Afghan opium war jumps out of the gate and stumbles

Hmm, it seems the battle against opium is not quite as successful as Condi and others would like us to believe. On the first day US mercenaries, oh sorry I forgot they are now called US security personnel, led the operation to cut down poppy before the harvest in what was supposed to be the easy going town of Maiwand. Unfortunately the operation was greeted by burning tires and heavy gunfire, perhaps with assistance from Taliban fighters.

Locals are complaining that small farmers are being singled out while big farmers who are connected to the warlords have free reign to grow and produce opium. If this is how the operation is starting, it's going to be interesting to see how the campaign goes in unfriendly territory. I'm sure Condi will be on the news keeping us briefed on it though, so no need to try and follow the story in the press.