Forum Post: 14 year old girl in Pakistan shot in head by Taliban for standing up for the right for girls to go to school
Posted 12 years ago on Oct. 9, 2012, 11:09 p.m. EST by jrhirsch
(4714)
from Sun City, CA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Yet men and women in the U.S. living in relative safety won't even bother to stand up against their own government.
Gee, some Americans are actually also outraged at the way U.S. drone attacks are killing innocent people in Pakistan. It is said that these drone attacks actually are recruiting tools for the Taliban since when families and neighbors see innocent people blown to pieces for no apparent reason they become angry at the U.S. See Code Pink, a group of U.S. women against drone attacks:
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?list=type&type=3
The Taliban's anger was not directed at the U.S., it was directed at an observant Muslim girl who had the courage to stand up to their tyranny. Their primitive views of women's rights are ingrained in their culture and go back centuries, long before there was a Taliban.
This story is not about drones or Taliban. It's about one person with the courage to stand up against injustice. Her only weapon was her words, and they proved to be so powerful that a group of so called men, who are nothing but weak and cowardly animals, felt so threatened by them they had to silence those words.
If a 14 year old girl in Pakistan can stand up to great injustice there, surely we in the U.S. can stand up to the less severe injustice here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban_treatment_of_women
I didn't expect you would get it. Right, the Taliban is bad. Is it not also right that U.S. policy that contributes to the Taliban getting larger is also bad? Can you not see the connection there?
Do you not see that this story is being used as propaganda?
You need to examine your hubris of which you have far too much.
This story is about one person, without any weapons but her words, standing up to tyranny. It doesn't matter who or what her opponent is, it just matters that she was willing to risk her life so that others can have one of those most basic of inalienable rights. The right to learn. Grown men and women are afraid to say the same words that she so bravely proclaims. Hopefully, others seeing her courage, will instead choose to stand against every tyranny, no matter how difficult the opponent.
she should have gotten the nobel peace prize.
"America's Drone Attacks Are 'Killing 49 People for Every Known Terrorist in Pakistan'", by Leon Watson :
"Study found war against violent Islamists has become increasingly deadly. Researchers blame common tactic now being used – the 'double-tap' strike. Drone strikes condemned for their ineffectiveness in targeting militants".
This is not about one girl much as you may like it to be, as everything has context whether you like it or not. The dark spiral into violence is wholly aided and abetted by previous US, UK, Saudi et al support for all 'anti-communist', right-wing, reactionary, anti-progressive forces as well as the current 'scientific uber-violence' and in this context, even 'western education' is being seen as the enemy by some of the most extreme elements. This is utterly wrong and reactionary of course - so let's not encourage the same here with more simplistic, propagandist, lazy 'thinking'.
ad iudicium ...
That lone young girl speaking out against injustice possesses more courage than anyone of us here typing behind the safety of a keyboard. Has anyone here done anything that took as much courage? I haven't.
To try to answer your question personally, yes - but I would say that right ? Tho' of course none of us can come close to Malala, I've taken beatings from 'the po-po' on picket lines and have done as 'DKAt' alludes to below, so it'll be easy to take cheap shots "typing behind the safety of a keyboard", right ?
Further, please do try not to think that Malala is alone or without support :
http://dawn.com/2012/10/12/rallies-protest-camps-in-support-of-malala/ ,
http://tribune.com.pk/story/450335/malala-day-universities-show-support-for-malala/ &
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/support-malala-yousifazi-spreads-pakistan-article-1.1179194 .
e tenebris, lux ...
I'm glad to hear that you're on the front lines too. I admire everyone who stands against injustice worldwide. Not just Ghandi, or MLK, or Malala, but the millions that supported them, without which they would have accomplished nothing.
The impression I get from this forum is that few are taking action because strategy and tactics are so rarely discussed here. The underlying motive for the post was to encourage people in Occupy to take action. If a 14 year old can stand against the Taliban, then we can stand against a much less violent opponent.
As you'll see below, I hastily walked into your 'unanswerable question' but I do see your 'pov' re. Malala. No one who wishes for progress, equality and social justice will have anything but Solidarity For Malala. May she inspire us all.
spero meliora ...
Getting smacked by cops is nothing compared to what this woman has gone through, and for you to compare it shows a self righteous bullshit ego manic. There's a big difference between getting shot for wanting to learn and getting smacked for demanding free shit.
