Your country is free

[RawAlex]

Well, the new free Afghanistan is going gangbusters... poppy fields are more productive than ever, even with 30% crop losses this year.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/1...m.ap/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/19/afghan.opium.ap/index.html)

I guess there will be an official handoff from the "war on terrorism" people to the "war on drugs" people, who will then piss off all the locals who will turn into terrorists again.

Gotta love it.

Alex

[Mike AI]

How many terrorist bases are operating in Afganistan?

How much pot is grown in Canada?

[Vick]

Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy

[Almighty Colin]

Meanwhile, in Western Nations, crack pipes get passed out on the street by the government.

[PornoDoggy]

This is just another consequence of fighting a war on the cheap - destruction of what passed for central control by a government without even an attempt to replace it.

The Bush Administration has obviously concluded that an increase in opium production is am accetable price to pay for occupying Afghanistan without enough troops to counter it. This is a compromise that seems to reflect a change in national priorities.

The links between terrorism and the narcotics trade has been pretty well established by example in South America - neither group is particularly picky about who they will work with.

The idea that you can compare Canadian pot with opium is absurd at best. While I'm not aware of any government handing out crack pipes, needle exchanges serve a public health purpose. While it sounds good and fine to blame it on the U.N. (when in doubt, after all), Afghani opium production was long regarded as a problem by the United States.

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Nov 19 2004, 01:51 PM
This is just another consequence of fighting a war on the cheap - destruction of what passed for central control by a government without even an attempt to replace it.

The Bush Administration has obviously concluded that an increase in opium production is am accetable price to pay for occupying Afghanistan without enough troops to counter it. This is a compromise that seems to reflect a change in national priorities.

The links between terrorism and the narcotics trade has been pretty well established by example in South America - neither group is particularly picky about who they will work with.

The idea that you can compare Canadian pot with opium is absurd at best. While I'm not aware of any government handing out crack pipes, needle exchanges serve a public health purpose. While it sounds good and fine to blame it on the U.N. (when in doubt, after all), Afghani opium production was long regarded as a problem by the United States.




I understand Alex and you love to point out every little problem in the world and try to lay it down at the US/Bush's feet....

It is all a matter of priority. Right now with a war going on, fighting drugs is not a major priority. There is only so many assets to go around.

[PornoDoggy]

Mike, I was complaining about inadequate "boots on the ground" in Afghainstan before we went into Iraq. This "war on the cheap" policy could very well bit us in the ass before we are done, particularly if you get your way and we take on Iran, Syria, Canada and France in the next four years.

I don't dispute that Alex seems to take a certain glee at the problems Bush encounters (or, in this case, creates for himself) ... but you are every bit his equal in glossing over or outright denying mistakes or failures that Bush makes.

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Nov 19 2004, 02:15 PM
Mike, I was complaining about inadequate "boots on the ground" in Afghainstan before we went into Iraq. This "war on the cheap" policy could very well bit us in the ass before we are done, particularly if you get your way and we take on Iran, Syria, Canada and France in the next four years.

I don't dispute that Alex seems to take a certain glee at the problems Bush encounters (or, in this case, creates for himself) ... but you are every bit his equal in glossing over or outright denying mistakes or failures that Bush makes.


What would the benefit of having 500,000 troops in Afganistan bring? Cutting down on drugs??

OUr boots on the ground need to be directed at placed that are direct threats. Iraq, Iran, Syrian, N. Korea.

Should we start invading countries because they grow drugs??

This is absurd. It is all about prioritizing. I would say rouge Nations developing nuclear weapons is a higher priority then eradicating poppy in Afganistan.

How successful were the British, Russians, and others who tried massive "boots on the ground" campaigns?

Afganistan is a clear victory for the US. I know its hard for self loathing liberals who want their country to fail to understand this. But we achieved out goals, and have pretty much bunked out. After all we are NOT the World's police!

[PornoDoggy]

The only loathing I have at the moment is for self-righteous, weak minded self-described "experts" who cannot respond to a challenge to their views without trotting out the tired rhetoric of somebody else.

