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| India-Pakistan |
| U.S. Diplomat Hopes Song Can Win over Pakistan |
| 2012-12-08 |
| [An Nahar] A US official is taking a novel approach to diplomacy in Pakistain -- singing in a local language to build bridges in one of the world's most dangerous countries, where anti-Americanism runs rampant. "If I had a hammer [KABANG!]" Shayla Cram, a public diplomacy officer assigned to Beautiful Downtown Peshawar ...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province), administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistan's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire. , the gateway to al-Qaeda and Taliban strongholds in the northwestern tribal belt, has not only learnt Pashto but has penned her own Pashto-style song. "Mahmoud, what's 'blowin' in the wind' mean?" "I dunno, Ahmed. Dammit! She won't hold still long enough to draw a bead on her!" "Maybe we should use a cycle of violence?" "Jenaiy," which means "girl," is a tribute to Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who was shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting education for girls. "Where the hell's my detonator?" "Hurry, Mahmoud! She won't stop!" It features Cram on guitar and vocals and a Pak musician on the rabab -- a traditional stringed instrument -- and urges girls to have hope for the future and pursue their dreams. "No! Not 'Kumbaya' again!" "Please, Allah! Make her leave on a jet plane!" "There's definitely need in Pakistain to encourage maidens of tender years and females in their education and leadership, to make them young leaders, and that's the basic message of my song," Cram told Agence La Belle France Presse. "That's why they pay me $125,000 a year! Plus per diem!" Women in Pakistain, particularly in northwestern rural areas, are frequently treated as second-class citizens, ...optimist... subjected to horrific violence in the name of family "honor," and denied education. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #14 paX- Factor? |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2012-12-08 22:21 |
| #13 Yes! Because bad whiney hippie songs have always ensured world peace and understanding amongst sworn enemies (sarc/off) |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2012-12-08 19:25 |
| #12 Puff the Magic Dragon? More formally known as the AC-47 gunship, eh? |
| Posted by: SteveS 2012-12-08 18:41 |
| #11 Puff the Magic Dragon? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2012-12-08 18:27 |
| #10 Not tourtière if not a Geneva conv signatory. But amnesty into or useless nations might bitch a bit. Extra points |
| Posted by: USN,ret 2012-12-08 16:10 |
| #9 I'm waiting for the wave of B-52s dropping paper Chukars... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2012-12-08 13:30 |
| #8 Mr Rogers Its a beautiful day in the neighbourhood. Na not female forceful enough How about nancy Sinatra These Boots are Made for Walking? |
| Posted by: Northern Cousin 2012-12-08 12:25 |
| #7 I doubt we could use "It's a Small World," Ret. Every nation on earth (including ours) would consider that torture. Maybe we could use it at Gitmo ....? |
| Posted by: Barbara 2012-12-08 12:11 |
| #6 This one might work |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2012-12-08 10:30 |
| #5 playlist suggestions: "Its a Small World After All." "Sesame Street Theme" feel free to add your personal faves... |
| Posted by: USN,Ret. 2012-12-08 09:58 |
| #4 Are we sure this isn't the Onion? |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2012-12-08 05:34 |
| #3 Homeopathic waste of time, but if it makes you feel better..... |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-12-08 01:14 |
| #2 We can always put external speakers and a sound module on the killbots. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2012-12-08 01:10 |
| #1 I thought the headline was a joke. Nope! Never underestimate the U.S. State Department. |
| Posted by: gromky 2012-12-08 00:49 |