I only believe about half of them; however, I still believe dialogue is the only way to alter customs or behavior.
And maybe, once in a while, learn something about ourselves.
"30 rules of the Taliban proclaimed; Leaders tell how to burn schools ; warn aid workers" by Jason Straziuso/Associated Press December 10, 2006
KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Taliban gunmen who murdered two teachers in eastern Afghanistan early yesterday were only following their rules: Teachers receive a warning, then a beating, and if they continue to teach must be killed.
The new list of 30 rules, decided on during a high Taliban meeting in September or October and since circulated over the Internet, span from the organizational -- no jihad equipment may be used for personal means -- to the health-conscious -- militants are not supposed to smoke.
Taliban militants early yesterday broke into a house in the eastern province of Kunar, killing a family of five, including two sisters who were teachers.
The women had been warned in a letter to quit teaching, said Gulam Ullah Wekar, the provincial education director. Their mother, grandmother and a male relative were also slain in the attack.
The two sisters brought to 20 the number of teachers killed in Taliban attacks this year, said Education Ministry spokesman Zuhur Afghan. He said 198 schools have been burned down this year, up from about 150 last year.
I'm already skeptical! "Circulated over the internet?"
Sniff-sniff, I smell the OSI!
The Rules
The 30 Taliban rules also spell out opposition to development projects from aid organizations, including clinics, roads, and schools and also contain a grave warning for aid workers and educators... Other edicts focus inward on the Taliban command structure... [and] appear focused on not having ordinary Afghans turn against the Taliban.
A purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, confirmed the authenticity of the rules.... signed by Mullah Omar, the fugitive Taliban leader and "the highest leader of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan," according to the document.
What, so the MSM believes them now; however, when they deny suicide bombings that massacre civilians then they are liars, right?
Kill the aid and hurt the "ordinary Afghans" it doesn't want to "turn against the Taliban?"
Just want to get that straight, sniff-sniff!
The List
No. 9: Taliban may not use jihad equipment or property for personal ends.
No. 10: Every Talib is accountable to his superiors in matters of money spending and equipment usage.
No. 12: A group of mujahedeen may not take in mujahedeen from another group to increase their own power.
No. 16: It is "strictly forbidden" to search houses or confiscate weapons without a commander's permission.
No. 17: Militants have no right to confiscate money or possessions from civilians.
No. 18: Fighters "should refrain from smoking cigarettes."
No. 19: Mujahedeen may not take young boys without facial hair onto the battlefield -- or into their private quarters.
No. 24: Forbids anyone to work as a teacher "under the current puppet regime, because this strengthens the system of the infidels."
No. 25: Teachers who ignore Taliban warnings will be killed.
No. 26: If a school fails a warning to close, it must be burned. But all religious books must be secured beforehand.
The Reactions
Mohammad Hashim Mayar, the deputy direct of ACBAR -- the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief -- an oversight body for almost 100 aid organizations in Afghanistan, said the rules are no surprise.
"They've been practicing this in the past. We already knew when they were burning schools, when they were killing people, we said that they were against education, and they are well aware of the importance of education."
Major Luke Knittig, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force who said officials had no reason to doubt the authenticity of the rules, which are being circulated on various Web sites:
"[The rules confirm a Taliban policy of undermining all forms of development that benefit ordinary Afghans and seem to sanction the targeting of civilians]. The rules likely represent an attempt at indirect leadership by the Taliban in the face of increasingly hindered ability to lead directly and visibly. The rule regarding behavior toward young boys shows this has been a problem."
Mine: After what Knittig said, I'm starting to wonder about the whole thing. Taliban's "attempt at indirect leadership... in the face of increasingly hindered ability to lead directly and visibly" why Brits just got kicked out of Musa Qala?
No. 9: Taliban may not use jihad equipment or property for personal ends.
No. 10: Every Talib is accountable to his superiors in matters of money spending and equipment usage.
No. 12: A group of mujahedeen may not take in mujahedeen from another group to increase their own power.
Kind of like an anti-corruption stance, huh? And WHAT ABOUT US?
No. 16: It is "strictly forbidden" to search houses or confiscate weapons without a commander's permission.
No. 17: Militants have no right to confiscate money or possessions from civilians.
Kind of like a Taliban Bill of Rights, huh? And WHAT ABOUT US?
No. 18: Fighters "should refrain from smoking cigarettes."
That sounds like AmeriKa!
No. 19: Mujahedeen may not take young boys without facial hair onto the battlefield -- or into their private quarters.
Two Words: Mark Foley!
No. 24: Forbids anyone to work as a teacher "under the current puppet regime, because this strengthens the system of the infidels."
No. 25: Teachers who ignore Taliban warnings will be killed.
No. 26: If a school fails a warning to close, it must be burned. But all religious books must be secured beforehand."
These are the rules I don't believe, although I am intrigued by "all religious books must be secured" before burning down schools.
One assumes that applies to "all religious books," not just Korans.
So we defile their holy book, while the "terrorists" remove them before committing acts of terror?
Talk about piety! And WHAT ABOUT US?
Hell, we FIREBOMB by AIRMAIL with NO WARNING!
Yeah, let's just BOMB the AFGHANIS into WIDOWHOOD!
That will get rid of those pesky, barbaric Taliban!!!!