Where did you get the 500,000 figure? Outta your ass?

Are you really so stupid that I have to explain to you that the kind of lawlessness that allows the drug trade to florish is also the kind of lawlessness that allows the terrorists to operate?

Afghanistan may in fact be a victory - that remains to be seen.

I want my country to fail? Cram it up your ass sideways, you stupid fucking fool.

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Vick@Nov 19 2004, 07:25 AM
Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy
""Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send ground troops into Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists two years ago.""


Don't let facts get in the way of your rhetoric though ;) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041115.wxhenault15/BNStory/National/)

"" OTTAWA, Nov. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - About 700 Canadian Forces (CF) personnel,
mostly from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario, will deploy to Kabul,
Afghanistan in February 2005, on Rotation 3 of Operation ATHENA, Canada's
contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "Canada is
committed to rebuilding Afghanistan through a combination of diplomacy,
defence and development," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "We continue to
support ISAF in making Afghanistan safe and secure for its people as they
rebuild under a democratically elected government."""

[PornoDoggy]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx+Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Nickatilynx @ Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Vick@Nov 19 2004, 07:25 AM
Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy
""Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send ground troops into Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists two years ago.""


Don't let facts get in the way of your rhetoric though ;) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041115.wxhenault15/BNStory/National/) [/b][/quote]
Please do not cloud the issue with relevant facts

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy+Nov 19 2004, 11:55 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (PornoDoggy @ Nov 19 2004, 11:55 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Vick@Nov 19 2004, 07:25 AM
Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy
""Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send ground troops into Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists two years ago.""


Don't let facts get in the way of your rhetoric though ;) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041115.wxhenault15/BNStory/National/)
Please do not cloud the issue with relevant facts [/b][/quote]
sorry...

stupid me..

[Mike AI]

PD I have yet to see anything possitive out of your posts since Bush took office 4 years ago about the US.

When you do mention something possitive, you always follow it up with a BUT, or a We shall see, or some other back hand compliment.

You never give Bush or the US any credit, but are always quick to parse out "blame".

How many troops do you think it would take to pacify Afganistan and get rid of all drug production? Do you suggest we follow this up in other countries who produce drugs? Are you ready for the US to be the world's police? Maybe we should just spray the poppy crops with Agent Orange?

Would you want your relatives who are in the military fighting in Afganistan over poppy crops?

Funny how the same people who mock the commercials that tie drugs/drug dealers to terrorist ( remember those commercials?), are the ones who are advocating the US must destroy the poppy harvest in Afganistan.

:wnw:

Thanks!

[SykkBoy]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:00 PM

Funny how the same people who mock the commercials that tie drugs/drug dealers to terrorist ( remember those commercials?), are the ones who are advocating the US must destroy the poppy harvest in Afganistan.

and the same idiots who made those "if you buy drugs, you support the terrorist" commercials now consider drugs a non-issue

Afghanistan is a success? well, yeah, we got rid of the taliban boogeyman and they kind sorta had a free election, but bin laden is still alive and I remember when he was supposed to be such an important priority...then Bush said he doesn't matter

[Vick]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx+Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Nickatilynx @ Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Vick@Nov 19 2004, 07:25 AM
Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy
""Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send ground troops into Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists two years ago.""


Don't let facts get in the way of your rhetoric though ;) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041115.wxhenault15/BNStory/National/)

"" OTTAWA, Nov. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - About 700 Canadian Forces (CF) personnel,
mostly from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario, will deploy to Kabul,
Afghanistan in February 2005, on Rotation 3 of Operation ATHENA, Canada's
contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "Canada is
committed to rebuilding Afghanistan through a combination of diplomacy,
defence and development," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "We continue to
support ISAF in making Afghanistan safe and secure for its people as they
rebuild under a democratically elected government.""" [/b][/quote]
and this has what to do with growing poppies?

Does the UN call for Canada to send resources to fight poppy growth?
Oh and - Fuck the UN, they are a waste of valuable New York property

I was looking for the number of troops Canada did send though

I'm off to the woodshed he he he


Blame Canada


Fucker Nick isn't even a native Canadian

[Mike AI]

Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.

