalist, lest everyone forget). I highly suspect a rescue mission will be conducted very shortly. Fingers crossed, only Taliban guards get killed in the attempt...
Trying to remain objective, I think what space ghost is saying is that people feel sympathetic more towards those who they relate to. There is no anger or hatred or name calling on my end anymore. I was just very upset at things like this: ChenZhen: I was upset at this because this person is pissed off at the fact that there are people who go to one of the poorest countries in the world and try to help the starving and are also talking openly about what they believe in. These "stupid" people deserve better than that. DoD: That was a harsh thing to say to him and should be toned down a little. I hope your prayers and compassion towards the victims will be stronger than the hatred you hold towards those who you find ignorant.
