Disturbing Time Magazine Cover

[librarian]

We rec'd our copy today of Time Magazine at the Library and I could not believe what I was looking at. I'm stunned. I don't know whether to be angry or cry or both. I'm not posting the picture, but it is in the BBC reference here if anyone wants to look at it. If this thread gets pulled, I would surely understand - I just had to express my shock and horror of this - that people would do this to each other. I'm sad, and exceptionally pissed

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10897018

 

 

Mutilated Afghan girl Aisha in US for new nose

 

The cover has generated much discussion in the US The Afghan girl featured on a controversial Time magazine cover is in the US to have her nose rebuilt.

 

Aisha told Time her nose and ears had been cut off - with the approval of a Taliban commander - by her abusive husband as punishment for running away.

 

The front cover generated debate over the headline "What Happens if We Leave Afghanistan" and the use of the photo itself.

 

Her surgery is being done by the Grossman Burn Foundation in California.

 

The foundation campaigns on the issue of violence against women as well as doing free plastic surgery work.

 

Aisha, whose surname has not been revealed, will meet surgeon Peter Grossman next week to discuss the reconstruction of her nose.

 

The 18-year-old was reportedly given away by her family in childhood as a "blood debt" and was subsequently married to a Taliban fighter.

 

His family abused her and she ran away but was recaptured and mutilated by her husband.

 

Women for Afghan Women has been using Aisha's case to illustrate the fear of what will happen if US, British and other international forces leave prematurely. The Afghan-American group helps to run the shelter which took Aisha in.

 

But critics have questioned the tone of the Time cover.

 

One anti-war blogger wrote: "Isn't this title... applying emotional blackmail and exploiting gender politics to pitch for the status quo - a continued U.S. military involvement?"

 

Krista Riley, a contributor to a Muslim media blog, wrote: "This violence happened while the international forces were in Afghanistan, so the logic leading to the conclusion that things would necessarily be worse if 'we' left isn't exactly clear."

 

Richard Stengel, managing editor of Time, wrote a piece defending the use of the picture.

 

"Aisha posed for the picture and says she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan, many of whom have flourished in the past few years.

 

"She knows that she will become a symbol of the price Afghan women have had to pay for the repressive ideology of the Taliban."

 

Rebecca Grossman, from the foundation, told the BBC: "Her story is horrific. It is amazing living in this day and age that this is happening in parts of the world. Hopefully by sharing her story it will raise awareness."

 

[GhostGirl]

Dear god.

[Sussossus]

This is the kind of thing that makes me feel so lucky and proud to live in America. When people here in America talk about how awful it is to live here with the taxes, president they don't like etc...I just don't get it. If paying a bit of my hard earned cash to the government (who has better intentions than is believed by many, and certainly better ideas of how to use the money than so many people who live here would use it otherwise) keeps our country from turning into THIS, I'm okay with it.

[progrush2112]

I'm at a loss for words. wow. how awful.

[danielmclark]

This transcends appreciating living in America - this is about appreciating simply living in a civilized nation. Canada, England, Ireland, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, France, Germany, dozens more... any civilized nation is better than living in the Middle East.

 

I don't like framing the discussion as "America is better" because it's that attitude that makes us targets. The broader point is that living in any modern society, America or otherwise, is preferable to living in the stone age. America isn't unique in that regard.

[tkdryan]

Speechless . Thank god she is here now

[Jack Aubrey]

That poor girl. The barbarians that did that to her should be boiled in oil.

 

[Ancient Ways]

brutality.

[Show Don't Tell]

I don't know what to say. That is just awful.

[solarcaravan]

Poor woman...to be treated like that in another country...couldn't imagine that. The US may be horrible itself in some perspective but not as bad as what goes in other countries with unorganized or no government at all.

[King Whompus]

Holy sh-t... i'm speechless. Who the hell would do that?

[EveryNerveAware]

QUOTE (King Whompus @ Aug 7 2010, 11:36 PM)

Holy sh-t... i'm speechless. Who the hell would do that?

Religious zealots

[xXDreamlinerXx]

How can people be so blinded as to have no value for human life whatsoever? They're cold, heartless. I don't know how that man can call himself human, let alone a man. I feel ashamed to be the same species as people like this.