cannabisnews.com: War on Terrorism Threatens War on Drugs





War on Terrorism Threatens War on Drugs
Posted by FoM on September 20, 2001 at 11:49:37 PT
By David Fox
Source: Reuters
The U.S. war on terrorism could threaten the success of a battle that Washington has been waging since Nancy Reagan first urged America to ``just say no'' nearly 20 years ago.U.N. officials said Thursday the current crisis gripping Afghanistan in the wake of the attacks on Washington and New York could undermine the ``remarkable'' progress the Taliban-ruled area of the country has made in halting drug production.
Despite being considered a pariah by almost every government in the world, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban have succeeded in virtually wiping out poppy farming in areas they control.And they have done this voluntarily, without compensation to the farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihood, and without the promise of reward or international recognition for doing so.``It has been a remarkable achievement,'' said Bernard Frahi, the regional representative for the U.N.'s Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention for Afghanistan and Pakistan.Last year, some 200,000 acres of poppies were cultivated in Afghanistan, producing 75 percent of the world's heroin supply and nearly 90 percent of Europe's. But this year the United Nations believes not a single acre may have been grown in the 95 percent of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban.The same is not true, however, of areas controlled by the opposition Northern Alliance, where what used to amount to 10 percent of Afghanistan's opium is still produced.The United Nations is still compiling its latest report, but a spokesman said if the trend of the last two years continued, the Taliban could be credited with carrying out the most successful drug-eradication programs in history.The turnaround came when the Taliban's spiritual leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, issued an edict last year declaring the cultivation of narcotic crops as ``un-Islamic.''Severe Punishment Mullah Omar's edicts are strictly enforced by the Taliban's religious police -- officially known as the Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice -- and severe punishments are meted out to those who flout them.``It could be a turning point,'' Kemal Kurspahic told Reuters from Geneva. ``It is a historic opportunity to seriously undermine the world's supply of opiate derivatives and heroin.''The U.N. drug office assists countries in trying to persuade farmers to growing alternative crops and raising funds to help them make the transition.Little known is the fact that the United States has contributed significantly to those programs in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.Officials say, however, that all the recent successes could be undermined by the current crisis and a change of regime in Kabul could swing the pendulum the other way.``In the current atmosphere it is impossible to say something good about the Taliban, but the fact is they have a much better record than the Northern Alliance or previous regimes,'' said a Western diplomat who asked not to be named.``You cannot say that any change of government would result in the drug policy still being enforced. In fact, most of my colleagues believe the opposite is true.''Other officials say the Taliban may have no qualms about reversing their anti-drug edict if they need to raise money to defend themselves against a United States-led effort to unseat them.In previous years, the Taliban imposed a tax on poppy farmers that netted their meager treasury around $10 million a year, according to the U.N.The farmers made around $90 million last year from the sale of opium resin extracted from poppy bulbs. With heroin selling for around $200 per gram in Europe, the street value is billions of dollars.In the short term, however, the crisis is likely to reduce the amount of heroin reaching the streets of the West as increased security along Afghanistan's borders by its neighbors will restrict outflows of opium and heroin processed from last year's crop.``People are not going to feel pressure immediately, and we don't really know how much heroin may be stockpiled by the traffickers,'' Kurspahic said.``But it will be felt -- perhaps next year when the result of no crop from this year develops. Purity will go down, prices will rise and shortages will result.'' Source: ReutersAuthor: David FoxPublished: Thursday September 20, 2001Copyright: 2001 Reuters UnlimitedRelated Articles & Web Site:Holy Warriors Escalate an Old War http://freedomtoexhale.com/hw.htmU.S. Drug War Pays Afghans Who Aid Terrorists http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10932.shtmlTaliban Do What 'Just Say No' Could Not http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9849.shtmlBan On Poppy Farming Virtually Wipes Out Opium http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread8717.shtml
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Comment #35 posted by Dan B on September 21, 2001 at 23:54:08 PT:
Thanks Freedom Fighter and E_Johnson
I saw the link; I'm not sure why I didn't make the connection. Anyway, I have the site linked, and I will purchase the video when I get paid in October.Thanks again.Dan B
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Comment #34 posted by freedom fighter on September 21, 2001 at 13:00:26 PT
Dan B
Check on comment #19, the link EJohnson provided. You can get the doucmentary viedos from that site.ff
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Comment #33 posted by The GCW on September 21, 2001 at 11:59:15 PT
Robbie
Thank you for the good site you just offered. 
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Comment #32 posted by Robbie on September 21, 2001 at 08:57:17 PT
Right on, GCW!
I've been calling Christians out on their hatred, bloodlust, and vengeance over the last week. If I question their faith, they get even more upset. But they do seem to ignore some of the more basic precepts I was taught as a Christian. I guess their faith only serves to shield their ignorance.GW DID in fact claim Christ as his personal savior, or what have you. The fact that he did not even suggest loving his neighbor, or turning the other cheek is highly troubling. But he's a Bush...its not like you can believe what he says.I would like to see MANY more Christians adopt those basic principles in these sad and angry times. I fear that, if we do not, we will all suffer for G Dub's hypocrisy.
Undernews
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Comment #31 posted by Rambler on September 21, 2001 at 06:46:29 PT
THE BOTTOM LINE
"You are with us or you are with the terrorists." "The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans, and make no distinction among military and civilians, including women and children,""I will not yield. I will not rest. I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people." Freaky man!
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Comment #30 posted by The GCW on September 21, 2001 at 05:12:51 PT
Fact!
http://www.showmenews.com/Commentary/20010920Comm004.asp
From: The Columbia Daily Tribune, (Missouri)
Open column  
Bush must decide whether to follow church or state Published Thursday, September 20, 2001Editor, the Tribune: Harry Truman said that you cannot be president of the United States and practice the Sermon on the Mount at the same time. Given the recent catastrophic attack on American soil in the ongoing war between the U.S. empire and its enemies, George W. Bush has a big decision to make. His decision is to either be the president of the United States, sworn to preserve and protect the Union, or to practice the Sermon on the Mount, in which Christ commands his followers to love their enemies.
This choice is more problematic for Bush than for any other president since Jimmy Carter, because like Carter, or unlike Truman, Bush has openly claimed to be a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. If he returns an eye for an eye, then he will be considered a great president by the majority of Americans, but in the process he will have defamed the name of the one he calls his savior. He cannot have it both ways.
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Comment #29 posted by The GCW on September 21, 2001 at 04:54:22 PT
Dan B. and friends
Not only does the Taliban, use our money to kill us, that is gratefully given by our own Government, but it seems that they are not going to allow any of their own resources to be used to kill the "worthless Americans". They manimpulated the media, to make us watch the 2nd plane, crash. They will use our own resources to kill us, which is consistant with the concept, of turning our own leaders against us. When it is all said and done, I would not be surprised to find that this is in fact calculated by the protected politicians, such as Bush mon. What if this is all in Bush mons favor, SINCE IT ALL DOES BENIFIT BUSH. 2 weeks ago he was a scorge. Now many Americans like him... If another election were held today, would he win... or would we get him out of office in favor of some one we actually voted for? It seems every aspect of this sick stuff benifits Bush, and his smile on his 6:30 national speach on 911, is so revealing that I'm sure he seemed to have the look of success! The smirk of success, was in his face! Can anyone help locate another look at that speach to see if there is agreement?
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Comment #28 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on September 21, 2001 at 04:44:52 PT:
FAITH-BASED INTITIATIVES
The Taliban got the $43 million becuase they said they'd stop the growing opium poppies. They got this during the time Bush and the people who actually run our country were blathering about the faith-based initiatives.The Taliban have faith, bases , and plenty of initiative, it seems.The $43,000,000 gift needs to be investigated. It is very very fishy...like most things associated with our administration these daysI have this inkling...a paranoid thought that lingers... 
Will Operation Infinite Justice (an offensive name) end up an active military operation in Columbia?
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Comment #27 posted by Dan B on September 21, 2001 at 04:18:47 PT:
Amen, doc!
