Words from John Murtha

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by boldruler

Afghanistan need to be completely cleaned up. It would have been if not for this ridiculous war in Iraq. The problem with Afghanistan is that you really don't want terrorists running it because it has similar to the equivalent of oil there. The opium trade alone could fund worldwide terror. The US needs to help them build an economy based on something else.

As for letting Bin Laden go, the problem is Pakistan. Pakistan is really not that friendly to the US. Pakistan is a much bigger problem than people think.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13990130/site/newsweek/

I don't know how the US is going to build an economy in Afghanistan. The task is far greater than the rebuilding of New Orleans (and we know how that is going).
In Afghanistan, there is no highway system, limited electricty, and poor soils.
The only crop that seems viable is opium. That's what the farmers know how to grow to obtain the best return on their investment.
So, I'd like to hear your thoughts as to how we (USA) "clean" it up.
To me, it's a task that is far larger than our willingness to do so, and we DO in fact have domestic issues that need to be addressed.

Now, about Pakistan. That one could become a very big problem very quickly.
We tread a very fine line. India is our "check". The US has to play those two cards very carefully.