Comments on: Afghanistan’s poppy problem http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/ A gripping first-hand account of the Iraq War by former Marine Sergeant Mark Perna Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:32:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mark Perna http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-454 Mark Perna Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:40:09 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-454 Opium is exported from Afghanistan into the former Soviet republics to be processed into heroine. It is believed that Russian organized crime organizations are largely responsible for this refinement into heroine and subsequent distribution. Furthermore, growing poppies is one of the only crops that is profitable in Afghanistan. Taking away this opportunity from the farmers, the citizens of the country, will create more strife and probably turn more civilians to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for support financially, as well as security agreements. It's not a problem of eradication—which has proven a horrible tactic in South America as cocaine production has increased significantly—it's a matter of the human condition. The farmers choose to grow opium because that's the only way they can make a living. The UN is a bureaucratic and diplomatic organization first and foremost. Their military is primarily for security of their diplomats and civilians, not for offensive operations. Opium is exported from Afghanistan into the former Soviet republics to be processed into heroine. It is believed that Russian organized crime organizations are largely responsible for this refinement into heroine and subsequent distribution. Furthermore, growing poppies is one of the only crops that is profitable in Afghanistan. Taking away this opportunity from the farmers, the citizens of the country, will create more strife and probably turn more civilians to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda for support financially, as well as security agreements. It’s not a problem of eradication—which has proven a horrible tactic in South America as cocaine production has increased significantly—it’s a matter of the human condition. The farmers choose to grow opium because that’s the only way they can make a living.

The UN is a bureaucratic and diplomatic organization first and foremost. Their military is primarily for security of their diplomats and civilians, not for offensive operations.

]]> By: Larisa Umnova http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-450 Larisa Umnova Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:10:53 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-450 I read in today’s paper that UN is urging Russia to stop flow of drugs into Europe from Afghanistan and I was amazed to read that. Now its all Russia's fault that drugs are being moved into Europe. Europe does not want to have drugs and its understandable, but why use UN to press Russia to stop the flow. They should stop the production of drugs in Afghanistan instead... they have troops on the ground or they are afraid to loose soldiers and so no action taken in Afghanistan to stop production of drugs. What a shameful approach to deal with the problem. I read in today’s paper that UN is urging Russia to stop flow of drugs into Europe from Afghanistan and I was amazed to read that. Now its all Russia’s fault that drugs are being moved into Europe. Europe does not want to have drugs and its understandable, but why use UN to press Russia to stop the flow. They should stop the production of drugs in Afghanistan instead… they have troops on the ground or they are afraid to loose soldiers and so no action taken in Afghanistan to stop production of drugs. What a shameful approach to deal with the problem.

]]> By: Telch@yahoo.com http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-305 Telch@yahoo.com Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:30:07 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-305 umm... I am not umm… I am not

]]> By: wael kfouri http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-94 wael kfouri Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:00:57 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-94 Clearly your open minded and receptive to other ideas. Many people in the online community are a little more totalitarian. keep it up well done Clearly your open minded and receptive to other ideas. Many people in the online community are a little more totalitarian. keep it up well done

]]> By: Clair Casias http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Clair Casias Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:38:05 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-89 great insight and very nice weblog how long did it take you building your website? :) i luv what you done here ... great insight and very nice weblog how long did it take you building your website? :) i luv what you done here …

]]> By: Marty L. http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/2009/12/09/afghan-poppy-cultivation/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Marty L. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:07:17 +0000 http://www.dontevercallmeahero.com/?p=79#comment-23 Great writings Mark...keep it up! as one that has been there, I enjoy reading what you have to say about all this mess. "Joe Public" usually does not know this stuff as the gevmnt does not tell it . Great writings Mark…keep it up! as one that has been there, I enjoy reading what you have to say about all this mess. “Joe Public” usually does not know this stuff as the gevmnt does not tell it .

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