I realize we are not on the subject of Afghanistan anymore, but I thought this poem was interesting. Although it's talking about missionaries, I think that the same message might apply to American troops trying to bring democracy and stabilization to Afghanistan. I have been under the impression that a lot of the people there are not interested in being told what to do or how to live, even if the U.S. has good intentions. I think that some of us Americans are of the mindset that we are crusaders for democracy, which can look bad to people in other countries.
Note: if you react badly to anti-Christian sentiments, don't read this. It is not bad, but I could see how it might offend someone.
“Crusaders” by Daw'ud Mannion
With fire, cross and sword,once to Muslim lands you came,now with bombs, cross and bullet,once more you are trying to do the same.
But still you see not,the destruction that you bring,children's lives and limbs destroyed,as Crusader's Christian hymns you sing.
"It's for your own good!"you say as lives and riches you openly steal,but you will never realize that for us,death's better than to the Christian cross to kneel.
So keep your missionaries back,No non-combatants in this war,Soldiers only steal lives but missionaries steal souls,the greater crime has a greater punishment in store.
You think this is now finished?Think now your done and can soon go home?Flying your stars and stripes over this land,where once Imam Hanifa as a boy did roam.
Soon just like the Soviets,you will be made to taste defeat,your wasted corrupt lives finished,in deserts and mountains your nemesis to meet.
All then left of these young men is the ragged remains,The US a once great nation nursing a generation's losses,Leaving behind so many hastily buried dead,that soon enough you'll run out of your Christian crosses.
This is a really interesting poem on several levels. I am glad to have read it and would like to take a moment to comment on the poem itself. I think it clearly focuses the question on what the mission is in Afganistan. The writer of the poem assumes that the mission is to "evangelize " the country for the sake of the Cross, . Most Americans, including the President at the time of the 2001 invasion did not have as a primary motive the spreading of Christianity. I think the writer of the poem must have a worldview that would suggest that all motives must originate from the struggle between different views on who God is and a the basic premise that the US is about evangelizing not only for Christianity but for democracy. Rather, I think the truth lies closer to the desire of the American people to have safety and security. Correct or not, ( and this can certainly be debated) the American presence in Afganistan was motivated and continues to be motivated primarily by self interest. An Afganistan controlled by the Taliban politically will arguably reduce the safety of the American people. So, it comes again to a trade-off in "costs in the economic sense" The writer of the poem predicts that soon the Americans will decide the costs will exceed the benefit and that the US will go home. Correctly I believe, the author of the poem clearly expresses that some the costs that must be considered and rarely are is the cost to the people trying to live in Afganistan. When policy makers start counting those costs , we will come closer to being just in our dealings with our fellow man.
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