Obviously with the largest poppy harvest on record, Candian troops have been doing a fantastic job!!

Right Alex?

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Vick+Nov 19 2004, 12:11 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Vick @ Nov 19 2004, 12:11 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Nov 19 2004, 02:54 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Vick@Nov 19 2004, 07:25 AM
Is it just me or is it funny some UN clown wants to call on the US and NATO forces to stop (or curb) what they feel is a problem

Where's France in all this? ah ha ha ha. Where's Canada rushing to solve the problem? Where is the call to these two mighty nations to help in a humanitarian fashion?

I say let them grow poppies and build their economy
""Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send ground troops into Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. soldiers in the hunt for al-Qaeda terrorists two years ago.""


Don't let facts get in the way of your rhetoric though ;) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041115.wxhenault15/BNStory/National/)

"" OTTAWA, Nov. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - About 700 Canadian Forces (CF) personnel,
mostly from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario, will deploy to Kabul,
Afghanistan in February 2005, on Rotation 3 of Operation ATHENA, Canada's
contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). "Canada is
committed to rebuilding Afghanistan through a combination of diplomacy,
defence and development," said Defence Minister Bill Graham. "We continue to
support ISAF in making Afghanistan safe and secure for its people as they
rebuild under a democratically elected government."""
and this has what to do with growing poppies?

Does the UN call for Canada to send resources to fight poppy growth?
Oh and - Fuck the UN, they are a waste of valuable New York property

I was looking for the number of troops Canada did send though

I'm off to the woodshed he he he


Blame Canada


Fucker Nick isn't even a native Canadian [/b][/quote]
Sorry , born in Canada.

Yet another factual error....


tsk tsk..


;-)))

[SykkBoy]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 02:24 PM
I know its hard for self loathing liberals who want their country to fail to understand this. But we achieved out goals, and have pretty much bunked out.
wow, you need to be careful...you could throw out your back throwing around all those general accusations...

because I'm not sucking W's cock all the time, doesn't mean I hate my country or want it to fail...that's why I voted for Kerry....
what happened to all this support the President stuff when Clinton was in office? You right wing Jesus freaks tend to forget that....

there was a bunch of warble warble about Bill getting a blowjob, but Bush sending people off to fight personal vendettas disguised as war is just fine...

I would have been behind my President had he went into Iran or Syria, or even Saudi Arabia (remember, this is where most of the hijackers were from)...even sending troops into Afghanistan wasn't a bad move, but Bush might even learn something from me..finish what you start and everything will be easier ;-))

[Nickatilynx]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 12:14 PM
Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.

Obviously with the largest poppy harvest on record, Candian troops have been doing a fantastic job!!

Right Alex?
Yup , doing a great job.

Dying alongside their American Brothers in Arms.

[RawAlex]

Mike, there is no problem, unless it's Canadian troops, then it's a problem?

Use varethane to gloss those things over, it last longer and is much more durable than regular gloss coats.

Alex

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by RawAlex@Nov 19 2004, 03:19 PM
Mike, there is no problem, unless it's Canadian troops, then it's a problem?

Use varethane to gloss those things over, it last longer and is much more durable than regular gloss coats.

Alex


Oh poppy production IS a problem However it is not a larger problem then Iranian nuclear proliferation, and stabilizing Iraq for elections.

Once the US gets the above under control, maybe we can turn our attention to poppy growers.

Since Canada is not handling any of the big problems, maybe they could help handle the smaller problems for us...

You know, like being a deputy.


Canada, the world's Barney Fife!!

[PornoDoggy]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:00 PM
PD I have yet to see anything possitive out of your posts since Bush took office 4 years ago about the US.

When you do mention something possitive, you always follow it up with a BUT, or a We shall see, or some other back hand compliment.

You never give Bush or the US any credit, but are always quick to parse out "blame".

