Comments on: Mail http://www.mailwatch.co.uk/2009/08/18/mail-497/ Watching the Daily Mail Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:38:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: JSwindle http://www.mailwatch.co.uk/2009/08/18/mail-497/comment-page-1/#comment-220363 JSwindle Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:15:29 +0000 http://www.mailwatch.co.uk/?p=3891#comment-220363 matty: I think it's fair to say when I refer to Afghan fighters I'm referring to the ones shooting at our troops rather than with them and I don't designate them as Taliban as I can't know if they really are, and by 'really are' I mean that they follow the ideals of the Taliban and don't just pull triggers because they want the money. Again, this is just based on a documentary. I'm clearly no expert on Afghanistan beyond what I learn from various media. I'm sure many Afghan soldiers and police have joined up for the money, and many have because of what they believe in. I also understand (thanks to R4) that many that are fighting with the Taliban are not doing it for political or religious reasons. The idea that everyone attacking our troops are fundamentalists is therefore unfounded. I'm sure many are, but I'm also sure many are not. I just won't paint them all with the same brush. matty: I think it’s fair to say when I refer to Afghan fighters I’m referring to the ones shooting at our troops rather than with them and I don’t designate them as Taliban as I can’t know if they really are, and by ‘really are’ I mean that they follow the ideals of the Taliban and don’t just pull triggers because they want the money. Again, this is just based on a documentary. I’m clearly no expert on Afghanistan beyond what I learn from various media. I’m sure many Afghan soldiers and police have joined up for the money, and many have because of what they believe in. I also understand (thanks to R4) that many that are fighting with the Taliban are not doing it for political or religious reasons. The idea that everyone attacking our troops are fundamentalists is therefore unfounded. I’m sure many are, but I’m also sure many are not. I just won’t paint them all with the same brush.

]]> By: Matty http://www.mailwatch.co.uk/2009/08/18/mail-497/comment-page-1/#comment-220355 Matty Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:44:37 +0000 http://www.mailwatch.co.uk/?p=3891#comment-220355 >I just don’t like Afghans being regarded as orcs. I understand, but like I said you shouldn't confuse "Afghans" and "Taliban". Many Afghans *want* to fight the Taliban and were doing so (and would do so) if we weren't here. It's a very politically-divided nation and hasn't had a proper government for decades. The Taliban regime and the current Western-backed government are the closest its come for a long time (and in both cases only control a portion of the country). >I just don’t like Afghans being regarded as orcs.

I understand, but like I said you shouldn’t confuse “Afghans” and “Taliban”. Many Afghans *want* to fight the Taliban and were doing so (and would do so) if we weren’t here. It’s a very politically-divided nation and hasn’t had a proper government for decades. The Taliban regime and the current Western-backed government are the closest its come for a long time (and in both cases only control a portion of the country).

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