As some of you know, there are a few US prisons here in Afghanistan that are primarily around the airfields. While waiting for my ride yesterday, a helicopter landed, and two guys pulled a blindfolded and handcuffed guy from inside. He was pushed/pulled as quickly as possible toward a waiting truck and whisked off.
It didn't sit right with me that he was blindfolded. Probably it was for security reasons, so he wouldn't see the layout of the airfield since photos are not allowed...but...what was more disconcerting, was me wondering how I would have felt witnessing this during WWII, or the first Gulf War-excited and hopeful I think. Yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder if he would ever have charges filed against him, if he would be tortured, or if he was even guilty. I know this was only the case for a very few prisoners before and thankfully Obama rescinded many executive orders and interpretations of the law that were put forward during the past administration that allowed that to happen. Surely though, my being here in support of the effort, and wondering if our own rule of law system would hold up (while trying to foster a nascent one in another country) isn't a good thing. Maybe the media can be blamed for making too big of a deal out of it, but actually, I think that the media didn't focus on this very much at all. I hope that Americans will embrace our civil rights as tightly as our forfathers who enshrined them in the Bill of Rights and fight before we relinquish them again, no matter what the circumstance. They really are the bedrock of a democratic society and without them, there is legitimate no rule of law in my opinion.
Having said that, the tactical part of efforts here are very cautious. Due to the ability of the Taliban to take precise hits and push the media to portray them as attacks on weddings, schools, and the like. The military takes every precaution not to make a mistake and I am glad that another terrorist was taken into custody. This means one less person building roadside bombs, or attacking district governors, or sabotaging the construction of primary health care clinics.
On a lighter note, I left my green polo in Kabul, so I had to wear green boxers today so my great-grandmother wouldn't roll over in her grave and my mom wouldn't fuss too much. I might actually pin on one of those shamrocks we used to fight about in the mornings before school when I was younger. I never did know where my dad stood on that, I think he just knew it wasn't a battle to pick as he wouldn't win. Following the St. Patty's day musings, on my way to the shower today, I crossed with a short local Nuristani man with a big smile on his face and a friendly wave. His bright red beard caused me to do a double take. Our own leipreachán right here in the mountains! I didn't think it would be culturally apropo to hold him down and demand his pot of gold.
For the first time, I noticed the Beck's beer in the chow hall which is non-alcoholic of course! Strange. I get my laundry done today...for free, and back in 24 hours. GREAT:)
A lot of effort is put into the soldiers' quality of life. I can't imagine how happy the guys would have been in Vietnam to get to play videogames, watch movies, eat lobster and ice cream, play poker, surf the net, etc. I would think in many ways, a deployment would be a wonderful way to clear your head, relax, and refocus your life if that was ever necessary. Unfortunately, there is sometime a great deal of risk that comes with that opportunity as well.
I'm off to shoot a few hoops before starting our next meeting on Lines of Effort here in Nuristan!
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