How many troops do you think it would take to pacify Afganistan and get rid of all drug production? Do you suggest we follow this up in other countries who produce drugs? Are you ready for the US to be the world's police? Maybe we should just spray the poppy crops with Agent Orange?

Would you want your relatives who are in the military fighting in Afganistan over poppy crops?

Funny how the same people who mock the commercials that tie drugs/drug dealers to terrorist ( remember those commercials?), are the ones who are advocating the US must destroy the poppy harvest in Afganistan.

:wnw:

Thanks!
First of all, let me make this perfectly clear.

You can question my intelligence (I need a laugh). You can question my sexual orientation. You can question my race. You can question the legality of my parents' marriage. You can question the nature of my relationship with my fucking dog, if it floats your boat.

You have no right to question my patriotism or my loyalty to my country in any way, shape, or form.

Just because I would have done the Afghanistan and Iranian wars very differently than your beloved President Bush (insert patent denials here) does not in any way mean I want my country to fail. This may be difficult for you to understand, but my objections to the policies of the Second Coming of Bush are because I think they WILL fail.

I don't know how many troops it would take to eliminate the current opium production in Afghanistan - probably a whole lot. I doubt it would be nearly as many as would have been required to stop production from resuming, however.

As I pointed out in an earlier post, Alex seems to take a certain glee in pointing out problems America encounters. That seems kind of mindless ... but I'd be hard-pressed to make arguements that it is even equally as mindless as your blatant, incessant assumptions that anyone who doesn't think like you lacks patriotism or loyalty to country.

Alex AI and Raw Mike ... same shit, different day.

[PornoDoggy]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx+Nov 19 2004, 03:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Nickatilynx @ Nov 19 2004, 03:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 12:14 PM
Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.

Obviously with the largest poppy harvest on record, Candian troops have been doing a fantastic job!!

Right Alex?
Yup , doing a great job.

Dying alongside their American Brothers in Arms. [/b][/quote]
Watch where you are shooting, though ... :(

[TheEnforcer]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:14 PM
Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.


You sure about that Mike?

[Vick]

Originally posted by Nickatilynx@Nov 19 2004, 03:16 PM
Sorry , born in Canada.

Yet another factual error....


tsk tsk..


;-)))
Yes you have my sympathies

he he he

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by TheEnforcer+Nov 19 2004, 03:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (TheEnforcer @ Nov 19 2004, 03:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:14 PM
Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.


You sure about that Mike? [/b][/quote]


I asked a question about Canada and pot. I was not being mean at all.

I feel safer at night knowing the Canadians are handling Afganistan!

[Mike AI]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy+Nov 19 2004, 03:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (PornoDoggy @ Nov 19 2004, 03:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:00 PM
PD I have yet to see anything possitive out of your posts since Bush took office 4 years ago about the US.

When you do mention something possitive, you always follow it up with a BUT, or a We shall see, or some other back hand compliment.

You never give Bush or the US any credit, but are always quick to parse out "blame".

How many troops do you think it would take to pacify Afganistan and get rid of all drug production? Do you suggest we follow this up in other countries who produce drugs? Are you ready for the US to be the world's police? Maybe we should just spray the poppy crops with Agent Orange?

Would you want your relatives who are in the military fighting in Afganistan over poppy crops?

Funny how the same people who mock the commercials that tie drugs/drug dealers to terrorist ( remember those commercials?), are the ones who are advocating the US must destroy the poppy harvest in Afganistan.

:wnw:

Thanks!
First of all, let me make this perfectly clear.

You can question my intelligence (I need a laugh). You can question my sexual orientation. You can question my race. You can question the legality of my parents' marriage. You can question the nature of my relationship with my fucking dog, if it floats your boat.

You have no right to question my patriotism or my loyalty to my country in any way, shape, or form.

Just because I would have done the Afghanistan and Iranian wars very differently than your beloved President Bush (insert patent denials here) does not in any way mean I want my country to fail. This may be difficult for you to understand, but my objections to the policies of the Second Coming of Bush are because I think they WILL fail.

