1115.org

Do they even remember Afghanistan?

You know, that fist-shaped country that had a “free” election just a few months ago.

Afghanistan’s first-ever presidential election has passed off peacefully, but ended in controversy as opposition candidates called for a boycott…The move followed claims of voting irregularities. The dispute centres on the supposedly indelible ink that had been dabbed on to voters’ thumbs to show they voted…Many voters were able to wipe the ink off.

Let’s hope ink is the only common factor. Any more similarities might be too much to handle:

In a report issued late last month, the International Monetary Fund said it regrets “indications that widespread corruption, the rise in drug activities and the lack of transparency in many areas may have undermined the business environment.” The IMF was particularly concerned about Afghanistan’s resurgence in opium farming, making the country once again the world’s leading producer of the raw ingredient for heroin. Three years after U.S. forces arrived, Afghanistan is now responsible for about 87 percent of the world’s opium supply, officials estimate.

Military expenditures total $1 billion each month in Afghanistan. Soldiers still suffer casualties, and some still die. I wish I could forget about that as easily as the Fingerpainters have.