Drugs & Terrorism

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by Rudey
2. Conflict diamonds: First I would like to remind everyone how brutal the situation is in Sierra Leone...where an astoundingly large population of civilians are maimed for life in order to prevent their resistance (note they were not resisting yet). Diamonds can however be traced. The largest diamond company in the world (De Beers Group) could easily identify which diamonds are theirs since they include marks into the diamonds as you mentioned. However, you don't realize the role De Beers plays in the diamond market. It owns almost the entire market from the mines to the refiners, and is a virtual monopoly in the diamond industry. Whether it is to advocate social reforms or maintain its monopolistic role, De Beers keeps tight watch over its diamonds and is against conflict diamonds which are from mines outside its control and thus competing against its own. As for the funding that went through to other terrorist groups: illegal/conflict diamonds have been used for everything from terrorism to transferring of funds between mafias...not just terrorism, but definitely including terrorism.
-Rudey

http://www.debeersgroup.com/hotTopic...troduction.asp
Something on conflict diamonds.

[DeltAlum]

Upfront I will say that I don't have any expertise in this topic, however I would be surprized if drug sales (money) does not support terrorism on some level.

One of the tactics we're using to fight the Taliban is freezing their economic assets. We're not in control of the drug trade, so why wouldn't they use it to counteract our attempts to interfere with their funding. It just makes economic sense to me.

Besides, it's a hell of a lot quicker to grow and sell poppys and whatever than it is to buy real estate and wait for it to appreciate.

[SilverTurtle]

Originally posted by SigmaChiCard
Moving along to my points.

Drug Money does not support terror significantly more than any other enterprise. I'm aware the ads intentions were to scare those too ignorant to think for themselves, but the propaganda is quite offensive in the regards of laying such heavy shit on those that use. Furthermore, is it not true that our oil money also supports terrorism, playing the stock market supports terrorism, aiding other nations in imminent war promotes terrorism(training bin Laden)...where does the boundary cease?

I think this is the key point. Yes, drug money does, on some level, support terrorism. Money from other sources also supports, on varying levels, terrorism. And other bad things. Not to mention the weapons and assistance (financial and otherwise) provided by one government to another- including the good wholesome U.S.


*I could own my own clothing company, a very popular one, and be worth millions. And you could love my clothes and buy them every chance you get. (They are very hip, after all ). You don't know it, but I am Muslim, and a great supporter of the Taliban. I donate thousands of dollars to their cause, to be used at their discretion, every year. So, by wearing my clothes, you support terrorism. *

Obviously, you weren't intending to support terrorism. And, obviously, legitimate business can and does support organizations/governments you don't personally agree with every day. No- not to the extent as illegal or "black market" business, but it exists.

I go back to my original statement that it is, as SigmaCard said, propoganda. And I don't like it or trust it. Neither should you- it has brainwashed thousands in the past.

Side note- my mother (and scores of other Americans) believes all drugs should be legalized. Why? Because the government can then control it, who gets, it, how often, where it comes from, etc. She is convinced that the reason the U.S. government has not done so is because they would lose money. She's probably right.

Although I am in personal conflict about a government enabling its citizens to use drugs that are known to be dangerous to them, and can definately see her point.