Bill, I too understand that the question was not directed toward me, but IMO, Hay Mountain is still pretty much a blind target.  A lot of what Afghanistan has to offer is not blind, so you are talking about different kinds of risk (in regards to mining), making comparisons difficult, if not inappropriate - again, in my opinion.

ManBear, if you wore a uniform over there, thank you for your service.  It's hard to appreciate that our efforts are worth anything, but there are those of us who think it important to suppress the spread of theologies having a mission to crush the beliefs of others by any means available.  We can take some comfort in the fact that 16 other countries join us in this belief by having their armed forces there.   

VP