An important part of the American strategy in Afghanistan is to train the Afghan army. The Spoof had an opportunity to interview one of the trainees, using a translator.
Ken: So, Batoor, how is the training going?
Batoor: Not too bad. The coffee's good and they pay well. Three meals a day, can't complain.
Ken: How about the training itself?
Batoor: Well, those guys in the space suits need to lighten up a little. Haven't they ever heard of breaks? These guys are slave drivers. I hate it when they call me 'soldier'. The first two times I went through training it wasn't nearly as bad.
Ken: The first two times? You have been trained more than once?
Batoor: Don't spread it around, but, yes, I have been trained several times. I desert the army and come back for more training, under a different name. 'Batoor'means 'brave'. Nice sound to it, don't you think?
Ken: Why do you do that?
Batoor: Well, the pay is good and that way I don't get shot at. My family needs the money.
Ken: Don't the Americans ever figure out what you are doing?
Batoor: Fortunately, all us Afghans look the same to them, so they never catch on.
Ken: I was told that you hate the Taliban. Is that true?
Batoor: Absolutely! I also hate foreigners. But you have to make a choice, and the Taliban doesn't pay very well.
Ken: What about the Karzai government, what do think of the government?
Batoor: You mean Karzai the crook? That guy lords it over everybody with all the money he gets from the United States. He's nothing a puppet. What a slimeball. Elections were rigged, everybody knows that.
Ken: If you hate him so much, why would you want to serve in his army?
Batoor: I don't, but since the war started I have no other job. Around here, you hold your nose and take what you can get.
Ken: Thanks, Batoor. I feel much better about our war effort now. good luck.
