40 tons of drugs up in smoke

Howard Agency · 07-05-2006, 09:39 AM

Truly a sad day

YeHaa!

pwd72s · 07-05-2006, 09:58 AM

Some who post here would stand downwind...

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

It appears that the adminstration's "war on drugs" is more effective than many claim...and that we are making inroads into changing the Afghan economy into one that is not based on selling illegal drugs. Great news.

Jeff Higgins · 07-05-2006, 10:22 AM

I need a drink.

Dottore · 07-05-2006, 06:05 PM

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what percenatge of that "40 tons" was actually narcotics - and what percentage was camel-**** and shrubbery?

These sort of pictures help keep the aid money flowing. That is all.

Moneyguy1 · 07-05-2006, 06:17 PM

It does make one wonder what 40 tons equates to relative to the tonnage that gets through.

A squirt gun on a forest fire or a full pressure 3" hose?

Jeff Higgins · 07-05-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dottore
Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what percenatge of that "40 tons" was actually narcotics - and what percentage was camel-**** and shrubbery?

These sort of pictures help keep the aid money flowing. That is all.

Bingo. Some one is making A LOT of money on this "war on drugs". I wish they would quit spending mine on it.

Moneyguy1 · 07-05-2006, 06:27 PM

"War on this....war on that...."

The actual war seems to be on sanity.

If firefighers fight fire, and crimefighters fight crime, what do freedom fighters fight?

sketchers356 · 07-05-2006, 07:20 PM

Article states Afganistan had enough opium to make 450 tons of heroin last year. Did a quick calculation and that turns out to be $30 billion worth.

HardDrive · 07-05-2006, 10:37 PM

I thought this post was about my teenage years.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
It does make one wonder what 40 tons equates to relative to the tonnage that gets through.

The tonnage of Heroin burned is about 0.009 of the amount.

scottmandue · 07-06-2006, 07:04 AM

Wouldn't it be more efficent to burn the poppy feilds?

Dottore · 07-06-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
Wouldn't it be more efficent to burn the poppy feilds?

No, no, no. You are missing the point. You need the poppies to make heroin. You need the heroin to make money.

You burn camel-dung and tell your DEA friends this is captured heroin. They take pictures, everyone gets patted on the back and the aid money flows. Everyones pockets are lined.

The local police engage in a bit of theater and sell the drugs, the DEA know camel dung is being burned - but do not care because the photos make them look like they are doing their jobs, and the people back home can pat themselves on the back for waging an effective war on drugs. Win.Win. Win.

Jeff Higgins · 07-06-2006, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dottore
No, no, no. You are missing the point. You need the poppies to make heroin. You need the heroin to make money.

You burn camel-dung and tell your DEA friends this is captured heroin. They take pictures, everyone gets patted on the back and the aid money flows. Everyones pockets are lined.

The local police engage in a bit of theater and sell the drugs, the DEA know camel dung is being burned - but do not care because the photos make them look like they are doing their jobs, and the people back home can pat themselves on the back for waging an effective war on drugs. Win.Win. Win.

Once again, BINGO. There wouldn't be nearly as much money in it for anyone currently involved if it were legal and we stopped this silly war.

I would hazzard a guess that we spend more per annum, that more people die, and more lives are ruined as a result of the "war on drugs" than the war in Iraq. It is unwinnable. It does more harm than good. Yet people continue to blindly accept it. And the Afgans keep burning camel ***** to impress the dumb Americans. Amazing.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
Wouldn't it be more efficent to burn the poppy feilds?

According to the story, they have also been converting to legal crops.

Howard Agency · 07-06-2006, 08:59 AM

Political stuff aside, I can't help but think how $500 mil would help my budget shortfall

And $500 billion per year could solve some of the world's other little problems. Legalize drugs, feed the people, cure cancer, and save the world. Vote for me!

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

"Dave's not here, man..."

Moneyguy1 · 07-06-2006, 09:06 AM

fint:

With you military contacts, could you check on the conversion to legal crops? It might be interesting to see what crops and the effect on the economy over there.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
fint:

With you military contacts, could you check on the conversion to legal crops? It might be interesting to see what crops and the effect on the economy over there.

Unfortunately the land sucks (like North Korea). Only about 12% of the land is considered arable.

Principal crops are wheat, fruit like apricots, mulberries, grapes and nuts like walnuts and nuts like almonds, walnuts and fastpat. All take a significant time (years) before new crops will yield a harvest except for wheat. The farming does not impact the economy significantly because, like most middle eastern countries, the food they raise is not sufficient to export and probably never will be. It would be great if they could just feed themselves. They will most likely remain a net importer of food. Opium is their version of oil. Fortunately their population is quite small.

Moneyguy1 · 07-06-2006, 10:34 AM

Thanks. The sad part (for their economy) is now they no longer have a true cash crop.