Stardate 20011119.0927 (On Screen): Here is an unbelievable boondoggle: a group in Switzerland is trying to solicit funds through their web site to finance recreation of the two Buddha statues in Afghanistan which were destroyed by the Taliban with artillery (as "graven images"). They figure it might cost on the order of $1.5 million. I can think of a lot more important things that kind of money could be used for in Afghanistan, like building roads and schools and hospitals.
(discussion in progress)
