[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe5Bi2Hb1KQ[/embedyt]Marquel, TPVs NYTimes Raging Epidemic Section correspondent, was taking an Aspirin having eaten too much over Thanksgiving, when he read Gunmen in Pakistan Kill 4 Members of Anti-Polio Campaign. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but Taliban militants have repeatedly targeted health workers in the area. Marquel couldn’t see the point of this. He knew the U.S. had created this situation by using polio health teams as a cover when searching for bin Laden. That was incredibly stupid. But the Taliban had proved long ago that they are much brighter than Americans. Why shoot these teams?
Marquel went to the Taliban press office and posed that question.
“These teams are unnecessary. We don’t need massive vaccinations. If we need them, we can do it ourselves. It’s just a small shot or even a pill or two. We don’t need foreigners doing this. Plus they might find Bin Laden.”
“But they already did that.” I noted.
“I mean the real bin Laden.” He said.
I thought this over and decided it wasn’t a topic I should pursue. Further, if I just nodded and went on they would respect me more for knowing all their secrets.
“How can you say these teams are not necessary? Polio is a terrible disease and this area of the world is the only place where it remains a threat.” I said.
“I told you. We can handle it.” He asserted.
“How can you be so cavalier and confident? This is not something for laypersons.” I insisted.
“You are wrong. We have done this ourselves.” He challenged.
“The Taliban have conducted their own anti polio campaign?” I asked.
“Certainly,” he answered.
“On whom?” I asked.
“On ourselves,” he said.
“Successfully?” I asked.
“That’s the only way to do it. All Taliban are vaccinated against polio. It doesn’t exist in our camps.” He asserted.
I had to think. I did it out loud. “You are all vaccinated. You’re killing all the anti polio teams that are trying to spread this immunity to the general population. Effectively this is a way of continuing your war against the general population.”
“Isn’t this what the U.S.is doing to us? They conduct a hundred drone strikes. Five Taliban are killed and two to three hundred innocent civilians are dead. They call it collateral damage. You think what we do is worse?” He asked.
“No, not really,” I said, “everybody does bad things here. I’m not sure you can compare them.” I said.
“Here,” he said, “coffee or tea?” Holding out two pitchers.
“I’ll have what you’re having,” I said. That seemed the safe choice. It was quite delicious.
***
BY MARQUEL: The Domino Effect
Amazing
Now, this is satire I get and like. Bravo, M!
perfect pitch
ditto
ditto2
ouch! collateral damage. ouch!
Excellent point, Marquel!
I loved it.