This is not political...but it is sad and makes me MAD!

shack

I have several friends (some doctors) that do exactly what these people were doing...ONLY because they have compassion and a need to help others.

I am tired of only the US being painted with the "barbaric" brush because sometimes civilians are inadvertently hurt or killed by troops. This appears to be a willful and blatant act of cold blooded murder.

This thread will probably get shut down...but people like these are real heros and I just needed to post it.

We need to remember their families in our prayers.

6 Americans on medical team killed in Afghanistan

Associated Press Writer Kathy Gannon


KABUL, Afghanistan – Ten members of a medical team, including six Americans, were shot and killed by militants as they were returning from providing eye treatment and other health care in remote villages in northern Afghanistan, a spokesman for the team said Saturday.

Dirk Frans, director of the International Assistance Mission, said one German, one Briton and two Afghans also were part of the team that made the three-week trip to Nuristan province. They drove to the province, left their vehicles and hiked for hours with pack horses over mountainous terrain to reach the Parun valley in the province's northwest.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that they killed the foreigners because they were "spying for the Americans" and "preaching Christianity."

Frans said the International Assistance Mission, the longest serving nongovernmental organization operating in Afghanistan, is registered as a nonprofit Christian organization but does not proselytize.

"This tragedy negatively impacts our ability to continue serving the Afghan people as IAM has been doing since 1966," the charity said in a statement. "We hope it will not stop our work that benefits over a quarter of a million Afghans each year."

The team, made up of doctors, nurses and logistics personnel, was attacked as it was returning to Kabul after the two-week mission in Nuristan, Frans said. They had decided to travel through Badakhshan province to return to the capital because they thought it would be the safest route, Frans said.

Among the dead was team leader Tom Little, an optometrist from Delmar, New York, who has been working in Afghanistan for more than 30 years, Frans said. Another relief organization, Bridge Afghanistan, said on its website that the group included one of its members, Dr. Karen Woo of London.

Little, who oversaw eye hospitals in Kabul and two other major cities as well as small clinics in three smaller towns, had been expelled by the Taliban government in August 2001 after the arrest of eight Christian aid workers — two Americans and six Germans — for allegedly trying to convert Afghans to Christianity. He returned to live in Afghanistan after the Taliban government was toppled in November 2001 by U.S.-backed forces.

Frans said he lost contact with Little on Wednesday. On Friday, a third Afghan member of the team, who survived the attack, called to report the killings. A fourth Afghan member of the team was not killed because he took a different route home because he had family in Jalalabad, Frans said.

According to Frans, two members of the team worked for IAM, two were former IAM workers and four others were affiliated with other organizations, which he did not disclose. He said five of the Americans were men and one was a woman. The Briton and German also were women.

Gen. Agha Noor Kemtuz, police chief in Badakhshan province, said the victims, who had been shot, were found Friday next to three bullet-riddled four-wheel drive vehicles in Kuran Wa Munjan district. He said villagers had warned the team that the area was dangerous, but the foreigners said they were doctors and weren't afraid. He said local police said about 10 gunmen robbed them and killed them one by one.

He said the two dead Afghans were interpreters from Bamiyan and Panjshir provinces. The third Afghan who survived "told me he was shouting and reciting the holy Quran and saying 'I am Muslim. Don't kill me,'" Kemtuz said.

Frans told The Associated Press that he was skeptical the Taliban were responsible and that the team had studied security conditions carefully before proceeding with the mission. The team trekked from village to village during the two weeks, treating about 400 people for eye disorders and other illnesses.

"We are a humanitarian organization. We had no security people. We had no armed guards. We had no weapons," he said.

In a blog posting last month, Woo said the expedition would include an eye doctor, a dental surgeon "as well as me as the general practioner."

"The trek will not be easy; it will take three weeks and be done on foot and with packhorses — no vehicles can access the mountainous terrain," she wrote. "The expedition will require a lot of physical and mental resolve and will not be without risk but ultimately, I believe that the provision of medical treatment is of fundamental importance and that the effort is worth it in order to assist those that need it most."

John30_30

shack wrote: »

I have several friends (some doctors) that do exactly what these people were doing...ONLY because they have compassion and a need to help others.

I am tired of only the US being painted with the "barbaric" brush because sometimes civilians are inadvertently hurt or killed by troops. This appears to be a willful and blatant act of cold blooded murder.

