Oil? We’re Here for the Heroin! (at $19,923,200 per barrel!)

Kevin Hayden
May 09, 2011(AP)

The recent article about Russia criticizing US and NATO forces (attached below) struck a chord with me because just a few weeks ago, I discussed how and why I believed US and NATO forces to be the world’s largest drug cartel.  The push into the Helmand Province was a key element, being some of the most fertile production areas in the world.  In that article, I asked why US and NATO forces have not begun destroying the opium fields, salting the region or even engineering a Monsanto-like gene to sterilize the plants. 
In response, I received multiple emails talking about the “poor farmers who have nothing else to do” and how many people would starve if we destroyed the poppy fields.  I read several articles on USA Today, CNN, FOX, etc talking about the same thing.  They were shifting the blame.  The poor Afghan farmer was the victim in these emails and articles. 
If you’re a loyal reader, you clearly know that I do not support the war in Iraq or Afghanistan for a variety of reasons.  But, I’m in awe of some people who say the war is justified and that we should be over there – and yet allow the drug trade to flourish.  IF we are going to be there, and IF the United States truly is dedicated to it’s (lame) War on Drugs and War on Terrorism, then why are we not incinerating these fields?  That would produce a two-fold win for the current American policy.  Why is Russia having to step up and be vocal?
I’m reminded of a few ideas brought up by Joseph Stack’s kamakazi mission into the IRS building. 
Why are we allowing those involved in hideous crimes to be let off the hook simply because “they were doing their job”…?  These farmers are “just doing their job and feeding their family” and at the same time, this ONE farmer could easily produce enough heroin to kill hundreds. 
“They’re just trying to feed their family!”  Well, ya know what?  Find a new crop.  Is this the Obama Bailout for Opium Farmers?
There is a constant conflict of information being pushed out by the Military and US government.
Multiple times, US commanders have said the Taliban and al-Qaeda (all-CIA-duh!) receive 90% of their funding through the heroin trade.  Under US pressure, the UN allowed NATO countries to go after suspected drug traffickers alongside terrorists.  So, after sending 30,000 more troops into Afghanistan, and specifically into the Helmand Province to root out suspected drug traffickers, why are we allowing the farmers to continue growing their poison and call them victims?  If we are truly there to make a difference (which I do not believe, but entertain me for a moment), then what exactly is the plan?  What’s the strategy? 
Will we step up and begin distribution of all this opium still being grown?  If we kill or arrest all of the druglords and terrorists and yet allow the heroin to still be manufactured, who is left to process it?  Package it?  Transport it?  The ones with the biggest guns, of course!
The War on Drugs is a failure because law enforcement agencies focus on small amounts, the street level consumer and such novelties as medical marijuana.  If the US Government truly believes that the War on Drugs is righteous and is trying to protect people, then why have they not fire bombed these fields?
Oh, that’s because there is too much profit to be made!  Remember back in 2003, everyone was saying that oil was the primary reason we went to war…? 
The price of a barrel of oil is sitting right at $83-84 at this moment.  How much do you think a “barrel” full of heroin sells for?  
For relatively pure heroin, cultivated and shipped from Afghanistan, the world’s largest supplier of heroin – it would net you $19,923,200 USD PER BARREL.
Now, by the time that hits American and Russian streets…and is cut up and diluted several times, you are looking at roughly $60,000,000 – $80,000,000 US dollars per barrel of heroin.
Oil?  Hahah.