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    HeyheyheyheyheyMax Read
    8/14/13 9:21am

    There's a deep distrust of western NGOs in a wide swath of the world, largely based on accusations (and histories) of proselytizing, sterilization via vaccines and just plain old spying (CIA performing polio surveys?).

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      ARP2Heyheyheyheyhey
      8/14/13 9:32am

      Yes, but there's also some groups that think that Westerners helping a catalyst to the Westernization of their country, which they want to become/remain Islamist. Also, in Somalia, the warlords want to control food/medicine supplier to consolidate power. So, yes, we haven't had the best track record, but their intentions aren't simply a general distrust for past transgressions.

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    DollaHollaMax Read
    8/14/13 9:56am

    As a Somali this makes me very very sad, but I understand the reasoning too. These doctors are risking their lives. I hope that people like Dr. Hawa Abdi (known as the mother Teresa of Somalia) and her daughters continue the great work that they do for our people. She is fearless and stands up to the terrorists/extremists. I have been donating to her foundation for years and I know the money is used wisely. Below is a quote from the The Star article, this woman is BAD ASS and my hero.

    “You are an old woman . . . we are men. We are in control,” the Hizbul Islam fighters told her.

    She countered: “You are a man — you have two testes. A goat also has two testes. What have you done for your society?”

    As she dug in, those she had saved protested on her behalf. In the end, Hizbul Islam delivered her a signed letter of apology.

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      SimulatedSnowmanDollaHolla
      8/14/13 10:54am

      She countered: “You are a man — you have two testes. A goat also has two testes. What have you done for your society?”

      Pimpinest response to armed extremists ever.

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    RaccoonFingerMax Read
    8/14/13 9:16am

    The same delightful people who shot down US Army helicopters while they were attempting to protect UN forces who were delivering food relief to starving Somalis.

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      ShastaRaccoonFinger
      8/14/13 11:15am

      1. I don't think the entire city of Mogadishu joined together to hit the missile launch button to down the helicopter.

      2. You may need to do some historical reading on how some US military forces have "helped" civilians overseas.

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      RaccoonFingerShasta
      8/14/13 11:21am

      Oh, like how the US helped the Bosnian Serbs or the Muslims of Indonesia after the Tsunami? There are tens of thousands of Muslims who are only alive right now because of the United States.

      Yeah, people like you can always pull something out of your ass that seemingly justifies the actions of terrorists. You should work for Al Qaeda.

      And an RPG-7 is a rocket not a missile, dummy.

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    mystafugeeMax Read
    8/14/13 9:08am

    Don't worry, I'm sure our Tea Party types will fill their void once they discover that Somalia is their dream land. It has little if any government interference, guns are practically required, and education and health care are only of quality for those who can afford it.

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      SimulatedSnowmanMax Read
      8/14/13 9:12am

      Honestly, I thought the numbers (16 doctors dead in 22 years) would have been higher. Tough choice though. 16 doctors doesn't seem like much in comparison to the thousands they've probably helped over the course of 22 years. Then again, over the course of 22 years, some of those people they've helped may have grown up to be the assholes who are ignorant enough to kill the doctors trying to help their people.

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        Admirable_AdmiralSimulatedSnowman
        8/14/13 9:25am

        I'd imagine those 16 deaths came from a pretty limited pool of doctors, though. Overall, the number isn't huge, but they probably represent a hefty percentage of the qualified professionals willing to work in dangerous conditions with low pay (starting at $1500/mo).

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        SimulatedSnowmanAdmirable_Admiral
        8/14/13 9:28am

        I'm not criticizing their decision. Besides, from an terribly logical standpoint, 16 qualified medical professionals are almost immeasurably valuable in a place like Somalia. I can see why they want to leave, it just sucks for the Somalians. Then again, when hasn't it sucked for the Somalians?

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      JenB84Max Read
      8/14/13 10:12am

      This is neither here nor there... but to those who've commented, remember it's not necessarily 16 doctors who were killed. There are nurses, surgical techs, and other specialties who join DWB to help people. Everyone working for them, no matter what their position, is incredibly brave and has my utmost respect. It's a huge loss for the Somali population.

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        H.H. JonesMax Read
        8/14/13 9:53am

        *CSI Miami meme riffing on them having a border after all*

        YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

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