# Am I a bad person for wishing all the Taliban fighters would get COVID? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 15, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744 "2021-08-15T22:13:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/1 "2021-08-15T22:13:07Z")
The ones who choose to be there, at least? That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/2 "2021-08-15T23:10:53Z")
My guess is that a lot of them already have it. Good. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/3 "2021-08-16T02:07:10Z")
There are two things we should have done for Afghanistan. One was to legalize domestically grown heroin, at least for the duration of the war. This would have destroyed the Taliban’s economic base and I believe caused their collapse long ago. The fact this wasn’t considered is a top example of how the army was at war while the rest of us were at the mall. The second is that we should have given our Afghan allies first vaccine doses before we got our second. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/4 "2021-08-16T13:28:28Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > The ones who choose to be there, at least? They’ll give it to their victims, won’t they? ---
**Author:** ![thdudescar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thdudescar/32/4638_2.png) [@thdudescar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thdudescar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/5 "2021-08-16T19:23:40Z")
Not at all. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2021, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/6 "2021-08-16T23:23:37Z")
I meant, a strain that would only affect them. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/7 "2021-08-17T02:48:02Z")
Considering what a pit Afghanistan is, and what all diseases are endemic there, wishing COVID on them instead of some of those might be more merciful than you think. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/8 "2021-08-17T05:24:17Z")
> [@](#): > > # [Am I a bad person for wishing all the Taliban fighters would get COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744) Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/9 "2021-08-17T12:47:28Z")
Better to wish all the Taliban fighters develop bad seasonal allergies, and in order to stop the snuffling and sneezing, surrender to the U.S. in exchange for supplies of Claritin. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/10 "2021-08-17T13:58:54Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > One was to legalize domestically grown heroin, at least for the duration of the war. This would have destroyed the Taliban’s economic base and I believe caused their collapse long ago. The fact this wasn’t considered is a top example of how the army was at war while the rest of us were at the mall. I’m not sure I understand how this would work. The issue is that it’s being exported illegally around the world. Legalizing it in Afghanistan would accomplish what exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/11 "2021-08-17T14:27:35Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > There are two things we should have done for Afghanistan. > > One was to legalize domestically grown heroin, at least for the duration of the war. This would have destroyed the Taliban’s economic base and I believe caused their collapse long ago. As I remember it (wikiconfirmed [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_production_in_Afghanistan#Rise_of_the_Taliban_(1994%E2%80%932001))) the Taliban actually opposed and banned heroin trade. And did so efectively until deposed. BTW: One of the biggest victims of cheap heroin was Iran where heroin addiction is rampant. Might the Mullahs benefit from a renewed and effective heroin ban by the Taliban? Stay tuned. [Am I a bad person for wishing all the Taliban fighters would get COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744) Seems so. And ineffective, impulsive and immature on top of it. But it does not matter, because it is only a childish wish that will not become reality. Still: strange phantasies you have. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/12 "2021-08-17T14:37:50Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > [Am I a bad person for wishing all the Taliban fighters would get COVID?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744) > Seems so. And ineffective, impulsive and immature on top of it. But it does not matter, because it is only a childish wish that will not become reality. Still: strange phantasies you have. How about the ones who decapitate people? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/13 "2021-08-17T14:40:04Z")
They should be tried and sentenced. Perhaps even shot, if the court allows. But giving them Covid, with a mortality of around 1%? What is the point? ETA: Donald tanTrump had Covid. Are his sins and crimes thereby pardoned and forgiven? Is that the reason he is not in jail yet? Just comparing evils and remedies… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/14 "2021-08-17T14:47:19Z")
If we’re wishing for things, I think them spending six months as the opposite sex would be more effective. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/15 "2021-08-17T15:07:24Z")
Right. Punishment should educate, if possible. Speaking of which, I wonder how [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guve7Y856kY) of Giuliani in drag could ever be forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/16 "2021-08-17T15:29:52Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > They should be tried and sentenced. Perhaps even shot, if the court allows. But giving them Covid, with a mortality of around 1%? What is the point? I thought the premise was that they have a fatal case of covi 19. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/17 "2021-08-17T15:34:59Z")
That is not how I read the OP, but even so: why Covid and not, say, pancreatic cancer? Or diarrhea and flatulence during prayers? You want to humiliate them, reform them, teach them a lesson? @Skywatcher idea of turning them into the opposite sex for a while seems much better to me. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/18 "2021-08-17T18:06:03Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > idea of turning them into the opposite sex for a while seems much better to me. Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/19 "2021-08-17T23:11:22Z")
I’ve heard that Ukraine actually has the highest per capita number of heroin addicts of any country in the world, and this is one reason why they also have such a high rate of AIDS. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2021, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744/20 "2021-08-17T23:21:11Z")
LOL! And just how many ventilators are in Afghanistan? Probably not very many. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-bad-person-for-wishing-all-the-taliban-fighters-would-get-covid/948744.md?page=2)