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| House Rejects Colombian Anti-Drug Cuts |
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Posted by FoM on July 25, 2001 at 07:37:43 PT By Tim Johnson Source: Miami Herald 
Engaging in a prolonged and impassioned debate on the drug war in the Andean region, the House rolled back an effort Tuesday to slash $100 million from a hefty counter-narcotics initiative but warned the White House not to boost the number of U.S. personnel in Colombia beyond limits.In more than four hours of debate on the drug war, opponents voiced a series of qualms about U.S. counter-drug strategy while supporters called for energetic action. Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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Comment #5 posted by tdm on July 25, 2001 at 12:09:36 PT:
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| Kap, you're right on target as always. In addition to your link about the Presidential Determination, you should also take a look at Clinton's Memorandum of Justification. http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/colombia/000823_wh_justification.html Apparently, it's OK to ignore your own human rights laws as long as it's for a "good cause" and as long as that's just really what you'd like to do and you happen to be the President of the United States. BTW, we should expect similar memos from Bush Too for FY2001. tdm [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #4 posted by Ethan Russo, MD on July 25, 2001 at 11:05:30 PT:
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| I was extremely disappointed, but not surprised by this result. A terrific opportunity to slow down or stop this atrocity has been lost. It merely proves the addiction of politicians to continued ignorance and the military-industrial complex gravy train. Let's put them into treatment: tough love, baby! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by New Mexican on July 25, 2001 at 09:07:51 PT |
| Thanks Kap for the articulate response to an article that absolutely enrages me. We're headed into another Viet Nam type quagmire and no one seems to care. Politicians are provided with cover and assurances that no harm will come to them. I guess the FARC will be kidnapping U.S. congress-critters and representatives to make their point now that it's clear there isn't any chance of humanity seeping into the pols hearts. Disgusting-yes, unforeseeable-no! Nothing has changed since 1965, but because that's the case, this must be an opportunity to right these wrongs once and for all. Otherwise, a mass exodus is called for. Any alternatives to exile? Just wondering! [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #2 posted by kaptinemo on July 25, 2001 at 08:32:58 PT:
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| For those seeking information about the worsening situation in Colombia, I would suggest the following link: The Center for International Policy Clombia Project: It is a treasure trove of information, particularly with regards to US efforts in the region. You can read all manner of correspondence of our (mostly effin' purblind!!!) leaders and their take on the matter. If you begin to read their letters to each other, you find a startlingly high degree of ignorance displayed by people who are supposed to be making policy. And your children in the military may die, as Jennifer Odom and her crew did, because of this ignorance. [ Post Comment ] |
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Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on July 25, 2001 at 08:14:23 PT:
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| "``Don't pull the guts out of the plan! Don't destroy a well-balanced plan that has protection against human rights abuses,'' Rep. John Mica, a Republican from Central Florida, exhorted his colleagues" Once again, Mr. Mica demonstrates the awful truth of the dangers inherent in not ensuring that the brain is engaged before opening his mouth. But given his past remarks, the matter is moot. "Protections" the man says. Protections. What Take a very good look at this document: Look at this part, reproduced here: "Pursuant to the authority vested in me by section 3201(a)(4) of the FY 2000 Emergency Supplemental Act (the "Act"), I hereby determine that it is in the national security interest of the United States to furnish assistance made available under the Act to the Government of Colombia READ THIS PART VERY CAREFULLY. IT ALLOWS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES!!!!!! without regard to the following provisions of section 3201 of that Act: And then it names all the parties that will not be held accountable for their actions in anti-narco operations. "Protections?" There aren't any bloody 'protections'. There never were any bloody 'protections'. Nearly all of the actions on the part of the Colombian forces down there were excused by this document. Excused by the United States Government. We have set a precedent for the Colombian Armed Forces to violate human rights. They know that this talk of human rights is all just bilge for the American public to swallow; salve for a barely aware conscience. Like giving a lollipop to a crying baby; it shuts the kid up, and stops annoying you. And it is the foundation for why they feel so safe in spraying campesinos with scheisse that they wouldn't dare spray on an American for fear of lawsuits. This latest document being foisted by Mica and his pin-headed ensemble is nothing more than business as usual. For as anyone knows, when you have a piece of paper, and your opponent has a gun, what are your rights worth? The man with the gun will laughingly use the paper with your rights on it to wipe himself. Hands down, every time...unless you have an even bigger gun - and a willingness to use it. "Protections"? It's true, I was born at night...but not last night. Mr. Mica and his cohorts are going to have to work a lot harder - and get up a lot earlier - before they can make that one work.
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