I don't know how many troops it would take to eliminate the current opium production in Afghanistan - probably a whole lot. I doubt it would be nearly as many as would have been required to stop production from resuming, however.

As I pointed out in an earlier post, Alex seems to take a certain glee in pointing out problems America encounters. That seems kind of mindless ... but I'd be hard-pressed to make arguements that it is even equally as mindless as your blatant, incessant assumptions that anyone who doesn't think like you lacks patriotism or loyalty to country.

Alex AI and Raw Mike ... same shit, different day. [/b][/quote]


PD you are getting confused again. The distance between you and Alex are INFINITELY closer then Alex and I. I know you have a hard time dealing with this. Alex is a mirror for you, and I imagine it's not a pretty site.

[SykkBoy]

maybe we can mix the two and do the ol' kill two birds with one stone
let's get the Iranians addicted to smack...

[Vick]

Originally posted by SykkBoy@Nov 19 2004, 03:54 PM
maybe we can mix the two and do the ol' kill two birds with one stone
let's get the Iranians addicted to smack...
:wnw: :wnw:

[sarettah]

I got a great idea....

We can have the afghanis produce Opium which we can then have the CIA fly into the U.S. (say maybe some small nondescript town in Arkansas) and they can sell it on the streets of the U.S. for a profit. Then they can take that profit and use it to buy a secret army that they can use to fight against all those little countries that they want to take out, or to support those dictatorships..err I mean new formed democracies that need support. Somewhere in the idea as it passes through my head is something about sending bibles to Iran but I'm not sure how that fits in yet....


:huh:

[PornoDoggy]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:51 PM
Alex AI and Raw Mike ... same shit, different day.


PD you are getting confused again. The distance between you and Alex are INFINITELY closer then Alex and I. I know you have a hard time dealing with this. Alex is a mirror for you, and I imagine it's not a pretty site. [/quote]
You really are stupid, aren't you?

I don't dispute that I agree with a great deal more of what Alex posts than the dribble you spout. I don't share Alex's glee in finding fault with everything Bush does that I think is wrong.

It's the brain-dead recitation of set lines of rhetoric that more closely lines you up with Alex than anyone else.

You can't merely disagree with my take on the actions of Bush in Afghanistan or Iraq - you have to question my patriotism or my loyalty to my country.

Newsflash, fuckwad - Democrats and liberals are every bit as patriotic and loyal as you are. If you are too stupid to recognize that, then you are nothing more than a narrow minded bigot. That's indiciative of a very small, or very lazy - actually, in this case, that's indicative of a very small and very narrow mind.

Same shit, different day, Alke, er Miex, er, whoever ... :moon:

[Mike AI]

There are some liberals who are Patriots.

But anyone who wants to put the US under the UN. Who thinks we should get approval from France, and other countries to defend ourselves, carrys on about ever military setback like its the end of the world and Bush is personally responsible for it IS UNPATRIOTIC!!

If the shoe fits....



Honestly though PD, I know you are a veteran and a Patriot. We disagree on things, but we both love our Country. Message boards tend to bring out the extremes in both of us - it makes the debates more interesting.

[PornoDoggy]

Originally posted by Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 06:29 PM
There are some liberals who are Patriots.

But anyone who wants to put the US under the UN. Who thinks we should get approval from France, and other countries to defend ourselves, carrys on about ever military setback like its the end of the world and Bush is personally responsible for it IS UNPATRIOTIC!!

If the shoe fits....



Honestly though PD, I know you are a veteran and a Patriot. We disagree on things, but we both love our Country. Message boards tend to bring out the extremes in both of us - it makes the debates more interesting.
Here you go again ...

I don't know of anyone who wants to put the U.S. under the U.N., although I hear you right wing parrots squawk that charge all the time.

Again, I think it comes down to simple mindedness - the nuances of working within an alliance or within the U.N. are just to subtle for the intellectually deficient or lazy to deal with.

There is a difference between pointing out failures in policies and wanting things to go wrong.

You can sit on your shoe and spin, bucko ...

