At 11:16 AM 5/16/03 +0800, Sandy Harris wrote:

I'd say that if opium is indeed a major crop in Af now, then the situation was created by some combination of US pressure on other sources, the Islamic gov't in Iran suppressing it there, various groups -- including Bin Laden's lads -- needing money to fight the Russians, Taliban (probably with the help of the CIA and Pakistani Intelligence, who created them) needing money, ...

Um, hello? Farmers are *rational beings*. They will grow cash crops given sufficient ROI. No different from Kentucky inbreds growing tobacco. (Funny how no one is allowed to criticize the US exports of this addictive plant. Very funny indeed. Perhaps the Columbians will start spraying tobacco fields, (hey if other crops die its collateral damage), and shooting innocent planes out of the air. Frankly I'd rather they buy Al Q a kilo-class sub driven up the Potomac, tobacco keeps social fnord security solvent)