Plumbing Corruption's Depths
Tribal warlords whose lengendarily blood-soaked hands are known and reviled by Afghan citizens, sit astride the current members in parliament of Hamid Karzai's government, sharing power with other, more unblemished and moderate members of the Afghan parliament. Corruption is endemic to the society, following a long tradition of just that. Clean-up efforts, if they are ever successful, will take a long time.Countless aid dollars in the millions upon millions showered upon the country by well-wishers, other wealthier, western democracies anxious to see Afghanistan become a functioning state have filtered down to help re-build the country, to ensure that civic institutions of need are built to benefit the people. And, of course, to fatten the pockets of those very accommodating government members and the civil servants who administer the various programs.
Education is vital to the future of an emerging and improving state. Children the lifeblood of any country. The availability of a sound education enabling them to take their place in their country's future as well educated and purposeful citizens is paramount to the growth and advancement of any society. So more schools are being built, and more children encouraged to attend.
Their teachers are no longer murdered by the Taliban for teaching girls alongside boys. Instead, their teachers, committed to their country's future and that of their charges, do their best to instill knowledge and pride into their pupils. It's just so incredibly unfortunate that the country isn't capable of offering them a salary, a living wage. Just as it is dreadfully unfortunate that Afghan police forces are given a pittance as recompense for their vital work.
Leading to corruption plumbing the depths of depraved social conscience.
Where school children are abducted off city streets on their way to and from school. Hustled into waiting vehicles, their cries muffled and then stilled by anaesthetic-soaked cloths, and when they awake, they find themselves in cages, in underground bunkers, fed stale crusts and water. Until their families can muster the demanded ransom to effect their release.
One such child, a 9-year-old whose father, a glassware wholesaler, was successful in ransoming his son, woke underground after his abduction to recognize two other boys in cages alongside his own, boys whom he recognized as those who were missing for months, from his school. Whose parents were unable to amass sufficient funds to buy their child's release. And to whom appeals to the police went unanswered.
The boy related how, when the trap door above his cage was occasionally opened he could glimpse the outside world. And then saw a number of vehicles parked above. Such as late model Toyota Land Cruisers, white with green stripes, with the word "police" on them.
Labels: Conflict, Political Realities
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, February 16, 2008
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