Teribus
"they were taught to read and to write, they learned to love football (forbidden under the Taleban) and apparently really loved American music and cartoons".

That sounds like a just/i/fact/ion that it's ok to take kids from their homes, not let them inform anyone (including parents) as to their whereabouts of their conditions, not let the children have thier one phone call, give them no recourse to refute their imprisonment but they did like football & the American music & cartoons & now they can read & write.
They probably could read & write but just not in English.
For you to justify imprisoned children with that statement is below your normal gutteral level

Barry