Plan Colombia

[Edge]

http://www.msnbc.com/news/932982.asp?0cv=CB10

[Pete E]

... in response to Plan Colombia, posted by Edge on Jul 2, 2003

Plan Colombia,which I think originated in the Clinton amdministration has a very narrow focus.It was supposed to be about fighting drugs only,not dealing with rebel terrorists.The problem is the two are tied closely together and both need to be dealt with.With the new braver Bush administration the problem could be seen as one of terrorism and drugs and both could be attacked.So that minority of politicians that think we should not get involved in Colombian politics could just be overuled,just like the guys that didn't want to deal with a Saddam Housien.
Actually Colombia is alot easier than Iraq.The majority of the population is opposed to the rebels.And Colombia does not need direct military intervention,they have the people.We should help with military supplies and assistance.And if it were needed and there was a good target I wouldn't be opposed to some US air strikes.As  Bush has said,you are with us or you are against us.The Colombian government is with us.The rebels are against us and the best interests of Colombia.I hope Uribe gets busy with his plan to wipe out the rebels,and the drug dealers with them.
Supply and demand?Thats a long story.I think we should work on all elements of it.I have said before I don't think we can control supply.I'm not so sure any more.I think our efforts have been very limited to stupid things like spraying crops.Thats not the way to get Colombians on your side.Support for Uribe to wipe out the rebels and drug dealers is a better but more daring idea.Its time to end this nonsense.

Pete

[mudd]

... in response to Plan Colombia, posted by Edge on Jul 2, 2003

Production will shift to poorer countries where farmers need money, and where drug lords want control. Until demand is stopped in the USA, (will never happen) due to lawyers, actors, sports players, ACLU and other idiot politicians who think its a 1st amendment right to do drugs, well keep throwing money out the window.

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Plan Colombia, posted by mudd on Jul 2, 2003

I do not have the answer to stop the demand in our country, but do you think the money should be spent on treatment or on locking people up and throwing away the key?  Which is what it seems we have been doing, and it is not working.

[mudd]

... in response to Re: Re: Plan Colombia, posted by Edge on Jul 2, 2003

when i was in high school, we had a guest teacher from Thailand and the drug problem in the USA came up, and somebody asked him how his country deals with the same problem. his answer was very simple, "we  dont have a drug problem, as far as people using them, because if they are caught, they are shot". it may be a little harsh, but i would vote for a bill that anybody caught with drugs would either be deported, shot, or thrown in jail for at least 10 years, and im sure the demand would drop A LOT. i dont do drugs, so why would i care if they went to jail for a long time, but as i said before in my other post above, too many lawyers, and so forth!!!!!

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Plan Colombia, posted by mudd on Jul 3, 2003

Mudd - I can understand the frustration.  One of those intractable problems in our society.  I tend to be a person who wants the government out of my life as much as possible - let me do whatever the hell I want to do as long as I do no harm to no one else.  The last thing I need is the govt. trying to tell me what is right and wrong, that is between me and my maker.

Take care.