doodle
03-11-2011, 03:31 PM
Haven't heard any talk of terror alert level changing lately since Obama took over. Considering recent Afghan news, should Obama administrartion raise it from orange or whatever current level?
Recent Afghanistan news reminded me of interview of some ex afghan general AJ had done while ago where he had described Afghan tradition of Pasthunwali that welded strongly into their culture going back thousands of years. Wiki on Pashtunwali outlines its attributes like hospitality, loyalty and revenge aspect that was discussed in AJ interview.
Pashtunwali (Pashto: پښتونوالی) or Pakhtunwali is a non-written ethical code and traditional lifestyle which the indigenous Pashtun people from Afghanistan and Pakistan follow.[1][2] Some in the Indian subcontinent refer to it as "Pathanwali".[3] Its meaning may also be interpreted as "the way of the Pashtuns" or "the code of life".[4] Pashtunwali dates back to ancient pre-Islamic times but is still widely in use, especially by the rural tribal society. It is not only practiced by members of the Pashtun diaspora but also by some non-Pashtun Afghans or Pakistanis who live close to Pashtuns.[4]
There are nine main principles of Pashtunwali.[4]
Main principles
Melmastia (hospitality) - Showing hospitality and profound respect to all visitors, regardless of distinctions of race, religion, national affiliation as well as economic status and doing so without any hope of remuneration or favour. Pashtuns are considered to be the most hospitable people in the world. A Pashtun may go to great lengths to show his hospitality.[4][14][15]
Nanawatai (asylum) - Derived from the verb meaning to go in, this is used for protection given to a person who requests protection against his/her enemies. The people are protected at all costs, in many cases even people running from the law must be given refuge until the situation is clarified.[4] It can also be used when the vanquished party is prepared to go in to the house of the victors and ask for their forgiveness. (Is a peculiar form of "chivalrous" surrender, in which an enemy seeks "sanctuary" at his enemy's house).
Badal (justice) - To seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer. This applies to injustices committed yesterday or 1000 years ago if the wrongdoer still exists. Justice in Pashtun lore needs elaborating: even a mere taunt (or "Paighor") is regarded as an insult - often, shedding the taunter's blood is the only acceptable redress (and if he isn't available, then his next closest male relation).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunwali
NATO troops kill Afghan President Karzai’s cousin
''There were operations taking place near his house. Yar Muhammad Khan was killed by mistake. He was not a target,"
Published: March 10, 2011 09:19 pm EST
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90039423?NATO%20troops%20kill%20Afghan%20President %20Karzai%26%23146%3Bs%20cousin##ixzz1GKRAp0a2
Fourth Afghan Student Missing From Nazareth Exchange Program
Published: 3/10 3:27 pm
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/afghan-students-missing-nazareth/crjuf6NhDESmtynT7q6RBw.cspx
There are some troubling recent news that may suggest some validity to revenge tradition claimed in that interview:
Shooting was 'revenge' for Afghanistan war
Published: 4 Mar 11 12:08 CET
German prosecutors said Friday that an alleged Islamic radical accused of shooting dead two US airmen at Frankfurt airport did so in revenge for Afghanistan but had no links to international extremists.
The suspect has said that the day before the attack he watched a video on the internet purporting to show US atrocities in Afghanistan, Griesbaum said.
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110304-33505.html
Report: Rogue Afghan soldier sought revenge for civilian deaths
Man claiming to be troop killer says he was not member of Taliban prior to attack
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38273769/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
Failed NY bomber wanted to take revenge for Afghan war, reveals video
Thursday, July 15, 2010
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/failed-ny-bomber-wanted-to-take-revenge-for-afghan-war-reveals-video_100396059.html
Recent Afghanistan news reminded me of interview of some ex afghan general AJ had done while ago where he had described Afghan tradition of Pasthunwali that welded strongly into their culture going back thousands of years. Wiki on Pashtunwali outlines its attributes like hospitality, loyalty and revenge aspect that was discussed in AJ interview.
Pashtunwali (Pashto: پښتونوالی) or Pakhtunwali is a non-written ethical code and traditional lifestyle which the indigenous Pashtun people from Afghanistan and Pakistan follow.[1][2] Some in the Indian subcontinent refer to it as "Pathanwali".[3] Its meaning may also be interpreted as "the way of the Pashtuns" or "the code of life".[4] Pashtunwali dates back to ancient pre-Islamic times but is still widely in use, especially by the rural tribal society. It is not only practiced by members of the Pashtun diaspora but also by some non-Pashtun Afghans or Pakistanis who live close to Pashtuns.[4]
There are nine main principles of Pashtunwali.[4]
Main principles
Melmastia (hospitality) - Showing hospitality and profound respect to all visitors, regardless of distinctions of race, religion, national affiliation as well as economic status and doing so without any hope of remuneration or favour. Pashtuns are considered to be the most hospitable people in the world. A Pashtun may go to great lengths to show his hospitality.[4][14][15]
Nanawatai (asylum) - Derived from the verb meaning to go in, this is used for protection given to a person who requests protection against his/her enemies. The people are protected at all costs, in many cases even people running from the law must be given refuge until the situation is clarified.[4] It can also be used when the vanquished party is prepared to go in to the house of the victors and ask for their forgiveness. (Is a peculiar form of "chivalrous" surrender, in which an enemy seeks "sanctuary" at his enemy's house).
Badal (justice) - To seek justice or take revenge against the wrongdoer. This applies to injustices committed yesterday or 1000 years ago if the wrongdoer still exists. Justice in Pashtun lore needs elaborating: even a mere taunt (or "Paighor") is regarded as an insult - often, shedding the taunter's blood is the only acceptable redress (and if he isn't available, then his next closest male relation).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunwali
NATO troops kill Afghan President Karzai’s cousin
''There were operations taking place near his house. Yar Muhammad Khan was killed by mistake. He was not a target,"
Published: March 10, 2011 09:19 pm EST
Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90039423?NATO%20troops%20kill%20Afghan%20President %20Karzai%26%23146%3Bs%20cousin##ixzz1GKRAp0a2
Fourth Afghan Student Missing From Nazareth Exchange Program
Published: 3/10 3:27 pm
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/afghan-students-missing-nazareth/crjuf6NhDESmtynT7q6RBw.cspx
There are some troubling recent news that may suggest some validity to revenge tradition claimed in that interview:
Shooting was 'revenge' for Afghanistan war
Published: 4 Mar 11 12:08 CET
German prosecutors said Friday that an alleged Islamic radical accused of shooting dead two US airmen at Frankfurt airport did so in revenge for Afghanistan but had no links to international extremists.
The suspect has said that the day before the attack he watched a video on the internet purporting to show US atrocities in Afghanistan, Griesbaum said.
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110304-33505.html
Report: Rogue Afghan soldier sought revenge for civilian deaths
Man claiming to be troop killer says he was not member of Taliban prior to attack
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38273769/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/
Failed NY bomber wanted to take revenge for Afghan war, reveals video
Thursday, July 15, 2010
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/failed-ny-bomber-wanted-to-take-revenge-for-afghan-war-reveals-video_100396059.html