This thread will probably get shut down...but people like these are real heros and I just needed to post it.

We need to remember their families in our prayers.

Man, I hear you. It was just depressing to the max to read that this morning.

snow

It is sad to see people that are attempting to do good die by violent means but I have mixed feelings about this, They knew the risks and "chose" to take them and in doing so paid the ultimate price. IMHO there are lots of people in 3rd world countrys that are not looking to kill outsiders that need the asssistance also, for crying out loud if you feel the need to help the under priveleged by all means do so, but do it in a place that wants your help and where people are not actively looking to kill you.

I also think that it is a very selfish act, if you have loved ones at home that are going to miss you if you die by going places like this you are cheating them out of a mother father husband wife etc, etc.

Nothing wrong with charity, im all for giving back and caring about others just be sensible about it, your going to be able to help a lot more people if you stay alive than if you die.

My condolances to the families and friends.



REGARDS SNOW

obieone

Sincerest condolences to the families, and commrade.

And everyone else, please put Spongebob in the clown closet. Giving him the attention just feeds him.

George Grand

A valiant effort Steve, duly noted.

tonyb

I do feel for the families of those killed, and I have nothing but respect for those who throw themselves into harms way to benefit those in need. Of coarse the flip side is they knew the risks going in, still doesn't make cold blooded murder ok though. Frankly, even though my heart goes out to these people, did we expect anything less from such barbaric people?? Yet we always seem surprised at such acts when in truth,it happens all around the world almost daily, some good samaritan is giving his life. Evil flourishes when good men stand by and do nothing. By the looks of things lately,good men are becomming harder and harder to come by. Case in point is all the people that are being killed in Darfur,and all other parts of Africa, as the rest of the world just stands aside and watches. Who then becomes the barbarian ??

schwarcw

My heart goes out to the victims of this senseless crime. They were there to help people. Prayers sent!

shack

As it turns out...one of the women killed may be from right here in my town. They are waiting for confirmation. We can only hope the preliminary info is wrong. Either way...she is from some town...and the senseless death of a humanitarian is always sad.

mole'

SAD.....
may they all RIP

HB27

Thank them for their selfless service and may God Bless.

RuSsMaN

I hit it with some lysol, sanitized for the greater good.

Carry on shack daddy.

A glass raised tonight to those gone, but not forgotten....

nooshinjohn

God bless them for their efforts and their sacrifice, and may his grace comfort the families of those lost.

hearingimpared

Savage barbarians!!! My heart goes out to those who died and the family members left behind.

shack

As I mentioned yesterday...

The family of 32-year-old Cheryl Beckett said in a statement Sunday that she was part of the team providing eye care and medical aid in northern Afghanistan and was one of the 10 killed.

Beckett is the daughter of Charles Beckett, the pastor of Knoxville Woodlawn Christian Church. She had been in Afghanistan for six years and specialized in nutritional gardening and mother-child health. Beckett was valedictorian of her high school and attended Indiana Wesleyan University, earning a biology degree. She traveled around the world, including to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I had no idea when I posted this story yesterday morning that there were any local ties...It just bothered me. Plus as more news comes out, this young woman sounds a bit like my daughter with the places she has traveled.

The more I read about this, the more I am convinced the motives of these people had absoulely nothing to do with war, politics or religion (maybe only that their faith led them to want help others). Afghanistan just happened to be the place they chose to try and help.

Thanks to Russman for cleaning up the thread.

Whatever your thoughts about any of this...just remember the families of these individuals...and remember all of the humanitarians who choose to try and help those in need...wherever they are.

ohskigod

shack wrote: »

As I mentioned yesterday...

The family of 32-year-old Cheryl Beckett said in a statement Sunday that she was part of the team providing eye care and medical aid in northern Afghanistan and was one of the 10 killed.

Beckett is the daughter of Charles Beckett, the pastor of Knoxville Woodlawn Christian Church. She had been in Afghanistan for six years and specialized in nutritional gardening and mother-child health. Beckett was valedictorian of her high school and attended Indiana Wesleyan University, earning a biology degree. She traveled around the world, including to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I had no idea when I posted this story yesterday morning that there were any local ties...It just bothered me. Plus as more news comes out, this young woman sounds a bit like my daughter with the places she has traveled.

