Pubdate: Tue, 01 Oct 2002
Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Note: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Author: Mark Lynch, Deerfield Beach

POPPY A WEAPON

As our president seeks support for an attack on Iraq due to its stockpiling 
of weapons of mass destruction, it might be a good time to seek a 
broadening of the definition of these weapons. Little has been mentioned 
about the No. 1 crop in Afghanistan, the opium poppy. These crops remain 
untouched in Afghanistan.

Here is a chemical that causes the user to be dependent upon it, destroys 
the user's life (loss of job, family, home), and eventually kills the user. 
What more does a chemical need to do to be considered a weapon? It's time 
to offer the Afghan people an alternative crop, teach them how to farm it, 
and finally napalm the opium fields that are being used to destroy our 
country one person at a time.

Mark Lynch, Deerfield Beach
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom