This is Part 7 of Dallas, Texas, Justice for Afia tour of Sister Yvonne Ridley.
http://yvonneridley.org/yvonne-ridley/articles/justice-for-aafia-us-tour-diary-day-7-dallas.html
Our small group of civil rights activists - Muslim Legal Fund of America President Khalil Meek, Cageprisoners Saghir Hussein and myself - arrived to a packed reception organised by supporters of the MLFA.
Many there represented the elite of the Dallas Muslim community and probably one of the best informed groups when it comes to the plight of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
A large number of those present still have close ties to Pakistan and while Dr Aafia was not far from their thoughts, the focus of the night soon moved to the state of the troubled tribal areas, Swat and Waziristan.
"Who is the Pakistan Taliban?" was one of the most frequently asked questions. I had asked the same question earlier this month when I met Imran Khan, leader of Tehreek e-Insaf and so I responded with the answer he gave me during this interview for Press TV (http://www.presstv.ir/programs/detail.aspx?sectionid=3510531&id=108750#108750)
I told them how a drone attack in Waziristan in September 2004 had caused the deaths of scores of innocent people. The indiscriminate bombing provoked anger which was reflected in the 3000-strong turnout the following day for the funeral. Imran told me how another drone interrupted the mourning killing scores more.
And that was the moment the Pakistan Taliban was born. Those present at the Dallas event listened in silence while a few nodded knowingly and others shook their heads in despair and disbelief.
Pakistan is a country I love dearly and so I share their concerns for its future while sharing their anger at its constant demonisation in the media.
Of course the demonisation is deliberate and calculated because you can't bomb nice people, can you? Just as in the same way you can't convict or prosecute innocent people.