The more I read about this, the more I am convinced the motives of these people had absoulely nothing to do with war, politics or religion (maybe only that their faith led them to want help others). Afghanistan just happened to be the place they chose to try and help.

Thanks to Russman for cleaning up the thread.

Whatever your thoughts about any of this...just remember the families of these individuals...and remember all of the humanitarians who choose to try and help those in need...wherever they are.

sincerest condolences to there family. sounds like she got around and did alot of good. sad to see the good ones go.

+1 to Russman's sweep

danger boy

sad no doubt.. and I feel for the familes that no longer have their loved ones...

with a country as unstable and dangerous as Afghanistan, caregivers and the like should not be there.. get them all out now before more senseless killings take place. (it's just a matter of time before more are killed).

shack

danger boy wrote:

with a country as unstable and dangerous as Afghanistan, caregivers and the like should not be there.. get them all out now before more senseless killings take place. (it's just a matter of time before more are killed).

There has always been those who feel like helping people with the greatest need often entails the greatest risk. Maybe they feel the risk is worth taking...for if not them that helps these people...then who will?

Not arguing...just wondering.

danger boy

Shack, it's very honorable to go outside of the US and want to help.. i can't ever see myself doing that.. the dangers of you not returning at stacked way against you. You many not be killed, although the chances are quite high that a person would be.

even as tourists who accidently cross over the boarder and are taken prisoner for whatever reason and held in jail with out any legal help.. well, that's a risk I am not willing to take. call me selfish or bitter, but i want to live to see my next birthday.

I'll help in other ways where my life is not put in constant danger because of some radical extremists.

hearingimpared

shack wrote: »

As I mentioned yesterday...

The family of 32-year-old Cheryl Beckett said in a statement Sunday that she was part of the team providing eye care and medical aid in northern Afghanistan and was one of the 10 killed.

Beckett is the daughter of Charles Beckett, the pastor of Knoxville Woodlawn Christian Church. She had been in Afghanistan for six years and specialized in nutritional gardening and mother-child health. Beckett was valedictorian of her high school and attended Indiana Wesleyan University, earning a biology degree. She traveled around the world, including to Honduras, Mexico, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

I had no idea when I posted this story yesterday morning that there were any local ties...It just bothered me. Plus as more news comes out, this young woman sounds a bit like my daughter with the places she has traveled.

The more I read about this, the more I am convinced the motives of these people had absoulely nothing to do with war, politics or religion (maybe only that their faith led them to want help others). Afghanistan just happened to be the place they chose to try and help.

Thanks to Russman for cleaning up the thread.

Whatever your thoughts about any of this...just remember the families of these individuals...and remember all of the humanitarians who choose to try and help those in need...wherever they are.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR It hurts even more when it hits home Steve. Savage, barbaric, murderers!!!

Again my heart and prayers go out to the families of the slain. May God give them solace in this very disturbing time.

Hawkeye

I'd like to keep my response as unpolitical as possible, hopefully I'm as successful as I want to be.

I have tremendous respect for these folks that go these shithole countries and try to to do good, however in vain it may me be. 60-65 troops killed last month? Both groups, military and civilian are all volunteers and they knew the risks before going.

Many countries paint us in a poor light, for some good reasons and some just because of who we are. We are a good people for the most part, and most of the world does not deserve our goodwill and caring. We're broke, out of work and on the edge of the cliff yet we still give. When will we ever catch a break and hear a nice simple thank you from somebody? Never.

It is time to pack up all our folks and come home. Let them live in caves and eat dirt it if that is what they choose. If they go blind, so what? No food to eat? Don't care anymore. If these people had any belief in their OWN country, we may be able to help them, but since they don't care about themselves, why in the hell should we?

In the movie Network, the guy said " I'm pissed, and I'm not going to take it anymore".

Gordon

schwarcw

Certain people have a calling to serve others, religious, moral or just for the sake of helping others. Most of us can't understand their calling as we don't have what it takes to give up everything, lifestyle, security, the comforts of home and close to family to help others even if it means giving up their lives. It's a calling and a passion that I respect and admire. I don't have the courage to do this, few people do. It's sad that they lost their lives for the passion to help others. It's even sadder to hear and see some of the criticism or senseless discussion on blogs, TV, etc. God Bless these people who lost their lives, may their families find peace and comfort in the tough days and months ahead.

tommyboy

Reading this article immediately made me think of the movie Rambo. I know, I know, how can you ever compare this to a shooot-em-up hollywood movie. But I thought Rambo had a very meaningful message that has a lot of resembelance here.

