Hello

[Culler]

Hello all. I'm interested in learning more about Pashtun culture and history of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Also looking to learn and become proficient in the languages of the regions too.

I myself, am from Australia. Have friends in and from Pakistan. I've also followed the ongoings in the regions as far as western military forces are concerned. Must say I'm not an advocate of this 'War on Terror'. Since 2001 I've only seen people of western nations and my own, develop naive and ignorant perspectives and understandings of the middle east and individual nations. most of their perspective and understanding being based on what is presented in western media.

I can only hope such people have not tainted the image of how members these nations perceive our own. Anyhow, I look forward to learning more and getting to know the community on here.

[faye]

been culling kangas have ya? whatsya favourite beer, mate?

[Culler]

Not a beer drinker actually. Can't say I've seen a kangaroo around the way to Cull either lol

[Al Hanif]

Salam Alaykum

Yes you are a Pashtun

What is your gender ?

[Culler]

No I'm not a Pashtun. I'm a Caucasian male. My lineage is a mix of German, Scottish, Irish, British, polish and maybe some others I'm not aware of.

[Al Hanif]

No I'm not a Pashtun.

I know. It's a private joke. People usually come here and ask if they're Pashtun. And the answer is always yes.

I'm a Caucasian male.

You're a male, great !

My lineage is a mix of German, Scottish, Irish, British, polish and maybe some others I'm not aware of.

Well, your ethnicity doesn't matter. You are against the war so you're cool in my book.

You're a male, against the war, aware that your people are brainwashed and you don't drink bear... you got full marks so far. What does your username means ?

[Afghanistan2010]

Welcome to PF,

peace

have a good stay

[Culler]

My username's derived from a nickname ive had from since I was a kid. The word cull is usually associated with killing but its not meant as literally in the way it was attributed to me. An yes I could agree that people are brainwashed, but I think it's more to do with they simply do not care. Unless its something that directly affects their everyday life.

[Al Hanif]

My username's derived from a nickname ive had from since I was a kid. The word cull is usually associated with killing but its not meant as literally in the way it was attributed to me. An yes I could agree that people are brainwashed, but I think it's more to do with they simply do not care. Unless its something that directly affects their everyday life.

Man, I still don't know you well but from what I've read so far, I already want to thank you. People like you with such an hindsight are extremely rare in the West. What is your occupation ?

[یاسمینه]

Welcome and good luck with Pashto

[badmash_khel]

lol, I like the way yasmeenaah said "good luck with pashto". She knows what your in for

BTW, welcome to the forum

[IamDZJ]

a random person logs in to this forum, claiming to be intrested in your culture and opposing to the war and you are all drooling. Well I don't believe him. I say we dig a hole in the ground and dump him in it... Come back to it a week later when he is ready to tell the truth.

[badmash_khel]

You are a pessimist

The way yoy see the world is a reflection of your own self

[IamDZJ]

The line between reality and optimism is very fine. I find it very hard to believe that a caucasian male who happens to be against the war in my country is so intrigued by my language and culture that he wants to waste his time to learn more about it just for the sake of it. The white man is only opposing the war because of how it has affected the economy for him. He doesn't give a rat's tush about your villages being burned.
Now having said all that, I don't expect, suggest or recommend that. This stranger be shunned by the rest of us. He is entitled to the benefit of the doubt like everyone else out there. Just don't be gullible.

[Culler]

The line between reality and optimism is very fine. I find it very hard to believe that a caucasian male who happens to be against the war in my country is so intrigued by my language and culture that he wants to waste his time to learn more about it just for the sake of it. The white man is only opposing the war because of how it has affected the economy for him. He doesn't give a rat's tush about your villages being burned.
Now having said all that, I don't expect, suggest or recommend that. This stranger be shunned by the rest of us. He is entitled to the benefit of the doubt like everyone else out there. Just don't be gullible.

I must say I agree with your reservations and I expect them if that is the case. I do not simply expect to be taken off word alone. Though it needs to be acknowledged with that being said. That the "door swings both ways" in that regard. As for the war, I have opposed it from day one. I don't even believe the 'official' story of 9/11. I've also have a good network of contacts that have kept me informed on both sides (both US military/intelligence and contacts within Pakistan/Afghanistan).

Given my abilities and skills as an individual. I have always had people encouraging myself to join the army. To put it simply though, I couldn't. Not since all these conflicts began and prior to that. My continued learning of previous conflicts. I could not join an institution who's primary function is warfare. Precisely on the basis that I did not agree with its actions and those it continues to partake in. If I am to go to war or bare arms against another. I will do it off reasoning I agree with and off my own means.

Also not that I want to speak to deeply in this regard for now, but I have considered becoming more actively involved in this conflict. In standing that would pit me against western/ISAF forces. That may be hard to read coming from someone of western culture, but as an individual there are things that matter to me. I do care and consider my input in this life and the influence I can have in this world. I do care for and consider the path I will pave and how that will affect the world, even after my time comes to past. Simply put I care about legacy in a sense.

See here where I'm from. Your basically expected to do atleast 10 years of education, most do 12 to be able to get good marks. These marks received in the 11th and 12th years usually determine your effective grading to put for in application for university. Say you get into Uni. *You study a course, to be able to have an acquired skill set to enter into a career. Your then basically expected to live the next 45-50 years. Working 35-40 hour weeks plus, for most of the year. All the while paying taxes and contributing to the nations economy.

At which point your expected to by the end, retire. Then live off savings and superannuation. In which by that time your exceptionally older and may not be in a position to enjoy life to the fullest in a sense. In a nutshell that's an integral part of our culture. Now if everyone's doing this. Tell me where is progress made? How does this benefit humanity as a whole? Personally I feel it doesn't.

As for your comment on economy, that system is only of any use as long as its in play. It means nothing to me. The reality is it has no control over two central things to us as beings. That's both knowledge and will. If that system breaks down. So many individuals and families purpose and ability to function in society would become limited. You can't 'eat' money and a person who has the knowledge to cultivate food and access to the means to make sure they have clean drinking water. Their 'will' alone will become worth more than the presence and will of those who don't. Knowledge and capability would be the closest thing to "currency" in such a scenario. The only things worth bartering.

So for now I've given you both a bit of insight on my views on a limited amount of subjects. Both relative to your country and culture, along with my own. Again I can completely understand and respect any reservations held by any individuals on this forum. Everyone holds opinions. Unfortunately I agree there are not many people in my nation or other western nations that would sooner rally behind the people of nations such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. Than sooner stand against them. Based on misinformation and lack of applied critical thinking and analysis of the information put before them. Though the harsher reality being most could simply not care as it is not something they have to deal with day to day. So much for humanity.