While the average, peace loving Afghani, slowly starves to death, the Taliban rakes in 50 million dollars a year.

Behind The Blue Mask



Who are the primary victims of the Taliban? In a land torn by years of Soviet/ Afghan war, where starvation and relentless poverty stalk the dusty rubble strewn streets, it is the women in blue, who have suffered the most. So horrendous is the treatment of women by these radical animals, that many commit suicide. Womens rights groups from around the globe have protested the inhumane and callous disregard for females in Afghanistan.

Covered by law, from head to foot in blue robes and hoods that completely obscure them, women are considered evil, untrustworthy animals, to be hidden, used, then tossed aside. Many are forced in temperatures as high as the 100’s to sit by the roadside to beg for food. Which consists of moldy bread. This is scraped and mashed into crumbs and fed dry to their children. Childbirth is often accompanied by post partum infection, and there is little to no medication available.

Sunday I watched CNN’s program on the women of Afghanistan. It broke my heart. I saw a blue robed shape, being driven onto a football field, forced to kneel and get her brains blown out in front of a crowd of thousands, then left like a piece of garbage. I saw women begging, holding their dying child in their arms. The look in the childrens faces was beyond despair, bereft of hope-dead.


Is this lack of food and medical care due to lack of money> Better think again. While the average, peace loving Afghani, slowly starves to death, the Taliban rakes in 50 million dollars a year. Yes they stopped opium production this year, but they have enough stockpiled for at least 5 more years. I can guarantee you the Taliban eats well and gets good medical care. I can assure you that Osama Bin Laden and his crew of thugs eat well too. But their cattle- the women get nothing.

So, when you find yourself wavering over the moral rectitude of the United States in this endeavour, remember the true victims in this. Join the international outcry over the wanton murder and torture of these souls and their children. Remember, most of all the words of one Taliban official. When asked why was the football stadium, built for fun and pleasure, being used for execution? He looked the reporter straight in the eye and replied: “ Well, when you build me a place of execution, then they can have their football stadium back” Remember.

Join the fight to aid the women of Afghanistan. You can send e-mails to Colin Powell and Congress at this address: http://www.feminist.org/