Hey everyone, how are you all? Sorry for not keeping in touch, but I don't get much air time. This is my third attempt at this post. I keep dropping out.
The Taliban Spring Offensive started officially this week and It's been a busy one. Jalalabad doesn't really make the press. It's out of the way and has no safe haven for the media parade. But in the past seven days we've had dozens of terrorist incidents, ranging from kidnappings and assassinations to IEDs and gun battles. The worst was on Monday when a Taliban suicide squad dressed in police uniforms attacked our local Justice Department court house. After killing the security guards, one of them detonated his suicide vest to knock down the gates. The remaining three stormed the building, leaving defensive IEDs in their path. They took hostages and then held off the Afghan security forces for over four hours until they and their hostages were all dead. They made no demands and obviously had no escape plan. Moreover, the security forces were in no mood to negotiate. It was a typically Afghan fight; brutal and to the death. The toll at the end if the day was nine killed (including a 12 year old boy) and 18 injured. I am still numb just thinking about it.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, as if you had a choice
Anyway, real world stuff:
Champions League - Real or Atletico?
World Cup - an all South American final?
Manchester United - I vote Ryan Giggs for manager!
Cheers
Edit: thanks for the thanks mates. Your support means a lot. I've wondered if my posts on Afghanistan are inappropriate. A few people (not loons) seem to think I'm just show boating. All I can say is I'm just saying what I see and feel.