Pubdate: Tue, 18 Dec 2001
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: Mike James

NAME YOUR PRICE: WE PAY FOR POPPIES

In response to the Dec. 3 editorial, "Return of the poppies," I propose a 
new pledge of allegiance to anti-terrorism. Please bear in mind that only 
last year we gave $43 million to the Afghan government (Taliban) to dispose 
of poppy fields used to produced opiate-based products.

I suggest a flyer be "dropped" over Afghanistan:

"We are Americans. Collectively we are rich with cash and technology to 
achieve a desired outcome. For you, the Afghan farmer, just submit how much 
poppy product you think you could produce and we will send you all the cash 
you would have received for that product on the world market. We are proud 
to pay this ransom in advance because, well, we simply don't trust 
ourselves to find solutions to our drug problems. Hence, our obscene prison 
problem.

"Name your price, just please don't harm us, surely you must know we're 
cowards by now!"

MIKE JAMES

Alvin Street
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens