I am an American. Unfortunately that only brings me negative connotation, but I am making extreme efforts not to be stupid and ignorant, so please work with me. I am a college student researching the Hazara, and it is obvious to see the serious signs of discrimination and ethnic cleansing that have been going on for the last 200 or so years. I think it is that prejudice that has so many of the people who commented upset- right now, however, there is the Taliban and there is a war. It is inevitable that both sides of any war can remain clean. Lots of people are dying everywhere. It is very sad, I think.

And in response to why American troops are in Afghanistan in the first place- we had our own acts of terrorism brought aganist us. I apologize to anyone who feels like we are invading their homes, but we are just trying to protect ours. The Taliban is an international terrorist organization. Why shouldn’t the world want to help to end such atrocities? If we hadn’t acted, what would we have been telling the world? American is very afraid of getting overrun, I think. Every since World War II they have pushed at getting involved everywhere. I don’t exactly agree with this kind of approach, but it is the one we have. And I have seen the appeals made to the UN in response to the attacks against the Hazara in various massacres, and to other acts from the Taliban such as the destruction of Buddha statues. It just so happens that America is one of the only countries in the UN entirely willing to act, despite the fact that our country is in a recession.

One last thing. it is very true that most of America is ignorant, but for this I blame the media. Our constitution doesn’t allow any direct censorships, but you would be surprised at the control the government has over what kind of information is fed to the public. From that point of view, all they tell us is that they are fighting, “A War on Terror” without many specific details, and many people in the country are upset with the government, thinking they are gambling away soldier’s lives, and increasing the national debt. The internet is a wonderful thing, and has helped spread the truth where so often there are lies. I implore you all to spread news like this to Americans like me! The public needs a better idea of what is going on, and most of the people who commented seem to have direct ties to what is happening in Afghanistan. Even posts like this can give us an idea of what is actually happening. Please help!