A little blue pill for the Afghan warlord...

A little blue pill for the Afghan warlord...




First published at Qassia:



While the CIA has reportedly a long reputation in winning over fickle Afghan warlords, chieftains and other leaders with the usual variety of inducements: food, pocket knives, tools, mirrors, medicine and surgeries for family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions and, even pharmaceutical enhancement for an ailing patriarch with a limp libido - there is always the little blue Viagra pill!

In recent times an aging chieftain reportedly appearing even older than his 60 plus years, with a very well used look and bearded face of a tribal patriarch and husband to four much younger women, gave a regional CIA officer the opportunity to glean some vital local information regarding the possible whereabouts of Taleban, drug dealers, and agents infiltrating from Iran.

On returning to the area four days the CIA man gained the required information from a now fully rejuvenated patriarch who looked like he was literally jumping out of his skin, and also a request for more of those little blue pills! The newest weapon in the CIA arsenal?

This is not a paid advertisement!

Outgoing President George W Bush receives ultimate Arab insult in shoe throwing incident...

Outgoing President George W Bush received ultimate Arab insult with shoe throwing incident...

Outgoing President George W Bush received the ulimate insult in the Arab world when he had a pair of shoes thrown at him by a local journalist at a media conference in Iraq.

Despite the shoe-thrower being arrested, it is unlikely he will be severely punished because most Iraqis have applauded his actions. Shoes are the dirtiest things a person can throw at another because they are the closest to the ground. In Bush's case many Iraqis consider that he is responsible for dragging Iraqi society through the dirt. Interesting!

There was a distinct delay between the throwing of the two shoes - security guards appeared to be slow in reacting.
What if the Iraqi journalist's intentions had been more sinister?

Key National government introduces fascist 90 day hire and fire law in NZ...

While this is not my political blogsite, this post deals with social issues which must be discussed.

The newly elected rightwing National Government in NZ has introduced under urgency and passed into law a '90 day hire and fire Act' giving small employers(under 20 employees) the legal right to sack workers without notice or grievance procedure within the ninety day period.

While the provisions of the new law are attacked, the worst aspect was the law being introduced under urgency a couple of weeks before Christmas. Under urgency prevents debate in the committee stages of law making.

The only protection workers will have are those under human rights legislation.

I understand a similar situation exists in the US, but it is not enacted in law, but through employers hiring procedures.

Critics claim that compliance costs will increase, as they did when a similar law was enacted in Britain.

I can't understand how it will assist the employment of more workers; it will just make those already at risk more vulnerable, especially the young, ethnic, or foreign workers on short term visas.

The largest union in the country,the EPMU, made the unparalled and unsuccessful petition to the Governor General to intervene.

In the 1990's the then National Government introduced the controversial Employment Contracts Act(ECA) which affected NZ workers in a number of negative and repressive ways and kept National out of office for nine years. There is genuine fear here that the new law may be the thin edge of the wedge!

Taleban promises Pakistan its support in any war with India...

The Taleban has promised Pakistan its support in any future war with India because of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Pakistan and India have become traditional foes over many years and have fought many wars against each other since partition in 1948.

However, analysts have claimed that the offer by the Taleban is a ruse to take the heat off the terrorist group and inflame anti-Hindu sentiments, and to draw support away from Islamabad's fight against Al-Qaida and Taleban militants in the tribal regions close to Afghanistan.

The US is proposing to negotiate withn those involved to come up with plans to avoid any future conflict in the volatile region.

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