[Dravyk]

If one were to cut out the political posts, what percent of posting would be left on Oprano? Food for thought.

[RawAlex]

Drav, probably not enough for a meal (food for thought!).

Mike, the "liberals aren't patriots" line is the most blatant republican creation ever. Basically, if you are on the other side, you are somehow un-american. So you better be on our side, because we are the only true americans.

Most cults use that type of logic. Define yourself as a better group (create a prototype) and tell everyone it's the only right group. Create an anti-prototype (bad person) and away you go.

It's fun.

Alex

[TheEnforcer]

Originally posted by Mike AI+Nov 19 2004, 03:49 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mike AI @ Nov 19 2004, 03:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Originally posted by TheEnforcer@Nov 19 2004, 03:37 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-Mike AI@Nov 19 2004, 03:14 PM
Please note that I did not mention anything about Canada in this thread.


You sure about that Mike?


I asked a question about Canada and pot. I was not being mean at all.

I feel safer at night knowing the Canadians are handling Afganistan! [/b][/quote]
I wasn't saying you were being mean, just that you said you didn't mention Canada in the thread, when you did. :P

[Almighty Colin]

Feb 9, 2005

Afghan opium poppy crops shrink

By N.C. Aizenman
The Washington Post

Girdi Ghous, Afghanistan - Across Afghanistan, government officials and foreign aid workers who monitor poppy cultivation have reached a remarkable conclusion: One year after Afghan farmers planted the largest amount of poppy in their nation's history and provided the world with nearly 90 percent of its opium supply, many of them have stopped growing it.

Poppy farming, officials said, may have declined by as much as 70 percent in three provinces that together account for more than half of Afghanistan's production: Nangahar in the east, Helmand in the south and Badakhshan in the north.

In Nangahar, where last spring poppies bloomed all along the main road from the provincial capital, Jalalabad, to the Pakistani border, the contrast is striking.

"I visited 16 out of 22 districts and I couldn't find a single plant of poppy," marveled Mirwais Yasini, head of the Afghan government's counternarcotics directorate. "It was all wheat."

Several factors may be responsible, including a drop in opium prices after the previous banner harvest, and a reluctance to plant among farmers whose crops were destroyed last season by disease or the police.

Afghan officials, however, say the news vindicates President Hamid Karzai's decision to reject an anti-poppy aerial spraying campaign, which had been promoted by the U.S. government, in favor of a more consensus-based "Afghan solution."

Karzai voiced concerns that spraying would cause health and environmental problems and antagonize farmers; several foreign nonprofit aid groups here also opposed the idea.

Instead, the president used appeals to national and religious pride, the promise of international aid and the threat of crop destruction to persuade village and tribal leaders to curb poppy cultivation voluntarily.

Yet the very success of this new policy creates tremendous challenges in a nation where opium cultivation and trafficking made up more than a third of the economy last year and sustained many thousands of poor rural families.

"People will need other sources of income as soon as possible, or we'll be the witness to a big disaster," said Gen. Muhammad Daoud, the deputy interior minister in charge of counternarcotics. "People may even face starvation."

Col. David Lamm, chief of staff for the U.S. military command in Afghanistan, said he was optimistic that Kabul's assertions of progress in reducing poppy production would prove true.

"Can you put it under your mattress and let the price go up? Yes," he said, but he added that since Karzai told farmers not to plant, "they are not planting."

International donors have pledged millions to help Afghanistan combat drugs this year; the United States pledged about $780 million.

About $120 million of the U.S. package has been earmarked for work on irrigation canals, to improve roads, to offer micro credit, and to obtain better seeds and fertilizers so poppy workers can make a living from other crops and industries.

In Nangahar, the first phase of that effort has already begun, with plans to hire about 50,000 workers to do jobs such as clearing irrigation canals.

In a largely symbolic gesture, the U.S. government has distributed 500 metric tons of wheat seeds in Nangahar - enough for less than 5 percent to 10 percent of farmers, Afghan officials said.

[OldJeff]

There is some funny shit in this thread :lol: