Pubdate: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 Source: Hickory Daily Record (NC) Section: Question Of The Week Copyright: 2000 Hickory Daily Record Contact: PO Box 968, Hickory, N.C. 28603 Feedback: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/letter.html Website: http://www.hickoryrecord.com/ WILL COLOMBIA BECOME 'ANOTHER VIETNAM'? America is spending $1.3 billion on it. The Hickory Metro's congressman, Republican Cass Ballenger, has devoted considerable time and energy to it. We're talking about Colombia. Is the aid to Colombia a military mission in everything but name, and does America run the risk of falling into "another Vietnam"? Is the $1.3 billion a waste of taxpayer money, since America's insatiable demand for cocaine will cause drug traffickers to move to other countries if conditions become too rough in Colombia? Or will the money and aid cripple the rebels, hinder the drug trade, and bring victory to the Colombian goverment, which has battled the Marxist insurgents for decades? - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D