Hi Kate,
> But how do you view this piece as irresponsible?
Scheer is a well-known editorial writer for the left. He is paid to slant
his writing accordingly. I actually enjoy reading him because he is a very
compelling writer, but I know not to take his word as impartial fact or
gospel. I also have the same reaction to editorial writers from the far
right. When I read this article all it seemed to broadcast to me was that
Bush WAS the Taliban and an idiot to boot. If the name Clinton had been
inserted instead of Bush I would have been equally revolted. It is
irresponsible IMO because to anyone who knows nothing about our past 22
years' involvement with Afghanistan reading it, it could lead them to
believe that all this crap has started with the current Bush administration.
I also am suspect of it because (and this is not to blame Clinton because
we've now had 5 presidents from both parties involved in this since 1979) I
find it hard to believe that Bush in could have conceived the "war on drugs"
program, received congressional approval for it, negotiated it with the
Afghanis, verified that it had been done, and received the $43 million to
turn over in his short 3 1/2 months in office. Knowledge of the reality of
the government tells me this was already in the pipeline from the previous
administration, so Scheer could really be slanting this one in an effort to
smear Bush.
>And why must it be current?
As it pertains to Scheer himself, I have noticed in recent months that he
has changed his tune more. I'll have to go look and see what he's saying
about the current situation. But I have read later articles that are more
Bush friendly. Maybe he's changed his opinion or maybe he's just again
writing for the audience.
> So are you saying this $43 million was provided to the Taliban to turn
over
> Bin Laden to us, not to be used to stop them from growing opium?
I don't think our people in government are such idiots that they would
seriously depart with that kind of money for the only purpose of stopping
the opium trade. I think it was a backdoor way to get in money for general
relief and/or to grease some hands in the effort to have them dislodge Bin
Laden.
Kakki
