Tuesday, October 9, 2001: Ye kya he, America? -- Bidar

Hello friends,

Having only heard rumors of war I got up this morning with the question in my mind...can this be true? Did my government's planes, missiles, and bombs really attack sites in Afghanistan? I purchased a paper across the street from the hotel and sat down at a tea stall to read what had happened. The cover said the second night of bombings by the US and UK forces had taken place, with a photo of Afghani men observing what looked like their destroyed brick homes. 

I shook my head, feeling disbelief, then sadness, then anger, then sadness again. How could my government carry out such an act of violence? Did my government actually believe that bombing a few military camps, airstrips, and people would bring this conflict closer to a just conclusion? Doesn't this only give those who are angry at the US justification for more acts of terrorism? I thought about how many times in India I had heard someone speak Osama Ben Laden's name before the September 11th news...not once. Now people living in remote rural areas make comments to me like this....war...Osama Ben Laden...America. Who gives terrorists power?

A fellow sitting next to me was reading a paper in Urdu and I was curious what he thought about the situation but didn't ask, guessing he didn't speak English. Today was meant to be my internet day and so I decided to head to a cafe.

Another fellow said to me, "Ye kya he, America?" which means, "What is this, America?". Yes, many are asking that question right now.

Most of the day I spent attempting small tasks on the internet, but most of my efforts were thwarted by either power failure, battery back-up failure, or speed/connection issues.

After dinner I decided not to struggle anymore and chalk this up to my free day in Bidar. I decided to go to a Hindi movie. There are actually quite a few theaters here, I guess, and I went to one playing Hindi films. This film was a Hindi version of the film "Liar, Liar" with a few scenes from "Enemy of the State" thrown in and a few song and shoulder shaking routines, common to Hindi films. I could understand a few Hindi words, and the conspicuous English phrases that jumped out, such as "Let's go. I love you. No, your honor."

I am writing a letter to President Bush and will send it at my next email and printer stop. If you feel you want to voice your concerns about our government's recent bombing of Afghanistan, please do, with creativity and wisdom.

Now...as on September 11... a wife discovers she is a widow...a child an orphan... When will it be time to reconcile with, support, and heal the new widows and orphans in this world?

Sincerely,

TAD