One doctor's frontline diary from Kandahar

August 2, 2007 10:40 PM

Talk to Me Like My Father:Frontline Medicine in Afghanistan.
posted by homunculus (23 comments total)

Don't let the lack of comments on your post scare you - we're all reading....
posted by DreamerFi at 1:35 AM on August 3, 2007

and now that I'm done reading, I'm going to sit in a corner quietly, and cry a little
posted by DreamerFi at 1:47 AM on August 3, 2007

It's hard to say anything that's commensurate with what's described in that article.
Thank you for posting this.
posted by jouke at 1:56 AM on August 3, 2007

Agreed. I read all of this - thanks for posting it.
posted by Huw at 3:15 AM on August 3, 2007

Read it to the end then signed up a MeFi account just to say thanks for posting it.
posted by Molesome at 3:37 AM on August 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

Very much best of the web.
I watched a clip of the Royal Marines in action in Helmand that confirmed his observations about the bravery of the ANA soldiers. A forward patrol was ambushed, and as the booties withdrew out of range to set up mortars, their Afghan comrades charged forward to exchange fire. The marine NCO had this mixture of admiration and exasperation; the Afghans were shouting over at them to come and get stuck in.
posted by Abiezer at 3:53 AM on August 3, 2007

Excellent post, interesting that whole blood is again being used with pre-screened walking blood banks. Utterly gripping.
posted by Wilder at 4:50 AM on August 3, 2007

.
posted by chunking express at 4:55 AM on August 3, 2007

It's unjust, in a sense, that this post gets a half-dozen comments. while the vegan thread hits 300. Very moving, and difficult to say anything that's worth posting - which is why this won't be a 300 commenter. Thank you for posting.
posted by ArkhanJG at 5:08 AM on August 3, 2007

Excellent post.
posted by four panels at 6:34 AM on August 3, 2007

Holy shit.
posted by notsnot at 7:23 AM on August 3, 2007

Fantastic post.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:44 AM on August 3, 2007

Read it to the end then signed up a MeFi account just to say thanks for posting it.

Wow! You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it so much.
posted by homunculus at 8:38 AM on August 3, 2007

The whole blood thing is actually fascinating. I really stoped to soak in the special forces doctor's comment after he had saved a few soldiers, "I love whole blood"

This reminded me of the book MASH, which is a great read.
posted by OldReliable at 8:53 AM on August 3, 2007

"The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan": Malalai Joya Speaks Out Against the Warlord-Controlled Afghan Government & U.S. Military Presence

Part Two of Our Interview With Afghan Feminist and MP Malalai Joya
posted by homunculus at 8:53 AM on August 3, 2007

Wow. Excellent post. Thanks.
posted by teleri025 at 9:43 AM on August 3, 2007

Thanks for the post, this was really good.
posted by Malor at 10:13 AM on August 3, 2007

Let me join the chorus of those saying thanks. Good posting, homunculus.
posted by madamjujujive at 10:57 AM on August 3, 2007

Another Record Poppy Crop in Afghanistan
posted by homunculus at 3:48 PM on August 4, 2007

I only read this now, it's linked from CBC. I had no idea.

I should have read it when you posted it.
posted by blacklite at 7:07 PM on August 4, 2007

Canadian doctor under fire for writing about N.S. soldier's death.
posted by Pseudonumb at 12:58 AM on August 5, 2007

Afghan victory 'could take 38 years'
posted by homunculus at 2:11 PM on August 6, 2007

It's easy for soldiers to score heroin in Afghanistan: Simultaneously stressed and bored, U.S. soldiers are turning to the widely available drug for a quick escape.
posted by homunculus at 2:48 PM on August 7, 2007