Hubris ? Momentarily yes, on my part too and ergo mea culpa, as you have a point of sorts. Type and post comments in haste and repent at leisure, you might say. Poster jrhirsch's question is of course unanswerable and in my attempt to post the links, I over-stretched in my reply. I'll leave you and your "ego" to get "manic" and apoplectic at my comment again "so it'll be easy to take cheap shots "typing behind the safety of a keyboard", right ? Finally, re. "demanding free shit" - what are you talking about ? "Free shit" like an education ? Like this courageous child wanted for herself and others, perhaps ?
ad iudicium ...
What did you think would be the response when did what did? The comp. was not a good idea.
Perhaps momentarily I didn't really think hard enough & in my haste my judgement was compromised, for which I expressed regret and contrition. You however, expound freely and explode malodorous 'brain-farts' regularly and liberally (you'll love that word applied to you, lol), so what I'm doing here explaining anything to you, may well be a good question ! The "comp. was not a good idea", I agree - tho' the exact same could well be said for much of your commentary on this forum.
nosce te ipsum ...
Brain farts are all your comment was worth, you think the shot that comes out of your mouth is enlightens but it's just shit! Nothing more than extreme left wing but job bullshit.
http://occupywallst.org/forum/14-year-old-girl-in-pakistan-shot-in-head-for-stan/#comment-855683 .
First, you have no idea and neither does jrhirsch what anyone on this forum has been through in their life.
Second, self-determination is the only way to go. These women must do it on their own if they are to gain positive permanent change. They need many more Malala's.
Are you really trying to even compare? I can guarantee no one on this form has come close to daily torment of that woman. You are one sick ego maniac to even think so.
You are one sick egomaniac to even pose the damn question in the first place. No, I wasn't trying to compare, but you don't know and neither do I what anyone here has been through in their life, though I guess you think you do. Who has the ego again?
If you live in the US you have never had an experience like the talaban trying to kill you. What I said stands your a sad troll to think you have experienced anything similar.
Who's The Troll 'pudboy' ? Stop pretending to give two hoots for Malala ! Your contrived outrage & faux Solidarity for her is sickening for those of us here who know of your right-wing, reactionary, 'fear of the other', US-centric 'exceptionalism' ! Go pop a gasket now & see if you can extract your angry, empty head from your probably Fat (x) while you are at it !
temet nosce ...
Ahh shadzes the the man who can live with his head up his ass. I'm honored you took time out of your very important life to grace my post with a response. It's no shock that a welfare rat like yourself would think they have something worth adding. Forgive me if I don't stand when you came into the room but I can smell you fine from where I'm at. You are to stupid to understand pride on oneself or where thy live, I would only ask one question are you impaired in some way I'm not aware of? I would feel bad talks to you like this if your mentally handicapped. Life is hard; it's even harder when your stupid.......life is very very hard for you isn't it?
I take back the <3 I sent you earlier. You don't deserve it.
tch ; Tch ; TCH !!!
What An Oaf !!
& 2 x Loser !
I have stopped fights in the street - haven't you done something similar? Circumstances not being equal - gun carrying misogynistic fanatics to two strangers mixing it up - but you can get killed either way - You have never risked your skin?
What are the odds of being killed by breaking up a fight compared to defying the Taliban?
"You have never risked your skin?"
Haven't had an occassions that were very dangerous except for hang gliding and motorcycles.
Judging by the number of Occupiers that left after the encampments were shut down, many don't even have the courage to peacefully protest publicly. With only a slight chance of arrest, and no threat of being shot.
Domestic situations - "calls" - kill the most cops.
You don't think it possible protests/actions are being carried out in absence of the street?
People get shot and beaten in protests here in the USA and elsewhere.
A rubber bullet can kill - so can a smoke canister fired from a rifle that smacks you in the head.
Occupiers are being locked up for "dissidence" and "anarchy".
http://occupywallst.org/forum/us-and-israel-recognize-iran-not-near-a-bomb/
Hmmm I was not aware of this post - just took a look now after looking at your last comment. Considering the post it turned up on and in response to the comment string - I thought it was a weird comment at the time as it seemed to be so unrelated to this post.
But thanks for drawing my attention to the situation - I will definitely want to track this issue.
Occupiers are being locked-up for any reason police want to use. We hope these instances are recorded and challenged in court - as we hope that the presiding judge is an honest individual.
This case was heard in a federal grand court, meaning you check your citizen's rights at the door.
Effectively, these three people have been deemed enemies of the state. There's a precedence being established here.
I haven't seen one person in the U.S. who can match her courage except fora very few people standing up to street gangs.
The protests here are a relative cakewalk compared to the circumstances in and near the tribal areas of Pakistan.
It is good for you to show admiration for such a young woman's courage standing up for what is right - but I think you belittle many people of true courage when you continue with the rest of your comment and belittle any and all acts of courage that happen elsewhere. Be angry at what is happening in the USA - the corruption crime and destruction - then get active - stay active but don't belittle things that you have no experience with. look at Builders comment - some people are facing serious charges for protesting in this country.
