To the Women of RAWA (esp. those reporting on-location):

Thank you very much for your message of sympathy and support (Sept. 20th posting, "The people of Afghanistan have nothing to do with Osama and his accomplices" )". 
Despite all that's happened over here, I'm well aware that life for you over there is a lot tougher than it is for us over here, in light of the recent refugee mass exodus and general upheaval that's resulted from Sept. 11th.(even if you're in Pakistan, well away from the Taliban). So, again, my thanks. Also, thanks for your continued postings of articles about life in Afghanistan, under the Taliban, from the RAWA site - its a courageous thing you women are doing. From what I've seen on CNN's programs, at least some of the world is paying attention.
Personally, I think that Islamic women as a whole *should* reject the fundamentalist brand of Islam (and the men who support it). I don't think it has done much good for Islamic people (esp. women), or for the world in general, and it has done a lot of harm. The worst effects of fundamentalism is that it fosters in normally nonviolent Islamic people the idea that, not only is everyone else an infidel, but everyone else is out to get them, and so, it is ok, even encouraged, to issue a fatwah and call a jiyhaad and attack and kill - men, women, children and even OTHER MUSLIMS (I don't have the figures, but plenty of muslims died at the WTC. I guess al-Queda felt those folks were either unimportant or were sacrifices for the cause.) It's carried out by younger men ( most of the hijackers were men in their 20's), but the one's leading them to their actions are in their thirties and forties (like OBL). I think one of the most helpful things people like yourselves could do would be to teach their children that, while other people, cultures and religions are different from Islam, they _aren't_, in of and by themselves, evil, not even those of the United States (the so-called "Great Satan"). If people are taught from an early age that's it is wrong to kill (even folks from a different country), they are less likely to give tacit approval to the Hitlers or bin Ladens of this world. Also, they are a lot less likely to let groups like the Taliban rule their country. Now, I am not so naive as to think that any muslim is going to get out in the middle of a protest and say "hey, I think the US is great!" But I do hope that one day we could convince most muslims (the silent majority) that the US is not the exclusive province of evil.

In fact, there are a LOT of good people here in the United States - most of which just want to be comfortable, perhaps raise a family, be part of their community, and work, live, and worship according to their own beliefs. This is all totally irrespective of this country's wealth, political clout, or status of power ("superpower" gets used way too often). Of course, it would do us in the United States a world of good to realize the same is true of most people in other countries, and act accordingly; if we could do that, and make it widely _understood_ that this our attitude, then we would maybe one day have cause to feel a little safer when travelling abroad.

I think part of the problem (some would say "arrogance") of being American comes from the fact that we have felt a little bit proud because of our successes  - we survived the Cold War intact, successfully helped get the Iraqi army out of Kuwait, got through a brief recession afterwards, did well economically in the 90's, and didn't face _too_ many crises at home. Plus, because we have had a lot of immigrants over the years, from Mexico, and all over the world., coming to this country seeking a better life, we too often tend to think the US is the best country; that, unfortuantely, has fueled our ignorance and complacency. Hopefully, we will be ignorant and complacent no more.

While its true our government had some culpability in the creation of the climate that allowed the Taliban to come into power, I know it did NOT do so intentionally. The object was to help Afghanis, through aid, to get the USSR out, and maybe reverse the trend that existed at that time, which was that the USSR (and communism) was swallowing up every country it could get its hands on, just as it had done in Eastern Europe in the late 40's and 50's. (Helping through aid was initially what the US did for England against Germany in 1940) In this, we eventually were successful; but, in the more lasting sense, we were not, because nothing came out of the Soviet/Afghan conflict even resembling a nice, stable country in which you could safely live and raise a family (to say nothing of being recognized by the UN). Plus, one of the people we worked with (OBL) turned out to be the worst threat to world peace since Stalin (!)  So, in this respect, we were *not* successful.. RE: Your Bin Laden/CIA Statement: I wasn't aware he was working with the CIA. I hope that's not true, but if it is, it is another cautionary tale about being too expedient in deciding who your friends are. Of course, it's easier to be critical in hindsight...

 I hope, whatever happens, that a tolerant regime comes to power, such that it is tolerant of women, tolerant of Islam, and also, a litlle bit tolerant of other ideas; also, I hope that Islam and the Afghani people are tolerant, and approving of it. A more moderate regime shouldn't mean miniskirts for women, but it might mean that women are allowed to read (or work, or study, or just be a PERSON.) That's got to be a better regime than what's already there.

RE: upcoming events: I'm not sure how things will unfold there, but I think the stated view about indiscriminate bombing attacks is a view widely held by many in the US - even in government. The president stated he doesn't want innocent Afghanis to suffer, and I believe him. My hope is that the only people who get nailed are those who deserve it, including bin Laden, and all his buddies - a naive hope, to be sure, but one I still hold. Nonethess, my advice is to stay the heck as far away from the area as you can get. If you are near the Afghan border in Pakistan, move eastward as far as you can. No need to tempt fate, should the worst happen. And avoid the fundamentalist protesters in Pakistan. If they are pro-Taliban, they can't be pro-RAWA.

What I'm also hoping for is that one day saner, mainstream people will be able to take their world back away from the crazies who stole it by using religion as a mask for their evil deeds and power grabbing. It's a very long term hope.

In closing, let me paraphrase the opening verse of a Country Western Song:

"Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be fundamentalists..."  
:-)

God Bless You and Keep You Safe
and
God Bless America