Hope

I just read an article about how the deaths in Afghanistan increased about 40% in 2008 due to war-related violence between American and Taliban forces.  There have not been that many deaths since 2001 when the Taliban were driven out.  According to the United Nations survey, fatalities rose in almost every month last year due to fighting in the winter season, which had usually been the calmest time of the year.  Most deaths were causes by suicide bombers and roadside bombs from the Taliban and other anti-government revolt groups.  The United Nations report also said how there were most likely going to be more struggles and deaths because the insurgents purposely plan attacks in civilian areas.  Many people have died and there is still a lot of struggle in Afghanistan.  

I think what's going on in Afghanistan right now is horrible and needs to end as soon as possible.  I think there is still hope to end the violence.  But in Afghanistan it is not as easy to fix as it is to talk about fixing.  Many people have lost hope.  Many civilians have died and many American troops have died as well.  But many people do have hope, even the people who have lost everything.  Obama plans to help and hopes to make a difference.  I think in our country many people who are well off hope for, for example, an ipod for their birthday or hope that the teacher wont collect their math assignment the day they didn't do it.  We are very fortunate living in America that we don't have to hope we don't get shot on the way to school or bombed on the way home.  Just like in Nectar in a Sieve, Ruku hopes it rains one day so the crops grow and her family can eat another meal.  I think we don't experience hope the way people in other parts of the world do.  Many people rely on hope for their futures and hope is necessary to survive.

I read this article at: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/world/asia/18afghan.html?ref=world