While the situation in Swat is not as grave as it has been in the past (for example, when Jews were being discriminated against, and later put in concentration camps during the Holocaust), it is still noteworthy. Thousands of girls are now not able to go to school because of the Taliban; next to nothing has been done to ameliorate the situation. Yet, we know what is going on. In the video we watched, the family had a computer, and thus the means to let people know about their situation via the internet. Also, the New York Times, and other newspapers, I assume, have extensive coverage of the situation. However, just now is president Obama suggesting that we give Pakistan some military aid to combat the Taliban, and Congress, instead, is suggesting that we give them non-military aid. If the Pakistani government is unable to control a region 90 miles from its capital, it is obvious that what they require most is military aid. Then why are we so hesitant to provide it?
We need to dust the relative defeat in Iraq off, and get back on our feet to help these girls in Pakistan get to school without being violently attacked by Taliban fighters. We need to learn from past mistakes in history to avoid any more harm being done to Pakistan, and moreover, we need to realize that these girls are people, too, just like us, who want the brightest future possible, but who live in a world of violence and danger, and are unable to attain their hopes and dreams.
I thought this incorporated many good facts and comparisons to other parts of history. To answer your question of why the U.S. is hesitant to provide military aid: a lot of political decisions made in the U.S. take a long time because politicians tend to stick to party lines (Republican, Democrat, etc). George Bush all but abandoned Afghanistan/Pakistan in favor of a war in Iraq, and many of his colleagues in the Senate and house of representatives are supporting him and do not want to relocate troops away from Iraq. This is making it difficult for troops to be sent to Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteThe phrasing and organization of your op-ed was really good and helped to further strengthen your argument. You definitely showed a clear view that we need to act immediately before it is too late.
ReplyDeleteYour opinion is strong and clearly stated. I agree completely with your stance on this issue, and I especially applaud your observation that--though the situation in Pakistan is obviously documented and known world-wide--no one has done anything to help get rid of Taliban control.
ReplyDeleteStructurally, this piece flowed very well, and it was both concise and compelling. Overall, a very nice read. Great job!
-Sarah
I really liked how you were able to define the reason we are even writing these Op-Eds. You also took a clear stance to say your opinion regarding the Taliban, which is definitely important in a piece like this. I also liked the way that you analyzed the video and really absorbed the details, it made your piece all the more stronger.
ReplyDeleteI loved how you got deeper and showed us the true reason for writing op-eds. Also, I really liked how you included your opinion and was really helpful for me to agree with your side. Lastly, your op-ed had good facts and support.
ReplyDeleteI thought that you had some good points, that really helped your argument. I also like how, like you say, it is important to relate history to present day things, and then you do with the situation that we looked at and how the United States are going to handle the situation. As we do all of the time in class, it is also good to analyze why we would or should do something and then using historical evidence to show that your claim on what we should do is legitimate.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your play on words from Obama's speech about dusting ourselves off, I thought that was a really good idea in proving your point about how we shouldn't be hesitant in giving Pakistan some military support. In addition I think it is true how we learn in history about specific events so that they don't occur again, and here something terrible is happening and no one is preventing it.
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