Christmas in Taliban Land - IED Bombers Set Free and Paid for their Trouble

Three "wise" Taliban Kings? see Birth of Jesus. 

Christmas in Australia on 25 December is in Mid-Summer - so snow and sleigh bells do not quite fit.

-
Taliban prisoners may be imprisoned, tortured, executed or could get lucky this Christmas if freed on the coalition/ISAF's "Release After Four Days - With High Pay" scheme.

Yes there is the matter of coalition/ISAF forces knowingly handing over prisoners to Afghan Government forces for torture and possible execution. And there is the modernised Phoenix Program ("Kill-Capture") practice of shooting Taliban that could have been taken prisoner or killing them just after their surrender. But there is a lighter side:

The Australian, December 15, 2011 reports that identified Taliban IED bomb makers, captured by Aussie forces, are increasingly being rewarded by being set free 4 days after capture AND being given $200 "inconvenience" pay (a fortune in impoverished Afghanistan). see http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/defence/suspect-bombers-200-inconvenience-pay/story-e6frg8yo-1226222322624  -

While Taliban are underserving beneficiaries of Christian spirit and money Aussie Diggers are being intentionally shot by Afghan Army troops (theoretically on the same side). Reality in Afghanistan is outdoing the Catch-22 novel as a quirky, surrealistic, little war that keeps on giving - and taking lives.

Apart from Afghanistan Christmas continues its merry way in Australia and on the internet.


- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is not strictly a Christmas Carol but it has a special beauty.

- Snoopy's Christmas - is a modern Carol. Its message is self sacrifice, humanity and peace temporarily triumphing over war.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all (even Taliban? :)
-
Pete