cannabisnews.com: U.S. Drug War Pays Afghans Who Aid Terrorists U.S. Drug War Pays Afghans Who Aid Terrorists Posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 06:38:49 PT By John L. Smith Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal Shortly after Attorney General John Ashcroft issued a call to duty to America's federal law enforcement to assist in guarding the nation's commercial airlines, local investigators and agents wondered aloud whether they would get the nod. One joked Tuesday about the possibility of frequent flier miles. Another wondered which agency would be used first. Would it be the U.S. Marshals Service, which provided the original sky marshals three decades ago in response to a rash of hijackings? Or would U.S. Customs agents be asked to step forward? They had taken over the sky security program before it was handed to the Federal Aviation Administration and eventually mothballed. One federal veteran said he thought Drug Enforcement Administration agents would be quickly called in. Another thought IRS agents might be used. Although a local Marshals Service official confirmed that 300 deputies had been assigned nationwide to assist the FBI in investigating nearly 50,000 tips that have surfaced since last week's terrorist attacks, as of Tuesday only one Southern Nevada deputy had been chosen. While agents and deputies expressed uncertainty, a thick smoke began to cloud the air. It was not the acrid stench of death in the wake of last Tuesday's nightmarish deadly terrorist attack on the World Trace Center and Pentagon. It was the foul smoke of irony that accompanies Ashcroft's request to pass new anti-terrorism measures by the end of this week and assigning hundreds of federal agents to act as undercover sky cops. If you're following developments in the terrorist attack story, you're probably learning to hate irony. The more you know about Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia, the more you're bound to be disgusted by the irony of the U.S. government's role in supporting it. The United States doesn't officially recognize the Taliban as a government. Only three Islamic nations do that. But who needs official status when this country in May was happy to cut a check for $43 million as a reward for the Taliban crushing opium poppy production by desperate Afghan farmers? America's drug war marches on against all logic and even into the waiting arms of despots. Make that despots with our money. Afghanistan produced a majority of the world's opium. Secretary of State Colin Powell called the poppy eradication "a decision by the Taliban that we welcome." But that $43 million didn't trickle down far. In May, The Associated Press reported that human rights conditions in Afghanistan had grown worse since the eradication. One farmer called the move another example of the Afghan people being crushed under the foot of the world's political giants. He meant, of course, the United States. "We accept the poppy ban because we know heroin is bad for humanity," Mohammed Rachmani told the AP's Steven Gutkin. "But the government and the world don't care if we live or die." While drought, poor irrigation and even a shortage of seeds ruined the efforts of farmers attempting to grow "alternative crops," the Taliban continued its totalitarian squeeze on Afghanistan's beleaguered citizens. In May, the Western press learned that the Taliban was outdoing itself by forcing religious minorities such as Hindus to wear patches on their clothes in a move reminiscent of the way Nazis labeled Jews and other undesirables under Hitler. The Taliban gained further notoriety for arresting Christians whose crime was proselytizing. This is the same Taliban that the Bush administration rewarded with $43 million at a time it knew of shocking human rights violations. This is the same Taliban that vows a "holy war" should the United States launch a retaliatory strike against Afghanistan, the home-away-from-home for Saudi exile Osama bin Laden -- the man thought responsible for masterminding the latest terrorist attacks. On Tuesday, I spoke with a U.S. Customs official in Washington who said plans to staff the sky marshals remain in flux. But they're coming. In part, to guard against a deadly and elusive monster our country helped to create. John L. Smith's column appears Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.Complete Title: U.S. Drug War Pays Afghans Who Aid Terrorists Who Attack U.S. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal (NV)Author: John L. SmithPublished: Wednesday, September 19, 2001Copyright: 2001 Las Vegas Review-JournalContact: letters lvrj.comWebsite: http://www.lvrj.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Holy Warriors Escalate an Old War http://freedomtoexhale.com/hw.htmBin Laden Taliban Heroin Connection http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10930.shtmlWar on Drugs a Closer Fit http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10928.shtmlBan On Poppy Farming Virtually Wipes Out Opium http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8717.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #41 posted by The Offspring on September 20, 2001 at 17:11:46 PT Motive? I think this gives Bin Laden a motive. The U.S. Government has its hand in some many countries that I think it is impossible to stop. The DEA wants to set up an office in Vancouver. We don't need the DEA in Canada. Their Human Rights record is bad enough in the states that I would fear for my life here. I don't think war is necessary. I think Bush wants his support to rise. Remember that he has smart people working for him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #40 posted by Dan B on September 20, 2001 at 14:41:12 PT: By the way, tdm I just finished reading your article about the Sept. 11 attacks, and I found it fascinating. Thanks for a voice of reason. When I get home (I'm at work now), I'll be bookmarking to your web page. Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #39 posted by Dan B on September 20, 2001 at 14:33:07 PT: tdm: great idea I know I shouldn't say this because I don't want to be hunted down by my government (which is supposed to allow free speech, but does so only when said speech doesn't endanger the 0.1% of the people who are in power), but I agree with the approach you speak of. It's high time we reversed the strategy of world policy. Let the leaders take risks for the people, rather than the people taking all of the risk for their leaders.Only a coward president hustles off to Louisiana, then Nebraska when the country is under attack in Washington D.C. and New York. How about this: You make the policies; you take the fall? When our "leaders" have something more than cramped fingers from writing to families of dead soldiers at stake, perhaps they'll think twice before crushing the rights of people in their own and in other countries.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #38 posted by kaptinemo on September 20, 2001 at 07:08:37 PT: We need more like Mr. Lewis The only problem is, will people listen...in time?What he is describing is nothing new. It happened wit the Japanese and Germans right before WW2. Right up to the day of the attack, US corporations were shipping obviously strategic resources bound to be used in the military machines of both soon-to-be belligerent countries. Even during the war there were instances of corporate 'cooperation' between the IG Farben company (which used slave labor - that was worked literally to death - from all over occupied Europe, letting the SS be their jailor/executioners, and had developed the Zyklon B gas used in the death camps) and Standard Oil of Indiana.All while Americans were busily involved in fighting, killing and being killed by Germans.And during the Gulf War, we were feeding Saddam’s people while we were killing them. Now, does that make sense?The more things change, the more they stay the same. [ Post Comment ] Comment #37 posted by tdm on September 20, 2001 at 06:14:19 PT: assassination Just read the stuff about giving a couple billion to the Taliban for bin Laden. I'm afraid this is a mistaken approach. (Flame away if I've missed some sarcasm or something.) In return for bin Laden, we'd get an extremely well funded Taliban. It would like in the movie Starship Warriors(??) where destroying the big bug which you thought was the real threat only succeeded in creating millions of tiny bugs capable of growing into big bugs. Let's not make matters worse.What to do? In one comment I posted at my own site (http://demoss.org), I suggested assassination as a new military policy. I have also heard it mentioned from some of the talking heads. The gist of my argument was that it's easier to try to protect a small group of our leaders in a world dominated by assassination than it is to protect our borders in a world dominated by war. Also, when it's their own lives on the line, I think government leaders would be more cautious in their foreign policy.Incidentally, this same concept has been given an odd twist by a man named Jim Bell, who is now in jail for threatening an ATF agent who was following him. He was being followed because of publishing his ideas, which he calls "Assassination Politics." He was considered too much of a threat to just let him wander around "unaccompanied." I'm NOT advocating his concept, but it makes interesting reading (http://zolatimes.com/v2.26/jimbell.htm).Would be interested to hear what others have to say on the use of assassination as military policy. demoss.org [ Post Comment ] Comment #36 posted by Silent_Observer on September 20, 2001 at 04:53:34 PT Toker00...I hope my name shows up...but.. think of looking like the antis this way..If you tried to infiltrate Bin Laden's crowd looking like a Wall Street banker, I think the odds of success are limited; don't you agree?Peace..:) [ Post Comment ] Comment #35 posted by Patrick on September 20, 2001 at 00:53:21 PT $20 Billion Dollars Yeah that's right 20 billion freakin dollars the DEA got this year for fightin drugs? If "druuugs" had any fricking thing to do with 9/11, this country ought to demand a damn refund from the DEA. Intelligence failure blah blah blah my arse. The truth is, no one predicted this crap including the "Drug Free" government agencies spending $20 Billion of OUR TAX DOLLARS pulling "weeds." [ Post Comment ] Comment #34 posted by freedom fighter on September 19, 2001 at 23:38:47 PT I wonder how much does the us government have in their coffer? Bit happy to read the article that makes sense. I would not be surprised if the author gets flamed by this. For most part, folks never even knew about it. I am no different than most folks around the world except for those to choose to hate. I want evidence. I want proof and known accusers of those who may be charge with a crime that killed thousands. But not at the expense of liberty or freedom. So Yahoo had to give up all the email addresses? Is it just a wanton witch hunting?ff [ Post Comment ] Comment #33 posted by freedom fighter on September 19, 2001 at 23:15:19 PT testing to see wither if Im red or green or black or whatever... [ Post Comment ] Comment #32 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2001 at 21:25:08 PT OK,.. So, we have killed thousands of "them", now they have killed thousands of "us". They attacked our financial structure, now it is time to attack theirs. LEGALIZE DRUGS!! But then, you already knew that.Also, someone posted about looking like the anti's to gain their confidence. I can't remember just who posted it, cause, you know, I'm budded. When we legalize, can we go back to looking the way we did before? Or would that be considered treasonous? Could we toke, but only if we wear our hair short and a suit or collared shirt and slacks? And, would they be able to toke and wear tie-dyes, too? Or would the dress code be STRICKLY inforced?I'm just kidding. I understand where you are coming from. Just trying out dddd's reasoning. LOL.They fight for God. We fight for God. Who's side will God be on?GCW, Cannabisnews welcomes ALL peace loving people, I think. Besides, there are quite a few Christians among us. And also people who are just spiritual, and not necesarily organized. After all, there IS only one God, and if we be for him, then we cannot be against him. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. :)Peace. Realize, then Legalize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #31 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 20:15:17 PT Toker00 You made me laugh! No you're not a troll! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #30 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2001 at 20:13:27 PT Nevermind;) I just re-registered. Now I forgot what I was gonna post. Be back after I get budded out.Peace. Realize, then Legalize. [ Post Comment ] Comment #29 posted by Toker00 on September 19, 2001 at 20:11:52 PT Can't post. Been registered for a while. ???? Am I a troll? [ Post Comment ] Comment #28 posted by bruce42 on September 19, 2001 at 19:38:58 PT Troll defined- at least in a way. According to The Encyclopedia Mythica: http://www.pantheon.org/In Scandinavian myth, trolls are ugly, malicious creatures and the enemies of mankind. They are much bigger and stronger than humans, and leave their caves only after dark to hunt. If they are exposed to sunlight they will instantly turn to stone. Trolls are very fond of human flesh. In later myths they are roughly the size of humans or elves, and thought to be the owners of buried treasures. They are sometimes, although very rarely, portrayed as friendly, less ugly creatures. [ Post Comment ] Comment #27 posted by The GCW on September 19, 2001 at 18:54:18 PT FoM... reply to #6...etc. (FoM), I hope we can keep truth marching on but only time will tell I think.I thought there was a lack of truth, which is causeing this mess and the mess before this mess. The war on drugs, war for profit, war against citizens, war on some drugs is based on certified deceit. ---------------------------- FoM, also, I think you have put up posts that are contrary to our view, and wish for you to continue allowing the opposing view. It may be real rude stuff that does not make it, which to some extent shall be allowed, but not the totally rude stuff. I absalutely love this place. It is really calm, and full of good manners. This is home. I preach my Christian views and no one attacks me over it.For Christians, make note: there is much talk of God, but it is mostly with out Christ, which IS the Holy Example, of nothing less that peace, love, compassion, mercy etc. It seems that God with out Christ, is difficult for people to contain, which is why the example of Christ is important. Then make note, through Christ we get the Holy Spirit of Truth, and that is a promise. I benifit by all the perspective from all of you, keep them coming, keep your smile, and keep helping bring an end to the war on drugs, as perpatraited by our own government agianst its own citizens.Question: If Bush is really a believer of God, why does he spend so much money to fight Gods words on the very 1st page of the Bible? Could it be that lack of Christ?He is a Skull and Bones man, right? They are not believers of Christ, right? Again what is a person that believes in God, but not Christ? Both sides of the terrorism war. One of the things that change when cannabis becomes legal, is cannabis at the ALTER - AGAIN! DOES SKULL & BONES KNOW THIS? Author, John L. Smith, does a good job of letting the public know some of this truth. It would be good to continue to get this news out to receptive people. That the war on drugs is not only bad, it terms of before 911, and now we grasp an example of how the prohibitionist politicians war on drugs may have helped kill thousands of people. The war must stop. And now for more implications UNIMAGINABLE from before, the WAR MUST STOP. [ Post Comment ] Comment #26 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 18:08:21 PT: el_toonces You are registered or you couldn't post. Green color will be when you use an email and red without an email. We turned on the program. ThanksWhat is Trolling? That's a good question and I don't really know how to answer it and be polite. Maybe someone else can put it in words better then me but I don't appreciate trolls but I still can't tell exactly what one is. [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by el_toonces on September 19, 2001 at 17:46:10 PT: Register? How does one register their name, and how can one make their name "reply friendly", i.e., so you just click on it and the e-mail Outlook form pops up with their address already placed?Also, can only registered (or unregistered as I have not yet figured out if green and underlined means registered or if red no underline means registered) names set it up so their posts have the "reply friendly" feature?Thanks,MPS -- There is a show on marijuana and the federal law allowing the DEATH penalty for dealing on A&E tonight -- 9 EDT I think.PPS -- WHat is "trolling"?PPPS -- who is Amanda Lewis and where/when is her show?Mwww.ande.com http://www.ande.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 17:06:42 PT Thanks Matt Now we have a green color with an email and red without an email. I sure appreciate your help. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 17:03:18 PT Let's see if we are black or green or red Are we having fun yet? [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 17:01:19 PT: Let's see if we are red or green or black test [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by Matt Elrod on September 19, 2001 at 17:01:08 PT Yet more testing I meant without email addresses. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by Matt Elrod on September 19, 2001 at 16:55:36 PT: Yet more testing Okay, okay. Names, with email addresses, are back in red. [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by mr.greengenes on September 19, 2001 at 14:26:32 PT Ananda Lewis Show Just a heads up in case anybody is interested, Ananda Lewis is having a show on legalizing marijuana for both recreational use and medical on Thursday(tomorrow). [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 14:25:22 PT Just a test I am copying a few words out of a post to see why my post didn't center correctly.I really appreciate your comment. I am a free spirit as most of us are and I really mind having to delete anything but life is all different now. The government will be looking for anything it can and I don't want any problems. Yahoo has turned over their email to the government and we don't need to dig ourselves in too deep considering these extraordinary circumstances we are living in now. I bet we bomb within a day or so. Thanks again. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 14:18:48 PT bpicard Thank You bpicard,It's good to know that this web site and the people that comment here are important. It sure isn't the same as it was a few weeks ago before the Rainbow Farm tragedy and now this. We will keep on keepin' on because of all of you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by bpicard on September 19, 2001 at 14:04:50 PT: FOM Thank you so very much for all your hard work on this wonderful web-site. I read it everday and although I do not believe in all the posted comments, it seems as if I have finally found a group of like-minded people. Web-sites like this one where people from all walks of life throughout this vast globe can come together as a community, is what the internet was truly developed for. Thanks Again and keep on truckin'.blazin' on a sunny afternoonbp [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 13:37:06 PT dddd Thanks dddd,I really appreciate your comment. I am a free spirit as most of us are and I really mind having to delete anything but life is all different now. The government will be looking for anything it can and I don't want any problems. Yahoo has turned over their email to the government and we don't need to dig ourselves in too deep considering these extraordinary circumstances we are living in now. I bet we bomb within a day or so. Thanks again.PS: I swear I heard on tv but could be wrong that the Taliban has around 4,000,000 Militia. If I heard that right that's alot and I think they might need to activate the draft because I believe we have over a million plus troops but there again I'm not sure. I hope others write things like I heard so we know. The news is moving so fast, as far as war goes, that it will take our village to keep up. I'm apologizing if my figures aren't correct in advance.Operation Infinite JusticeEven the name says almost never ending. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by dddd on September 19, 2001 at 13:25:15 PT Salmon Fishing in the Puget Sound ..I dont know what the new meaning of "trolling" is,,last time Iheard the term,was in my pre-teen years,when my Dad and Iwent salmon fishing.FoM,,I had no idea that you were having to deal with trashy,hatefulposts.....As far as I'm concerned,,you should do whatever you feelyou need to do to make it easier for you.I trust your judgement,and ifyou are spending all your time deleting profane or hateful posts,,donthesitate to make some adjustments....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by chuck on September 19, 2001 at 12:54:11 PT: drug war first of all. Legalize marijuana now!!! Anyway my question is, where does all the tax money from those multi-million dollar lottery winnings go?? and why is it that alcohol is legal, but its MORE harmful than marijuana? is the govt. trying to kill us slowly with liver damage. or is this a FREE country? I want my freedom of choice. And I choose marijuana , are you with me! peace and love to all who agre, and even to those who dont. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 12:44:20 PT Poisoned I don't think it is because of you posting anything or anyone. There just people who want to fight and cause trouble rather then face reality is what I think. Hateful people that's all. We all have seen plenty of hate on other boards so I believe it is just those same people but I could be wrong. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Poisoned1523Days on September 19, 2001 at 12:39:16 PT RE: I need to mention this and dddd Hi dddd, Thanks for your approval of myconcept. The phraseology you usedto flesh it out really made me laugh.Hi FoM, Are you getting lots of insulting poststhat you have to delete? That could be my fault. I posted the URL on alt.auto.mercedesa couple days ago. Sorry if it was me.( It was virtually on topic :) ) [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 11:47:15 PT I need to mention this Because the amount of trolling is getting out of hand we might need to make mandatory registration. I don't want to spend all my time deleting posts. The registered names don't cause problems it is only the unregistered ones. I hope if it comes to this that you all understand. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 11:40:26 PT Thanks Harvey Thanks Harvey,Bill Maher probably said that but it didn't register. Lots of things are going right over the top of my head these days. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Harvey Pendrake on September 19, 2001 at 11:36:31 PT FoM... I think the quote you're refering to is originally attributed to Churchill:"In time of war the first casualty is the truth."Or something like that... [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by dddd on September 19, 2001 at 11:14:41 PT aocp same with my little brother,,,he has his doctorate inhistory,and is a professor at a major university,buthe is tragicly unaware of current realities....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 19, 2001 at 11:06:38 PT Just a Comment Last night Bill Maher said something that stuck in my mind. He said in time of war the first thing to go is the truth. I personally am not what people call a sheople (sp) but I am an American. I hope we can keep truth marching on but only time will tell I think. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by aocp on September 19, 2001 at 10:57:39 PT Great idea, guys... ...how's about we start by taking, oh, 1.3 billion currently being used to poison the natives of the Colombian rain basin? Oops, i forgot ... it's unpatriotic or somethin' to think beyond bloodlusting revenge in this country. I should be ashamed! ... but i'm not. Go ahead and solicit me for more donations for aid ... i'll turn you right back to the feds. They've got the cash, but man, what direction do the priorities take?Walk softly and carry a big freakin' stick, i suppose. Oh, and bitch and moan when the chickens come home to roost. Don't take that wrong. Most of the sheeple just do not have a clue as to what is really going on. As exemplified thusly...My poli-sci professor (that's a doctorate, all right) had/has no idea what Plan Colombia is and has never heard of Rainbow Farms, either. Spooky, huh? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by dddd on September 19, 2001 at 10:33:25 PT Good idea Poisoned Why not cut the crap,,and get down to basics,,,,How bout 2 Billion dollars for bin Laden..why not?,,,we should just try to buy him,,,it would save about 38 Billion of the 40 Billion"blank check" that the shrub was given by our frenzied lawmakers,,,and what the heck,,whynot bail out the airlines with another 4 Bil or so,,,and we might as will give a bunch to the Insurancecompanies,,who are now saying this is going to break them,,let's toss a few billion in theirdirection,,and factor in several more billion to help rebuild Manhatten,,,and that will stillleave about 15 Billion or so,to toss into the hog trough to shut everyone else up,,and thenwe can get back to pretending everything is normal again...dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Poisoned1523Days on September 19, 2001 at 10:17:26 PT a couple billion to avoid war? Speaking of money - it seems to motivateso much in so many - we could avoid war merely by slipping the Taliban a couple billionin return for Laden et al. Easier tobuy him than invade. Less blood too. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by 50 million on September 19, 2001 at 09:48:03 PT 50 million 50 million [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E. Johnson on September 19, 2001 at 08:43:15 PT And what did Clinton and Albright give them? As an apostate Democrat I would like the Clinton-Reno-Albright administration the proper amount of discredit for starting the ball rolling down this hill.Did Clinton give the Taliban any money?They agreed to ban opium farming when Clinton was still in office, so the Clinton administration must have given them SOMETHING.So what did Clinton give them? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment