An interesting take on Afghan poppy farmers

DanaC • Jun 21, 2008 11:21 am

'From Our Own Correspondent' is a really interesting BBC radio series, which gets close to some very difficult issues and situations. This week, the correspondent was bringing an insight into some of the unintended effects of the poppy farming ban in Afghanistan. Having recently had a min-debate in the Cellar as to what constitutes morality, I found this article of particular interest. There is a genuine moral and logical case to be made for enforcing such a ban; yet the social cost of it is tragicaly high for the farmers affected.

This is a written summary of the show:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7465730.stm

Cloud • Jun 21, 2008 11:26 am

morality takes a back seat when your children are starving

xoxoxoBruce • Jun 21, 2008 1:00 pm

From Michael Yon.

The tragedy of all this is that after our military won stunning victory after stunning victory in the early war — crushing and vanquishing the Taliban — instead of setting in to seal the victory, we squandered it and ran off to Iraq, and the Taliban revived and returned. At the current rate, we, along with the Brits, Aussies, Canadians, French, Germans, Italians, and all the rest who are there, will lose the war in Afghanistan. We must change course with great haste.

The war in Afghanistan and Iraq costs this country seven billion dollars a month. … Look, we’re the ones on the line. My argument has been step forward, do what has to be done so we can stand up a viable political entity in Afghanistan. They’re beautiful people, they are survivors, and they are remarkable people. They want their chance. We need to sustain them and if that means 5 to 10 billion dollars a year in economic aid, then so be it, let’s do it.

TheMercenary • Jun 29, 2008 9:35 am

I thought this thread said "Afgan puppy farmers"

DanaC • Jun 29, 2008 9:40 am

lol

Cicero • Jun 29, 2008 10:39 am

Naaah.