Dear Paul,

It's always great to hear stories of positivity.
It helps to share the positive and not focus
on the negative especially at Christmas. Yes,
good people do exist.

Our doctor is Persian and during our last visit
a few days ago - he'd been given quite a few gifts
by his patients. Mainly of food. Which was lovely.
However many assumed he was Muslim. And avoided
giving him alcohol. Whereas he loves his wine.
It's funny the assumptions we make and the stereotyping
that often takes place.

Hi Foxy,

I only see positives whenever I can, there are enough naysayers in this world for all of us twice over, just look at the silly old posters on this forum, and all the negativity they generate. Just done a Google review for a local business, which donated $3,000 towards our Xmas Hampers and next years food relief, for homeless and vulnerable folk in our local community. The business is run by 3 young amazing women.

Kudos Kid,

You say Afghans benefited from colonialism, dose that include the more than a million Afghans murdered by Europeans.. British, Russians, Americans, Australians, etc in European wars of invasion since the first British invasion and genocide in 1838. Those lucky Afghans, no wonder the Taliban are doing so well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Anglo-Afghan_War

"The British feared that an invading Islamic army would lead to an uprising in India by the people and princely states therefore it was decided to replace Dost Mohammed Khan with a more pliant ruler."

It appears that European power plays between Russia and Britain, what became known as the "Great Game", as well as France, Prussia were also factors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Afghanistan

"The history of the Emirate was dominated by the 'Great Game' between the Russian Empire and the British Empire for supremacy in Central Asia. This period was characterized by European influence in Afghanistan. The Emirate of Afghanistan continued the Durrani Empire's war with the Sikh Empire, losing control of the former Afghan stronghold of the Valley of Peshawar at the Battle of Nowshera on 14 March 1823."

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains
And the women come out to cut up what remains
Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains
An' go to your Gawd like a soldier
Go, go, go like a soldier
Go, go, go like a soldier
Go, go, go like a soldier
So- oldier of the Queen

Rudyard Kipling, The Young British Soldier.