http://www.gradin.com/2008/04/24/afghanistan-remembers-music/ It's like family, only weirder... Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.gradin.com/2008/04/24/afghanistan-remembers-music/comment-page-1/#comment-58682 T Fri, 30 May 2008 19:12:16 +0000 http://www.gradin.com/?p=719#comment-58682 It's hard to explain to folks what pre-Taliban Afghanistan was like w/out me ever seeing it first hand. I, of course, can only go off what I'm told from my friends and colleagues who lived over there during that time. Of course, life wasn't that great before the Taliban- especially under various Shah regimes...but that poor war-torn country has been through a lot, and when the Taliban came in there and took away what little "Afghan-culture" they had left, it was very heart-wrenching for most Afghans. It's sad to see and listen to my friends talk about their homelands (pre-Islamic extremist ruled homelands). They tear up when they talk about their childhood and how wonderful things were for them. And honestly, for the most part, they are all VERY GRATEFUL for what our country is doing over there. Obviously some of our strategies could have been played out a lot better if all of the pieces fell into place and we've also made several mistakes in both Afghanistan and Iraq. But, coming from a 10-year USAF veteran and current Dept of Defense "intell-geek" / language analyst / and mid-east language instructor - we've done a pretty damn good job over there - all things considering. We have never once went into a country and attempted to impose our western values, customs, and culture onto another nation. We are the only country in the world to have ever battled with an enemy, and then when the smoke clears, dump millions upon millions of dollars into the reconstruction and conservation of that same civilization with which we fought! I just wish more folks saw that. When the Taliban "conquered" Afghanistan, they took away a rich and proud heritage...and now they are slowly starting to rebuild that within themselves. It was awesome to see all of those men being able to shave their beards for the first time in over a decade! It was inspiring to be able to watch grandfathers "legally" teach their grandchildren how to play chess!!! It’s hard to explain to folks what pre-Taliban Afghanistan was like w/out me ever seeing it first hand. I, of course, can only go off what I’m told from my friends and colleagues who lived over there during that time. Of course, life wasn’t that great before the Taliban- especially under various Shah regimes…but that poor war-torn country has been through a lot, and when the Taliban came in there and took away what little “Afghan-culture” they had left, it was very heart-wrenching for most Afghans. It’s sad to see and listen to my friends talk about their homelands (pre-Islamic extremist ruled homelands). They tear up when they talk about their childhood and how wonderful things were for them. And honestly, for the most part, they are all VERY GRATEFUL for what our country is doing over there. Obviously some of our strategies could have been played out a lot better if all of the pieces fell into place and we’ve also made several mistakes in both Afghanistan and Iraq. But, coming from a 10-year USAF veteran and current Dept of Defense “intell-geek” / language analyst / and mid-east language instructor – we’ve done a pretty damn good job over there – all things considering. We have never once went into a country and attempted to impose our western values, customs, and culture onto another nation. We are the only country in the world to have ever battled with an enemy, and then when the smoke clears, dump millions upon millions of dollars into the reconstruction and conservation of that same civilization with which we fought! I just wish more folks saw that. When the Taliban “conquered” Afghanistan, they took away a rich and proud heritage…and now they are slowly starting to rebuild that within themselves. It was awesome to see all of those men being able to shave their beards for the first time in over a decade! It was inspiring to be able to watch grandfathers “legally” teach their grandchildren how to play chess!!!

]]> http://www.gradin.com/2008/04/24/afghanistan-remembers-music/comment-page-1/#comment-57144 Vivian Fink Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:39:13 +0000 http://www.gradin.com/?p=719#comment-57144 Art and music are the heart and soul of mankind. I think that, above all else, is what defines us as human. Animals can be creative, but it is usually associated with some part of basic survival. I think only humans create just to create. In this we are mirrors of our greater Source. Art and music are the heart and soul of mankind. I think that, above all else, is what defines us as human. Animals can be creative, but it is usually associated with some part of basic survival. I think only humans create just to create. In this we are mirrors of our greater Source.

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