Pasting this link from NPR... Christian Aid groups tread lightly.

My personal opinion --- those of any faith or no faith who undertake helping hand missions such as this are very laudable.... For those who reach out with a helping hand without proselytizing, even more laudable. Even if this group was engaged in proselytizing, they did not deserve their fate. My thoughts for well wishes and healing go out to their families.

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Aug 8, 2010 -- 2:26PM, IreneAdler wrote:

 

 

This is reprehensible!

What exactly constitutes spying anyways? This seems a common infraction cited when Americans are jailed or killed when in Middle Eastern countries. Or is spying a euphemism for paranoia?

Irene.

 

I think they may believe it's the euphemism that gives them leeway under some sort of International Law pardon, to execute without prejudice, anyone they label as spies. 

I think in the midst of such turmoil as all that, given it was recently reported that our own Government pays the very faction we're allegedly there to suppress, in order to allow our supply lines through so that our troops may be outfitted to further that campaign effort, that we can't ever really trust any news that comes out of Afghanistan.

We know what we're told, after all. The facts, are something else entirely.

Regardless of that state of affairs, the point is these folks are dead. How it came about we may never truly know, but that they were there to be targeted for their presence, is a tragedy. Humanitarian efforts in the midst of a civil war will always put one at risk. Not something that escaped the understanding of these victims, before tragedy struck.

I think if one is possessed of the notion it is their vested duty to save the world from itself, no matter the circumstances one may set themselves down in, they accept the risk of suffering the consequences. There is no humanity in civil war, so to think ones presence in the midst of that affords making a difference, is a bold commitment. And sadly, short lived.

Aug 8, 2010 -- 12:29PM, rabello wrote:

Well...you certainly can't argue, with any legitimacy, that this particular civil war is the only place in the world where humanitarian workers were ever murdered in the history of the world, but I am sure the tragedy over the loss of these particular people, having the courage to do what they did in the middle of a civil war instigated by a botched and neglected military occupation, will take second stage to the religion of the people they were trying to help.

The religion of the people they were trying to help, isn't at issue. The religion of the people that killed them, is. And it is that faithful terrorist agenda, that inspired the military occupation. Like unto the humanitarian efforts situated in Afghanistan by the IAM organization for decades so as to help those who are neglected, suffering and abused in the midst of radicalism, so to is there a military occupancy to afford the same thing in it's own way on a different platform and yet toward the same end. To stop the suffering one terrorist ideology seeks to inflict, without regret nor reservation.

It's radical violent religious extremism.

Dangerous, no matter what Deific figurehead or faith philosophy, compels it to act. When one thinks it has the right to command all, intolerance is the anthem and terror is the vehicle utilized to deliver the message.

Aug 8, 2010 -- 10:53AM, rangerken wrote:

It is important to keep this in focus. This is yet another example of radial islamist terrorism. I defy anyone to say otherwise!

This is what groups like the taliban do.

This is why radical islamists must be opposed.

Ken

I think it may be said this is an example of one religions doctrinal zealotry, intent on effecting a theocratic dictatorship, the world over. Radical Islam is about ruling the world. Not simply the region of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, etc...

They are the extreme example of what already is alive in this country in it's own right as yet another, though different religious doctrinal zealotry. The far right Fundamentalist Christian movement. While the Taliban are damnable cur, they're but this example of hate, intolerance and the violence, to effect and infect in the name of one ideal intent on dominion over all.So if nothing else, let the Taliban serve as an example of what extremism looks like, when it's tolerated long enough to grow bolder for the latitude apathy provided to it's acquisition and occupancy of territory and jurisdiction.