OT : Our Allies ?

Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
border.

A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.

The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
still alive.

The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
return moments later to shoot them dead.

The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...ng-affair.html

If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
going to control Afghanistan ?

Graham

On Apr 26, 7:03*am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> border.
>
> A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
> showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
>
> The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
> and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
> still alive.
>
> The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
> return moments later to shoot them dead.
>
> The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
> militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
> indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
>
> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
>
> If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
> going to control Afghanistan ?

Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?

We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
the opium, the Talaban would go broke.

If the we want to really get results in Afghanistan, we need to build
lots of schools and roads etc and not defend them very well. The
public should be defended but not the things we made for them. Let us
be seen as the ones who give the populace things they want and the
Talaban be seen as the ones who take them away.

On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:03:38 +0100, Eeyore wrote:

> Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> border.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, I guess. If it were against the law
here to have an affair, punishable by summary execution, I'd probably
not have an affair.

Cheers!
Rich

Rich Grise wrote:

> On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 15:03:38 +0100, Eeyore wrote:
>
> > Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> > after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> > border.
>
> When in Rome, do as the Romans do, I guess. If it were against the law
> here to have an affair, punishable by summary execution, I'd probably
> not have an affair.

But would you want to be associated with such behaviour when preaching
'freedom' ?

Graham

MooseFET wrote:

> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> > after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> > border.
> >
> > A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
> > showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
> >
> > The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
> > and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
> > still alive.
> >
> > The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
> > return moments later to shoot them dead.
> >
> > The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
> > militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
> > indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
> >
> > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
> >
> > If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
> > going to control Afghanistan ?
>
> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
>
> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
> those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
> poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
> the opium, the Talaban would go broke.

I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the poppy crop at
a better price than the drug barons will give and use it or destroy it.


> If the we want to really get results in Afghanistan, we need to build
> lots of schools and roads etc and not defend them very well. The
> public should be defended but not the things we made for them. Let us
> be seen as the ones who give the populace things they want and the
> Talaban be seen as the ones who take them away.

I like that idea. It's the 'hearts and minds' thing.

Graham

"Eeyore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> MooseFET wrote:
>
>> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> > Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
>> > after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
>> > border.
>> >
>> > A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
>> > showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
>> >
>> > The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
>> > and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
>> > still alive.
>> >
>> > The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
>> > return moments later to shoot them dead.
>> >
>> > The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
>> > militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
>> > indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
>> >
>> > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
>> >
>> > If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
>> > going to control Afghanistan ?
>>
>> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
>>
>> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
>> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
>> those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
>> poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
>> the opium, the Talaban would go broke.
>
> I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the poppy crop at
> a better price than the drug barons will give and use it or destroy it.

Rising/unsatisfied demand would drive the prices up until allied gov. wouldn't be
the top buyer any more?

M

On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:14:28 -0700, the renowned Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:02:46 -0400, Phil Hobbs
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>TheM wrote:
>>> "Eeyore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> MooseFET wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
>>>>>> after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
>>>>>> border.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
>>>>>> showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
>>>>>> and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
>>>>>> still alive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
>>>>>> return moments later to shoot them dead.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
>>>>>> militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
>>>>>> indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
>>>>>> going to control Afghanistan ?
>>>>> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
>>>>>
>>>>> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
>>>>> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
>>>>> those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
>>>>> poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
>>>>> the opium, the Talaban would go broke.
>>>> I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the poppy crop at
>>>> a better price than the drug barons will give and use it or destroy it.
>>>
>>> Rising/unsatisfied demand would drive the prices up until allied gov. wouldn't be
>>> the top buyer any more?
>>>
>>
>>It would be a huge bonanza for the farmers--the crop would be de facto
>>legalized, because anyone could say he was going to sell it to the
>>Allies, but there would be nothing preventing him from selling to both.
>>
>>Some misguided folks have been trying to stop slavery by buying slaves
>>and setting them free, but that has just increased the market, and hence
>>the number of slaves taken. The law of unintended consequences is
>>always ready to bite you in the backside, especially if you don't think
>>things out from your opponent's point of view.
>>
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>Phil Hobbs
>
>Back when Presidents had balls, I'd say we should simply napalm the
>crop every time it comes almost to flower.
>
> ...Jim Thompson

Maybe hire some folks who know how to get things done?

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/20/wo...aides-say.html



Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
(E-Mail Removed) Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

TheM wrote:

> "Eeyore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> > MooseFET wrote:
> >> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> >> > after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> >> > border.
> >> >
> >> > A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
> >> > showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
> >> >
> >> > The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
> >> > and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
> >> > still alive.
> >> >
> >> > The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
> >> > return moments later to shoot them dead.
> >> >
> >> > The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
> >> > militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
> >> > indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
> >> >
> >> > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
> >> >
> >> > If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
> >> > going to control Afghanistan ?
> >>
> >> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
> >>
> >> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
> >> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
> >> those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
> >> poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
> >> the opium, the Talaban would go broke.
> >
> > I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the poppy crop at
> > a better price than the drug barons will give and use it or destroy it.
>
> Rising/unsatisfied demand would drive the prices up until allied gov. wouldn't be
> the top buyer any more?

