Commentary 1 for Blog Submission 3: Term 3
Article: http://www.iwpr.net/?p=arr&s=f&o=337991&apc_state=henh
Commentary on Article:
Is the Taleban bad, or just misunderstood? This article has provided a fresh perspective on a very controversial issue--- mainly, the Taleban's strict regime. From this article, we can see that after the Taleban had captured Musa Qala, their regime had changed quite a bit. For example, the citizens were allowed to watch television or listen to music. They were allowed to shave their beards. Children are given adequate education. Does this imply that the Taleban is a better government than the current one? Not necessary. Firstly, the article has failed to address whether these changes were out of respect for the government, or fear. The Taleban has garnered some notoriety after their previous brutal regime and especially holding 23 South Koreans hostage. Were these people obeying the Taleban out of fear? As quoted from the article, "People give them food, and other kinds of help, not because they are forced to but because they don’t want to upset the Taleban", and we are left wondering whether this softer regime is actually a strategy to garner more support for their regime. The article has failed to elaborate on these points and only briefly talk about these loopholes in their regime. Also, this new regime may not have brought much change at all. An example would be the Taleban law. If a person steals, his hand is cut off. Even though education is encouraged, girls are still not allowed to go to school. Many schools are burnt, and no repairs have been made thus far. The curriculum is kept on a tight leash, and even though the Taleban claims that there is freedom in religion, "we like schools that teach ‘A is for Allah". Whatever happened to "A is for apple"? Furthermore, the government is allowing poppy growth, such that opium can be produced? Are drugs supposed to be produced? Is it right for drugs to be produced?
We cannot deny that there are major changes in the regime, and some are actually quite positive, but we must also look at both sides of the coin. What is the purpose of this change of regime? Is there a motive? Are people actually happy after this change? There are conflicting statements from both the citizens and the Taleban officials. The officials claim that the citizens are happy with the regime, yet a resident says that "Who knows how much they have changed? We can’t watch television, we can’t watch the news, and there are other restrictions that upset us." Who is right in the end? These are the important questions that are still waiting to be answered.
In conclusion, the whole issue is very controversial, and there are many points of view to the whole topic, but the thing we know for sure is that this regime definitely has a huge impact, whether positive or negative, on Musa Qala.
Word Count: 477 words
Commentary on Article:
Is the Taleban bad, or just misunderstood? This article has provided a fresh perspective on a very controversial issue--- mainly, the Taleban's strict regime. From this article, we can see that after the Taleban had captured Musa Qala, their regime had changed quite a bit. For example, the citizens were allowed to watch television or listen to music. They were allowed to shave their beards. Children are given adequate education. Does this imply that the Taleban is a better government than the current one? Not necessary. Firstly, the article has failed to address whether these changes were out of respect for the government, or fear. The Taleban has garnered some notoriety after their previous brutal regime and especially holding 23 South Koreans hostage. Were these people obeying the Taleban out of fear? As quoted from the article, "People give them food, and other kinds of help, not because they are forced to but because they don’t want to upset the Taleban", and we are left wondering whether this softer regime is actually a strategy to garner more support for their regime. The article has failed to elaborate on these points and only briefly talk about these loopholes in their regime. Also, this new regime may not have brought much change at all. An example would be the Taleban law. If a person steals, his hand is cut off. Even though education is encouraged, girls are still not allowed to go to school. Many schools are burnt, and no repairs have been made thus far. The curriculum is kept on a tight leash, and even though the Taleban claims that there is freedom in religion, "we like schools that teach ‘A is for Allah". Whatever happened to "A is for apple"? Furthermore, the government is allowing poppy growth, such that opium can be produced? Are drugs supposed to be produced? Is it right for drugs to be produced?
We cannot deny that there are major changes in the regime, and some are actually quite positive, but we must also look at both sides of the coin. What is the purpose of this change of regime? Is there a motive? Are people actually happy after this change? There are conflicting statements from both the citizens and the Taleban officials. The officials claim that the citizens are happy with the regime, yet a resident says that "Who knows how much they have changed? We can’t watch television, we can’t watch the news, and there are other restrictions that upset us." Who is right in the end? These are the important questions that are still waiting to be answered.
In conclusion, the whole issue is very controversial, and there are many points of view to the whole topic, but the thing we know for sure is that this regime definitely has a huge impact, whether positive or negative, on Musa Qala.
Word Count: 477 words
posted by the one at 8:13 AM
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