Once again, Dr. Russo provides us with sound commentary and unflinchingly accurate analysis. I will have to find and watch the documentary he speaks of. It sounds both horrifying and educational. I find it equally disturbing that our country has not only praised the Taliban, but has given them $43 million for their "remarkable achievement." How ironic that is seems likely our own money was used to finance the attacks of September 11.Dan B
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Comment #26 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 21, 2001 at 03:58:30 PT:
Extolling Terror
``It has been a remarkable achievement,'' said Bernard Frahi&"the fact is they have a much better record than the Northern Alliance or previous regimes,'' said a Western diplomat"It is true that I have taken these comments out of context. However, let me create a little context for you. If you have the opportunity, please view a documentary by a British woman of Afghan extraction named, "Beneath the Veil." I saw a re-broadcast on CNN. It depicts the wanton slaughter of innocent women and children by militias of regime who has perverted religion and morality. One of the Taliban was actually caught on camera. He was asked why the football (soccer) stadium donated by the UN was being employed for public executions (shooting burka-clad women in the head for perceived slights on their interpretation of Islam), rather than to play sports. He had the audacity to complain that the UN should have contributed a facility for executions, and then they would be able to use the stadium for football! How arrogant is that?The statements above are the moral equivalent of saying the Nazis were good administrators, or that Mussolini made the trains run on time. This same kind of hypocrisy will allow civil liberties worldwide to evaporate in the name of the War on Drugs. Evil is evil, and there can be a general human consensus on what it comprises. Support for this type of barbarism in any form is totally unjustifiable, no matter what the cause.
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Comment #25 posted by Rambler on September 21, 2001 at 02:39:14 PT
I guess I'm an old square
..but I dont understand what the 10-10-420 thing would be? Some kind of marijuana long distance service?Some kind of Dial-a-Bud hotline?
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Comment #24 posted by p4me on September 21, 2001 at 01:37:22 PT:
brilliant idea
I hate to tell you this but that is a brilliant idea. I could remember 10-10-420 even in a bad haze. Maybe a member of the cause will pick up on it. 
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Comment #23 posted by firedog on September 20, 2001 at 23:19:20 PT
10-10-420
I like the idea of a 10-10-420 number!I don't see any reason why it couldn't be advertised nationally. Most people don't know what 420 means, aside from those who should know.Besides, somebody's got to get 10-10-420 at some point. I believe the 420 area code has been assigned to Hawaii for future use... lucky them!My phone number ends with 420... depending on who I'm talking to, I tell them "four-two-zero" or "four-twenty"...
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Comment #22 posted by theropinfool on September 20, 2001 at 22:03:17 PT
war on drugs threatens war on terrorism
War on war threatens war on peace. Good grief- no not quite, almost, not hardly; horrific grief is what we have.
I wonder why Osama bin Laden doesn't become a suicidal terrorist?
I wonder why the people performing terrorist activities don't question what they are doing?"The unexamined life is not worth living."- SocratesThey must be similar to DEA agents, in a kinda sorta way.
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Comment #21 posted by E_Johnson on September 20, 2001 at 21:06:13 PT
I have a bridge to sell you then...
In the short term, however, the crisis is likely to reduce the amount of heroin reaching the streets of the West asincreased security along Afghanistan's borders by its neighbors will restrict outflows of opium and heroin processed from last year's crop.Everybody, do the hustle!Do do doo do do do do doo doDo the hustle!
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Comment #20 posted by p4me on September 20, 2001 at 19:42:23 PT:
Hutchinson vs Johnson debate
I think it was post #5 that asked about a transcript of the September 10th debate between the honorable Governor Johnson of New Mexico and the uninformed, twisted, liberty robbing agent of the drug war, Asa Hutchinson. You can find reference to the debate at http://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/ They have a transcript and audio reference. End the war on peace. 
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Comment #19 posted by E_Johnson on September 20, 2001 at 14:59:42 PT
Make Hutchinson wear the burqua then
Make Asa Hutchinson live in one of these:http://www.feminist.org/afghan/intro.aspif he wants to hustle the American taxpayers into trading the human rights of Afghan women for another faked victory in the War on Drugs.I think this is the time for N.O.W. to step in. This takes the damned cake. It's time for Democratic feminists to repudiate the War on Drugs.
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Comment #18 posted by xxdr_zombiexx on September 20, 2001 at 14:55:44 PT:
Wars, and rumors of wars....
Declaring war on war.. That's better than Clinton's "I smoked but I didn't inhale" line.Terrorism is know to be largely finaced by drug traffiking. Prohibition makes traffiking lucrative for those with the abilty to deal with law enforcement.The issue remains "threat assessment": what's worse: people able to get bad drugs safely or actively supporting terrorist networks? If you say "people getting drugs safely" is more dangerous than actively supporting the profits of drug traffiking that support terrorist networks, you have a cognitive problem.Arresting 700,000 people every year just for smoking pot should cease. Its the right time to call for a moratorium on cannabis arrests.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on September 20, 2001 at 14:21:08 PT
mr greengenes 
Hi mr greengenes and everyone,I think your idea is good. Maybe it would be a good thing to contact NORML. They are the most skilled about things like this. C News doesn't need to make any money because of the fine people at Mapinc. who I think are just like an extended family to me anymore. Really good idea!If anyone is feeling a little sad and wants a song to lift their spirit as we go down the road of war and can get MP3s I think it is called check out this link. I am sentimental and have been boo hooing a little and I keep playing it over and over again.There's An Eagle
http://www.stevevaus.com/
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Comment #16 posted by Sudaca on September 20, 2001 at 14:06:47 PT
ironic
how can these people be so blind. mention the war on drugs and we have to be the Talibans allies, mention terrorism and we have to be the Talibans executioners.the people who perpetrate the kind of policies which end up empowering the enemies of freedom.. they too should pay the price. Or else we're going to have to swallow crap left and right always all the time.
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Comment #15 posted by mr greengenes on September 20, 2001 at 14:05:04 PT
Cannabis Crusader 
Go for it. You could set it up as a non-profit org., make some money for yourself and help the cause. Or NORML could set it up. Possibly even cannabisnews.com. Whatta ya think FOM? As if you don't have enough to do.
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Comment #14 posted by Cannabis Crusader on September 20, 2001 at 13:55:34 PT
Poll
Does anyone think that creating a service like 10-10-220 long distance service called 10-10-420, where all profits go to the effort to reform the MJ laws, would be a good idea? That way people could support the cause without having to put their identity out there, in addition to saving money on long-distance phone calls. I would think that this type of service could get national advertising also, since it would be a legit service. But that's my opinion, I could be wrong.
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Comment #13 posted by mr greengenes on September 20, 2001 at 13:41:32 PT
silent
LMAO
I thought I was reading an article from theonion.comhttp://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/09/20/gen.iraq.saddam/
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Comment #12 posted by Robbie on September 20, 2001 at 13:34:59 PT
S_O
There could be a one day delay in your airing schedule, I don't know.As to the poll: Does Ananda smoke cannabis? It's possible, but more importantly, why do this show? She's only been on the air for two weeks, and this is a hot-button issue and a rather delicate one to tackle. Either she's very much against the drug war, she smokes in addition to that, and/or she's doing the show for the ratings potential. Still, a balls-y move.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on September 20, 2001 at 13:33:05 PT
Silent_Observer 
That's just too much!Saddam offers 'humanitarian' aid to U.S.
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Comment #10 posted by Silent_Observer on September 20, 2001 at 13:30:46 PT
Today's Ananda show...
had something about animals....something must be wrong..
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Comment #9 posted by Silent_Observer on September 20, 2001 at 13:29:00 PT
If this isn't hysterical... 
I don't know what is...http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/09/20/gen.iraq.saddam/
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Comment #8 posted by bcg on September 20, 2001 at 13:15:06 PT
I wrote Reuters
Re: War on Terrorism Threatens War on Drugs
by David FoxSir, 
In your report, you state that Afghanistan has been successful in eradicating opium poppy produiction "without the promise of reward or international recognition for doing so." I certainly believe that the US$43 million payment the Taliban received in May from the United States is a reward for this action. This payment was certainly not for the Talibans promotion of human rights. It is quite conceivable that as the US Federal Agents and international bankers trace money back from the hijackers many millions of dollars will have come from this very payoff. Please see http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1692/a11.html?1666
for a verification of this figure. 
Perhaps this revalation will finally drive home the point that the result of Global US-styled Prohibition is Global US-styled gangland violence. Al Capone in Chicago and Osama Bin Ladin in the world is an apt comparison.