In the film, a group of churchgoers go to Burma to try to help the people from the bloodshed of an evil regime. What they didn't realize is that although their help gets the will of the people and helps save lives, their efforts are for nothing (or should I say considerably harder) if they don't get rid of the reason these citizens are in this spot to begin with. Rambo (even though hes killed literally;) thousand people) knows the only way to fight fire is with fire.

I AM NOT DEMEANING THE VALIANT EFFORTS THESE PEOPLE WENT THROUGH! But the only way to truely help these people in need is to get rid of the evil that started it... Still, I'm happy to see people still do this knowing the dangers they put themselves in, it shows the selfless cosideration for others in need..

Rest in peace to all that was involved...

ohskigod

saw a quick news piece that said the agency that these people were a member of are comitted to sending more people to Afghanistan. I don't know man, I certainly don't question the intent.........but..... I can't get the phrase "lambs to the slaughter" out of my head!!

hearingimpared

ohskigod wrote: »

saw a quick news piece that said the agency that these people were a member of are committed to sending more people to Afghanistan. I don't know man, I certainly don't question the intent.........but..... I can't get the phrase "lambs to the slaughter" out of my head!!

Hm, ya got me to thinking Louie, why doesn't this agency set-up a facility like a clinic (or several) in various "safe" locations in Afghanistan that has proper security and have the people who need help come to them instead of sending the "lambs to slaughter?"

I'm sure this was kicked around by that agency (or maybe not) and it could be they don't have the financial backing to something like this. If that's case, I'm sure they could raise the money to build one facility with an all volunteer staff and maybe even ex-service people who would be willing to volunteer their services for security. Once this one facility is shown to be a safe success then it will be easier to raise money to build more.

I'm sure if it was that simple they would have done it already but who knows.

I'm also sure that if the word got out that this is what they need to continue their work, Americans would be be sending money hand over fist, especially in light of this recent slaughter, despite the financial crisis the USA is in. Look at what Mark accomplished by putting the word out on the forum about a raffle to raise money for Githen's. Yeah the circumstances are quite different but I would think Americans would do the same for this agency.

tommyboy

hearingimpared wrote: »

Hm, ya got me to thinking Louie, why doesn't this agency set-up a facility like a clinic (or several) in various "safe" locations in Afghanistan that has proper security and have the people who need help come to them instead of sending the "lambs to slaughter?"

Probably because the area they are going to is controlled by the taliban

hearingimpared

tommyboy wrote: »

Probably because the area they are going to is controlled by the taliban

Well from what I've read the hike they took to get to their destination was not an area controlled by the Taliban. That's what I meant by "safe" locations . . . ones that are not controlled by the Taliban.

Also take into consideration that if our government officials knew of such a place they would certainly or should provide protection by means of sending troops to keep watch over the facility.

It seems to me we are over there to get rid of the Taliban and have a democratic election all in the name of helping the Afghans.

mrbigbluelight

According to Afghan national forces, the medical personnel were killed by "bandits".

....... ahem ......


Their courage and humanity is to be admired. May they rest in peace.


From what I know, it was a 5 day trek to the remote location.
5 days in, 5 days out.
That's a lot of exposure.

Helo's are more expensive, but quicker. Get in, get the job done, and get out.

hearingimpared

mrbigbluelight wrote: »

According to Afghan national forces, the medical personnel were killed by "bandits".

....... ahem ......

Yeah and I have a bridge to sell in the Sahara desert!!!:rolleyes: Even if that were true . . . I still blame the Taliban!:mad: PERIOD!!!

Besides that how does the Afghan National Forces know that the Taliban aren't behind these "bandits?"

ohskigod

hearingimpared wrote: »

..... "safe" locations in Afghanistan......

the quintisensial oxymoron brotha.

Jeff_J

hearingimpared wrote: »

It seems to me we are over there to get rid of the Taliban and have a democratic election all in the name of helping the Afghans.

Didn't we already achieve this? Purple thumbs and all??

hearingimpared

ohskigod wrote: »

the quintisensial oxymoron brotha.

Note the quotes Louie. There are some Taliban free locations in Afghanistan.