U.S. Soldiers Told To Ignore Sexual Abuse Of Boys By Afghan Allies. Where is Obama?

Discussion in 'Politics Discussion' started by baudwalk, Sep 21, 2015.

  1. baudwalk

    baudwalk Senior Investor

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    I just learned of this story this afternoon. U.S. Army soldiers are being ordered to ignore observed incidents of sexual assault of boys by Afghan allies. A detailed report by the old gray lady, the New York Times, tells of absolutely horrible atrocities, screams in the night and our soldiers brought up on charges for intervening against orders.

    Why isn't Obama ordering the Army to cease ignoring Afghan allies abuse of children "because it's their culture"? If Bush was in office, we'd hear screams from the left sufficient to split the planet in two.

    Read the story, an opinion piece and readers' reactions:


    What the ---- is going on? Yes, I understand there are differing socal mores in cultures and communities around the world but this is just plain flat out wrong.
     
  2. Corzhens

    Corzhens Senior Investor

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    I have read in New York Times supplement about those Afghan boys. Yes, it is part of their culture for boys to dress up in girl's clothes and entertain the men. To us, it may look to be child abuse but for Afghans, it is just part of growing old. I had seen an article a long time ago where a drawing was included to demonstrate that culture. The drawing shows a long table occupied by men in formal clothes who seem to be in a formal meeting. But under the table were small boys touching the men's private part.
     
  3. kgord

    kgord Senior Investor

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    Great, more things to be concerned about. I just don't understand the entire Middle Eastern culture I guess. I mean What is wrong with that whole culture? There are so many things that just seem bizarre and wrong to those of us with a Western lens. For Gods Sakes, let children be children. I just think it is totally absurd that these kinds of things would go on.
     
  4. Lechiffre212

    Lechiffre212 New Member

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    Not sure why people are calling for Obama and military to do something about an issue that IS NOT NEW! NYT isn't the first to report on this issue - where have you been? That practice has been going on for 100's of years. Bush already tried to change that culture and it didn't work. Just goes to show there are major differences in our way of life - the only American that should be in the Middle East is Jarred...
     
  5. baudwalk

    baudwalk Senior Investor

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    Lechiffre212, I recognize that I may not be fully knowledgeable on cultural and social mores in other lands but sexual assaults on children in any culture are despicable. I was unaware that Bush had to deal with it too. Source, please? Rather than we charge our own troops for interfering, rotate personnel elsewhere or home. And who is Jarred, or you referring to jaded military who don't care any more?
     
  6. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    Ignore because it's their culture? Sexual abuse of minors isn't or at least it shouldn't be a cultural thing. It's unfair to ask someone who knows something is wrong to observe and do nothing. Yes you'll not have any tensions but what how about the mental health of those who are ordered to observe such acts and not intervene? It's not like this won't affect them at all.
     
  7. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    You really need a source for it? You think this just suddenly popped up in the past few years?
    It's been going on over there for as long as I know, certainly at least before 2001 when the Afghan war began. And obviously with troops stationed there they notice. The thing is, everyone even slightly in knowledge of Afghanistan or their ways has known about this for at least 15 years. So this is hardly news.
     
  8. baudwalk

    baudwalk Senior Investor

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    Yes, a source for Bush's awareness. (I'm happy for your deep knowledge of the subject.) And what is the answer to the question about Jarred? No answers in my research.
     
  9. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Well I've got no source for it, but thousands... well probably tens or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers, reporters and aid workers knew about this so I'd *think* that at some point there would be some talk of this at the government level.
     
  10. chrisanswer

    chrisanswer Member

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    Yes I read this story too and it's tragic. Soldiers in foreign countries usually don't get involved in the internal policing of the nation in question, but where the men involved where trained by US soldiers, the US army has a responsibility to ensure they act accordingly. I suppose the moral high ground went out of the window a long time ago, but that's no excuse to turn a blind eye to offences like this now.
     

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