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Comment #7 posted by Duzt on September 20, 2001 at 13:14:21 PT
more lies
"And they have done this voluntarily, without compensation to the farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihood, and without the promise of reward or international recognition for doing so."The farmers were promised compensation and help growing other food crops (which is BS since they can't compete with other countries selling these crops and most of the crops they are asked to grow won't grow there). Our government gave the Taliban $42 million dollars for the drug war effort. If that money wasn't to help those farmers, what was it for? We are sponsoring these terrorists so is this war on terrorism going to be against ourselves as well?
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Comment #6 posted by greenfox on September 20, 2001 at 13:10:56 PT
It's important
Durring times like these to remember our most basic freedoms. Earlier, I called this crap. Why? Simply because they are trying (very desperately) to pull more money out of our pockets. Now, I have many prays and much sympathy with the dead and their families- make no mistake. I do NOT have those same feelings for the people using (marketing) the moment to fill their own greedy hands. I call that blood money. The US is using this as a way to build arms, and spend money- YOUR MONEY! It's an outrage, people. There was a cnn poll (maybe it's still there- cnn.com) saying that 70 PERCENT of americans wouldn't mind additional government intrusion into their lives if it meant "more security". I hate to break the hard, cold reality to people but more security means more police presense in your everyday life. And for what- to feel safe? I'm sorry, but there is no way to stop someone who is SET ON SUICIDE to begin with. It was said..."Fear the man as you would the devil for it that man has nothing to loose". Fear the man that has nothing to loose... These people can SNEAK past our most complex barriers. They can SLY their way via payoffs or other means any "manned post". And most importantly, they can take extra chances on their own life, (things a normal person wouldn't do,) because they can take THEIR OWN LIFE. When that becomes valueless, it's far easier to do certain things. And no one can predict or stop that. No, friends, the root of the crux of the rotton apple is this: Get to the source of the opposition. WHY do they do these things? WHY are they so pissed off? All I know is there is a peaceful sollution. Always war with these damn republicans.....sly in green, foxy in kind
-gf
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Comment #5 posted by mr greengenes on September 20, 2001 at 13:03:03 PT
Anada show
"But it will be felt -- perhaps next year when the result of no crop from this year develops. Purity will go down, prices will rise and shortages will result."Seeing is believing, eh?Saw the Ananda show a little bit ago and it is getting ready to reair in about 15 minutes. Pretty good show.They had the usual antis on with the same old tired rhetoric, and a woman who was blaming the gateway properties of marijuana for her 18 year old daughter's herion overdose, sad story, but c'mon now. Steve Hagar did a fairly good job debating the antis. I just have one suggestion for him if he is going to continue appearring on these shows, and I know I'll probably get berated for this, but, buy a suit for chrissake. One girl in the audience mentioned the hemp car.One part at the end that had me rolling my eyes was when Steve started talking about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson promoting the growing of hemp, the DEA guy makes the comment that since George Washington thought it was a good idea to ride horses, then we should all still be riding horses instead of driving cars. What a moron.Does anybody know where I can find a transcript of the Johnson/Hutchison debate?Quick poll: Do you think Ananda Lewis gets high? I'd say yes.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on September 20, 2001 at 12:47:18 PT
greenfox
Everyone is re-registering. 
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Comment #3 posted by tdm on September 20, 2001 at 12:46:13 PT:
i have an idea
"The United Nations is still compiling its latest report, but a spokesman said if the trend of the last two years continued, the Taliban could be credited with carrying out the most successful drug-eradication programs in history."Well then, perhaps all the people who think it's so vitally important to eradicate drugs in this country would like to go live in Afghanistan for a while. They can experience first hand the joys and freedoms that come with a drug-free society.
demoss.org
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Comment #2 posted by greenfox on September 20, 2001 at 12:42:26 PT
Also, FoM...
Why was I deleted-was it something I said? I had to re-register. :P :> -gf
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Comment #1 posted by greenfox on September 20, 2001 at 12:41:49 PT
I have two words for all of you:
WHAT CRAPSly in GREEN, foxy in KIND,-··::;greenf0x;::··
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