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Influencing People, Losing Friends

By possum

Where I come from in Kentucky, folk wisdom says you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Payanda Muhammad is an example of mistreatment of human beings leading to their turning to a new cause.  On the outskirts of Kabul is Pul-i-Charkhi prison.  The prisoners are charged with various crimes including membership in the Taliban.

I wasn't in the Taliban but I am now.  And I will be if I'm released. I will be one of the strongest opponents of the government.

 
Two journalists were allowed to interview 7 different detainees. One detainee, Mohammad Akbar Ali Abadi said

If somebody gives me a suicide vest, I will be the first one to blow up these guards.  If I get out, I will fight them. If some Islamic country could pay me, I am ready.

Most of the seven alleged Taliban members who talked to the Tribune said they were now sympathetic to the Taliban, even as they insisted they were innocent of the charges against them.

They said more Afghans were leaning toward the Taliban because of government corruption. All said they had been asked for bribes of tens of thousands of dollars to get their sentences reduced.

Qari Gul Rahman summed up the situation saying

I wanted to help this government, but they gave me no choice.  And I am from a tribe of 350 young men. They are all against what's been done to me. Of course, they are also now against the government and they will help me fight.

The natural reaction of most human beings is to fight for their country, their families and their friends.  Why should the detainees be any different?  If any are innocent as they claim, why would we expect them not to turn to the dark side while imprisoned?

Charges remain to be proven in so many detainees today.  How many more must be turned away from any possible peaceful course before we stop all the detentions?  Certainly the guilty should be punished, but no one deserves to be left in continued detention without proof of guilt.  If ever there was evidence of the abject failure of the current American course this must be included.

Peace.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on November 13, 2008 (boomark / email).