A Fool and His Money
The International Community just pledged 4.5 billion dollars in aid over five years to the new Afghanistan government. This morning, Instapundit links to this story titled Afghans to carry on stoning criminals, in which we learn:
CRIMINALS in Afghanistan will face Taliban-style punishments including amputations and stonings as part of the interim government’s drive to keep down crime, the chief justice said yesterday.
The remarks will raise concerns among Western donors who have made the restoration of the rule of law a priority in the shattered country’s reconstruction.
Chief Justice Fazul Hadi Shinwari said he wanted adulterers whipped or stoned to death, the hands of robbers amputated and murderers publicly executed. Proselytising Christians may face the death penalty and Muslims who drink alcohol could be given 80 lashes.
Wait. There is more of this:
“The main issue here is that infidels or Westerners protest against a hand being chopped for theft,” said Mr Shinwari. “But since the robber has committed a crime then he has to be punished for obvious and justified reasons – ridding society of crime.” He also warned foreigners against trying to convert Afghans from Islam.
“The Islamic government, according to sharia, is bound to punish those who get involved in anti-Islamic activities,” he said. “We can punish them for propagating other religions – such as threaten them, expel them and, as a last resort, execute them, but only with evidence.”
Islam, the ‘peaceful religion.’ And you thought Enron was a bad investment.