I am currently reading “The Bookseller of Kabul” by Asne Seierstad and it is fascinating. I am one of those people who is incredibly ignorant of the detail behind the various conflicts in the world, but this true human story has brought some of the aspects of recent Afghan politics to life.
Did you know that when the Taliban stormed Kabul in 1996 they made 16 decrees? If you had 16 rules to live your life by, would you expect them to include: prohibition against kite flying, against drum playing and against the rearing of pigeons? I think it makes the 10 commandments look very sensible.
I wish I understood more politics, but whenever I try and watch the news in detail it goes in one ear and out the other and half the time I end up unsure who the goodies and the baddies are.
Maybe it should be a late new year resolution to make myself better informed.
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Have you seen or read Kite Runner? That is very powerful, it is showing very similar things and you get the importance of the kite flying as well, incredible isn’t it, who very rich other cultures are and how ignorant we are of them.
Comment by Claire January 21, 2008 @ 11:12 amHi Claire, I haven’t but will look out for it. Now I am curious about this kite flying business!
Comment by Morag January 22, 2008 @ 3:11 pm