The Afghans are a proud people with a long and formidable history of resistance to foreign occupation. The fact that they have always prevailed should not distract from the horror they still routinely experience.
The latest atrocious episode against Afghans took place on March 11 in the village of Balandi, when accused U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales killed 16 innocent people while they were sleeping peacefully.
Balandi is located in the Panjwai District of Kandahar Province, which has seen some of the toughest resistance to the U.S.-NATO occupation of the country. Kandaharis have received a bad reputation for spoiling the war party devised by the United States, NATO, and their corrupt local allies.