Let's give thanks for smaller stones...

[Otto]

Inside Afghanistan: Elizabeth Rubin on politics, Pashtun-style.
 "There's an old Pashtun proverb (...) that goes something like this: "A
cousin is good against another tribe. A brother is good against cousins. And
a son is good against brothers." Which is why if you don't give birth to a
son here in Pashtunwali land, you're as good as finished. "All your assets
will go to your enemy," said Sami, who has only four daughters. And who's
the enemy? Your cousin."
http://www.tnr.com/123101/rubin123101.html

I don't think that this lifestyle should be tolerated in the 21st century,
even if it's limited to their own territory and not exported to other
countries. These people need to be disarmed by the international community.

On the other thing: as long as there is a demand there will be an offer. If
one connection is closed down another one will be opened. I cannot blame the
Afghan people for making their living on opium as long as we are unable to
work on the causes for the demand. But the warlords are to blame for
spending the money on arms instead of building up the infrastructure.

Otto

"Das Opium, das Opium, das bringt noch unser'n Opi um."
(German Proverb)

----- Original Message -----
From: <barbara100 at jps.net>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 8:58 PM
Subject: Let's give thanks for smaller stones...


Some great improvements in Afghanistan since the fall of the
Taliban--they're using smaller stones now to execute adulturers; the bodies
of hanged criminals will only be left up for 15 minutes iinstead of four
days, as used to be required by the Taliban; and instead of planting wheat
for next winter's famine (who needs to eat anyway?), they're back to growing
opium poppies! Yes, things are sure looking up.