[Bouncer]

You're right to ascribe a lot of blame all around. There is much to be done to clean this mess up. Whoever these terrorists are we need to teach them a lesson their children will remember.
As for Tom it's sotra pointless to argue with him. He thinks that everything he reads from the govt is the gospel and that those nice guys from the Taliban would never convert anything for nefarious purposes (especially when they're on the honor system because they won't let us monitor the aid).
Reminds me of those nice guys in Iraq. Too bad that pesky Richard Butler kept lying about them converting the aid they received.

[TomB]

If your going to address me, it is common courtesy to add my name to the "reply to" box.

In my original post I pointed out that the Robert Scheer article was a complete fabrication, based on the statement:

That's the message sent with the recent gift of $43 million to the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, the most virulent anti-American violators of human rights in the world today. The gift, announced last Thursday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, in addition to other recent aid, makes the U.S. the main sponsor of the Taliban and rewards that "rogue regime" for declaring that opium growing is against the will of God. So, too, by the Taliban's estimation, are most human activities, but it's the ban on drugs that catches this administration's attention.

Never mind that Osama bin Laden still operates the leading anti-American terror operation from his base in Afghanistan, from which, among other crimes, he launched two bloody attacks on American embassies in Africa in 1998.

I responded with an article which pointed out the fact that NO MONEY was given, and the humanitarian aid that was sent was NOT sent "to the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan" as Scheer puts it, but was to be distributed by the U.N.

Obviously, Scheers article is wrong on more than one point.

Then in post #6 you made the statement:

Perhaps you could explain the $43 million we just gave them in May.

The implication being that we were directly supporting the Taliban, which we aren't.

You linked to a website which made the statement:

But who needs official status when this country in May was happy to cut a check for $43 million as a reward for the Taliban crushing opium poppy production by desperate Afghan farmers?

That is an abject lie. And by now you should know it.

But of course you then change the subject from the horrible allegation that the Bush Administration GAVE MONEY TO THE TALIBAN, to the fact that some of the aid we sent could be diverted and sold to indirectly help the Taliban. That, of course is possible, but you have yet to give one shred of proof that it has happened in this instance. But, even if it has happened, it does not change the fact that you were lying through your teeth when you made the statement that the Bush Administration had given the Taliban $43 million.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Many of us have been surprised at this Robert Scheer article and the widespread acceptance of the very deceptive talking point: "Bush gave $43 million to the Taliban." What angers me most at this time is that one hour of research (speeches from the floor of the UN council, White House press briefings, articles from relief organizations and even liberal mainstream papers) proves how truly cruel and dishonest the implication that President Bush was responsible for the 911 attack by financing the Taliban, when the answers are there for easy verification. The UN and relief organizations begged for humanitarian aid for the Afghanis (from the beginning of the Bush Presidency until the aid came through), mostly Dem. Senators (especially Diane Feinstein) passionately fought for the aid, a special committee traveled to Afghanistan to assess the humanitarian need, Colin Powell reported back that up to 4 million Afghanis are starving. We provided humanitarian aid, did before, will again.

A better case could be made that liberal organizations fought for and won $43 million for the Taliban. That would also be deceptive, and most Freepers would be jumped on for making such an unfounded allegation.

AFGHANISTAN: Famine Endangering 1 Million, UN Says; More

Wrapping up a visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan to witness the plight of the Afghan populace firsthand, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said yesterday Afghans urgently need assistance if the international community wishes to avert a mass famine.

"We believe that at least 1 million people are at risk of famine," said Kenzo Oshima after returning from his visit to the Central Asian region.

Oshima said he saw "a sea of people living in unbelievable misery" during a visit to a refugee camp near Jalozai, Pakistan (Reuters/ABCNEWS.com, 20 Feb). More than 130,000 Afghan refugees are living in horrible conditions near Jalozai.

Oshima met with with Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad on Friday. They discussed the Pakistani proposal to provide more relief to displaced persons inside Afghanistan (Agence France-Presse/ReliefWeb, 17 Feb). Oshima noted that the United Nations was involved in discussions with the Taliban to explore that option. Oshima also discussed with Pakistani authorities the possibility of setting up another refugee camp in Pakistan in order to ease overcrowding (Reuters/MSNBC.com, 17 Feb). Approximately 700 people are crossing the Afghan border into Pakistan every day (Reuters/ABCNews.com).

Oshima praised the "generous" long-term commitment of Pakistan to the refugee crisis. "We recognize that here is a tremendous burden put on the government and people," he said. "We hope that the open and generous attitude which has been demonstrated will be maintained" (AFP/ReliefWeb).

Relief Aid Stabilizes Situation
The arrival of relief aid in the last two weeks has helped stabilize the deteriorating conditions at camps for the internally displaced around Herat in western Afghanistan.

Relief agencies, however, are bracing themselves for the arrival of more refugees as snow begins to melt and open up the mountain passes. Aid groups are now focusing on reaching out to people in outlying rural areas in order to "discourage further migration to Herat," according to UN World Food Program coordinator Denise Brown. According to Brown, some of these areas have not received food assistance since October.

Brown also said that efforts are needed to reactivate farming in the region. "The shortage of seeds needs to be addressed immediately," she said. Seeds are in short supply because the major suppliers in Iran and Pakistan have also been affected by the severe drought that has struck Central Asia (Integrated Regional Information Networks, 19 Feb).

---

Plenty of links at my above post for those who care about the truth.

[Bryan]

You are using the very same philosophy and tactics used by radical left-wing fringe dwellers at a non-partisan site (Capitol Grilling) and the left-wing hate sites (FreeDem, Democratic Underground, Bartcop, Salon, Smirking Chimp). Even before the instantly-cremated ashes of the World Trade Center victims had settled to the ground, they were all over these sites like vultures circling over the dead, screeching, "Blame Bush! Blame Bush!"

I posted the press statement from Secretary Powell back in May, together with the link to the State Department website where it was posted. This indicated that the $43 million in aid was in the form of grain, medical supplies, blankets and other humanitarian aid, sent entirely to Red Crescent (Islamic equivalent of the Red Cross) and other relief organizations, to keep it out of the hands of the Taliban.

Secretary Powell also pointed out that last year, we sent $114 million. Who was the President last year, Bouncer and which party did he belong to?

After I posted all that, I asked four questions: First, do you really believe that Bush met with Powell in some smoke-filled back room of the White House and said, "Hey, I hear Osama bin Laden is planning to blow up the World Trade Center, so let's send him $43 million in small, unmarked bills"?

Second, do you really believe that anyone outside your tiny little circle of left-wing friends is stupid enough to believe that? (You've always been able to count on the stupid vote, but are they that stupid?)

Third, was Clinton equally cautious about making certain that all $114 million of aid went to the refugees? Or did he send his boys to deliver $114 million in small, unmarked bills directly to bin Laden? (I'm not accusing Clinton of anything, I'm just asking. Inquiring minds want to know.)

And fourth, at that press conference in May there were a lot of left-wing media hounds (formerly Clinton lap dogs) shoving cameras and microphones into Powell's face, asking a lot of questions. Where were they last year and why didn't they ask Clinton the same questions?

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Bouncer, your continued presence on this website is a testament to Jim Robinson's unswerving belief in free speech. Perhaps we should send you and other liberal Freepers on a tour of all the left-wing hate sites, where they believe that the moment anyone breathes a whisper that isn't to the right of center, he is banned instantly. By my criticisms of your beliefs, I do not mean to make you feel unwelcome because unlike many other liberals who have made a (very brief) visit to this site, you present them in a polite and respectful way. Stick around.