Why are we still in Afghanistan? Why are we propping up such garbage?

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy

Originally posted by: BoomerD
To me, an equally great concern is why are we allowing the Afghan farmers to continue their opium growing/heroin manufacturing operations?
Since that is providing the Taliban with Millions of $$$ in funds to continue the fight, (and thus, costing us millions of $$$ to continue the occupation) wouldn't it be cheaper to nuke the opium fields and give the farmers food and cash? (or perhaps some form of script that can't be converted to cash by the Taliban?)

While it may be a "noble" idea to allow the farmers to be self-sufficient, allowing them to grow opium, which in turn, funds the Taliban, seems awfully short sighted and counter productive.

From what I can gather (Only what I have come across, not directly researched), NATO/US royally fucked this up.

Hell, it was being fucked up before 9/11 when the taliban where successful in destroying much of the poppy crops with the international community applauding them and vowing to give aid to keep farmers from going back to poppy crops. Surprise surprise, none of that money arrived and the poppy farms returned.

After the invasion, poppy crops where destroyed but that was it. There was no plan beyond spraying/burning crops, leaving desperate farmers just trying to make a living with no livelihood. These farmers are not evil drug lords, they want food to eat and in this hell hole poppy is one of the few money makers (which they see a tiny fraction of the value of the crap when process and hits the streets), they where not given a alternative livelihood. Like pre 9/11 there was much talk about switching poppy farmers to other crops but no aid was ever given to them.

It also seemed the failed NATO/US policy on this aided the taliban as they can come in and help these farmers who lost all their income. And there is the fact the taliban can threaten these farmers if they switch from poppy because NATO/US troops only pop in and out of many towns, leaving the locals to deal with the taliban the other 95% of the time.

So more troops and a god damn plan that works is needed. As for nation building, there was no nation when NATO/US invaded and there is no nation today. THIS is the real nation building.

I agree. I also understood that the Taliban had nearly totally wiped out opium as a cash crop in Afghanistan...but NATO allowed the practice to resume...Now, the Taliban has put their morals in a closet since the "evil drug" is now a major source of funding for their operations.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
...but NATO allowed the practice to resume...Now, the Taliban has put their morals in a closet since the "evil drug" is now a major source of funding for their operations.

What better way of controling a population than keeping it sedated...

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: TheSkinsFan

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: OCguy
Because Obama has decided it is a war that is worth escalating.

Didn't obama clearly state his intentions to put more into afganistan during his campaign last year? The place where your bushie should have concentrated in the first place?

The military and many others have supported this. But nice anti-obama try anyhow. We know that republicans are your religion.

Wrong. Obama isnt doing anything new that Bush didnt already put in motion. He is simply carrying on the WOT in Bush's footsteps. He's using Bush's withdrawal dates and plans for Iraq, and continuing ramp ups in Afghanistan that Bush started in late 2006/early 2007.

Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge.

I don't blame him for it. Hell, in fact, I commend him for following through on these Bush plans.

Then again, I'm not a "repug," so...

This touches on two separate issues:

The righteousness of being in afghanistan. Not an expert, but it seems correct, although you have to wonder about intentions regarding the proximity to gas reserves.

The repugs' inane and incessant attempts to subvert obama's presidency. For me, he hasn't done anything to hate him for yet. For repugs, among other things, he is hated because he's not a repug.

 

[Ackmed]

I love seeing armchair quarterbacks acting like they know whats going on.

 

[cwjerome]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
I love seeing armchair quarterbacks acting like they know whats going on.

It's also very painful at times.

 

[theflyingpig]

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Very true. The only thing worth saving in the middle east is the oil. Everyone knows this.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: OCguy
Because Obama has decided it is a war that is worth escalating.

Didn't obama clearly state his intentions to put more into afganistan during his campaign last year? The place where your bushie should have concentrated in the first place?

The military and many others have supported this. But nice anti-obama try anyhow. We know that republicans are your religion.

Wrong. Obama isnt doing anything new that Bush didnt already put in motion. He is simply carrying on the WOT in Bush's footsteps. He's using Bush's withdrawal dates and plans for Iraq, and continuing ramp ups in Afghanistan that Bush started in late 2006/early 2007.

Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge.

Who is blaming Obama for anything? I cetainly am not. If your reading comprenhension went beyong your partisan brain you would realize I was stating Obama is carrying on Bush's WOT as planned. He has created no new policies, thus done nothing. Whats there to blame?

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: OCguy
Because Obama has decided it is a war that is worth escalating.

Didn't obama clearly state his intentions to put more into afganistan during his campaign last year? The place where your bushie should have concentrated in the first place?

The military and many others have supported this. But nice anti-obama try anyhow. We know that republicans are your religion.

Wrong. Obama isnt doing anything new that Bush didnt already put in motion. He is simply carrying on the WOT in Bush's footsteps. He's using Bush's withdrawal dates and plans for Iraq, and continuing ramp ups in Afghanistan that Bush started in late 2006/early 2007.

Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge.

Who is blaming Obama for anything? I cetainly am not. If your reading comprenhension went beyong your partisan brain you would realize I was stating Obama is carrying on Bush's WOT as planned. He has done NOTHING different.

Don't take everything so personal. I don't know that you do or ever said you blamed or (objected to) obama for the escalation in afghanistan.

You seem to be implying that your comprehension is good. After rereading this thread, do you see anyone who is blaming or accusing obama? I guess I'll have to be more explicit when responding to your posts.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: OCguy
Because Obama has decided it is a war that is worth escalating.

Didn't obama clearly state his intentions to put more into afganistan during his campaign last year? The place where your bushie should have concentrated in the first place?

The military and many others have supported this. But nice anti-obama try anyhow. We know that republicans are your religion.

Wrong. Obama isnt doing anything new that Bush didnt already put in motion. He is simply carrying on the WOT in Bush's footsteps. He's using Bush's withdrawal dates and plans for Iraq, and continuing ramp ups in Afghanistan that Bush started in late 2006/early 2007.

Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge.

Who is blaming Obama for anything? I cetainly am not. If your reading comprenhension went beyong your partisan brain you would realize I was stating Obama is carrying on Bush's WOT as planned. He has done NOTHING different.

Don't take everything so personal. I don't know that you do or ever said you blamed or (objected to) obama for the escalation in afghanistan.

You seem to be implying that your comprehension is good. After rereading this thread, do you see anyone who is blaming or accusing obama? I guess I'll have to be more explicit when responding to your posts.

Perhaps YOUR comprenhension needs checked. Do you see anyone "blaming" Obama? Why else would you then say "Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge."? Just posting random pot shots at the GOP?

 

[magomago]

Ugh. Vomit. I'm telling you guys - its simply an excuse (mention of religion in the article) for their chauvanistic actions. Mother fuckers.

Anyways we are there for geopolitical reasons. Not for any feel good at all.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
I love seeing armchair quarterbacks acting like they know whats going on.

I hate seeing people act like they have an argument when they obviously just aren't thinking things though for themselves.

 

[Vic]

Heroin is a hell of a drug.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Only if Israel is included in the package deal.

 

[trenchfoot]

Well, seeing as if no one's mentioned it yet (I think) I'd like to add in that the victims of 9/11 who died, were maimed or suffered emotionally, and the loved ones they left behind or are there to suffer along side with the survivors have an interest in seeing that OBL is apprehended or terminated and the Taliban be wiped from the face of the earth. Seems as if that has to go hand in hand with stabilizing the Nation that they once ruled and would like very much like to regain control of.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Only if Israel is included in the package deal.

Hey, you and the Klan agree on something!

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: seemingly random
Then blaming obama for the escalation is more repug subterfuge.

Are you serious? Are you really that dense? So this "surge" is all Bush, with no Obama authorization?

http://www.inteldaily.com/news...E/9554/2009-02-05.html

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: tweaker2
Well, seeing as if no one's mentioned it yet (I think) I'd like to add in that the victims of 9/11 who died, were maimed or suffered emotionally, and the loved ones they left behind or are there to suffer along side with the survivors have an interest in seeing that OBL is apprehended or terminated and the Taliban be wiped from the face of the earth. Seems as if that has to go hand in hand with stabilizing the Nation that they once ruled and would like very much like to regain control of.

I know a many of them are upset about their losses being exploited to perpetuate this conquest:

http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/article.php?id=914

 

[gevorg]

Originally posted by: theflyingpig

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Very true. The only thing worth saving in the middle east is the oil. Everyone knows this.

Yep. If middle east wouldn't have oil, it would be like Africa.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: gevorg

Originally posted by: theflyingpig

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Very true. The only thing worth saving in the middle east is the oil. Everyone knows this.

Yep. If middle east wouldn't have oil, it would be like Africa.

Actually that is very true. As soon as oil is no longer our source of energy, the ME will be as irrelevant as it truly deserves to be. They can "Allah Snackbar!" to their heart's desire, and noone will listen.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

About the Middle east . Were do they get their weapons?

Whats Americas No.1 $$$ maker or should I say TAX burden .

WHy are we over there? To do what exactly ? Build A pipeline to the west from the worlds largest oil reserves. Is this the reason were killing terrorist . How many terrorist are there.? Seems to be ALOT possiably billions to deal with.

WHo financies AMERICA??? Checks mirror. Oh ! I see Now .

Who exactly are the terrorist ? Much reflection required .

 

[Nemesis 1]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: BoomerD
...but NATO allowed the practice to resume...Now, the Taliban has put their morals in a closet since the "evil drug" is now a major source of funding for their operations.

What better way of controling a population than keeping it sedated...

So true. US government has done a dam good job of it also . When did the drug revolution start in USA, What war. Did they attack us, Hell without the drugs there would have been revolution in US. Kent state is part of my history .

 

[theflyingpig]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Only if Israel is included in the package deal.

No, we'll let Israel do the nuking, just to piss you off. It would be fun.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: theflyingpig

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Only if Israel is included in the package deal.

No, we'll let Israel do the nuking, just to piss you off. It would be fun.

They are a WONDERFUL staging point.

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: gevorg

Originally posted by: theflyingpig

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Very true. The only thing worth saving in the middle east is the oil. Everyone knows this.

Yep. If middle east wouldn't have oil, it would be like Africa.

Actually that is very true. As soon as oil is no longer our source of energy, the ME will be as irrelevant as it truly deserves to be. They can "Allah Snackbar!" to their heart's desire, and noone will listen.

Unfortunately that wont be in our lifetime.

 

[Nemesis 1]

Originally posted by: blackangst1

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: gevorg

Originally posted by: theflyingpig

Originally posted by: Beev
Just nuke the middle east. It's not worth saving.

Very true. The only thing worth saving in the middle east is the oil. Everyone knows this.

Yep. If middle east wouldn't have oil, it would be like Africa.

Actually that is very true. As soon as oil is no longer our source of energy, the ME will be as irrelevant as it truly deserves to be. They can "Allah Snackbar!" to their heart's desire, and noone will listen.

Unfortunately that wont be in our lifetime.

Your kidding right , Do you understand how this whole thing works. Were out world wide in less than thirty years. Had the polar ice not melted it would have been sooner . You need to figure how this stuff works Math wise LOL. How long do you think the worlds present oil reserves will last Known .

Than ask yourself . How does this math work . I help ya . Lets say the rate of consumsion increases by 10 % a year . Find the present oil reserves than tell me how much oil we will be using annually Ten years from now . Watch your dreams dissappear.

Lets say present consumption is 6 million barrels a day . Than increase by 10% annually . Now tell me how much oil your using daily in 30 years . Than tell me how much reserves ya have left . If ya get the math I be surprized.

Year 1 6 million
year 2 6..6 million
year 3 7.2 million
year 4 7.9 million
year 5 8.8 million
year 6 9.6 million
year 7 11.2 million
year 8 12. 4 million

year 9 13.4 million

year 10 . 14.7 million
year 11 16.1 million
year 12 17.7 million
year 13 19.4 million
year 14 21.3 million
year 15 23.4 million
Now I was carefull with the figures and rounded. But in 15 years we go from 6 million barrels aday to 23.4 million barrels aday .

Go ahead and carry it to the 30 year mark and be shocked. Just increae by 10% a year. Your math doesn't have to be perfect for what were doing . But ya see whats going on here. THey are lieing . about this and much much more.