Give me an example of one person in Occupy who matches her courage.
That is such a silly request, seriously. You just like to kick up the s-t. I mean why do you have to pretend that people here are not defending Malala? Why do you sit there holier-than-thou as her sole defender? Give me a break. Just because some of us speak up about our own country's culpability with regard to growing the Taliban, the organization that shot this girl, by the way, you want to act like we don't have solidarity with her. That is such a lot of crap.
And I, personally, consider Mohamed Bouazizi to be the true founder of Occupy Wall Street, though his actions deemed him incapable of ever learning about this movement. His courageous actions led to the Arab Spring which inspired OWS.
Leah Plante, Matthew Kyle Duran, and Katherine Olejnik
Interesting choice. I wasn't familiar with their refusal to cooperate with the grand jury. Definitely a topic that needs to be understood by Occupiers.
Whether the threat of immediate physical violence compares with the threat of long term incarceration would be a tough debate and is better be left up to the judgement of each individual.
One important difference between the northwest grand jury resisters and Malala is that the resisters case centers around them protecting people who allegedly committed the crime of vandalism while Malala's story centers around protecting girl's right to receive education. One is protecting justice and the other protecting injustice (assuming that the resisters were involved in the vandalism or had relevant knowledge of it).
http://tidesofflame.wordpress.com/
If Condoleeza Rice was questioned about alleged crimes committed by George Bush, would she also be supported by Occupy for her refusal to cooperate with the grand jury on grounds that she had the right to remain silent?
let's deify the dead
These fools have no clue, and in their minds they will always be brave. They are truly clueless on this one but hey just watch them all claim how great they are for protesting in a safe country. They would never go where this girl was shot and protest, because that's really dangerous not like it is here.
we have crime in the US
in fact, we boost the highest per capita imprisonment rate
we are strong to back off would show weakness
?? You lost me I'm not sure how your post fits in?
indented and right under your post
Ahh
The only places in the U.S that might compare would be gang infested neighborhoods. That same kind of insane Taliban violence is perpetrated by our own style of urban terrorists. For much the same reasons, power and control.
But yeah, overall, protesting in our country does not compare to the danger in many others.
Nope but for some reason people think it does. The you can act here is light years different than in the rest of he world.
Why don't we ever see pictures of the innocent killed by drones? Are their lives less valuable? Are the actions of our government really any different than the Taliban?
Innocent people should not be killed for ANY reason.
I agree. Their pictures should be on the 6:30 news so Americans can throw up their dinners. I put up one of the Afghanistan kill team photos on Facebook and didn't get a single reply.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/pictures/the-kill-team-photos-20110327
Here is a pic of the most recent drone casualties. You need to scroll down a bit to see it.
http://www.facebook.com/classwarfareexists
I was kind of talking about pictures of them smiling, healthy, with their families, etc. as we see of lovely Malala, but very good work. Every American should be required to view these photos and perhaps learn about the lives of the innocent civilians who have been killed by drone attacks.
We must protest against the drone bombings while embracing and supporting the brave people all over the world struugling against oppression for freedom.
Educating girls is a big problem we have with the extreme religious wacko Taliban. THEY are the enemy.
We don't have to blame America for everything.
Read Builder's comment below.
And, we have plenty of kids right here in America who "technically" get an education, but really get none at all. We Americans don't have to think we're better than everyone either.
History is important but that doesn't change the extreme religious misogynist Talibans brutality.
America should stand against all extremists everywhere. We should not shrink from supporting freedom because of our previous mistakes.
We should fight against brutal oppression while always looking inward & protesting our own mistakes.
"it's the only way to move forward"
The foreign policy of the West is to blame for much of what is extremely bad in the world and the reach is far back in history. Focusing on just one group and one region because geopolitically your own country can benefit from that area is disingenuous and shows how the West continues to exploit people in developing nations for their own aggrandizement.
I say focus on every region, all groups! All responsible planetary citizens must stand up against brutal oppression. Against violent dictators. Against religious extremists.
There is such a thing as "doing the right thing". We should do that with all like minded countries.
Our mistakes in the past (or even today) cannot prevent us from doing the right thing now.
What is the right thing, though? War is not the answer, surely, but you are on the right path with the idea that we are planetary citizens and that we should look out for everyone on earth regardless of what might or might not be in it for our own country.
I don't get to decide what the right thing is. As a group the countries of the world must decide what the right thing is.
I listed some general things I believe we should all work for.
What do you think the right thing is?
Well, I was really asking you because I don't know either, I just know it's not war. If I had to come up with something concrete, I'd probably be laughed at because I would say choosing love over fear, choosing respect for others over hubris, generosity over greed, things like that. They would go a long way toward peace.
Whew. I'm glad.
Peace Good luck in all your good efforts.
LOL. You too.
Well those are great concepts that I support. But I think more specifically we should focus on helping all countries with hunger, healthcare, freedom, education, anything we value we shouldbe spreading.
And of course war is not what I prefer either.
Then we agree. All of the things you mention would go hand in hand with the things I said. :)
We'd have to look further back in history, to when the Taleban became powerful in Afghanistan.
Remembering that the rise of the Taleban happened after America's clandestine actions to defeat the Russian invasion during the cold war.
Recruiting, training, and arming of the most ruthless elements of the Islamist activists, and then leaving them to do what they pleased, had a lot to do with the power base in what is a very religious fundamentalist country.
There's always a price to pay for every favour.
Well said.
You have a firm grip on stupid..
I'm not too impressed with you either, lol.
</3....
I'll send you <3 back, anyway, podman.
*bows humbly
we are still seperated by class structure
all presidents are from ivy league schools
I don't think this was a drone attack (of which I am against).
And with all the taliban recruiting there are still many more who strive for education for women, freedom that America represents.
We must protest against the drone attacks and remain the main supporter of womens rights in Pakistan and freedom from taliban terrorist tactics all over the muslim world.
I know she was not killed in a drone attack. My point is, go ahead and get angry with the Taliban, but please realize that your own government is contributing to their recruitment.
Besides Bush no one has killed more muslims than Talibam/Al qaeda/terrorists.
I am against the drone bombings but I believe the last number I've seen is 600 civilians killed.
So our current policy is a major reduction in US military killings (fr million+ under last Admin)
We gotta protest against the drone bombings and recognize they are in place of the massive invasions our right wing prefers.
Geesh.
Okay. So America is responsible for that poor girls fate. Check.
Pathetic. Impotent leftist pablum.
Name calling reflects your weak position.
Wonderful answer. Distracting bullshit reflects yours.
More childish name calling. You lose, I win!
Consider yourself dispatched, & dismissed.
Pathetic. Even you defend these Muslim maniacs. Did you think she deserved that?
WTF are you talking about ?! What an utterly specious half-witted argument / 'brain-fart' you make !! Like it or not - 'maniacal deranged religiosity' is NOT being 'defended' here nor are these phenomena 'religion specific' - despite your deep desire to try to make out that it is !!!
temet nosce ...
You obviously aren't the "person" I was addressing. Why do you defend "her"?
Why is my gender such a big deal for you? Why the quotes around "person" and "her"?
I never defended the hideous actions of the Taliban, you moron. I am just linking the culpability to your own government, as well, which has policies that grow the Taliban, and, by the way, kills innocent people all the time. What is the difference really? Is not a killing a killing? The foreign policy of the U.S. and in particular these drone attacks is held to no higher moral standard than the Taliban.
Yes. The actions of the Taliban are only influenced by the U.S. And you may be right: throwing women into some religious sewer according to Islam is definitely the fault of Western Civilization.
I never said any of that. Do you have trouble with comprehension? What you fail to address is the fact that the U.S. drone killings are no different than the Taliban killings. A killing is a killing is a killing, drape it in whatever hubris and moral righteousness you choose to.
One is done from religion. One is done from hubris and love of power. Care to guess which is which ?
They are actually probably both a bit of both. The world is not as black and white as you would like to make it out to be.
When good people stand by and do nothing - fanatics/terrorists/scumbags ( add your own descriptive ) fuck over society.
My heart aches
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E democrats care about it? What do you suggest for this poor girl? Maybe if we are nicer to Muslims they'll like us? Like in Ben Gazi? And why aren't you democrats not owning up to your responsibility for the death of those Americans? Bet it turned you on when you heard the ambassador was sodomized before he was strangled. Why are you democrats still fucking lying about that whole shitty mess? Fucking despicable fetish filth...
All apathy*
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You are to stupid to insult.
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Truly pathetic. You are played out red scum.
Kinda like left wing asshats make me sick, you seem to over look the losers in your own party (dem) you have become what you hate an you think that's a good thing? Do you ever get info from non- left wing sources? If you only get your info from hate filled political hacks its no shock you have become one! But hey good luck to in whatever you do.
And just what is this wonderfully reliable and accurate source that informs your every post?
Don't be shy now. We all need to know.
Something you may or may not know common sense you take what the left days a the right says and the truth is somewhere in the middle. You know that place where logical people go? That place where left and right lunatics don't feel comfortable, well maybe you have no idea? It doesn't take a genius to see all news sources push their agenda. Follow the money and you will usually find the answer. I will never post a left or right Wing link to try and prove an invalid point but hey it makes you happy so carry on!
I can see now that you haven't one.
You shouldn't be so shy.
Just admit that you make stuff up.
You mad because it makes you're made up shit look stupid? I realize in you mind linking a left wing source is all the justification you need but a rational unbiased person will always reject that kind of data. Your montra is always the same "dam reps messing everything up bla bla down with the 1% , but not your dem 1% crooks. Why do you even deny being Obama hacks?
Can you be more specific?
This post was mostly fluff.
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Well.
It is pretty fluffy............................:)
Besides, I'm waiting for the electrician, or someone like him, and have the time to request a little clarity.
Wish me luck LOL
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Kind of like the smartest hammer in the bag then?
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The biased shit you claim as a source is laughable at best. But hey if it helps you sleep at night! Funny how you progressives get so angry when anyone questions you on your bullshit.
too*
I'm typing on a little iPhone with big fingers I'm lucky I got that close.
she said "Obama is my idol" - she must be democrat
With so many liars claiming D = R
With so many liars claiming Obama is a Muslim , a foreigner
With so many liars like willard & mr. ayn rand
America - IF IT THINKS - can stand up against our stalled govenment ,
controlled by grover & david & charlie & shelly
V O T E
You know, that with a D senate & D house & Obama :
We will be able to tax the 1%
we will have a chance for medicare for all
we will have a real jobs program
we will be able to cut military $
it may require you to stand up against the government -
to change it
it may require you to stand up against your own philosophy -
that you want to feel good by not voting for an electable candidate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDTT1yRNsFE&feature=player_embedded
Actually we had a D house, senate and Potus not that long ago. It got us more war, forced fascist healthcare, extending the Bush cuts, and no real job program at all.
Time to WTFU dude.
Exactly when were there 60D in the senate?
if you were honest - you would admit that Obama is a President - not a dictator who can get anything done without the H + S voting on it and that he cannot end the filibuster or force anyone to vote his way on an issue
He was able to attack Libya just fine. And managed to get indef detention appealed and won. I guess with the big dictator stuff he's all good, but when it comes to getting sensible stuff done, not so much.
So now the Dems need 60 in the Senate? If Obama cant get two Repubuclians to sign onto things, then he's just a shitty leader.
loosen your straight jacket - troll
Not a troll dude, just one of millions of Americans who realize this entire system is busted.
A dem hack/shill calling someone a troll, interesting.
At least you are an open dem hack unlike Many on here. You are one of the few who do not care what a partisan tool you look like and for that I respect you (don't agree with anything you say ) but at least you're honest.
First, condolences to her family for the injury and possible loss.
Second, killing innocents has become a fad for the political people. Everywhere.
We are sliding toward a world of new nazis, video game rules, hate religions. Sad.
Update:
She is in th UK and looks like shewill recover.
http://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-schoolgirl-attacked-taliban-sent-uk-treatment-035131487.html
Great!
Did you say Pakistan or Mississippi? The red states stand for states of rage, and the taliban would fit right in in Mississippi.
Update: Arrests have been announced. More being pursued.
Update: Protests all over Pakistan continue against the religious extremist Taliban!!
Malala head wound less severe than thought. Skull cut to allow pressure to recede. Bullet removed from chest cavity.
The brave young girl is recuperating and being threatened by wacko Taliban yet still if she dares to seek an education.
Glad to hear to hear the wound is survivable.
In light of this horror,
it may be awful to herald the focus that Malala has given the world -
and to Pakistan -
a hero to unify the world and her country against the taliban
somewhat reminiscent of the 1963 Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing
I hope her courage will move others to take action against any and all tyranny within their own countries, not just against the Taliban.
Seems so. And 3 people have been arrested, others being pursued.
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Thanks for the link. Nice to see she has support.
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Some people are just bat-shit crazy.
Seems like the Brits are up to their old divide and conquer tricks - playing both sides, both the murdering and the crying. Just like Darfur, N. Ireland, Kenya, Rhodesia, etc.
London, the locus of evil for centuries. The British Empire, the sun never sets on their evil - hidden for decades by communism and earlier the Nazis. However the Nazis were their invention, their Frankenstein monster.
Incidentally the Brits are our enemy, they have always been our enemy.
Go away LaRouche douche.
How dare you defame Islam. Many people here are proud friends and defenders of the religion of peace!
It's just another political war... if it was not they'd be chasing the TalyBan down in Pakistan right now.