I wonder if that's really so. Only one way to find out.

Graham

Jim Thompson wrote:

> Phil Hobbs <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >TheM wrote:
> >> "Eeyore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >>> MooseFET wrote:
> >>>> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com>
> >>>> wrote:
> >>>>> Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the Taliban
> >>>>> after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village near the Afghan
> >>>>> border.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone, which
> >>>>> showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to escape.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the back,
> >>>>> and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that they were
> >>>>> still alive.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the gunman
> >>>>> return moments later to shoot them dead.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
> >>>>> militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is further
> >>>>> indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...14/Chilling-fo...
> >>>>>
> >>>>> If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we think we're
> >>>>> going to control Afghanistan ?
> >>>> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
> >>>>
> >>>> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
> >>>> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can threaten
> >>>> those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded largely by the
> >>>> poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of poppies and gave away
> >>>> the opium, the Talaban would go broke.
> >>> I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the poppy crop at
> >>> a better price than the drug barons will give and use it or destroy it.
> >>
> >> Rising/unsatisfied demand would drive the prices up until allied gov. wouldn't be
> >> the top buyer any more?
> >>
> >
> >It would be a huge bonanza for the farmers--the crop would be de facto
> >legalized, because anyone could say he was going to sell it to the
> >Allies, but there would be nothing preventing him from selling to both.
> >
> >Some misguided folks have been trying to stop slavery by buying slaves
> >and setting them free, but that has just increased the market, and hence
> >the number of slaves taken. The law of unintended consequences is
> >always ready to bite you in the backside, especially if you don't think
> >things out from your opponent's point of view.
>
> Back when Presidents had balls, I'd say we should simply napalm the
> crop every time it comes almost to flower.

That can always be kept as a reserve option if a deal can't be struck.

Another idea. Offer to build new infrastructure on the condition that only food crops are grown. These seem
astonishingly simple approaches.

Graham

Jim Thompson <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> On Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:02:46 -0400, Phil Hobbs
><(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>TheM wrote:
>>> "Eeyore" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>
>>>> MooseFET wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Apr 26, 7:03 am, Eeyore
>>>>> <rabbitsfriendsandrelati...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Horrifying footage has emerged of a couple being executed by the
>>>>>> Taliban after conducting an alleged affair in a Pakistan village
>>>>>> near the Afghan border.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A local journalist captured the footage on his mobile telephone,
>>>>>> which showed a gunman shooting the couple after they attempted to
>>>>>> escape.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The man and woman, who have not been named, were both shot in the
>>>>>> back, and left bleeding in a field until observers noticed that
>>>>>> they were still alive.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The film, which aired on Pakistani channel Dawn News, shows the
>>>>>> gunman return moments later to shoot them dead.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The killings, which took place in Hangu District, a violent
>>>>>> militant-controlled frontier region two hours from Peshawar, is
>>>>>> further indication of the spread of the Taliban in Pakistan.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...73614/Chilling
>>>>>> -fo...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If Pakistan can't control its own country how on earth do we
>>>>>> think we're going to control Afghanistan ?
>>>>> Nuke the whole area so that nothing can live?
>>>>>
>>>>> We should stop trying to control Afghanistan. All we really care
>>>>> about is them not being a breading ground for folks who can
>>>>> threaten those outside their borders. The Talaban is funded
>>>>> largely by the poppy trade. If the US planted huge fields of
>>>>> poppies and gave away the opium, the Talaban would go broke.
>>>> I have never understood why the Allied governments don't buy the
>>>> poppy crop at a better price than the drug barons will give and use
>>>> it or destroy it.
>>>
>>> Rising/unsatisfied demand would drive the prices up until allied
>>> gov. wouldn't be the top buyer any more?
>>>
>>
>>It would be a huge bonanza for the farmers--the crop would be de facto
>>legalized, because anyone could say he was going to sell it to the
>>Allies, but there would be nothing preventing him from selling to
>>both.
>>
>>Some misguided folks have been trying to stop slavery by buying slaves
>>and setting them free, but that has just increased the market, and
>>hence the number of slaves taken. The law of unintended consequences
>>is always ready to bite you in the backside, especially if you don't
>>think things out from your opponent's point of view.
>>
>>
>>Cheers
>>
>>Phil Hobbs
>
> Back when Presidents had balls, I'd say we should simply napalm the
> crop every time it comes almost to flower.
>
> ...Jim Thompson

why not just genetically engineer a plant virus specific to the poppy plant
that alters the active chemical to something useless?
Or one that just kills all the opium poppy plants.
Then only plants grown in isolabs could evade the virus so that
commercially useful drugs could still be made,but the large quantities of
illegal drug could not be made,in any practical manner.

the same could be done for the coca plant.
Of course,that does nothing for designer drugs or meth,but every little bit
helps.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net